Overview
- Only Manchester United vs. Newcastle was played on 26 December at Old Trafford, marking the sparsest Boxing Day slate since 1982.
- Nine other Premier League Round 18 fixtures were moved to Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December due to rights restrictions and limited midweek slots.
- Broadcast for the Boxing Day match was confirmed on traditional TV and streaming, including ESPN and Disney+ Premium in some markets, with Fox One listed in Mexico.
- Supporters and media questioned the decision, with France’s L’Equipe criticizing the Premier League’s priorities over the Boxing Day tradition.
- Manchester United were without Bruno Fernandes due to a calf injury, with reports suggesting about a month out, and without Bryan Mbeumo following his Cameroon call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations.