Seven matches on Boxing Day. Last year there was one. Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United was the only Boxing Day game in 2025, with seven games pushed to 27 December. The Premier League Christmas fixtures 2026 flip that around, and fans have noticed. Here’s the full schedule, the games worth circling and a few predictions.
All times are GMT, and they come from the TV selections announced in September. Even so, dates can still change, so keep an eye on club announcements.
Premier League Christmas Fixtures 2026: The Full Schedule
Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, which helps. Seven games are set for 26 December, with the other three from that round on Sunday. Four of Saturday’s games kick off at 3pm, and the rest are spread across the day. That’s a proper festive menu, and it’s a big step up from last season.
Boxing Day, Saturday 26 December
- Aston Villa v Leeds United, 12:30 (TNT Sports)
- Hull City v Liverpool, 17:30 (Sky Sports)
- Newcastle United v Manchester City, 20:00 (Sky Sports)
- Everton v Sunderland, Fulham v Brighton, Ipswich Town v Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth, all 3pm
Sunday 27 December
- Coventry City v Chelsea, 14:00 (Sky Sports)
- Manchester United v Nottingham Forest, 16:30 (Sky Sports)
- Crystal Palace v Arsenal, 19:00 (Sky Sports)
Midweek and New Year
Midweek rounds follow on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 December. Leeds United host Everton on New Year’s Day at 20:00. After that, the league returns on 2 and 3 January, then Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 January. Manchester United against Newcastle United closes the run on 7 January at 20:00.
The Rest of Boxing Day
Beyond the headline games, Saturday has four 3pm kick-offs. Everton host Sunderland, Fulham face Brighton, Ipswich Town welcome Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur host Bournemouth. Because none of them are live in the UK, supporters will rely on radio and highlights. Still, these games often decide the mid-table picture.
Tottenham spend Christmas at home, which should please their fans. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town and Brentford meet in what looks like an even contest. That said, 3pm games can swing on one moment. So don’t write off any of them.
Midweek and New Year in Detail
The midweek rounds arrive quickly. On Tuesday 29 December, Hull City host Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur host Brighton, both at 19:30. Everton then host Manchester City at 20:15. Meanwhile, Wednesday 30 December has seven games, including Fulham against Arsenal and Aston Villa against Liverpool.
The New Year brings more. On Saturday 2 January, Brighton play Manchester United at 12:30, and Bournemouth host Aston Villa at 17:30. Then Chelsea host Newcastle United on 3 January at 14:00, with Manchester City hosting Tottenham Hotspur at 16:30. Finally, Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 January includes Leeds United against Manchester City and Manchester United against Newcastle United.
Why Boxing Day Is Back
The league blamed last season’s thin Boxing Day card on the growth of European competitions. It also promised a different picture for 2026-27, and it has delivered. In the past, all 20 clubs played on Boxing Day, whatever day it fell. That tradition faded, but this year brings a partial return.
There’s a catch worth knowing. The Premier League has said there will be at least 60 hours between match rounds over the holidays. As a result, the schedule is packed but not impossible. Still, squads will feel it by the New Year.
Key Games to Watch
Some fixtures stand out on paper. Here are the games I’d circle, with the reasons why. The table could look very different by December, so treat these as early picks.
Newcastle United v Manchester City
This one closes Boxing Day under the lights at 20:00. Newcastle also host Nottingham Forest on 30 December, so St James’ Park gets back-to-back home games. Meanwhile, City’s three-game away run across the four festive rounds makes this an early test. A slip here would hand rivals a gift.
Hull City v Liverpool
Promoted Hull City host Liverpool at 17:30, and the atmosphere could be raw. Liverpool then travel to Aston Villa four days later. That’s two away games in four days for a team that may be chasing the top four. Even so, Liverpool return home to face Coventry City on 2 January.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Arsenal, the reigning champions, visit Selhurst Park on Sunday evening. They then go to Fulham on 30 December. Because both are London trips, travel is light, which means fitness matters more than miles. Still, a title defence can be won or lost in weeks like this.
Everton v Manchester City
Manchester City visit Merseyside on Tuesday 29 December at 20:15. That’s just three days after the trip to Newcastle. Because of that, rotation could matter, so watch the team sheets. Still, deep squads usually cope with a run like this.
Predictions for the Festive Run
These are opinions, not facts, so take them with a pinch of salt. Newcastle against City looks like a draw to me, since both sides can score. Liverpool should win at Hull, but a one-goal margin feels right for a promoted side at home. Arsenal might edge Palace, as the champions usually find a way.
Elsewhere, Manchester United have three home games in four rounds. That could help their form, depending on where they stand by December. Meanwhile, Leeds United have a tough run: Villa away, Hull away, Everton at home, then City at home on 6 January. A couple of points from that stretch would be a decent return.
The New Year games could matter even more. City host Tottenham on 3 January, then travel to Leeds on 6 January. Because Leeds were mid-table at the start of November, that game may be tighter than it looks. Still, City usually find a way, so a narrow win is my pick.
Chelsea host Newcastle the same weekend, and that feels like a coin flip. Meanwhile, Arsenal welcome Ipswich Town on 2 January, then Brentford on 5 January. As a result, the champions have a kind home run to finish. Even so, no result is guaranteed in this league.
Festive Fatigue and Squad Depth
Here’s the thing about this schedule: it rewards depth. Four rounds in 13 days means managers must rotate, and some will do it badly. Because Sunday games follow Saturday ones, recovery time is short. Even so, the league says there will be at least 60 hours between rounds.
Teams with big squads should cope best. However, clubs with thin benches may drop points in the second half of the run. That’s often where seasons turn. So watch the last two rounds in early January closely.
Dates Can Still Change
Fixtures aren’t always final. Leeds United’s club site had them at Hull City on Wednesday 30 December. The TV selections later moved Hull against Leeds to Tuesday 29 December at 19:30. That’s a small shift, but it shows how fast plans change.
So book travel with care. Choose flexible tickets where possible, and wait for official confirmation before paying for hotels. Meanwhile, the remaining December selections were due to be announced in October, so more updates may arrive.
How to Watch and Plan Around the Games
Sky Sports shows most of the festive games, and TNT Sports has two: Villa against Leeds, and Brighton against Manchester United on 2 January. Our guide to Premier League broadcasters 2026-27 explains the split. Meanwhile, 3pm games aren’t shown live in the UK.
Fantasy managers should plan early too. Four gameweeks arrive in 13 days, and chips expire after Gameweek 19. Our Fantasy Premier League winter tips cover the key rules. Because results here will shape club plans, our look at the Premier League January transfer window 2027 is worth a read.
Key Takeaways
- Boxing Day: Seven games are scheduled, up from one last year.
- Sunday: Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all play on 27 December.
- TV split: Sky Sports shows most festive games, and TNT Sports shows two.
- Key tie: Newcastle United host Manchester City at 20:00 on Boxing Day.
- Changes: Kick-off dates and times can still move.
FAQs
How many Premier League games are on Boxing Day 2026?
Seven games are scheduled for Saturday 26 December 2026.
Who plays on Sunday 27 December?
Coventry City play Chelsea, Manchester United host Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace face Arsenal.
What is the New Year’s Day fixture?
Leeds United host Everton on Friday 1 January at 20:00.
How many games were played on Boxing Day last season?
Only one game was played, Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Can the Christmas fixtures still change?
Yes, dates and kick-off times can still move for TV.
Conclusion
The Premier League Christmas fixtures 2026 bring Boxing Day football back in a big way. Seven games, a packed midweek and a New Year run will test every squad. Because plans can change, stay alert for updates. Whatever happens, this festive schedule looks far better than last year’s.
