Overview
- The only Premier League game on 26 December is Manchester United vs. Newcastle at Old Trafford, available in some markets on ESPN and Disney+ Premium.
- The other nine fixtures from matchweek 18 were redistributed across the weekend, with seven on Saturday 27 December and two on Sunday 28 December.
- League and FA officials said the calendar adjustment stems from TV contracts that prioritize weekend rounds over midweek dates.
- Organizers signaled a return to a fuller Boxing Day program next season when the date falls on a Saturday.
- Supporters and media criticized the scaled-back slate, noting it is the thinnest 26 December program since 1982, and reports highlighted knock-on effects across other UK competitions.