The Premier League is bringing proper Christmas football back. Seven matches are confirmed for Boxing Day 2026 — a Saturday — marking a significant return to the traditional festive bonanza after last year's near-blank 26 December, when just one game was played.
The league has released its full Christmas and New Year schedule, with the Boxing Day card spread across four kick-off times. Aston Villa host Leeds at 12:30 GMT to get the day under way, four matches follow at 15:00, before Hull welcome Liverpool at 17:30 and Newcastle face Manchester City under the lights at 20:00. It is the sort of festive slate that supporters have come to expect — and, after last season's curtailed programme, one that will be warmly received across the country.
The Full Boxing Day Card
- 12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds
- 15:00 Everton v Sunderland
- 15:00 Fulham v Brighton
- 15:00 Ipswich v Brentford
- 15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth
- 17:30 Hull v Liverpool
- 20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City
Action Continues Through to 7 January
The fun does not stop at Boxing Day. Three fixtures follow on Sunday, 27 December, with Coventry hosting Chelsea at 14:00, Manchester United taking on Nottingham Forest at 16:30, and Crystal Palace welcoming Arsenal at 19:00.
A round of midweek evening fixtures is then pencilled in across 29 and 30 December, before Leeds host Everton in the sole New Year's Day match, kicking off at 20:00 on 1 January. The remainder of that round stretches across the weekend of 2-3 January, and a fourth set of games runs from the evenings of 5 January through to Thursday, 7 January, when Manchester United face Newcastle to round things off.
Minimum 60-Hour Rest Gap Guaranteed
The Premier League has moved to address concerns about player welfare during what remains one of the most demanding stretches of the season. Clubs are guaranteed at least a 60-hour turnaround between fixtures over the festive period — a concession that reflects broader anxieties about fixture congestion following the recent expansions of both the European and international calendars.
The league has also brought the announcement of the festive schedule forward this year, following consultation with broadcast partners, the Football Supporters' Association, and Fan Advisory Board representatives from clubs. That earlier release gives supporters, many of whom are booking travel months in advance, considerably more time to plan.
Television selections for Premier League fixtures have been confirmed up to 2 November, with broadcast picks for the remaining November and December dates due to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.
A Proper Festive Fixture List at Last
For supporters who felt short-changed last Christmas, this schedule reads like a welcome correction. Seven games on 26 December, four further rounds of action stretching into the first week of January, and a guaranteed rest window for players — the Premier League appears to have listened. Whether the product on the pitch matches the occasion, as always, is another matter entirely.
Frequently asked
- How many Premier League games are on Boxing Day 2026?
- Seven Premier League matches are scheduled for Boxing Day 2026, with kick-off times at 12:30, 15:00 (four games), 17:30 and 20:00 GMT.
- What is the Premier League New Year's Day fixture in 2027?
- Leeds host Everton at 20:00 GMT on Friday, 1 January, and it is the only Premier League match scheduled for New Year's Day.
- How much rest are Premier League clubs guaranteed over Christmas?
- The Premier League has guaranteed all clubs a minimum 60-hour break between fixtures during the festive period to help manage player welfare amid a congested schedule.