The NFL season might be winding down, but the excitement doesn’t have to stop on New Year’s Eve. As 2024 comes to a close, football fans can ring in 2025 with a blend of traditional New Year’s Eve festivities and their love for the game. While there aren’t dedicated NFL-specific New Year’s Eve broadcasts, there are plenty of ways to incorporate the spirit of football into your celebration. This guide outlines how to enjoy the holiday with a football twist, alongside an overview of major network celebrations.
Blending Football with New Year’s Eve Festivities
Hosting a New Year’s Eve party? Here’s how to make it a touchdown for football fans:
Themed Decor: Decorate with team colors, jerseys, football-shaped balloons, and referee-striped tablecloths. Set up a mini field goal post for some friendly competition.
Food and Drinks: Serve classic tailgate fare like wings, nachos, and sliders. Create a signature cocktail named after your favorite team or player.
Games and Activities: Organize a football trivia game, Madden tournament, or even a backyard touch football game (weather permitting). Project a highlight reel of the year’s best NFL moments.
Countdown with a Football Twist: Instead of a traditional ball drop, create a countdown clock shaped like a football or featuring iconic NFL moments.
Network New Year’s Eve Specials – A Football Fan’s Guide
While these broadcasts aren’t directly NFL-themed, they offer entertainment and star-studded performances to enjoy during your football-infused celebration:
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (ABC): This iconic special returns with Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora hosting live from Times Square. Performances by Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, Alanis Morissette, Blake Shelton, and more will keep the energy high.
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New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (CBS): Country music fans can enjoy performances by Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, and more, live from Nashville. This celebration offers countdowns for both Eastern and Central time zones.
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New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen (CNN): Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen return to Times Square for their comedic take on the New Year’s Eve festivities. Celebrity guests and musical performances add to the fun.
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A Toast to 2024! and The Day Drinking with Seth Meyers New Year’s Eve Special (NBC): Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager host a retrospective of the year’s highlights, followed by Seth Meyers’ comedic look back at his “Day Drinking” segments.
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Ringing in the New Year with the NFL Spirit
Whether you’re at a bustling party or enjoying a quiet evening at home, there are plenty of ways to incorporate your love for football into your New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy the network specials, embrace the creative ideas, and get ready to welcome 2025 with a touchdown!
