Premier League abandons Boxing Day tradition as festive fixture schedule released
Premier League scraps one of sport’s most-loved Christmas traditions
- The Premier League has significantly reduced its traditional Boxing Day football schedule to just one match this season.
- Manchester United will host Newcastle United at 8pm on Friday 26 December as the sole fixture on Boxing Day.
- This reduction is attributed to a congested calendar, including the expanded Champions League and exclusive weekends for the FA Cup, leading to fewer available weekends for Premier League fixtures.
- The remaining nine festive fixtures will be played across Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December, with further matches scheduled for 30 December and 1 January.
- The Premier League acknowledged the impact on an important tradition but assured that more matches will be played on Boxing Day next season, as the date falls on a Saturday.