Get ready for a holly, merry, muddy Christmas. CBS Sports announced Tuesday that Game 2 of this year’s NFL Christmas Day tripleheader, a Week 16 showdown between the Broncos and Rams, will air not just on CBS but on a Nickelodeon “NFL Nickmas Game” special. The first regular season contest to go live on Nickelodeon, the game (Sunday, Dec. 25, 4:30 p.m. ET) will come with everything from “SpongeBob” ties to holiday-themed special effects.
The third team between CBS and Nickelodeon for an NFL event, the “Nickmas Game” show will feature CBS Sports’ Nate Burleson, Noah Eagle and Nick star Gabrielle Nevaeh Green (“That Girl Lay Lay”) in the stand, with Dylan Gilmer (“Young Dylan” by Tyler Perry) as a supporting reporter. Patrick Star of “SpongeBob” (Bill Fagerbakke) will also appear virtually from Bikini Bottom to contribute live commentary during the match.
Here are some other projects for the “NFL Nickmas Game” on Nickelodeon:
- Special halftime show offering an exclusive look at “Rubble & Crew,” the new animated spin-off “Paw Patrol” premiering February 3 on Nickelodeon
- An all-new holiday-themed augmented reality, adding snowmen, gingerbread men and other winter surprises to the field
- Virtual cannons blast snow, gifts and mud on the field
- A virtual Nick airship that will fly around the stadium throughout the broadcast
- Surprise special guests and interactive opportunities for kids and families
The “NFL Nickmas Game” special will air exclusively on Nickelodeon and NFL+. The traditional Broncos-Rams broadcast, on CBS, will be available to stream live on digital devices through Paramount+, the CBS Sports app and NFL digital properties.
CBS and Nickelodeon first teamed up for an NFL show in January 2021, when the Bears-Saints wildcard playoff game got the slime treatment. Last year, Nick’s simulcast returned, with the Cowboys-49ers joker also appearing in the family format. The partnership resulted in two Sports Emmy Awards.
