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The Premier League returns for its annual fixture tradition on Boxing Day, kicking off the annual series of fixtures over the festive period.
The English top flight isn’t the only competition to be played over the festive period; the country’s lower leagues and Italy’s Serie A are also in action between Christmas and New Year’s Day. However, the Premier League takes center stage during this period and especially on Boxing Day, a holiday over which the league has long had a strong hold.
Ahead of this year’s Boxing Day, here’s what you need to know about this season’s schedule and the long history of the games on this date.
Premier League Boxing Day schedule
Always US/East
Thursday December 26
Manchester City vs. Everton, 7.30am (USA Network en Fubo)
Southampton vs. West Ham United, 10am (Peacock)
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur, 10am (Peacock)
Newcastle United vs Aston Villa, 10am (USA Network en Fubo)
Chelsea vs. Fulham, 10am (Peacock)
Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace, 10am (Peacock)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United, 12:45 PM (USA Network en Fubo)
Liverpool vs. Leicester City, 3pm (USA Network en Fubo)
Friday December 27
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Brentford, 2:45pm (Peacock)
Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town, 3:15pm (USA Network en Fubo)
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day became a national holiday in Great Britain in 1871 and was celebrated annually on the day after Christmas. The exact reasons for the introduction of the holiday are unknown, although many believe the name stems from the Victorian-era practice of employers gifting their employees with Christmas hampers on December 26 and giving them the day off.
History of English Football on Boxing Day
England’s top leagues have scheduled matches on Boxing Day since 1888, when the Football League was founded. For the first six or seven decades, a full round of fixtures was scheduled on both Christmas and Boxing Day and teams played on consecutive days. The hope was to increase visitor numbers as many people used the two-day holiday as an excuse to leave their homes and gather outside.
The last English league match at Christmas took place in 1965, when Blackburn Rovers won 4–2 at Blackpool, as more people began celebrating the holiday at home. However, Boxing Day remained a popular date for matches and remains one of the most important days in the football calendar. This year the Championship and League One will also play almost a full schedule on Boxing Day (you can watch the matches on Biggest+or watch The Golazo Show on CBS Sports Golazo Network to catch all the action in one place), while non-league teams will also play on December 26. Elsewhere in Europe, Rangers’ trip to St. Mirren (12:45 pm, CBS Sports Network) will headline the Scottish Premiership action and the Belgian Pro League will also be in action.
The Premier League now chooses to regularly spread a full round of matches over a few days and has allocated two matches this year for Friday, December 27. However, most of Matchweek 18’s matches will take place on Boxing Day.