The Premier League has ditched its long-standing tradition of giving fans a post-Christmas feast of football fixtures on Boxing Day, but why?
Since the first top-flight season in 1888, when Preston North End smashed five goals past West Bromwich Albion, many supporters have become accustomed to seeing their team in action on the 26th of December.
While Christmas Day football fell by the wayside for several reasons in 1965, including public transport options becoming more limited, the tradition of Boxing Day matches continued, with a full round of top-flight fixtures often going ahead.
More recently, a full round of 10 top-flight fixtures was played out in 2023, before eight Premier League games took place on Boxing Day last year amid the busy festive period.
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But this time around, no Premier League club will play two games within 60 hours of each other across Matchweeks 17, 18, 19 and 20, meaning only one fixture will be played on December 26th.
Premier League explain lack of Boxing Day action in statement
Manchester United's home clash against Newcastle United will be the only Premier League match to be played on Boxing Day this season.
Many fans have taken to social media over the past few days to vent their frustration, with one commenting: "Ah, Boxing Day. Supposed to be football’s day. A full fixture list, wall-to-wall games, everyone pretending to be present with family while secretly planning kick-offs. Oh no, not this year. Instead? One game and it’s 7th v 11th."
Ahead of matchday, the Premier League released a statement to explain the reasons behind Friday's game at Old Trafford being the only match on Boxing Day this season.
"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," they wrote.
"There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions – which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.
"This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition – fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.
"With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls. The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day – as the date falls on a Saturday.
"As with previous years, and in keeping with our commitment to clubs, special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period."
They added: "This will allow greater time for players to recover with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match."
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So, there we have it. As explained above, fewer fixtures will give players and staff a sufficient amount of rest time during the busy festive schedule.
With all that being said, the Premier League have confirmed there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day next season, as the date falls on a Saturday.
Topics: Premier League, Man Utd, Newcastle United
Jack Kenmare