Kelly Clarkson is coming through with some holiday cheer, and oh yes, she’s doing it in style. The Breakaway singer is set to headline Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday this year. At 43, Clarkson shows no signs of slowing down, blending her powerhouse vocals with a love for football to kick off a festive Dec. 25.
Kelly Clarkson to Light Up NFL Christmas Gameday
From a small-town Texas girl to global superstar, Clarkson’s journey has been epic. Back in 2002, she left Burleson at just 20 to compete on the inaugural season of American Idol. Beating out Justin Guarini, she instantly became a household name, and the music world hasn’t looked back.
With over 82 million records sold, multiple Grammy Awards, and a catalog of hits that defined 2000s pop-rock, Clarkson remains a force in both music and television.
This year, Kelly Clarkson will kick off NFL Christmas Gameday, streaming live on Netflix, bringing her holiday hit “Underneath the Tree” to football fans everywhere. The NFL has two matchups on Christmas Day: the Washington Commanders vs. the Dallas Cowboys at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Detroit Lions at the Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Clarkson’s appearance follows in the footsteps of Mariah Carey and Beyoncé, who brought star-studded performances to last year’s festivities. Netflix has yet to announce this year’s halftime headliner.
Clarkson’s love for Christmas music isn’t new. In 2013, she released her first holiday album, Wrapped in Red, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and became the top-selling holiday album in the U.S.
Its lead single, “Underneath the Tree,” quickly became a worldwide Christmas staple, earning the title of ASCAP’s most popular 21st-century holiday song. Remarkably, Clarkson said in a June 2025 YouTube video.
“I ordered sushi and when it arrived I had written it,” the three-time Grammy winner continued. “I think because I really love Christmas I write them really quickly for Christmas – because they feel good, because you can be a little cheesy, you know? You don’t have to worry about being cool, which honestly that’s not a concern generally ever because I’m not.”
Her career spans genres and decades. From R&B-infused debut Thankful (2003) to pop-rock sensation Breakaway (2004), Clarkson has delivered 12 top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits in the U.S. alone. She returned to television as a coach on The Voice, claiming the record for most winning contestants among female coaches, and currently hosts The Kelly Clarkson Show.
With three Grammys, eight Daytime Emmys, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an unmatched vocal legacy, Clarkson continues to prove she’s not just a singer, she’s a generational talent. This Christmas, fans will get to see her combine that star power with football fever, streaming live on Netflix for a must-watch holiday experience.