Premier League abandons Boxing Day tradition with major change confirmed

It's set to break a tradition that's stood since the end of WW2

This year is set to be very different however, according to a report in today's edition of The Times.

As has been the case since the conclusion of the Second World War, on the day after Christmas, almost all 20 of the Premier League (or 1st Division) sides currently in the competition, face off against each other.

Per the report, because Boxing Day falls on a Friday this year it has created a logistical nightmare for Premier League chiefs.

Broadcast contracts between the league and the likes of Sky and TNT mean that the Premier League is obliged to play on 33 weekends during the season, with only five midweek rounds permitted.

The expansion of UEFA competitions like the Champions League and Europa League now mean that teams who make the final will play as many as 17 European games per season, while the FA Cup now takes place on more weekends than ever before.

This means that the Premier League needs to make use of the weekend after Christmas (27/28 December) to meet its contractural obligations.

As a result, the games that would usually be played on Boxing Day will be carried forward to the following Saturday and Sunday (27/28 December).

They should be able to fit in a game in the 8pm slot on the Friday night, but that is expected to be the full extent of Premier League football on Boxing Day 2025.

No official confirmation has been made by the Premier League yet, but this is expected in the coming days.