The Premier League has confirmed that just one match will take place on Boxing Day this year, citing the expansion of European club competitions as the main reason behind the reduced schedule. Manchester United’s home clash with Newcastle United, kicking off at 20:00 GMT, will be the sole fixture on 26 December — a striking departure from one of English football’s most beloved traditions.
For decades, Boxing Day football has been a cornerstone of the Premier League calendar, drawing packed stadiums and millions of television viewers. Traditionally, all 20 clubs are in action across the day, with festive fixtures serving as a highlight of the English sporting year. But the league says mounting scheduling pressures have forced a rethink.
In a statement released on Friday, the Premier League acknowledged the frustration among fans while explaining the circumstances that led to the unusual decision. “The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season — impacting an important tradition in English football,” the statement read.
According to the league, the main issue stems from the growing demands of European competitions. UEFA’s newly expanded Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League formats now feature more group-stage games, placing additional strain on domestic calendars. As a result, the Premier League has had to adjust its fixture list, reducing available weekends to accommodate the increased number of midweek European matches.
“This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition — fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995,” the statement added. “With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls.”
This year’s calendar has proven particularly challenging. Boxing Day 2025 falls on a Friday, followed by seven Premier League fixtures on Saturday, 27 December. The remaining two matches of matchweek 18 — Sunderland v Leeds United and Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur — are scheduled for Sunday, 28 December.
The congestion doesn’t stop there. Matchweek 19 is set to begin just two days later, with six matches being played on Tuesday, 30 December. That quick turnaround has raised concerns over player welfare, prompting the league to highlight measures taken to ensure adequate rest between games.
“As with previous years, and in keeping with our commitment to clubs, special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period,” the Premier League said. “This will allow greater time for players to recover, with rest periods between rounds 18, 19, and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match.”
Despite assurances about player welfare, the decision to limit Boxing Day football to a single match has disappointed many supporters. Fans have taken to social media to express frustration over what they view as the erosion of a cherished tradition. For many, Boxing Day fixtures are an essential part of the festive season — a time when families come together to watch their teams play.
Football historians have also lamented the change. Since the league’s inception in 1992, Boxing Day has been synonymous with full rounds of matches, often producing memorable moments and dramatic scorelines. The reduced schedule represents a symbolic shift in the balance between domestic football and the growing dominance of European competitions.
However, the Premier League has promised that the situation will be temporary. Next season, when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, fans can expect a return to the traditional full round of fixtures. “The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day,” the statement confirmed.
While the festive calendar may look different this year, the league insists the adjustments are necessary to protect both players and clubs amid an increasingly demanding football landscape. Still, for fans across the country, this Christmas season will feel just a little quieter without the usual flurry of Boxing Day football.
