Mariah Carey, the "Queen of Christmas," dazzled fans with her festive spirit as she kicked off the NFL's inaugural Christmas Gameday broadcast on December 25, 2025. The beloved artist performed her iconic hit, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," before the highly anticipated game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, which streamed live on Netflix. The game celebrated both teams' playoff ambitions, with the Chiefs seeking to secure the top seed and the Steelers vying for the AFC North title.
Carey's pre-recorded performance aired just before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff and was also set to air again prior to the second game of the day, featuring the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET. The excitement of the dual matchups filled the air as fans tuned in not just for football, but for the enchanting sound of Carey's Christmas classic.
Fans watched as Carey took to the screen clad in a glimmering red outfit, performing against a snowy backdrop full of festive cheer. The segment included visual clips of fans enjoying the holiday action at home, along with highlights from past Steelers and Chiefs games. To top it off, excitement grew with surprise appearances, including comedian Kevin Hart, featured among the fans.
This special event not only highlighted NFL games with high stakes but also showcased Carey's enduring legacy as the face of holiday music. With "All I Want for Christmas Is You" being the highest-certified single by a female artist ever, this year marked Carey's continued dominance on the Billboard Holiday charts, where her holiday anthem reclaimed the No. 1 spot. This festive kickoff was the perfect introduction to the day's lineup of sports and celebrations.
"This Christmas, we all get our wish. The NFL is live on Netflix. And I’ll be there, too," expressed Carey, setting the tone for the day's festivities and capturing fans' anticipation.
Carey's recent Christmas tour celebrated the 30th anniversary of her original holiday album, "Merry Christmas." The successful tour served as the backdrop to her vibrant performance, wrapping up her busiest holiday season yet. The album's signature song, which continues to perform exceptionally well, is emblematic of Carey's impact on the holiday season.
The buzz around the kickoff didn’t just end with Carey; excitement was building for the halftime show featuring Beyoncé, who was set to perform selections from her latest album, "Cowboy Carter," during the Ravens-Texans matchup.
The league's first-ever Christmas Gameday was not without criticism, as some viewers took to social media to share their thoughts. While many celebrated the festive kickoff, others felt the presentation resembled more of a commercial. "So cute and festive! @NFL @MariahCarey We NEED a superbowl halftime show moment in 2026," one viewer tweeted, reflecting the spirit of the occasion.
Conversely, another user remarked, "This Mariah Carey performance feels like a Netflix commercial," showcasing the mixed receptions typical for live performances.
Despite the varied reactions, what remained clear was Carey's desire to spread joy during the holidays. "I try to make people happy and to have a festive moment... just to get through it. I try to be there as a friend to anyone who needs one," she noted, embodying the essence of the season.
With the continuation of the games and the absolutely stellar performances, this NFL Christmas special reinforced Mariah Carey's status as the leading holiday icon, blending sports excitement with the spirit of Christmas. No matter the game score, on this day, holiday magic reigned supreme, driven by Carey’s iconic voice and the festive atmosphere cultivated across screens.
