Just like Santa Claus delivering gifts to billions around the world, the hectic Premier League schedule over the Christmas period has become a holiday tradition that makes you feel exhausted just thinking about it.
While other major leagues across Europe take at least something of a mid-season break, teams in England’s top tier will all play three times between December and New Year’s Day. Despite some opposition from players and managers, it’s a schedule that isn’t likely to change much over the coming years, either.
However, it’s worth remembering that, once upon a time, teams playing on Christmas Day itself was not uncommon.
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Has there ever been a Premier League game on Christmas Day?
No Premier League game has ever taken place on Christmas Day. The closest we’ve got is when Wolves hosted Chelsea in a rare Christmas Eve match in 2023, which the home side won 2-1. And, of course, Boxing Day fixtures are commonplace in England’s top division.
The last time a top-flight league game in England was held on December 25 was back in 1965, when Blackpool beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2. As a popular seaside town, it was common for people to take a short Christmas vacation in Blackpool, so it made sense to stage a match while the area was packed with visitors looking for some holiday entertainment.
“Loads of people would go to Blackpool for a Christmas break, so the idea was to give them something to entertain them,” Graham Oates, a former Blackpool player, told The Telegraph. “And for the club to make some money, obviously.”
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Do players train on Christmas Day?
It’s not unusual for Premier League players to be given at least some of Christmas Day off to spend with friends and family, but given all teams will typically play at some point from December 26-28, it’s not unheard of for training to take place on the 25th.
For instance, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker revealed this week that Pep Guardiola and his players will hold a Christmas training session ahead of their early kickoff against Everton on Boxing Day.
Are there any soccer games on Christmas Day?
The majority of European leagues take a break on Christmas Day, but there is football to be found on December 25, 2024.
Three games in Egypt’s Premier League are taking place, while several lower leagues in Turkey will be staging matches.
There are also fixtures in Israel, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam, plus three international games: Sudan vs. Ethiopia in African Nations Championship qualifying, and two matches — Yemen vs. Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain vs. Iraq — in the Gulf Cup of Nations.
