Las Vegas is about to light up brighter than ever. The NFL has officially confirmed that the Las Vegas Raiders will host the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with kickoff set for 4:25 PM ET / 1:25 PM PT. Two iconic franchises — one from the desert, one from America’s heartland — are ready to collide in a matchup packed with power, pride, and playoff implications.
This isn’t just a football game — it’s a prime-time spectacle between the league’s most passionate fanbases. The Raiders’ “Black Hole” will clash with the Cowboys’ “America’s Team” identity in a stadium built for drama.
🏈 Game Day Details
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Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
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Kickoff Time: 4:25 PM ET / 1:25 PM PT
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Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Broadcast: FOX — America’s Game of the Week
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Teams: Las Vegas Raiders (Home) vs. Dallas Cowboys (Visitors)
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Gates Open: 10:00 AM PT
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Parking Lots Open: 8:00 AM PT — expect the Vegas Strip to be painted silver, black, and blue as fans flood in from across the country.
🎙 “Cowboys vs. Raiders in Las Vegas? That’s not just a game — that’s an event,” said FOX’s Erin Andrews. “It’s a collision of football, entertainment, and sheer energy.”
☀️ Weather Forecast: Desert Cool with a Touch of Drama
While winter grips most of the country, Las Vegas will offer the perfect football climate — crisp, clear, and dry. The game will be played indoors at Allegiant Stadium, but fans tailgating outside will enjoy beautiful desert conditions before kickoff.
Game Day Weather Forecast:
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Temperature at Kickoff: 67°F (19°C)
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High: 70°F (21°C)
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Low: 52°F (11°C)
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Sky: Clear with light desert breeze
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Wind: 5–8 mph from the southwest
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Humidity: 20%
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Inside Stadium: Climate-controlled perfection at 72°F (22°C)
☀️ “There’s nothing like December football in Vegas — warm days, cool nights, and a stadium built for spectacle,” said NFL meteorologist Scott Padgett.
⚔️ Game Preview: Showdown Under the Dome
Las Vegas Raiders: The Dark Horses Rise
The Raiders enter this matchup with a chip on their shoulder and a fanbase hungry for redemption. Under head coach Antonio Pierce, this team has rediscovered its identity — toughness, swagger, and defense-first football.
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell has taken command of the huddle with growing confidence, and star wideout Davante Adams continues to dominate every defensive matchup. Running back Zamir White has brought back the physicality to the Raiders’ ground game, and the offensive line has shown serious growth down the stretch.
Defensively, Maxx Crosby remains the heartbeat — relentless, emotional, and terrifying off the edge. With Robert Spillane leading the linebackers and Jack Jones emerging in the secondary, the Raiders’ defense has become a unit that thrives under pressure.
💬 “We play with fire. We play with anger. And we love the lights,” said Maxx Crosby. “Vegas football isn’t quiet — it’s chaos.”
Dallas Cowboys: America’s Team Takes the Stage
The Cowboys travel to Vegas with one goal — to prove they can win big away from home. Led by quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ offense remains one of the league’s most explosive. CeeDee Lamb is having a monster season, while Tony Pollard’s speed gives the backfield a constant spark.
Defensively, Dallas brings its usual star power. Micah Parsons is once again a game-wrecker capable of changing momentum with one snap. Alongside Trevon Diggs and DeMarcus Lawrence, this defense remains one of the most aggressive in the NFL.
🗣 “Vegas will be loud, but so will we,” said Dak Prescott. “We’ve played on big stages before — this one’s just a little flashier.”
🏟 Atmosphere: Vegas Turns into the Football Capital
No city hosts a football game quite like Las Vegas. Allegiant Stadium — nicknamed the Death Star — will be packed with 65,000 roaring fans, lights flashing, and the Strip glowing just beyond the horizon.
What to Expect on Game Day:
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Star-Studded Sidelines: Celebrities, athletes, and high-rollers filling the VIP suites.
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Tailgate Party Vibes: Music, food trucks, and fans turning the parking lot into a festival.
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The Black Hole: Raiders diehards dressed in silver spikes and skull paint, bringing unmatched energy.
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Cowboys Nation in Force: Thousands of blue-and-white jerseys turning this into a near-neutral crowd.
🎙 “It’s not just a football game in Vegas — it’s a show,” said ESPN’s Laura Rutledge. “The crowd, the lights, the energy — everything feels larger than life.”
🔥 Key Matchups to Watch
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Davante Adams vs. Trevon Diggs: Elite route running meets elite ball-hawking — a matchup that could decide the game.
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Maxx Crosby vs. Dak Prescott: The relentless pass rusher against one of the NFL’s most elusive quarterbacks.
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CeeDee Lamb vs. Raiders Secondary: Vegas will need its best coverage game to contain the Cowboys’ superstar receiver.
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Tony Pollard vs. Raiders Linebackers: Speed vs. strength in the open field.
⚡ “These two teams don’t just play — they perform,” said NFL analyst Rich Eisen. “Every matchup feels like a heavyweight fight.”
🌆 Game Outlook: High Stakes Under the Vegas Lights
Expect a back-and-forth thriller. The Raiders’ physical defense will look to slow down the Cowboys’ rhythm early, while Dallas will test Vegas deep with their passing game. The energy inside Allegiant Stadium will be electric — every first down, every sack, every touchdown will echo like a roar through the desert night.
The Cowboys’ speed may challenge the Raiders’ secondary, but if Vegas controls the clock with its ground game and relentless pressure on defense, this could turn into a stunning upset.
🏆 “The bright lights don’t scare us — they feed us,” said Antonio Pierce. “We’re built for big moments, and this is as big as it gets.”
✅ Final Word
Sunday, December 28, 2025 — 4:25 PM ET / 1:25 PM PT — Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Under the desert sun and stadium lights, the Raiders and Cowboys will write another chapter in their storied legacies.
The Raiders, fueled by pride and passion, ready to defend their house.
The Cowboys, armed with talent and swagger, ready to conquer the Strip.