Holiday games have become a mainstay in professional sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and NHL, giving fans a unique way to see their favorite teams play. The tradition has spread to the college ranks with top-tier NCAA bowl games scheduled around New Year’s Day.
Below, we will take a closer look at who is playing in 2022 Christmas and New Year’s Day games and how you can sneak one in during the rest of your winter festivities.
NBA on Christmas Day
This year marks the 75th edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. Dubbed “The Five Games of Christmas,” this exciting lineup tips off with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks at 12 p.m. E.T. and closes with the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. E.T. Other games include the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, and the Memphis Grizzlies against the Golden State Warriors. This will be the Grizzlies’ Christmas Day debut. According to the NBA’s game-day release, that schedule and the 75th-edition designation were confirmed for Christmas 2022, including the Knicks–76ers tipoff and Suns–Nuggets finale (By The Numbers: NBA on Christmas Day 2022).
Part of what makes NBA on Christmas Day so special is the history of incredible performances included in the series. In 1961, for example, Wilt Chamberlain scored 59 points and pulled down 36 rebounds in a double-overtime loss to the Knicks. In 1984, his scoring record was broken by Bernard King, who dropped 60 in a loss to the New Jersey Nets. Two decades later, in 2004, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant met for the first time after Shaq’s trade to the Miami Heat. O’Neal turned in a 24-point, 11-rebound performance to help Miami overcome Bryant’s 42 points.
If you are considering catching a future holiday showcase in person, browse upcoming NBA tickets on TicketSmarter to compare seats and pricing for regular-season, holiday, and special-event games.
NFL Christmas Tripleheader
For the first time in league history, the NFL has a tripleheader scheduled for Christmas Day. The Green Bay Packers will travel to Miami and face the Dolphins in the first game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. The Denver Broncos face the Los Angeles Rams at 4:30 p.m., and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Arizona Cardinals at 8:20 p.m., in the other two games. There are 11 NFL games scheduled for Dec. 24 and one on Dec. 26 to close out Week 16. The NFL’s schedule announcement confirmed the tripleheader and the specific matchups and times for the Dec. 25 slate (2022 NFL Christmas tripleheader: Game times, matchups, how to watch, etc.).
On New Year’s Day, the NFL will feature a standard Sunday slate with 14 games. The Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers meet in the Sunday Night Football game at their shared venue, SoFi Stadium. If you plan a SoFi visit, confirm parking and rideshare details in advance, check any bag policies, and verify Will Call or box office pickup instructions. You can also review venue-specific info and find seats on TicketSmarter’s SoFi Stadium page.
NHL on New Year’s Day
The NHL takes a few days off over Christmas, but will feature a five-game slate on New Year’s Day. The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils meet in the first game at 3 p.m. ET. Then, on Jan. 2, the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks will compete in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston. This is the 14th edition of the NHL Winter Classic. The Bruins and Penguins will don special-edition jerseys for the event and the NHL will also be hosting a free outdoor fan festival on Dec. 30 and 31 with Boston alumni and the Stanley Cup, details confirmed in the league’s Winter Classic preview (Countdown to 2023 NHL Winter Classic begins).
For outdoor hockey’s biggest stage, explore available Winter Classic tickets on TicketSmarter and plan for cold-weather layers and early gate times.
Bowl Games
There are four NCAA Bowl Games scheduled for New Year’s Eve including both College Football Playoff Semifinals where No. 3 TCU will face No. 2 Michigan in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and No. 4 Ohio State will meet No. 1 Georgia in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl. Winners will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium.
In the other two New Year’s games, Iowa and Kentucky will meet in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, and Alabama and Kansas State will face off in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Four additional games are scheduled for Jan. 2 including the annual Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. That game features Penn State and Utah.
Planning a future trip to Pasadena or another bowl destination is easier when you compare seat maps and prices across TicketSmarter’s college football hub. Shop NCAA football tickets or go straight to Rose Bowl tickets and the Rose Bowl venue page for stadium details.
