Why is there no Boxing Day in the Premier League?

Premier League fixtures: Boxing Day tradition cancelled, plus Arsenal's nightmare start. The Premier League has scrapped the traditional Boxing Day calendar for the upcoming season after calls to reduce the workload of the top players.

Why is there no Boxing Day?

The scheduling of bank holidays changes each year, influenced by weekends and shifting annual holidays such as Easter. Unfortunately, with no major national celebrations on the horizon, there are currently no plans to add any extra bank holidays to the eight days we'll receive in 2026.

Why doesn't Arsenal play on Boxing Day?

Why Arsenal are not playing on Boxing Day. Amazon Prime are broadcasting all of the games across December 26 and 27. As such, they have decided to spread some of the fixtures out in order to provide better TV coverage.

Did Wolves face Manchester United on Boxing Day in the Premier League?

Manchester United careered to a new low on Boxing Day as they ended the day 14th in the Premier League following a desperate defeat at Wolves. Set-pieces were again their undoing as Matheus Cunha somehow drifted a corner all the way over Andre Onana and into the net for the game's opener, before a late second.

What does Boxing Day mean in PL?

Christmas Day is now a football-free day, but this wasn't always the case. In the days before television, there would be a full programme of matches on 25 December. In 1957, the UK held the last ever Christmas Day football game and from then on Boxing Day became the traditional day for football in the UK.

Transfer news updates from every Premier League club ahead of Deadline Day!

Is Boxing Day just a British thing?

Boxing Day was once a day to donate gifts to those in need, but it has evolved to become a part of Christmas festivities. It originated in the United Kingdom and is celebrated in several Commonwealth nations.

What is the meaning of Boxing Day in Premier League?

Often referred to as a "second Christmas," Boxing Day is mainly celebrated in the United Kingdom. It's a day focused on promoting donations and gifts for the most vulnerable groups, and with football as a part of the tradition, it has become a special occasion for enjoying thrilling matches.

Why do Premier Leagues play on Boxing Day?

The Premier League is a global brand. Not every place where they have a TV deal celebrates Christmas - and hardly any of those countries play matches on Boxing Day, so 27 December seems an easier fit.

Why is De Ligt not playing for Man Utd?

Matthijs de Ligt does not have a serious injury but will miss Manchester United's matches against Athletic Club and West Ham United, Ruben Amorim has said. De Ligt sustained a muscular injury in the 33rd minute of United's 4-3 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League on May 4 and was replaced by Harry Maguire.

Did Manchester City take on Everton in a Premier League clash on Boxing Day?

Full time: Manchester City 1-1 Everton

The full-time whistle goes off at the Etihad Stadium! Manchester City, the reigning champions, have been held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in the first of the Premier League's Boxing Day fixtures.

Why is there no football on Boxing Day 2025?

The Premier League comprises a 38-game season, with 33 of those matches being at the weekend. In 2025/26, the only way to get 33 weekends into the season is for 27 December to be one of the regular match day fixtures – hence the decision to forego the Boxing Day fixtures.

Why are Arsenal playing in blank shirts?

No More Red was launched in January 2022 to support our long-standing work to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence. The white shirts will never be sold commercially, and instead are awarded to volunteers who give their time and skills to our charitable partners.

Why won't it let me play Arsenal?

Check if your phone meets the minimum requirements. Arsenal requires a phone running iOS 10 or Android 7.0 or later. Even though you may see Arsenal in your tablet App Store, Arsenal and the mobile app don't support tablets yet. Make sure you have WiFi internet access and sufficient battery life.

Why do Americans not celebrate Boxing Day?

The U.S. is one of the few English-speaking countries that does not recognize Boxing Day. Americans don't celebrate mainly because the country is not part of the British Commonwealth and the holiday did not become officially recognized until 1871, almost a century after the U.S. gained independence.

Does Boxing Day still exist?

Boxing Day is an an official bank holiday in Britain, Canada, New Zealand and most of Australia. While boxes aren't typically given to the poor anymore, it's not unusual for service employees to get bonuses around this time of year, says Britannica.

Why don't trains run Boxing Day?

On the vast majority of the rail network, Boxing Day trains do not operate. This allows for essential engineering work to take place.

How much did Juventus pay for de Ligt?

On 18 July 2019, De Ligt signed for Serie A champions Juventus on a five-year contract for a fee of €75 million, to be paid in five annual instalments, with additional costs of €10.5 million. He made his official debut for the club in a 4–3 home win over Napoli in Serie A on 31 August.

Which no is Man U in Premier League?

Manchester United, Position 16, Points 1.

Do Arsenal play on Boxing Day?

Brentford, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion and then Villa again are our opponents in the final month of 2025. There's no Boxing Day or New Year's Eve football, with our festive fixtures falling on December 27 and 30.

Why do Brits call it Boxing Day?

The name comes from a time during Queen Victoria's reign when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters.

Is the UK the only country that has Boxing Day?

Boxing Day, celebrated the day after Christmas on December 26th, is a cherished holiday for many, especially in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

What is the Premier Boxing League?

Premier Boxing League is more than a league; it's a revolution in boxing entertainment. We're calling on fighters and clubs alike to join us in rewriting the narrative. Let's prove that unlicensed boxing is more than just white collar; it's a raw showcase of skill, grit, and untamed passion.

Why do English teams play on Boxing Day?

The ghost of Christmas past

“Communal entertainments were clearly on the decline as the festival took greater root in the home,” says Prof Johnes. “Football shifts just to Boxing day, as Christmas day becomes more family orientated and more importantly public transport becomes more and more limited.”

Is Boxing Day only English?

Boxing Day takes place on December 26th and is only celebrated in a few countries; mainly ones historically connected to the UK (such as Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) and in some European countries.