U2 will headline the halftime show of the NFL’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game, performing at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on November 25th as the Green Bay Packers face the Los Angeles Rams on Netflix. The announcement marks the band’s return to an NFL halftime stage for the first time since their iconic Super Bowl XXXVI performance in February 2002.
“There’s a reason U2 has headlined stadiums for decades: they don’t just perform, they deliver iconic moments audiences remember forever,” said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. “We’re thrilled that they’ll bring that same magic to the NFL stage on Netflix. It’s going to be an unforgettable night for football fans and Netflix members worldwide.”
The game streams exclusively on Netflix, with coverage beginning at 6pm ET / 3pm PT and kickoff at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. All Netflix subscription tiers include access to the broadcast.
Why This Performance Matters
The Thanksgiving Eve show comes as U2 mark their 50th anniversary as a band and prepare for the November 13th release of Carnaval de Luz, their sixteenth studio album. Three singles — “Street of Dreams,” “Silencio,” and “The Greatest Show on Earth” — have already been released. A world tour supporting the album is planned for 2027.
The band’s only previous NFL halftime appearance, at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans in January 2002, is considered one of the most emotionally resonant halftime shows in history. Performed just months after the September 11 attacks, the set included a projection of victims’ names while Bono revealed an American flag lining in his jacket. The New England Patriots defeated the then-St. Louis Rams 20-17 on a last-second Adam Vinatieri field goal — Tom Brady’s first of seven Super Bowl victories.
The Game Itself
The matchup carries real NFC playoff implications. With a 4-2 record, the Packers would currently hold the No. 5 seed in the NFC, having won three consecutive games after a 1-2 start. The Rams, at 2-4, would currently miss the postseason — a surprising position for a team that entered the year as Super Bowl favourites after acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass-rusher Myles Garrett in trades. Garrett has not played since Week 1 due to a knee injury. Wide receiver Puka Nacua also missed two games.
Both Garrett and Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons — who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season — could potentially return for the Thanksgiving Eve game, adding significant defensive stakes to the matchup.
Netflix’s Growing NFL Footprint
The Thanksgiving Eve game is part of Netflix’s expanding NFL presence. The streaming service broadcast the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia in Week 1, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between the Rams and 49ers. Netflix will also carry two Christmas Day games on December 25th — Packers at Bears and Bills at Broncos — plus a Week 18 regular-season game with playoff implications and the NFL Honors awards show during Super Bowl week.
The network has made halftime entertainment a priority since launching its NFL coverage. Beyoncé headlined its 2024 Christmas Day game and Snoop Dogg performed at the 2025 Christmas Day game, featuring Lainey Wilson, Andrea and Matteo Bocelli, and HUNTR/X.
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