Premier League schedules seven Boxing Day fixtures for 2026-27 after festive fixture backlash

The Premier League has confirmed seven fixtures for Boxing Day 2026, announcing the festive schedule more than three months in advance in a direct response to fan criticism over congested Christmas programming.

Last season, just one game — Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle — was played on December 26, with the bulk of the festive round pushed to December 27. For 2026-27, that balance has been reversed, with seven matches now set for Boxing Day itself, including Aston Villa vs Leeds, Hull vs Liverpool, and Newcastle vs Manchester City.

The early announcement, covering match-weeks 17 to 20 from December 26 to January 7, follows an agreement between the Premier League and its broadcasting partners to bring the selection process forward. The league said the move was designed to give supporters “more than three months’ notice to plan and make travel arrangements for a particularly busy time of the year.”

The scheduling decision was made in consultation with the Football Supporters’ Association and club Fan Advisory Boards, reflecting sustained pressure from supporters over the demands placed on fans during the holiday period.

Clubs will also be guaranteed a minimum 60-hour rest period between fixtures across the Christmas and New Year window — a commitment the league said addresses concerns about player welfare in the context of “an expanding European and international fixture calendar.”

“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested festive schedule,” the Premier League said in its official statement.

Broadcast selections for November fixtures will be announced by the week commencing September 21, with December selections confirmed by the week of October 19.

The confirmed Boxing Day fixtures are: Aston Villa vs Leeds (12:30pm), Newcastle vs Manchester City (3pm), and Hull vs Liverpool (5:30pm), with four additional games also scheduled for December 26.