What Is Boxing Day and Why Are There No Games in 2025?

The Premier League breaks with one of its most iconic traditions as television interests reshape the festive schedule.

The End of a Historic Tradition

British football, so deeply rooted in tradition, will experience an unusual Christmas in 2025, as the classic Boxing Day has effectively been shelved. The iconic December 26 fixture list—once packed with matches played the day after Christmas—has been significantly reduced, with the Premier League spreading Matchday 18 across the entire weekend.

For decades, Boxing Day symbolized full stadiums, families in the stands, and children celebrating the holidays surrounded by football. This year, however, history has given way to television broadcasting demands, which imposed contractual conditions that reshaped the schedule.

Originally known as the “second day of Christmas,” Boxing Day dates back to a tradition in which gifts were distributed to workers. That custom survived for generations across leagues in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. In 2025, that long-standing ritual will no longer apply.

Only One Match on December 26

The change is clear: there will be only one Premier League match on December 26, the clash between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford. The rest of the fixtures will be played on Saturday and Sunday, allowing broadcasters to air games under their usual programming model.

Despite losing some competitive edge in recent seasons, Manchester United remain one of English football’s most iconic institutions. The match will open Matchday 18 and feature two inconsistent sides that traditionally occupy the top half of the table but now find themselves in more modest positions.

The team coached by Ruben Amorim faces the Magpies amid an injury crisis, with key absences including Kobbie Mainoo, captain Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and Matthijs de Ligt.

The Title Race Heats Up

While Boxing Day fades, the title battle intensifies. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, sit atop the table with little margin for error. Their advantage over Manchester City is just two points, while Aston Villa, currently third, trail by three.

The Gunners host Brighton at the Emirates after narrowly qualifying for the EFL Cup semifinals on penalties against Crystal Palace and showing signs of fatigue. Injuries have taken their toll, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman unavailable.

Before Arsenal kick off, Manchester City, powered by Erling Haaland, will have already completed their match away to Nottingham Forest, hoping to continue their seven-match winning streak and close the gap at the top.

Villa, Chelsea, and the Race for Europe

Also firmly in the title conversation is Aston Villa, coached by Unai Emery, winners of ten consecutive matches across all competitions, seven of them in the league. Their confidence is sky-high ahead of a marquee showdown at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, under Arne Slot, welcome bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton to Anfield. Still without Mohamed Salah, away with Egypt at AFCON, and missing injured striker Alexander Isak, the Reds aim to keep pace in the race for European places.

Matchday 18 – Local Time

Friday, December 26
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United – 20:00

Saturday, December 27
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City – 12:30
Arsenal vs. Brighton – 15:00
Brentford vs. Bournemouth – 15:00
Burnley vs. Everton – 15:00
Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton – 15:00
West Ham vs. Fulham – 15:00
Chelsea vs. Aston Villa – 17:30