Quick buying tips on TicketSmarter
- Start early for marquee holiday games. Demand can spike after big wins and important announcements.
- Use filters to sort by price, section, or delivery type on TicketSmarter, then compare a few listings to get a feel for market averages.
- Check delivery and pickup details. For some venues, Will Call may be limited, so confirm transfer or mobile entry and bring a photo ID if picking up.
- If you are flexible, prices sometimes soften in the 24 to 48 hour window before kickoff or tipoff, but waiting can be risky for high-demand holiday matchups.
These buying tips reflect broader market trends showing younger fans seek immersive live experiences and that attendance and spending patterns can make demand and pricing volatile, so planning and logistics matter (2023 Sports Industry Outlook: The beginning of the immersive sports era).
Making Memories
With a few extra days off from work and school, this is the perfect time to make some new memories with friends and family. Whether you are more of a college football fan or a hockey diehard, there is something for everyone on the schedule of 2022 Christmas and New Year’s Day games. TicketSmarter makes it simple to find seats that fit your plans, from NBA holiday showcases to the Winter Classic and New Year’s bowls.
FAQs
Which NBA teams play on Christmas Day and how can I buy tickets nearby?
The 2022 slate features the 76ers at Knicks, Lakers at Mavericks, Bucks at Boston Celtics, Grizzlies at Warriors, and Suns at Nuggets. If you want to attend a future holiday game, browse NBA tickets on TicketSmarter, select your city or team, and filter by price and section to find seats close to home.
Why is NBA on Christmas Day historically significant?
Christmas Day has delivered some of the league’s most memorable performances. Wilt Chamberlain scored 59 points in 1961, Bernard King set the holiday mark with 60 in 1984, and star-studded showdowns like Shaq vs. Kobe in 2004 added to the tradition. TicketSmarter highlights these moments to help fans pick the can’t-miss games each season.
How should I plan for the NFL Christmas Tripleheader and New Year’s weekend games?
Lock in seats early if you want lower bowl views, then plan logistics. For Los Angeles games, review the SoFi Stadium venue guide for parking and rideshare details, check bag policies, and confirm ticket delivery or box office pickup before you go. TicketSmarter listings show sections and real-time pricing so you can compare options quickly.
What are the New Year’s NHL matchups and where is the best place to buy tickets?
New Year’s Day features multiple NHL games, followed by the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Jan. 2. For outdoor hockey seats and venue details, shop Winter Classic tickets on TicketSmarter.
How can I attend College Football Playoff and New Year’s bowls affordably?
Compare semifinal and New Year’s Six listings early, then set a budget. Prices can fluctuate near game day, so consider buying when you see seats in your range. TicketSmarter’s College Football Playoff tickets page and the broader NCAA football tickets category make it easy to compare options by section and price.
What logistics should fans consider for Winter Classic events during the holidays?
Plan for cold-weather layers, early arrival for fan fests, and mobile-ticket readiness. If you are traveling, book hotels near transit and confirm stadium entry policies. TicketSmarter’s Winter Classic tickets page helps you find seats and prepare with event details.
How do I find tickets and travel advice for SoFi Stadium on New Year’s weekend?
Check the TicketSmarter SoFi Stadium page for seating charts, upcoming events, and venue tips. Verify rideshare pickup zones, parking passes, and any Will Call instructions before you arrive.
Where can I get last-minute holiday sports tickets if plans change?
If your schedule opens up, search TicketSmarter for your target game or venue and filter by price or delivery method. Mobile transfer tickets are often available up to the last minute, and you can compare sections to find value seats quickly.
Updated: January 17, 2026
Author: Boulevard Editorial Team
Bio: Boulevard partners with TicketSmarter to help fans find great seats for the biggest games of the year. Our editors combine sports knowledge with practical ticket-buying tips so you can make memories at the stadium, arena, or ballpark.
