This year, the Premier League’s traditional Boxing Day fixtures will be reduced to just one game: Manchester United vs Newcastle United, kicking off at 20:00 GMT. The league attributes the unusual schedule to the expansion of UEFA club competitions, which has created significant challenges in fitting all domestic and European matches into the calendar.

Boxing Day has long been a hallmark of English football, with fans eagerly anticipating a full slate of matches. However, the 2025 festive schedule marks a dramatic change, leaving just one top-flight match on the day and altering a cherished tradition.

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Why Only One Boxing Day Game?

The Premier League issued a statement acknowledging the circumstances behind the reduced fixtures:

“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. There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions.”

Since the 2024-25 season, UEFA has expanded the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, introducing a league phase before knockout stages and stretching the competitions across ten midweek slots instead of six. More teams participate, and each competition has standalone weeks for greater visibility.

This expansion, combined with adjustments to the domestic calendar, has resulted in fewer weekends available for Premier League matches, leaving Boxing Day with only Manchester United vs Newcastle United. Last season, there were eight Premier League fixtures on December 26, highlighting how much the schedule has been compressed.

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Fan Reaction and Criticism

The Football Supporters’ Association criticized the delayed announcement and the unusual kick-off time:

“Newcastle’s game at Old Trafford—the longest trip of that gameweek—has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless.”

Fans are concerned that the late kick-off and single match will disrupt the festive football tradition, which has been a key part of English culture for decades.

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Fixture Adjustments for Player Welfare

The Premier League has made adjustments to ensure player recovery and welfare during the congested festive period. Special arrangements have been implemented to allow more rest between rounds 18, 19, and 20, ensuring no team plays within 60 hours of another match.

“In July, player representatives and FIFA agreed on a minimum rest period of 72 hours between matches,” the league noted, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding player health.

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UEFA Expansion’s Knock-On Effect

The changes to UEFA competitions have directly impacted domestic scheduling:

• Conference League matches now run on consecutive weeks in December.
• Clubs like Crystal Palace, participating in the Conference League and EFL Cup, face tight scheduling, with potential league matches sandwiched between European and domestic cup ties.
• This has created fixture congestion, making a full Boxing Day schedule impractical this season.

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Full Premier League Festive Schedule

Friday, 26 December

• Manchester United vs Newcastle United (20:00 GMT)

Saturday, 27 December

• Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (12:30)
• Arsenal vs Brighton (15:00)
• Brentford vs Bournemouth (15:00)
• Burnley vs Everton (15:00)
• Liverpool vs Wolves (15:00)
• West Ham United vs Fulham (15:00)
• Chelsea vs Aston Villa (17:30)

Sunday, 28 December

• Sunderland vs Leeds United (14:00)
• Crystal Palace vs Tottenham (16:30)

The Premier League has confirmed that next season will feature more Boxing Day fixtures, as the day falls on a Saturday, allowing for a return to tradition.