Boxing Day in the Premier League
Boxing Day in the Premier League
As usual, the English Premier League will also play on Boxing Day this year, the second day of Christmas (December 26). Subscribers to a Sky subscription can watch the games live.
Why does Boxing Day exist, and where does the name come from?
Boxing Day is, first and foremost, an essential match day in the tightly scheduled English Premier League. Its name originates from a tradition within the Commonwealth of Nations. The term does not come from football but instead refers to December 26 in general. On this traditional day, right after Christmas, employees in the United Kingdom receive a gift from their employer, known as the "Christmas Box." This gift-giving practice is what originally gave the day its name.
In the UK, December 26 is not a public holiday as it is in some other countries. Businesses remain open, and it is often one of the most profitable shopping days of the year. Boxing Day has existed since the 19th century, introduced during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901). At that time, a tradition developed in the UK where wealthier individuals would prepare small Christmas packages for the poorer members of society—particularly their own servants—on December 26. The recipients would have the day off and open their boxes with their families at home.
Since the late 19th century, football matches have been played in England over the Christmas holidays. Up until the 1950s, Christmas Day (December 25) was a full match day. However, since December 25 is a public holiday in the UK, with most workers off and limited public transportation, it often caused significant logistical challenges for fans traveling to and from the stadiums. As a result, this match day was shifted to Boxing Day starting in 1966.
English Football Tradition on Boxing Day
The longstanding tradition of football matches during the Christmas holidays has firmly established December 26 as a permanent match day in the Premier League, where it is now indispensable. For many families, attending a match on this day is as significant as the Christmas dinner. This has even led to sold-out stadiums in many places. British football associations report higher ticket demand on Boxing Day than on any other weekend. Occasionally, there have been considerations to reschedule the match day, such as in 2022 shortly after the World Cup. This would have allowed the players some respite.
However, the English Premier League's packed schedule leaves little room for an additional match day in the new year. There’s also a crucial financial factor: only the Premier League plays on this day, which boosts viewership figures, even internationally. On Boxing Day, English football enjoys the undivided attention of global fans. This appears to motivate the players, as Boxing Day has seen some sensational results in past decades.
One Boxing Day match day in the 1960s saw a total of 66 goals scored. In 2021, Harry Kane—now Bayern Munich’s star signing—was the top scorer on the day, equaling a previous record set by Robbie Fowler. Gareth Barry holds the record for most Boxing Day appearances, having played 18 matches on December 26 throughout his career. The second-most appearances were made by Frank Lampard, who played 17 times on this traditional football day.
Incidentally, the Premier League often extends the Boxing Day schedule. The first matches usually start quite early, often just after lunchtime, while the last games take place relatively late. This not only increases viewership but also allows fans to enjoy more of the day.
