Premier League releases City's Christmas schedule a month early after United's fan-travel push

The Premier League has published Manchester City’s Christmas and New Year fixture schedule a full month earlier than last year, responding to pressure from Manchester United and the Football Supporters Association to give supporters more time to arrange travel and accommodation.

United had held formal meetings with Premier League executives alongside the FSA, urging the governing body to bring forward its festive fixture announcements. The campaign gained momentum after Newcastle United fans were left to absorb a 292-mile round trip for an 8pm Boxing Day kick-off at Old Trafford last season — a decision the FSA publicly condemned as “thoughtless” and noted came a fortnight later than it was supposed to.

The FSA’s statement at the time was pointed: “Newcastle United’s game at Old Trafford — the longest trip of that Gameweek — has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless.” The organisation argued that late announcements disproportionately punish away supporters who rely on advance booking to keep travel costs manageable.

With the schedule now confirmed, Manchester City will travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Boxing Day, with kick-off at 8pm. Their home clash with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium has been moved to Tuesday, 29 December, kicking off at 8.15pm. City’s first fixture of the New Year is at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 3 January, with a 4.30pm start, before a trip to Elland Road on Wednesday, 6 January, also at 8.15pm.

While Premier League matches default to a 3pm Saturday kick-off, broadcasters retain the right to reschedule games for live coverage, a flexibility that has long drawn criticism when exercised close to the festive period. The earlier announcement this year represents a tangible shift in approach, and one that supporters’ groups across the country had been pushing for.

For City, the schedule sets up a demanding run of fixtures across the holiday period, beginning with the trip to Newcastle — a fixture that will carry its own significance given both clubs’ ambitions in the top half of the table.