Premier League’s Boxing Day Tradition Set for Major Shift
For decades, Boxing Day (December 26) has been a highlight on the English football calendar, a day when fans eagerly tune in to a rich lineup of matches across the top tier. But this year, the Premier League is planning a radical change: it may schedule only one fixture on Boxing Day.
Why the change?
The timing of Boxing Day this year poses the key problem: December 26 falls on a Friday. That complicates the scheduling of a full match‑day slate under the league’s traditional format.
The League must deliver 33 weekends of fixtures, with only five mid‑week rounds allowed, to satisfy its broadcast partner contracts. With other competitions (notably the UEFA Champions League, etc.) expanded and the FA Cup now committed to weekend slots, the calendar is packed.
As a result, many (if not “most”) of the usual Boxing Day fixtures will be shifted to Saturday 27 December or the weekend of December 27‑28, in order to conform to the scheduling constraints.
What this means for fans
If the single‑fixture plan goes ahead, it will mark one of the smallest Boxing Day line‑ups in the top flight’s history.
The move could disappoint many supporters who see Boxing Day matches as a core part of festive football culture.
The lower tiers (Championship, League One, League Two) do not appear to be following the same restrictive approach this year, meaning the full festivity may remain in those divisions.
Is it permanent?
According to several sources, this adjustment is expected to be temporary. It is likely to be unique to the 2025‑26 season due to the particular calendar alignment, but a return to the “normal” Boxing Day lineup is projected for when December 26 next lands on a weekend.
If you like, I can check for the exact date and time of the one match that will occur on Boxing Day this year, plus the impact on broadcast scheduling and fan travel.