Premier League Shakes Up Tradition with Dramatic Boxing Day Schedule Overhaul for 2025

This Boxing Day will showcase only one Premier League fixture—Manchester United taking on Newcastle United—marking a departure from the traditional holiday football schedule.

Typically among the most action-packed stretches of the football calendar, the league has confirmed that all remaining Gameweek 18 matches will occur between Dec. 27–28. Additionally, no Christmas Eve fixture is scheduled for this year.

The revised schedule includes 10 fixtures spanning Dec. 20–22, a complete break through Christmas Day, followed by the sole Boxing Day encounter between Man Utd and Newcastle at Old Trafford. The most recent Christmas Eve match took place in 2023 when Wolverhampton Wanderers met Chelsea.

"The Premier League wishes to recognize the factors that have resulted in fewer Boxing Day fixtures this season – affecting a cherished tradition in English football," the league stated on Friday.

Premier League: Must Adhere to Calendar Constraints

The Premier League outlined scheduling difficulties encountered this season, emphasizing European tournaments, the FA Cup, and calendar constraints, while also providing assurance for the 2026–27 season.

"Multiple obstacles now affect Premier League fixture planning stemming from expanded European club tournaments—which prompted a domestic calendar revision before last season, including FA Cup modifications. This ultimately resulted in the Premier League becoming a 33-weekend competition—fewer than in previous seasons, despite maintaining 380 matches since 1995," the league explained.

"With reduced weekends available, the League must work within calendar limitations. The League can confirm that next season will feature more Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day—as the date occurs on a Saturday."

The updated arrangements ensure no team will compete in two matches within a 60-hour timeframe.

2025 Premier League Holiday Fixture List

The complete schedule of matches from Boxing Day through New Year's Day is outlined below: