In 2023, NFL fans regularly tune in to watch games on Thursday evenings – but this was not always the case. For much of the league's history, Thursday games were occasional and irregular, except for the traditional Thanksgiving slate. So when did Thursday Night Football come into being, and how has it changed over time?
- From Inception to Prime Time: When Did Thursday Night Football Start?
- 2023 NFL Thursday Night Football Schedule
- Thursday Night Football Teams: Best Teams
- Evolution of NFL Thursday Night Football: From Modest Beginnings to Prime Time Spectacle
- FAQs
From Inception to Prime Time: When Did Thursday Night Football Start?
The NFL began to schedule regular Thursday night games in 2002. Since then, the number of Thursday games has increased, and in 2023 almost every week of the season features a Thursday night kickoff. Broadcasting agreements with various television providers have influenced the development of Thursday Night Football, which is now an official package of games that can be purchased by a network. Thanksgiving games also take place on a Thursday, but they are not traditionally part of the Thursday Night Football television package.
2023 NFL Thursday Night Football Schedule
- 19 October 2023, 19:15 – New Orleans Saints v Jacksonville Jaguars · Caesars Superdome
- 26 October 2023, 20:15 – Buffalo Bills v Tampa Bay Buccaneers· Highmark Stadium
- 2 November 2023, 20:15 – Pittsburgh Steelers v Tennessee Titans· Acrisure Stadium
- 9 November 2023, 19:15 – Chicago Bears v Carolina Panthers· Soldier Field
- 16 November 2023, 20:15 – Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals· M&T Bank Stadium
- 23 November 2023, 12:30 – Detroit Lions v Green Bay Packers· Ford Field
- 23 November 2023, 15:30 – Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders· AT&T Stadium
- 23 November 2023, 17:20 – Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers· Lumen Field
- 30 November 2023, 19:15 – Dallas Cowboys v Seattle Seahawks· AT&T Stadium
- 7 December 2023, 20:15 – Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots· Acrisure Stadium
- 14 December 2023, 17:15 – Las Vegas Raiders v Los Angeles Chargers· Allegiant Stadium
- 21 December 2023, 17:15 – Los Angeles Rams v New Orleans Saints· SoFi Stadium
- 28 December 2023, 20:15 – Cleveland Browns v New York Jets· Cleveland Browns Stadium
Thursday Night Football Teams: Best Teams
As of October 2023, the teams with the best results from Thursday Night Football games include:
- Indianapolis Colts
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Dallas Cowboys
- Baltimore Ravens
- San Francisco 49ers
Evolution of NFL Thursday Night Football: From Modest Beginnings to Prime Time Spectacle
Historical Context and Early Years
Thursday night NFL games did not originate with the modern broadcasting package. From 1978 to 1986, certain Thursday games were included in the Monday Night Football package broadcast on CBS. Occasional games were also shown on ESPN, although these were often games that had been scheduled for Sunday and subsequently moved to Thursday.
NFL's Leap to Thursdays: When Did the League Start Playing Midweek Games?
In 2002, the NFL began to schedule Thursday night games on a regular basis, in addition to the existing Thanksgiving games. This allowed the league to expand its number of viewing slots, meaning fans could watch more games over the course of a weekend. Games cannot be scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights for most of the NFL season due to an antitrust agreement from 1961 that prohibits NFL and NCAA college football games from taking place at the same time.
Who Plays Thursday Night Football?
All teams can be scheduled for Thursday Night Football, and since 2012 every team is scheduled for at least 1 Thursday game each season, although this may include a Thanksgiving game rather than a regular Thursday Night Football broadcast. Since 2006, the San Francisco 49ers have played the most Thursday Night Football games of any team, followed by the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets. The Detroit Lions have contested the fewest Thursday Night Football matchups.
How the NFL's Midweek Games Became a Fan Favorite
Although Thursday Night Football was originally controversial among fans, many have come to enjoy it as an extra night of regular NFL football. The early broadcasting agreements made it difficult for most fans to watch the Thursday games on TV, and some viewers claimed that the short turnaround between games led to less entertaining football. As teams and fans alike have become more accustomed to the format, however, Thursday Night Football has become more popular and more accessible.
Where to Watch Thursday Night Football?
As with any football game, the best place to watch Thursday Night Football is inside the stadium among thousands of other fans. For those who are unable to see the game live, however, almost every Thursday night game is broadcast on Amazon Prime Video. This does not include Thanksgiving games, which have different broadcasting agreements.
FAQs
What was the purpose behind introducing Thursday Night Football?
A major factor behind the development of Thursday Night Football was the NFL’s need to promote the NFL Network television channel. When Thursday Night Football launched in 2006, very few providers carried NFL Network, which owned the rights to all the Thursday games. The league used fans’ desire to watch these games to pressure TV providers to carry the channel on their basic payment tiers.
How have broadcasting and scheduling of Thursday Night Football changed?
The broadcasting of Thursday Night Football has changed significantly since its inception in 2006. Since 2012, for example, all teams have been scheduled either for a regular Thursday Night Football game or for a Thanksgiving game, ensuring that every team plays a nationally broadcast game. Beginning in 2022, Amazon acquired exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football broadcasts. All games must also be simulcast on a broadcast TV station in the home markets of each team.
Are Thursday Night Football games as significant as weekend games?
Thursday Night Football games are just as significant as weekend matchups, although the most high-profile games are often scheduled for Sunday night instead. The NFL tries to maintain balance in its scheduling, spreading the various slots between teams so there is a fair distribution of games on each day.
Are there any unique traditions associated with Thursday Night Football?
Thursday Night Football does not feature any particular traditions, except that the teams prepare differently for a Thursday game to reduce the injury risk to tired players. Fans may also develop their own traditions for travelling to Thursday games or watching them on TV.
How do teams prepare for a Thursday Night Football game on a short week?
When teams are scheduled for a Thursday Night Football kickoff, their training sessions are often slightly different from a usual week. Players experience extra fatigue if they play on a Sunday and must then play again on the following Thursday. Preparations might therefore include more recovery sessions and light workouts, with reduced or zero contact to limit the risk of injury.
What impact has Thursday Night Football had on the NFL fan experience and ratings?
In its earliest days, Thursday Night Football had significantly lower TV ratings than weekend or Monday games. This was partially due to the limited availability of the NFL Network channel. Ratings did improve as games received wider coverage, but many fans remain critical of Thursday Night Football, arguing that the short turnaround between games results in lower quality football.