The Premier League has put Boxing Day back at the centre of the festive fixture list, scheduling seven matches on 26 December after last year’s unusually thin programme of just one game.
Premier League restores Boxing Day programme
The competition has released the plans for Matchweek 17 around two and a half months in advance, giving travelling supporters more time to sort trains, hotels and the usual Christmas logistics that accompany an away day.
- Matchweek 17 begins on 26 December with Aston Villa hosting Leeds United at 12.30pm local time.
- Four fixtures follow at 3pm, including Tottenham Hotspur against Bournemouth.
- Hull City face Liverpool at 5.30pm.
- Newcastle United meet Manchester City in the evening kick-off at 8pm.
- The round continues on 27 December, when Coventry City play Chelsea, Manchester United take on Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace host Arsenal.
A little more room between fixtures
The next Premier League round will not begin until 29 December. That arrangement means every club will have a minimum of 60 hours between matches, a modest but welcome piece of festive planning in a period normally famous for squeezing the calendar until it creaks.
By returning seven games to Boxing Day, the league has delivered on its commitment to restore a fuller programme on one of English football’s traditional dates.
SEO Title: Premier League restores seven-match Boxing Day fixture programme
SEO Description: The Premier League has scheduled seven matches for Boxing Day, with Matchweek 17 spread across 26 and 27 December and every club given at least 60 hours before the next round.
