Thanksgiving 2026: how to enjoy the NFL holiday tradition in Nuevo Vallarta

If there is one day a year when football becomes a family tradition, it is Thanksgiving. In the U.S., the fourth Thursday of November means turkey, family… and NFL from midday into the night. In 2026 Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, and Nuevo Vallarta feels it like few places outside the United States: the bay is full of American and Canadian visitors, locals have adopted the custom, and sports bars become the family dining room for plenty of people who are far from home. At Guicho's Sports Bar it is one of the most anticipated days of the season.

This is our guide to Thanksgiving football on the Riviera Nayarit: where the tradition comes from, which games are played, why it is such a big deal in Nuevo Vallarta and how to plan your football Thursday at the bar.

A tradition almost a century old.

Football and Thanksgiving have gone together since long before television. But the tradition as we know it has two fixed stars:

The Detroit Lions: since 1934

The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game since 1934, with a break during World War II. It is one of the oldest traditions in American sports. For decades Detroit showed up with modest teams and people watched anyway, because it was part of the day. In recent years, with the Lions turned into a real contender, the morning game has become even more interesting.

The Dallas Cowboys: since 1966

The Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966 and have hosted almost every Thanksgiving since. That matters a lot in Mexico: Dallas is by far the NFL team with the most fans in the country. For many Mexican families, the Thanksgiving afternoon game is a standing date with the blue star.

The night game and Black Friday

In 2006 a third game was added in prime time, rotating among different teams and turning Thursday into a three-game marathon. And since 2023 the league also schedules a game the following day, Black Friday, streamed online. All told: four games in just over 24 hours.

The Lions' and Cowboys' opponents change every year with the schedule, so check the official NFL schedule to see who visits Detroit and Dallas in 2026.

Why Thanksgiving is such a big deal in Nuevo Vallarta.

Nuevo Vallarta and the whole Bay of Banderas have close ties to the U.S. and Canada. Late November is exactly when high season begins: snowbirds arrive to spend the winter, families use the long Thanksgiving weekend to escape to the beach, and foreign residents who live on the Riviera Nayarit year-round settle in for the holidays.

For many of them, watching the Thanksgiving games is as important as the meal. And when you are on vacation or far from family, a sports bar with a good vibe becomes the shared table of the day. That is the magic of it: on that Thursday, Guicho's brings together families from Michigan, Texas, Ontario, Guadalajara and Nuevo Vallarta, all watching the same game.

And the Canadians? They celebrate their own Thanksgiving in October, on the second Monday of the month, but they do not skip November's: NFL Thanksgiving football is a tradition across North America.

What Thanksgiving Thursday looks like at Guicho's.

What makes the day special is its length. Three games in a row, from late morning into the night, so the bar fills up in waves:

The morning game (Lions). The early birds arrive, the ones who want a good table and the ones staying all day. Time for the first coffee, the first wings and hellos between tables.

The afternoon game (Cowboys). The peak of the day. Mexican Dallas fans arrive in force, beachgoers join in and the bar hits full volume. If you can only make one game, make it this one, with a reservation.

The night game. The end of the marathon, with dinner and the after-work crowd. The most relaxed of the three and sometimes the most exciting.

Exact kickoff times follow the NFL schedule; we post the day's lineup on Guicho's Facebook page.

Football for beginners (Thanksgiving edition).

On Thanksgiving plenty of people watch football for the first time: a partner, an in-law, the kids, the friend who was never interested. If you end up explaining the game at the table, here are the essentials:

Four tries to gain ten yards. The team with the ball gets four attempts, called downs, to move at least ten yards. If it does, it earns four more. If not, it usually punts on fourth down and the other team takes over.

Touchdown: six points. Getting the ball into the end zone is worth six, plus the extra point (or two points if the team goes for a conversion from close range).

Field goal: three points. When the offense stalls close to the end zone, it kicks the ball through the uprights for three.

Four fifteen-minute quarters. But the clock stops all the time, so a game lasts just over three hours. Exactly the length of a long holiday meal.

The quarterback runs the show. He takes the snap on every play and decides whether to throw or hand off. If you are going to follow one player, follow him.

That is enough to enjoy the first game. By the second one you will be yelling on fourth down like a lifelong fan.

Tips for Thanksgiving at the bar.

1. Book ahead. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year. If you are coming as a group, message us now at +52 322 199 9535 and tell us which game and how many people.

2. Plan in shifts. You do not need to stay ten hours. Many families come for the Cowboys game and head to the beach at sunset; others spend the morning on the sand and arrive for the night game.

3. Wear your jersey. It is a colorful day: Detroit blue, the Dallas star and the jerseys of this year's opponents. As always, every team is welcome at Guicho's.

4. Bring the kids. The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, and we have a Kids' Burger for the little ones. Thanksgiving is a family day, after all.

5. Do not forget Friday. The Black Friday game is the perfect excuse to stretch the long weekend. And if you are here all week, the full NFL Sunday slate is back two days later. Take a look at our 2026 NFL season guide.

A menu for a three-game Thursday.

We will be honest: Guicho's does not serve turkey. What we do have is the perfect sports bar menu for a full day of football. From Guicho's menu (prices in Mexican pesos):

The Wings (400 g, $205). The undisputed classic of the day. Buffalo, BBQ, Mango Habanero, Parmesan or Lemon Pepper; order one per game.

Guicho's Nachos ($265). Chips with beans, cheese, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole and arrachera steak. For sharing during the morning game.

Pulled Pork Sandwich ($295). The closest thing on the menu to an American holiday plate: slow-cooked, juicy shredded pork.

The Guicho's ($310) and The Roquefort ($355). 300-gram Angus burgers for the afternoon game, the main course of the day.

Guicho's Fries ($180) and Onion Rings ($175). For the table, between games.

Caesar Salad ($200) or Tortilla Soup ($155). For anyone who wants something lighter on a long day.

Ice Cream ($60). No pumpkin pie, but there is still dessert.

Cold beer, Clamato and lemonade. To toast family: the one you were born into and the one you meet at the bar.

After Thanksgiving: the home stretch.

Thanksgiving kicks off the most important part of the NFL calendar. From there only a few weeks of regular season remain, every game matters in the playoff race and division games become decisive. It is when the NFL rivalries put the whole season on the line.

So there you have it: on Thursday, November 26, Nuevo Vallarta has a table for you. You bring the family, the friends and the jersey; we bring the screens, the wings and the cold beer. See you at Blvd. Nayarit 137B, Local 5, Nuevo Vallarta. For more ideas for your week, check our guide to where to watch live sports in Nuevo Vallarta.

Frequently asked questions.