The Detroit Lions’ annual Thanksgiving Day Classic will have a hometown headliner this year as rock musician Jack White takes the stage at Ford Field. The 86th edition of the holiday matchup, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 27 and televised nationally on FOX, pits the Lions against longtime rivals the Green Bay Packers, with White performing during the Verizon Halftime Show.
Get to Know the Halftime Performer at Packers vs. Lions
White, a Detroit native and newly inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has been selected as this year’s Thanksgiving halftime performer under the team’s collaboration with Eminem and Shady Records president Paul Rosenberg. Announced on Nov. 13, the partnership runs through 2027 and gives the Detroit rapper and his management team a big role in choosing and producing holiday-game entertainment. White is their first pick.
White’s return to Detroit for the halftime show is both a homecoming and a celebration of his career milestone. Born and raised in the city, he emerged in the 1990s as a drummer for the local band Goober and the Peas before forming The White Stripes with his wife, Meg White, in 1997.
The two, who were married at the time and famously presented themselves publicly as siblings, became one of the most influential rock acts of the 2000s, known for their raw sound and minimalist style. Even after their divorce in 2000, they continued performing together until officially disbanding in 2011 when Meg retired from music.
Jack has since maintained a prolific solo career and also contributed to other acclaimed bands, including The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. He has earned 12 Grammy Awards, and The White Stripes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Nov. 8. His catalog includes a recognizable anthem in modern sports culture: “Seven Nation Army,” whose signature riff has become a global stadium chant.
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For Detroit, White’s halftime appearance carries added significance as a hometown event. The Lions’ Thanksgiving game is one of the franchise’s longest-running traditions, and bringing in a local rock icon underlines the city’s musical and cultural heritage.
Game and Halftime Timing
Kickoff for the Packers-Lions game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Based on usual NFL pacing, fans can expect White to perform around 2:30 p.m. ET. Halftime generally arrives roughly 75 minutes after kickoff, though the exact time depends on the speed of play.
The game and halftime show will air on FOX. Fans can also watch through the FOX Sports app. Stream options include the free FOX feed on Tubi and FOX broadcasts available through FuboTV.
Detroit Lions Team Up With Eminem For Thanksgiving Halftime Show Performances
The Lions worked with Eminem and his manager, Paul Rosenberg, the president of Shady Records, to establish a relationship that will last through 2027. And, despite reports that he would not be performing, Eminem did make a surprise cameo during Jack White’s performance.
JACK WHITE BROUGHT OUT EMINEM AT HALFTIME IN DETROIT!pic.twitter.com/dk5t11ilRE
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 27, 2025
The Lions will work directly with Eminem and Rosenberg to “consult on talent selection and halftime production of the show,” according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. As Eminem is a Detroit native, he’s no stranger to the area, the team, or performing. Here in 2025, Jack White has been selected as their halftime show performer.
“It’s an honor for us to team up with the Lions and be a part of the greatest tradition in Detroit sports,” Rosenberg said. “We look forward to putting together unforgettable shows featuring world-class artists for the fans at Ford Field and the tens of millions watching around the country.”
It’s worth noting that not only are Eminem and Rosenberg working on these performances, but Jesse Collins Entertainment has also been hired for the production.
Lions president and CEO Rod Wood released a statement of his own, “We’re thrilled to be working with Marshall and Paul, who are two of the most accomplished and respected names in the music industry, not to mention longtime Lions fans.
Their reputation in the business will attract top-tier talent and help us solidify this annual performance as one of the most anticipated cultural moments on the NFL calendar.”
Two years ago, the Packers came to Detroit and embarrassed the Lions. Detroit is looking to rewrite history, though it’s going to take a lot for their defense to overcome quarterback Jordan Love’s B+ grade in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric. Only two QBs rank higher than Love, and it’s undoubtedly not QB Jared Goff. Goff is in the middle of the league, 14th, with his C+ grade.
