Mariah Carey to Headline Show Open For NFL Christmas Gameday

Mariah Carey will help the NFL kick off its first-ever Christmas Gameday on Netflix on Dec. 25. The streamer announced on Thursday (Dec. 21) that MC will star in the opening segment setting up the day’s two games with a pre-taped performance of her perennial holiday season chart-topper “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

Her song will pave the way for a showdown between Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET. In keeping with tradition, the Netflix Christmas Day games will also air on broadcast TV in the competing team cities (CBS affiliates in K.C., Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston) and be available on U.S. mobile devices on NFL+.

The good news for Lambs came just hours after some bad news about Carey’s Christmas Time holiday tour. Shortly before showtime on Wednesday (Dec. 11), MC told fans that she would have to cancel that night’s gig at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh due to illness. Pittsburgh, I am sorry to say, I’ve come down with the flu,” the singer wrote. “It breaks my heart that I unfortunately have to cancel tonight’s show. I love you all so much.” The arena posted a note just before Carey’s announcing the cancellation and telling fans that they will receive an email with refund options.

Mariah isn’t the only music superstar who will be taking the stage on Christmas. On Wednesday, Beyoncé dropped a new teaser for her upcoming NFL halftime show in which she steps into a snowy scene and hangs an ornament on a cactus while wearing an all-white outfit featuring a cowboy hat, furry jacket and boots. Bey will perform at her hometown NRG Stadium in Houston before the Texans/Ravens game, marking her first live set since the release of her Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter album.

Check out Carey’s promo video below.