Premier League Christmas Fixtures: Unprecedented Changes

The annual Premier League fixture list during the Christmas and New Year period will feature 40 matches between December 26 and January 8. However, this season's Boxing Day (December 26) will see only one match, a clash between Manchester United and Newcastle at 9 PM, marking an unprecedentedly light schedule for this date since 1982.

This alteration is attributed to increasing fixture congestion, restrictions related to television broadcast rights, and reforms in European cup competition schedules. In this regard, the Premier League explained that the increase in the number of matches “led to a review of our national schedule before last season, including changes to the FA Cup.”

Other Premier League matches, including Chelsea's encounter against Aston Villa, will be spread across December 27 and 28. The Arsenal versus Liverpool match is scheduled for January 8. Arsenal currently leads the league table, two points ahead of Manchester City and three points clear of Aston Villa.

While most major European leagues pause during this period, Italy's Serie A will also continue its fixture schedule. England's Championship, League One, and League Two will maintain a full program on December 26. This Boxing Day scheduling issue is not expected to recur for the next two seasons, as December 26 will fall on a Saturday in 2026 and a Sunday in 2027.