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Premier League confirms Boxing Day return as full festive fixtures are revealed

[Premier League fans have been handed an early Christmas present after the full festive fixture schedule was confirmed today](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4713230?utm_source=x&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_campaign=news&utm_content=festive_fixtures). Boxing Day football is officially returning this season.

Seven Premier League matches will be played on Saturday, December 26, with supporters given more than three months’ notice to plan their trips.

The league brought forward its broadcast selection process.

Aston Villa will host Leeds United in the first televised game at 12:30pm, before Hull City welcome Liverpool at 5:30pm.

Newcastle United’s meeting with Manchester City will then round off Boxing Day at 8pm.

The remaining fixtures see Everton take on Sunderland, Fulham face Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town entertain Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur host Bournemouth.

Plenty more action follows immediately after Christmas, with [Chelsea](https://footballtoday.com/2026/09/07/all-over-the-place-neville-slams-chelsea-defence-after-2-1-defeat-at-arsenal/) travelling to Coventry City.

Meanwhile, Manchester United host Nottingham Forest, and Arsenal visit Crystal Palace on December 27.

This year’s festive schedule has been adjusted to address concerns over fixture congestion, with clubs guaranteed to play for at least 60 hours throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

The Premier League calendar is adapting to expanding European and international schedules.

The league has also consulted the Football Supporters’ Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Premier League action continues through December 29 and 30 before the New Year’s Day weekend.

Leeds host Everton on January 1 and seven more matches are scheduled for January 2.

Standout games that weekend include Bournemouth versus Aston Villa, Chelsea against Newcastle, and Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham.

The festive programme will then run into January, with matches scheduled across January 5, 6 and 7.

Manchester United’s home meeting with Newcastle at Old Trafford will close the busy period on January 7.

The league will announce November’s broadcast selections during the week commencing September 21, with December’s selections following in the week commencing October 19.

**Saturday 26 December**

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

Everton v Sunderland 

Fulham v Brighton

Ipswich v Brentford

Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Man City

**Sunday 27 December**

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Man Utd v Nott’m Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

**Tuesday 29 December**

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Man City

**Wednesday 30 December** 

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Man Utd v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nott’m Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

**Friday 1 January 2027**

20:00 Leeds v Everton

**Saturday 2 January 2027**

12:30 Brighton v Man Utd

Arsenal v Ipswich

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Coventry

Nott’m Forest v Fulham

Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

**Sunday 3 January 2027**

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Man City v Spurs

**Tuesday 5 January 2027**

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nott’m Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

**Wednesday 6 January 2027**

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Man City

**Thursday 7 January 2027**

20:00 Man Utd v Newcastle

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