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Premier League clubs have received their Christmas fixture schedules seven weeks ahead of last season, following mounting pressure on the league and U.K. broadcasters to announce dates earlier in order to reduce disruption and inconvenience for supporters.
While the Premier League's 2026–27 fixtures were released in June, virtually every match—aside from certain midweek games—is tentatively set for a 3 p.m. Saturday kickoff, with dates and times remaining subject to change until just weeks before each game.
This is because U.K. television rights holders select which matches to broadcast live, often shifting kickoff times earlier or later, or even moving games to Friday, Sunday, or Monday. When these changes come too close to matchday, they can cause serious problems for attending fans—particularly those traveling away—especially when it comes to arranging transport to and from the ground.
The overwhelming majority of fans still rely on public transport to get to Premier League matches.
Getting around on public transport at certain times—such as Sunday evenings—is already difficult throughout the year. It becomes even more problematic over Christmas, when bus and train services run on reduced schedules or stop entirely. As a result, as much advance notice as possible makes a significant difference.
The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United were among those in discussions with the Premier League and broadcasters, urging that fans "be looked after" when TV selections are made. A number of other clubs are also understood to have raised similar concerns.
The situation is still far from ideal. Manchester City supporters making the trip to Newcastle for an 8 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 26, will face a tough journey, for instance. However, at least the late Sunday, Dec. 27, fixture is an all-London derby between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Big Change to Christmas Fixtures From Last Season
Football over the festive period has long held a special place in English football culture. While matches haven't been played on Christmas Day since the early 1960s, Boxing Day—Dec. 26—has become a cherished fixture in the football calendar.
Traditionally, all 20 Premier League clubs would play on Boxing Day regardless of which day of the week it landed on. Over time, television scheduling has spread that matchday across two or three days, yet as recently as 2024–25, the majority of clubs still played on Dec. 26—a Thursday that year. Last season drew significant criticism and disappointment when just a single game—Manchester United's 1–0 win over Newcastle United—was actually played on Boxing Day.
This season, with Boxing Day falling on a Saturday, seven matches are scheduled for that day, with the remaining three from that matchday taking place on Dec. 27.
Part of what makes Christmas football in England so appealing is its sheer intensity. While other leagues—including La Liga—take a break during or after the holiday period, the Premier League pushes on relentlessly. Alongside the Dec. 26/27 fixtures, there is a full round of matches on Dec. 29/30, Jan. 1/2/3, and Jan. 5/6/7. Every club will play four times within a maximum span of 13 days.