U2 to headline NFL's inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game on Netflix

Key points

• U2 will headline the halftime show for the NFL's inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game on November 25, 2026.
• The match will feature the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
• The game will be broadcast live on Netflix, continuing the streamer's trend of marquee halftime performances.
• This is U2's first appearance at an NFL game since their iconic performance at Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.
• The performance coincides with U2's 50th anniversary as a band, having formed in Dublin in 1976.

Background

Netflix has expanded its NFL broadcasting rights, carrying Christmas games in previous seasons with halftime shows by Beyonce and Snoop Dogg. The NFL has increasingly encroached on traditional NBA holiday slots, including Christmas Day and now Thanksgiving Eve. U2 previously performed at Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, where the St. Louis Rams lost to the New England Patriots.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and NFL.com emphasize the historical significance of U2's return to an NFL field since 2002 and the milestone of the band's 50th anniversary. Deadline highlights the competitive dynamic between the NFL and NBA for holiday broadcasting slots, noting the NFL's recent success in Christmas Day ratings. RTE.ie focuses on the upcoming release of U2's new album, 'Carnaval de Luz,' on November 13, 2026, just prior to the performance.

Why it matters

The event represents a significant cultural moment, combining a major music act with a historic NFL game, and underscores Netflix's growing influence in sports broadcasting. It also highlights the NFL's strategic expansion into new time slots and global markets.

What to watch

U2's new album, 'Carnaval de Luz,' will be released on November 13, 2026. The Thanksgiving Eve game will be broadcast live on Netflix on November 25, 2026, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET. Netflix may announce additional halftime shows for its Christmas Day games later in the year.