Your Guide to The Festive Fixtures

Why is Christmas football so popular?

Festive football has long been a staple of English sporting culture, with roots stretching back to the Victorian era. During this time, religious holidays and bank holidays often clustered around Christmas, giving working-class fans rare days off.

Football clubs quickly recognised the opportunity: with large crowds free from work, fixtures held during the holidays could draw huge attendances and generate significant gate receipts. Some teams even played three matches in as many days to make the most of the festive window.

Today, that tradition continues with the Premier League’s packed festive schedule, when matches come thick and fast around Christmas and New Year. All 20 clubs typically play four times in two weeks, providing fans with constant action during the holiday season. The combination of family gatherings, time off work, and football’s cultural importance makes it a highlight of the sporting calendar.

Is there any Boxing Day football?

Boxing Day has historically been one of the most anticipated dates in the football calendar. Although, this season the Premier League has confirmed that there will only be one match taking place on Boxing Day in the 2025-26 season. The only game will be Manchester United v Newcastle United which will take place on Friday 26th December at 8pm under the lights of Old Trafford.

The rest of the Premier League will kick off on the 27th & 28th December.

How about New Year’s Day?

The last Premier League games of 2025 are on Tuesday, 30 December, but the action continues straight into 2026 as teams play on New Year’s Day.

Who has the hardest festive run-in?

With 40 fixtures in just 15 days over Christmas and New Year, crucial points can be won or lost, with teams hope to finish 2025 in a satisfactory position.

Premier League surprise package Sunderland face one of the toughest stretches from game weeks 15 to 19, taking on Liverpool (A), Manchester City (A), Newcastle United (H), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), Leeds (H), and Manchester City (H).

Meanwhile, current league leaders Arsenal have a comparatively easier run, facing Aston Villa (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Everton (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (A), and Aston Villa (H).

Are Premier League titles decided at Christmas?

History shows that being top of the Premier League on 25 December is far from a guarantee of glory. In 16 of the competition’s 32 completed seasons, the side leading at Christmas has gone on to lift the trophy. Meanwhile the remainder failed to keep up the pace.

The Gunners have topped the Premier League table at Christmas four times, 2002/03, 2007/08, 2022/23 and 2023/24. Failing to win the title on each occasion. The question now is whether this season will finally break that curse.

There are reasons for optimism. Mikel Arteta’s side boast the best defensive record in the league and are on pace to challenge the all-time mark for fewest goals conceded in a Premier League campaign, 15, set by José Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004/05. As Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.” So far, Arsenal’s numbers back that up, just 5 goals conceded in their opening 11 matches.

Still, recent history offers a note of caution. In four of the last six seasons, the team top at Christmas has failed to go the distance. Arsenal have been the latest victims of that trend in back-to-back years. Now, 23 years after their last title, they have another opportunity to capitalise on their successes.

How do I book tickets?

As Official Resellers at a host of Premier League Clubs, Circuit Hospitality is proud to offer exclusive access to premium hospitality and VIP tickets across the Festive season.

Christmas is always a busy time of the year and hospitality tickets will be in high demand, to make sure that you secure your football this festive season get your Christmas hospitality packages today! Secure Christmas Football Hospitality Tickets & VIP Packages with Circuit Hospitality today.