Who Plays Football on Thursday? NFL & College Teams

By Sarah Miller · March 7, 2054

College football teams and select professional leagues play on Thursday nights, with NCAA Division I programs like Ohio State, Oregon, and Alabama frequently featured in weekly Thursday Night Football matchups broadcast by ESPN. Additionally, the NFL's Thursday Night Football series includes rotating teams each week during the regular season, starting in September.

Understanding Thursday Night Football Schedules

Thursday has become a staple night for American football, hosting both collegiate and professional games. These matchups are strategically scheduled to capture audience attention early in the weekend viewing cycle.

Why Do Teams Play on Thursdays?

To maximize television ratings and advertising revenue
To provide variety in the weekly sports programming lineup
To accommodate playoff and postseason scheduling demands
To allow teams extra recovery time before the next weekend game (in college)

NCAA College Football on Thursdays

College programs across the Power Five conferences regularly compete on Thursday evenings. These games often feature ranked teams or key conference matchups designed to draw national audiences.

Top Conferences with Thursday Games

Big Ten: Features marquee programs such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State
SEC: Includes powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU
Pac-12: Now transitioning, but still features Oregon, Washington, and USC
Big 12: Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas State frequently appear
ACC: Clemson, Miami, and Florida State participate in weekly broadcasts

NFL Thursday Night Football

The National Football League has institutionalized Thursday Night Football since 2006, typically airing one game per week from late September through January. The schedule includes a mix of interconference and divisional matchups.

How NFL Thursday Games Are Selected

Games are chosen based on team popularity, standings, and playoff implications
Flexible scheduling allows stronger matchups later in the season
Each team plays only one prime-time Thursday game per season
Broadcast rights are shared between Amazon Prime Video, NFL Network, and Twitch

Team	2024 Thursday Wins	2024 Thursday Appearances	Viewers (Avg. Millions)
Kansas City Chiefs	3	4	18.7
Philadelphia Eagles	2	3	16.5
Detroit Lions	3	3	15.9
San Francisco 49ers	2	3	17.1
Dallas Cowboys	1	2	19.3

Table data source:1, 2

The Kansas City Chiefs led all teams in Thursday night victories during the 2024 season, while the Dallas Cowboys attracted the highest average viewership despite fewer appearances. This reflects their strong national fanbase and marketability.

Key Differences Between College and Pro Thursday Games

While both levels utilize Thursday games, there are structural and strategic differences in scheduling, player recovery, and broadcasting priorities.

Comparative Overview

College teams may play Thursday games more frequently than NFL teams
NFL players receive an extra recovery day after Thursday contests due to injury concerns
ESPN dominates college Thursday broadcasts; Amazon Prime holds primary NFL rights
College games often start at 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM ET; NFL games usually kick off at 8:15 PM ET

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Plays Football on Thursday

Which college teams play football on Thursday nights?

Teams from major conferences such as the Big Ten, SEC, and ACC regularly play on Thursday nights. Programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Clemson are frequently featured due to their large fanbases and competitive rankings.

Do all NFL teams play on Thursday Night Football?

No, not all NFL teams play on Thursday. Each team appears in at most one Thursday night game per season, with matchups selected based on competitiveness, market size, and viewer interest.

Where can I watch Thursday night football games?

College Thursday games are primarily aired on ESPN and its affiliates. NFL Thursday games are broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with simulcasts on NFL Network and local over-the-air channels in home markets.

How many Thursday night games does the NFL have per week?

The NFL schedules one Thursday night game per week during the regular season, typically from Week 2 through Week 17. There are no Thursday games in Week 18 to avoid impacting playoff seeding.

Are high school football teams allowed to play on Thursdays?

Some states permit high school football games on Thursdays, though it is uncommon. Most high school games occur Friday nights due to tradition and reduced conflict with school activities.