Only one Boxing Day match in the Premier League this year

Only one Premier League match will be played on Boxing Day this year, the league confirmed, with Manchester United hosting Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Friday December 26 at 8pm. The remainder of Gameweek 18 has been moved to the following weekend, with seven fixtures scheduled for Saturday December 27 and two on Sunday December 28, marking a significant departure from the longstanding Boxing Day tradition of multiple top-flight fixtures.

The Premier League said the reduced Boxing Day slate was driven by changes to the domestic and European calendars. In a statement, the league said, "The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season, impacting an important tradition in English football." It added that the expansion of European club competitions, adjustments to the FA Cup calendar and a compressed allocation of weekends have left the league with fewer weekend slots in which to schedule its 380 fixtures.

The league noted that UEFA now stages European competition across more midweek matchdays, a shift that increases the number of European fixtures clubs may play and constrains domestic...