When Did Thursday Night Football Begin?

By Sarah Miller · January 24, 2032

Thursday Night Football began in 2006 as a broadcast initiative by the NFL Network to showcase regular-season games on Thursday evenings, marking the start of a weekly prime-time football tradition that has since expanded across multiple networks including Amazon Prime Video.

The Origins of Thursday Night Football

Thursday Night Football (TNF) officially launched in 2006, when the NFL Network aired its first regular-season game on a Thursday night. This move was designed to expand the league's television presence and offer fans more weekly football beyond Sunday and Monday games.

Initial Goals and Broadcast Strategy

To increase fan engagement during the workweek
To provide additional exposure for teams not featured on Sunday or Monday nights
To strengthen the NFL Network’s subscriber base through exclusive live content
To test the viability of midweek professional football broadcasts

Evolution of the Broadcast Rights

Over the years, Thursday Night Football has transitioned through several broadcasters, reflecting changes in media consumption and digital streaming trends.

Key Milestones in TNF Broadcasting

2006–2013: Exclusively aired on NFL Network
2014–2017: Simulcast with CBS and later NBC and NFL Network
2018–2021: Moved to Fox and NFL Network
2022–present: Primary rights held by Amazon Prime Video, marking the first time a streaming service holds exclusive national rights

Season	Broadcaster(s)	Streaming Partner	Number of Games
2006	NFL Network	N/A	8
2010	NFL Network	N/A	8
2014	CBS, NFL Network	NFL.com, mobile apps	8
2016	NBC, CBS, NFL Network	Twitter (first social stream)	9
2018	Fox, NFL Network	Fox Sports app	11
2020	Fox, NFL Network	Fox Sports app, Yahoo Sports	15
2022	Amazon Prime Video	Prime Video	15
2023	Amazon Prime Video	Prime Video	16
2024	Amazon Prime Video	Prime Video	16+

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a steady increase in the number of Thursday Night Football games and evolving distribution methods. The shift from traditional cable to digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video reflects broader trends in sports media consumption, with younger audiences favoring on-demand and mobile viewing.

Impact on Players and Scheduling

Playing on Thursdays presents unique challenges due to the shortened recovery window after Sunday games.

Player Concerns and Adjustments

Reduced recovery time increases injury risk
Teams often limit practice intensity midweek
Medical staff must adjust rehabilitation schedules
The NFL introduced "flexible scheduling" to protect high-profile matchups

Global Reach and Fan Engagement

Thursday Night Football has helped the NFL grow its international audience, particularly in markets like the UK and Germany where evening games align better with local time zones.

Games are often scheduled in London-friendly time slots
Amazon streams globally, increasing accessibility
International player participation has risen alongside visibility

Frequently Asked Questions About Thursday Night Football

When did Thursday Night Football start?

Thursday Night Football began in 2006 when the NFL Network started broadcasting regular-season games on Thursday evenings, expanding the league’s weekly game coverage.

Why does the NFL play games on Thursday nights?

The NFL plays Thursday games to maximize viewership, generate additional revenue, and extend fan engagement throughout the week, while also accommodating flexible scheduling for competitive matchups.

Who currently broadcasts Thursday Night Football?

As of 2022, Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive national broadcast rights for Thursday Night Football, making it the first major U.S. sports package carried solely by a streaming platform.

Are all NFL games on Thursdays part of the main TNF package?

No. While most Thursday games are part of TNF, special holiday games (e.g., Thanksgiving) and Week 18 playoff-impacting games may be scheduled separately and aired on different networks.

How many Thursday Night Football games are played each season?

Since 2022, there have been between 15 and 17 Thursday Night Football games per season, including one international game in Germany or Mexico as part of the NFL’s global expansion.