Boxing Day football 2026: match trip planning
The Premier League schedule checked on 11 October 2026 lists seven matches on Saturday, 26 December, and three on Sunday, 27 December. Dates and kick-off times remain subject to change. Check the ticket rules and the published holiday timetable for your exact outward and return journeys before booking.
Start with one match, a valid ticket and a workable return journey. Add a second match on 27 December only after confirming its ticket, transport and any necessary overnight stay.
Premier League Boxing Day fixtures
| Kick-off (UK time, GMT) | Fixture | Trip shape |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | Aston Villa v Leeds United | Birmingham base and early start |
| 15:00 | Everton v Sunderland | Liverpool city stay |
| 15:00 | Fulham v Brighton | London fixture with holiday transport caveat |
| 15:00 | Ipswich Town v Brentford | Trip to Ipswich |
| 15:00 | Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth | North London major-stadium day |
| 17:30 | Hull City v Liverpool | Evening Yorkshire fixture |
| 20:00 | Newcastle United v Manchester City | Late finish: check the return route or an overnight stay |
On Sunday 27 December, the listed fixtures are Coventry City v Chelsea, Manchester United v Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace v Arsenal.
Birmingham: an early kick-off
Aston Villa against Leeds at Villa Park is listed for 12:30. If you stay in Birmingham, check the local journey to the ground; if you arrive that morning, check whether your holiday service reaches the stadium in time. A normal weekday journey is not evidence of a Boxing Day service.
Use the Villa Park matchday guide for the ground. Do not assume its ordinary transport advice applies unchanged on 26 December.
Tottenham: an afternoon match
Tottenham Hotspur against Bournemouth is listed for 15:00 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Check the transport operator’s timetable for 26 December rather than relying on ordinary matchday directions.
If you stay in London, check the rail and Underground services and allow time for the walk from your chosen station. A two-day stay needs a separate valid Sunday ticket and workable journeys for both matches.
Newcastle: a late kick-off
Newcastle United against Manchester City at St James’ Park is listed for 20:00, the latest kick-off on 26 December. Check whether you can return after the match and allow time to leave the ground and reach your departure point.
If you cannot return after the match, compare an overnight stay. Check cancellation terms while the fixture may change, and read the St James' Park guide.
Liverpool, Hull and Ipswich
Everton against Sunderland is the Liverpool option, Hull against Liverpool is the evening match in Yorkshire, and Ipswich hosts Brentford. Compare your ticket eligibility and actual journey for each ground.
Check the operator’s published holiday timetable for each exact journey. Confirm what runs on 26 December, the last useful departure and a fallback if the match time or service changes.
London is not one double-header
Fulham and Tottenham are both listed at home at 15:00, so choose one rather than trying to attend both. Crystal Palace hosts Arsenal on Sunday. A two-day London plan needs separate valid tickets, transport for each match and suitable accommodation.
Search the Football Match Map for lower-league alternatives once their exact schedules and transport are clear. Do not invent a same-day route from provisional slots.
The Boxing Day booking order
- Secure the match through an official club route.
- Check whether you can reach the city on 25 December or need a local base.
- Wait for holiday transport timetables before fixing the return.
- Keep accommodation refundable while the fixture is movable.
- Pack for outdoor waiting, not only ninety minutes in a seat.
- Use the football weekend packing list and last-train guide.
Record a fixture that feels different
A festive trip may leave memories beyond the score, such as travelling with family or walking to the ground in winter. After attending, log the match in Footbeen and add a note about what made the day memorable.
FAQ
Are Premier League matches played on Boxing Day 2026?
Yes. The official schedule currently lists seven matches on Saturday 26 December, with three further matches on Sunday 27 December. Fixtures remain subject to change.
What is the best Boxing Day football city in 2026?
Compare the 12:30 match in Birmingham with the 20:00 match in Newcastle and the two 15:00 London options. Choose according to ticket eligibility, your actual transport and accommodation budget; none is a guaranteed best option for every traveller.
Will trains run on Boxing Day?
Service varies heavily by operator and route. Do not rely on a normal Saturday timetable; check the published holiday schedule for the exact journey.
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