The Premier League has revealed its updated festive schedule for the 2026/27 season, bringing back the traditional Boxing Day in style: seven matches will grace the pitch on December 26.
After a lacklustre Boxing Day last season that featured only one Premier League match, the league has significantly increased the number of games this year. Four fixtures will kick off at 15:00 GMT, while three others will be scattered across different slots.
What's in store for December 26
The Boxing Day clash promises to serve up some intriguing match-ups.
At 12:30, five matches will commence: Aston Villa will host Leeds, Everton take on Sunderland, Fulham will welcome Brighton, Ipswich face Brentford, and Tottenham will battle Bournemouth at home.
Then at 17:30, Hull City will go head-to-head with Liverpool.
The highlight of the day will see Newcastle entertain Manchester City at 20:00, adding a tantalising twist to the festive football calendar.
Thus, Boxing Day is set to be a robust day of football for English fans once again.
The festive marathon runs until January 7
The changes don’t stop on December 26. The Premier League has lined up an action-packed programme for the period between Christmas and the New Year.
On Sunday, December 27, three matches will be played, followed by a full round of fixtures on December 29 and 30.
New Year's Day features a solitary clash: Leeds will take on Everton, starting at 20:00 GMT.
The remaining fixtures for this round will be held on January 2 and 3, with the next round spread over the evenings of January 5, 6, and 7.
The festive schedule will wrap up with Manchester United hosting Newcastle on January 7 at 20:00.
Premier League increases breaks between matches
A key decision has been made to ensure clubs will have a minimum of 60 hours’ rest between fixtures during the festive period.
This move comes after consultations with broadcasters, the Football Supporters’ Association, and club Fan Advisory Boards.
The decision aims to alleviate the strain on players amid a schedule that’s growing busier with European and international match calendars.
Complete festive period schedule*
Saturday, December 26
12:30
Aston Villa vs Leeds
Everton vs Sunderland
Fulham vs Brighton
Ipswich vs Brentford
Tottenham vs Bournemouth
17:30
Hull City vs Liverpool
20:00
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Sunday, December 27
14:00
Coventry vs Chelsea
16:30
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
19:00
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Tuesday, December 29
19:30
Hull City vs Leeds
Tottenham vs Brighton
20:15
Everton vs Manchester City
Wednesday, December 30
19:30
Coventry vs Brentford
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
Fulham vs Arsenal
Manchester United vs Sunderland
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest
20:15
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Ipswich vs Chelsea
Friday, January 1, 2027
20:00
Leeds vs Everton
Saturday, January 2
12:30
Brighton vs Manchester United
Arsenal vs Ipswich
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool vs Coventry
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
Sunderland vs Hull City
17:30
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Sunday, January 3
14:00
Chelsea vs Newcastle
16:30
Manchester City vs Tottenham
Tuesday, January 5
19:30
Arsenal vs Brentford
Brighton vs Bournemouth
Everton vs Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest vs Hull City
20:15
Sunderland vs Liverpool
Wednesday, January 6
19:30
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Fulham vs Tottenham
Ipswich vs Coventry
20:15
Leeds vs Manchester City
Thursday, January 7
20:00
Manchester United vs Newcastle
*All times listed are in GMT.
