Boxing Day, one of the most beloved traditions of English football, could experience its most lackluster edition in more than four decades this year. According to The Times, the Premier League's television rights holders have requested that only one match be played on December 26, moving the rest of the fixtures to the following weekend to capitalize on higher viewership. Get 20% off UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Spanish on DAZN. If confirmed, this would be the least busy Boxing Day since 1982. Last season, eight matches were played on that day, and the last time all ten matches coincided on December 26 was in 2015. The change stems from a contractual clause that requires the Premier League to hold 33 matchdays on weekends and only five on weekdays. To meet this requirement, the Christmas fixtures will have to be moved to Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28. The decision has sparked unease among fans and analysts. The Times warns that “the football tradition of December 26 will be virtually broken this year, as the top flight fulfills its obligations to television networks by holding matches over the weekend.” In practice, Boxing Day 2025-2026—which falls on a Friday—will only feature one of the ten matches scheduled for Matchday 18, making it the sparsest since World War II. The previous record for the fewest matches was set in 1981, when just two games were played. In contrast, in 2014, when Boxing Day also fell on a Friday, all ten Premier League fixtures were played on the same day. The English league hopes that in 2026 the situation will return to normal, as December 26 will fall on a Saturday. However, this season will be treated like a conventional weekend, with most matches spread across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Unlike the Premier League, the lower divisions—Championship, League One, League Two, and the National League—will remain true to tradition. All have scheduled their matches for December 26, preserving the Christmas spirit that combines football, community, and solidarity.

Boxing Day, whose literal translation would be "Gift Day," is celebrated every December 26 in the United Kingdom and usually includes charity events and family gatherings. It also includes events at stadiums, where clubs traditionally give gifts to their younger fans.