“Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey to Perform Holiday Classic for NFL Christmas Day Games

Mariah Carey, the undisputed “Queen of Christmas,” is set to headline the Show Open for the NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix this Christmas Day, December 25. The global music icon will treat fans to a taped performance of her record-breaking holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” in what promises to be a dazzling holiday spectacle.

The event comes as Netflix becomes the exclusive global streaming home for the NFL’s two marquee Christmas Day games. The action kicks off with the Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl LVIII champions, taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 PM ET, followed by the Baltimore Ravens squaring off against the Houston Texans at 4:30 PM ET. Fans in the competing team cities can catch the games on their local CBS affiliates, while U.S. mobile users can stream the games via NFL+.

Carey’s appearance marks a fitting conclusion to a banner year for the superstar, who recently completed her largest and most spectacular Christmas tour to date. The performance also coincides with the 30th anniversary of her legendary Merry Christmas album, which has defined the sound of the holiday season for three decades.

This milestone year saw the release of special 30th-anniversary editions of Merry Christmas, allowing fans to relive the album’s timeless magic. Meanwhile, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” continues to make history. Certified 16x Platinum by the RIAA, the beloved holiday anthem is now the highest-certified single ever by a female artist.

The song also reclaimed its position at the top of the Billboard Holiday 100 chart and extended its reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 to a cumulative 15 weeks as of December 9. The enduring appeal of the song, fueled by massive streaming numbers and radio play, reaffirms Carey’s iconic status as a global holiday legend.

NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix offers fans a unique blend of sports and holiday cheer, with Mariah Carey’s performance setting the perfect tone for a festive day of football and family. For the NFL, it continues a tradition of showcasing marquee matchups on Christmas Day, now elevated by Netflix’s global streaming platform.