Premier League Reduces 2025 Boxing Day Fixtures To One

31 Oct 2025, 17:54 by Richard Ogunsile · Naija News

The Premier League has confirmed that the traditional Boxing Day fixture list will be drastically reduced in 2025, to only one match.

Naija News reports that the Manchester United vs Newcastle United match is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 26, 2025.

The latest development marks a historic shift in English football’s festive calendar, which for more than a century has been synonymous with a full round of games on Boxing Day, a date cherished by fans, families, and broadcasters across the world.

According to a report by BBC Sport on Friday, the reduction comes as a result of fixture congestion linked to the expansion of European club competitions.

In a statement announcing the decision, the Premier League said it regretted the reduced schedule but explained that it was “bound by calendar constraints” brought about by the reshaped global football calendar.

“The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season, impacting an important tradition in English football,” the statement read.

“There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions, which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.”

The league noted that the domestic season has effectively been shortened, now spanning 33 weekends, despite maintaining its standard 380-match structure since 1995.

Seven Matches to Follow on December 27

With Boxing Day falling on a Friday in 2025, the league confirmed that seven fixtures will take place the following day, Saturday, December 27, while two more will be played on Sunday, December 28.

The Premier League also listed Sunderland vs Leeds United and Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur as part of the weekend’s lineup, before Matchweek 19 kicks off with six games on Tuesday, December 30.

Despite the disappointment, the Premier League assured fans that the 2026 Boxing Day schedule will return to a fuller lineup, as the date will fall on a Saturday, allowing for a more traditional round of fixtures.

“The league can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day, as the date falls on a Saturday,” the statement added.

It also stressed that “special arrangements” had been made to increase rest periods between fixtures during the congested festive period to ensure player welfare.

“This will allow greater time for players to recover, with rest periods between rounds 18, 19, and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match,” the league explained.

Naija News reports that Boxing Day football has long been one of the cornerstones of English football culture, often drawing record attendances and global TV audiences.

However, the growing demands of European competitions and international tournaments have placed pressure on scheduling, forcing the league to make compromises to manage fixture congestion.