According to reports, the Premier League will only play one match on Boxing Day in 2025, marking a significant departure from one of English football’s most treasured customs.
Traditionally, December 26 has been one of the busiest and most eagerly anticipated days in the football calendar, with packed schedules across the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two following the Christmas Day festivities. Families across the country have long viewed Boxing Day football as an integral part of the holiday season — but next year, that festive lineup will look very different.
According to talkSPORT, only a single Premier League match is expected to take place on December 26, 2025. The decision has been driven largely by fixture congestion caused by the expansion of UEFA competitions and adjustments to the domestic calendar, including the FA Cup being moved to weekend-only scheduling.
The Premier League is contractually obliged to deliver 33 weekends of football to broadcasters each season. Since Boxing Day in 2025 falls on a Friday, the plan is for one televised match to take place that evening, following the typical Friday-night football format.
Although the final decision has not yet been confirmed, the league is expected to compensate by hosting a full round of fixtures on December 27, ensuring all 20 clubs are still in action during the festive period. It’s understood that this is a one-off adjustment, with the traditional Boxing Day schedule set to return in 2026, when the date falls on a Saturday.
The last time Boxing Day fell on a Friday was in 2014, when all 20 Premier League clubs played. By contrast, last season (2024), eight matches were played on December 26, with two others the following day.
This latest move has reignited debates around festive football scheduling, particularly after the controversial decision in 2023 to host a Christmas Eve fixture between Wolves and Chelsea — the first in 28 years. Citing travel concerns and the disruption of family plans, numerous fan and supporter organizations denounced that decision.
While the Premier League insists the 2025 Boxing Day change is temporary, many fans will still see it as a disappointing break from one of football’s oldest holiday traditions.
