Premier League restores Boxing Day programme for 2026-27 as festive fixtures confirmed

The Premier League will restore a traditional Boxing Day programme in 2026-27, with seven matches on Saturday 26 December and three on Sunday 27 December. The league confirmed the festive schedule on Thursday.

Last season, only Manchester United v Newcastle United was played on Boxing Day, a break forced by calendar complexities linked to meeting the obligation to stage 33 weekend rounds.

Boxing Day opens at 12:30pm with Aston Villa hosting Leeds United, followed by four 3pm kick-offs, Everton v Sunderland, Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town v Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth. Liverpool visit Hull City at 5:30pm, before Newcastle United face Manchester City at 8pm.

On Sunday 27 December, Chelsea travel to Coventry City at 2:00pm, Manchester United host Nottingham Forest at 4:30pm and Arsenal visit Crystal Palace at 7pm.

New Year’s Day, a Friday, features only one fixture, Leeds United at home to Everton. The remaining nine matches are scheduled for Saturday 2 January and Sunday 3 January.

All clubs will have at least a 60-hour gap between fixtures across the period. Teams then play again on Tuesday 29 December or Wednesday 30 December, with all 10 matches on those dates live on Sky Sports.

Broadcast picks have been confirmed earlier than usual, ahead of November’s TV selections, following agreement with broadcast partners. The early notice gives supporters more than three months to plan travel at a busy time, after consultation with the Football Supporters’ Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Source: NY Times

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