In 2025, there was only 1 Premier League game on Boxing Day: Manchester United v Newcastle United on 26 December. The league said expansion in European club competitions and domestic calendar changes left 33 weekends for 380 matches, so the number of Boxing Day fixtures depends on how the calendar falls.
Why Boxing Day had only 1 match in 2025/26
The Premier League tied the change to a revised schedule across the season. European club competitions expanded, the domestic calendar was reshaped, and FA Cup arrangements changed as well.
The league still has 380 matches, but it now works within 33 weekends. That makes fixture placement tighter, and when 26 December lands where it did in 2025, Boxing Day itself can end up with only 1 league game.
| Season | Boxing Day | Premier League matches |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Friday 26 December 2025 | 1 |
| 2026/27 | Saturday 26 December 2026 | 7 (scheduled) |
Which match was played on Boxing Day in 2025
The only Premier League fixture that day was Manchester United against Newcastle United. The league also said there would be more Boxing Day matches in 2026/27.
So the change was about scheduling pressure, not the disappearance of festive football. The holiday period still had league rounds around it, but not many games fell on 26 December itself.
Another part of the answer: rest time in the festive period
Across the 2025/26 festive schedule, the gap between Matchweeks 18, 19 and 20 was extended. The aim was to make sure no club had to play another match within 60 hours.
That rest rule applied across the whole festive period.
How many games are on Boxing Day in 2026/27
For 2026/27, 26 December falls on a Saturday and 7 Premier League games are scheduled on that date. As of 15 September 2026, the official fixture list shows the following matches, though selections for television can still move them.
| Home | Away |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | Leeds United |
| Everton | Sunderland |
| Fulham | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Ipswich Town | Brentford |
| Tottenham Hotspur | AFC Bournemouth |
| Hull City | Liverpool |
| Newcastle United | Manchester City |
FAQ
What does Boxing Day mean in Premier League terms?
It means 26 December. In league discussion, it refers to Premier League fixtures scheduled for that date, not a separate competition.
Does Boxing Day always have a full Premier League programme?
No. The comparison between 2025/26 and 2026/27 shows that clearly: 1 match in one season, 7 scheduled in the next. The date itself stays the same, but the calendar around it does not.
Does one Boxing Day match mean there was no festive schedule?
No. It means very few games were placed on 26 December itself. The 2025/26 festive period still had scheduling across Matchweeks 18, 19 and 20.
Can Boxing Day fixtures still change after the list is released?
Yes. The official fixture list can still be altered for television selection. That affects the timing and placement of matches even after they first appear on the schedule.