Photo: Netflix

How to Watch Beyoncé’s Christmas Day NFL Halftime Show

by · VULTURE

Beyoncé got you a gift for Christmas. But don’t go checking under the tree — it’s already in your Netflix account. The superstar is performing the halftime show of one of the Christmas Day NFL games on Netflix, when the Baltimore Ravens face Bey’s hometown Houston Texans. The set will likely be the live debut of her country album Cowboy Carter, with Beyoncé dubbing the performance “A Cowboy Carter Christmas” and teasing it with a clip of her playing the banjo. (Forgot to get her anything? 11 Grammy nominations is probably enough of a gift.) Beyoncé is the headliner on a packed day on the streamer, which also includes Mariah Carey, Nate Bargatze, and even a second football game. Here’s how to catch the festivities.

Wait, there’s football on Christmas?

There is now! In the days of yore, we only got Christmas football if the holiday fell on a day when there already would’ve been NFL games anyway: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, or Saturday (like last year, when it was on a Monday). But this year, even though Christmas is on a Wednesday, the NFL will be broadcasting two games. It’s branding the move as a new holiday tradition — and really, what says Christmas spirit like a cash grab? 

And wait, there’s football on Netflix?

The NFL’s foray into Christmas Day doubles as a test run for football on Netflix, which will broadcast both games live. Hopefully the streamer has fixed its live sports woes after some technical difficulties during the Mike Tyson–Jake Paul fault.

When are the games?

The first matchup, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. The Ravens-Texans game follows at 4:30 ET. The broadcast will start at 11 a.m. ET. 

More importantly, when is Beyoncé on?

Expect her around 6 p.m. ET. Halftime usually occurs about an hour and a half after kickoff, but it’s never a set time, so it could be anywhere between 5:45-6:15 p.m. And you won’t want to tune in a second late — contrary to reports, Beyoncé’s set will be much shorter than 20 minutes, her publicist confirmed.

What are the vibes in the new teaser?

Cowboy Carter is in the house, and she’s putting her foot down (on a football). In the 36-second clip, she strums the beginning of “Texas Hold ‘Em” on a banjo. Which, duh. How could she skip that song in Texas? This definitely feels like confirmation that we’ll be hearing it on the setlist. On the other hand, hopefully the teaser’s little Netflix-buffering-symbol joke is not a sign of technical difficulties to come on game day … 

So, I need a Netflix account to watch?

More than likely. To watch on Netflix, viewers will need an ad-supported, regular, or premium account. (It’s not too late to ask for one for Christmas!) However, if you happen to live in the Baltimore or Houston TV markets, you can also catch the game on your local CBS station.

Who else will be performing?

The preshow before the Chiefs-Steelers game will feature a pre-recorded performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, as required of any Christmas programming. Voices of Service will sing the National Anthem for that game, while Pentatonix will take anthem duties for the Ravens-Steelers game. During the games, comedians Nate Bargatze and Bert Kreischer will also serve as correspondents. 

And will Taylor Swift be at the Chiefs game?

Swift hasn’t confirmed whether she’ll be cheering on Travis Kelce after she watched the Chiefs’ win at home against the Texans on December 21. She hasn’t attended an away game yet this season, but spending Christmas with her boyfriend just might be worth the trip to Pittsburgh. 

This post has been updated.