In a major break from over a century of football tradition, the Premier League has confirmed that only one fixture will be played on Boxing Day 2025, marking the most drastic change yet to England’s festive football calendar.
According to a statement released on Friday and reported by BBC Sport, the only match slated for Friday, December 26, 2025, will see Manchester United host Newcastle United — a sharp contrast to the usual full day of fixtures fans have come to cherish.
Fixture Congestion Forces Change
The Premier League explained that the decision was forced by fixture congestion linked to the expansion of European club competitions, which has shortened the domestic calendar and limited scheduling flexibility.
“The Premier League acknowledges the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season,” the statement read. “Several challenges in scheduling have emerged due to the reshaped global football calendar and the expanded European competitions.”
The league confirmed that although the domestic season still features 380 matches, it now spans just 33 weekends — creating intense scheduling pressure.
More Fixtures to Follow on December 27 and 28
While Boxing Day will see only one clash — Manchester United vs Newcastle — fans can expect seven more matches on Saturday, December 27, and two on Sunday, December 28.
Key fixtures include Sunderland vs Leeds United and Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur, before Matchweek 19 resumes with six more games on Tuesday, December 30.
Player Welfare and Future Plans
To protect player welfare during the congested festive schedule, the Premier League said no club would play within 60 hours of another fixture.
“The adjustments are designed to allow more rest periods for players while maintaining the excitement of the festive football season,” the statement added.
The league also assured that the 2026 Boxing Day schedule will return to a traditional full lineup, as the date will fall on a Saturday.
Boxing Day football has long been an English cultural hallmark, attracting massive crowds and global TV audiences — but the new scheduling reflects the increasing strain of balancing domestic and international tournaments.
