What Sports Are on Thanksgiving Day?

Learn about the various sports that are traditionally played on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. From football to turkey trotting, find out which sports are most popular on this holiday.

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NFL Football

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL is one of the four major North American professional sports leagues, the highest professional level of American football in the world, the wealthiest professional sport league by revenue, and the sport league with the most valuable teams.

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

The annual NFL game on Thanksgiving Day is a tradition that dates back to the league’s early years. The first Thanksgiving Day game was played in Detroit in 1934, and it has been a tradition ever since. The Detroit Lions have played in every Thanksgiving Day game since 1934, with the exception of 1939, when they did not have a team. The Green Bay Packers have also been a part of the tradition, playing in Thanksgiving Day games dating back to 1921.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Dallas Cowboys will take on the Los Angeles Chargers at home on Thanksgiving day. This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2017, when the Cowboys won 28-6. The Chargers are coming off a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Cowboys are coming off a huge win against division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

This should be a great game between two of the best teams in the NFL. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the league, led by quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. The Chargers have a very good defense, led by linebacker Melvin Ingram and safety Derwin James.

Both teams are expected to be at full strength for this game, so it should be a great matchup. Be sure to tune in Thanksgiving day to catch all the action!

College Football

There are a few different college football games that are played on Thanksgiving Day. The most notable game is the game between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota, which has been played every year since 1892.

Auburn vs. Alabama

Each year, college football takes center stage on Thanksgiving Day. The game pits the Auburn Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide, two bitter rivals. The game is usually close, and the atmosphere is electric.

Clemson vs. South Carolina

The Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks are two of the most successful college football teams in recent history. Clemson has won five national championships in the last six years, while South Carolina has won three straight SEC titles.

These two teams will square off on Thanksgiving Day in what is sure to be one of the most highly-anticipated games of the college football season. Both teams are ranked in the top 10, and the winner will have a big advantage in the playoff race.

This game will be a rematch of last year’s national championship, which Clemson won convincingly, 44-16. South Carolina will be looking to exact some revenge, and they will have home-field advantage this time around.

It should be a great game, and a win for either team would be a huge accomplishment.

NBA Basketball

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional men’s basketball league in North America, composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada).

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are two of the most storied rivals in the NBA. They have been playing each other on Thanksgiving Day since the early days of the NBA, and their matchup is always one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season. This year, they will face off at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the Celtics looking to continue their recent domination of the Knicks.

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks

The Philadelphia 76ers take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Thanksgiving Day. This will be the first time these two teams have played each other this season. The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET and will be televised on ESPN.

NHL Hockey

The NHL Thanksgiving Showdown features three games on Thanksgiving Day. The Dallas Stars take on the Nashville Predators, the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Boston Bruins, and the Chicago Blackhawks battle the Minnesota Wild.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

On Thanksgiving Day in the United States, many people sit down to watch one or more of the three traditional NFL games that are played. However, for hockey fans, there is another option – watching the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Philadelphia Flyers.

The tradition started in 1980 when the Flyers and Penguins first played each other on Thanksgiving. Since then, they have faced off against each other 19 times on Thanksgiving, with the Flyers winning 10 of those games.

The game has become so popular that it is now broadcast nationally on NBC. So whether you are a fan of the Penguins or Flyers, or just a fan of hockey, you can enjoy watching a great game on Thanksgiving Day.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings

On Thanksgiving Day in the United States, two of the most iconic teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) will face off against each other. The Chicago Blackhawks, who are based in Illinois, will take on the Detroit Red Wings, who are based in Michigan. This game is sure to be a heated rivalry, as these two teams have a long-standing history with each other.

The Blackhawks and the Red Wings are two of the Original Six teams in the NHL. The Original Six teams are the six teams that made up the NHL from 1942 until 1967. These six teams were: the Boston Bruins, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Of these six teams, the Blackhawks and Red Wings have been among the most successful, winning a combined 11 Stanley Cups (the trophy awarded to the team that wins the NHL playoffs).

This game on Thanksgiving Day will be just one of many games played between these two great rivals during this NHL season. Be sure to tune in to catch all of the action!