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Chiefs Have Reportedly Made Big Christmas Day Request

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 2, 2025 4:21 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have played on Christmas Day each of the last two years.

This past season, Kansas City made relatively easy work of the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 29-10 on the road. In 2023, the Chiefs hosted the Las Vegas Raiders and lost a stunner, falling 20-14 to their AFC West rival. The defeat must have motivated Kansas City though, as the team went on to win out and capture its second-straight Super Bowl title.

Apparently, the Chiefs have enjoyed playing on Christmas so much, they want to do it every year. The Athletic reported Thursday that Kansas City has petitioned the NFL to become an annual fixture on Dec. 25.

"The Chiefs, who have played on Christmas Day the past two seasons, want to be a staple on that holiday, similar to the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day," said The Athletic's Nate Taylor and Daniel Popper.

The NFL is slated to once again broadcast the tripleheader on Christmas this year, and the Chiefs are reportedly expected to be featured once again.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 25: Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders pose in Christmas sweaters during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 25, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)Kirby Lee/Getty Images

One of the drawbacks of playing on Christmas Day is it can make for a funky late season schedule. This year should be a little easier to handle since Christmas falls on a Thursday, a day of the week when the NFL normally plays games.

In 2024, Christmas was on a Wednesday, which led to the Chiefs playing games on Sunday, Dec. 15, Saturday, Dec. 21 and Christmas Day.

“It was tough,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said after the win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 25. “I mean, three games in 11 days is crazy for anybody. But I thought we handled it very well.”

So well that the franchise is looking to lean into its place as one of the NFL's marquee viewership draws and become a yuletide tradition.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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