Shock move sees Premier League break Boxing Day tradition kept alive since World War 2

Last Updated on 27 October 2025

Boxing Day football is a British tradition. A festive feast of goals, drama, and family viewing. But this year, Premier League fans may be left disappointed.

On the pitch, we might be seeing a return to the early 2000s with all the set-piece goals.

However, off it, with all the broadcasters involved, the Premier League is set to see a major change.

Premier League set for quietest Boxing Day since World War II

For decades, Boxing Day has been one of the most anticipated dates in the football calendar.

But in 2025, fans will have to adjust their festive routines. The Premier League is contractually bound to deliver 33 weekend rounds and five midweek rounds, leaving no space for the traditional December 26 marathon of matches.

According to the Mirror, only one top-flight fixture will take place on December 26, marking the quietest Boxing Day schedule since World War II.

It has not yet been revealed which match will take place on Boxing Day. However, all 20 clubs are in contention, as of now.

The rest of the matches will instead be played over the following weekend, as the Premier League struggles to meet its broadcasting and scheduling obligations amid an increasingly congested football calendar.

Fortunately, this seems like a one-off as Boxing Day 2026 is expected to be normal with plenty of Premier League games.

Fans already outraged with Premier League over poor Boxing Day scheduling

As expected, fans have not taken the news well.

But it did split opinion a lot more than one would imagine. Some fans believe that Boxing Day football is incredibly inconvenient and the only reason it has not been scrapped is ‘tradition’.

Meanwhile, the majority of fans were upset with the decision.

Others called it a travesty while praising the Championship, which is set to follow tradition, as usual, offering a full slate of fixtures.