NFL Thanksgiving in Detroit 2026
Football's oldest holiday tradition — the Lions at home, the way it's been since 1934.
Thanksgiving football is three games in one day, and the first of them has belonged to Detroit since 1934. In 2026 the Lions host the Bears at Ford Field at 1:00 PM ET, the Cowboys host the Eagles at AT&T Stadium at 4:30 PM ET, as Dallas has since 1966, and Chiefs at Bills closes it out at night. As a trip, Detroit is the purist's pick.
⚡ Quick answers
- Who do the Lions play on Thanksgiving 2026?
- The Lions host the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET and the game is on CBS.
- What time is the Lions Thanksgiving game?
- 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT) on Thursday, November 26, 2026. The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game since 1934.
- What are the NFL Thanksgiving Day games in 2026?
- Bears at Lions at 1:00 PM ET on CBS, Eagles at Cowboys at 4:30 PM ET on FOX, and Chiefs at Bills at 8:20 PM ET on NBC. The NFL also has Packers at Rams on Wednesday night and Broncos at Steelers on Friday afternoon.
- Is there a Thanksgiving parade in Detroit before the Lions game?
- Yes. America's Thanksgiving Parade turns 100 in 2026 and steps off at 8:45 AM on Woodward Avenue at Kirby, finishing just after noon near Campus Martius. That leaves time to walk to Ford Field for the 1 PM kickoff.
- How do you get Lions Thanksgiving tickets?
- Ticketmaster is the Lions' official ticket marketplace, and the game is usually a sellout. Book your hotel and Thanksgiving dinner reservation early, since downtown Detroit fills up.
- Where do you park for the Lions Thanksgiving game?
- There are on-site and nearby lots around Ford Field, and buying a pass in advance is smart on a holiday. The Detroit People Mover and QLine are alternatives if you are staying downtown.
- Is Ford Field indoors?
- Yes. Ford Field is a domed stadium in downtown Detroit, so there is no weather risk inside, though you will be outside for the parade and the walk.
- What airport do you fly into for a Detroit Thanksgiving game?
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), about 20 miles southwest of downtown.
✨ Why this one's worth the trip
- ›It's the most tradition-dense regular-season date in American sports — a Lions Thanksgiving is a bucket-list item independent of the standings.
- ›Ford Field is a downtown dome: warm seats, walkable to Greektown and the stadium district, and no weather risk on a late-November trip.
- ›Detroit stacks well — the Red Wings and Pistons both play at Little Caesars Arena a few blocks away, and check their schedules for Thanksgiving weekend to stack a game.
🎪 The scene
The city makes a morning of it: America's Thanksgiving Parade (its 100th) steps off at 8:45 AM on Woodward Avenue and wraps just after noon, leaving time to walk to Ford Field for the 1 PM kickoff.
Expect a family-heavy, sold-out crowd and restaurant reservations that go fast — book the Thanksgiving dinner sitting before you book anything else.
🧭 Planning it
- ›This year it's Bears at Lions (1 PM ET, CBS), then Eagles at Cowboys (4:30 PM ET, FOX) and Chiefs at Bills (8:20 PM ET, NBC).
- ›Stay downtown (Greektown or the central business district) and you can walk to Ford Field, the parade route and Little Caesars Arena.
- ›Make it a doubleheader weekend: check whether the Red Wings or Pistons are home Friday or Saturday and stack it.
Make a bigger trip of it
🧩 Writing about it? Add a live countdown to your page. Get the free widget →
Details reflect official announcements at time of writing — verify times and schedules with the event before booking.