December 26 is Boxing Day, one of the most anticipated football days of the year in England. This day is known for its long tradition of packed stands, a tight atmosphere and matches that are played without a break throughout Christmas.
It is a day where families, friends and football supporters gather in front of the TV or in the stadium to enjoy English football at its most intense. For those who want to make their day even more exciting, Norwegian betting sites offer various betting opportunities. Whether you bet small or big, this can put an extra edge on an already special football day.
Below is an overview of the matches and times for this year’s Boxing Day in the Premier League:
- 13:30: Manchester City – Everton
- 16:00: Bournemouth – Crystal Palace
- 16:00: Chelsea – Fulham (originally 09:00)
- 16:00: Newcastle – Aston Villa
- 16:00: Nottingham Forest – Tottenham
- 16:00: Southampton – West Ham
- 18:30: Wolverhampton – Manchester United
- 21:00: Liverpool – Leicester
The game at 13:30
The first game of the day is Manchester City against Everton at 13:30 with Erling Haaland in focus. City’s home ground Etihad Stadium will be the venue for a clash where both teams will try to start the day in the best possible way.
Everton travel to Manchester to face a City side. It’s early afternoon, but expectations are already high. This is the match where supporters can set the standard for the rest of the football day.
Matches at 16:00
This is followed by a whole series of matches at 16:00 that really give Boxing Day its reputation as a packed football party:
- Bournemouth – Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium: Two teams that often give the crowd entertaining showdowns.
- Chelsea – Fulham at Stamford Bridge: A classic London derby between two clubs with a rich history and many passionate supporters.
- Newcastle – Aston Villa at St. James’ Park: A match between two teams that are constantly seeking to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
- Nottingham Forest – Tottenham at The City Ground: An arena with a lot of tradition where Forest want to give Spurs stiff resistance.
- Southampton – West Ham at St. Mary’s Stadium: A clash between two teams who know each other well and often offer close duels.
These five games at the same time create a hectic picture of English football where goals and events can come on a continuous basis. For those who follow the matches at home, it can be challenging to keep track of all the highlights.
Evening games (18:30 and 21:00)
After the afternoon’s football marathon, it’s time for the evening games. First up is Wolverhampton – Manchester United at 18:30 at Molineux Stadium. Wolves are known for their intense home atmosphere, while United is a club with big ambitions. Here, the audience can expect a match with close pressure and duels.
The last match of the day will be played at 21:00 at Anfield where Liverpool will host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester. Both clubs have experienced a lot at this arena over the years and the evening darkness on Merseyside can add an extra dimension to the atmosphere. Anfield is known for its vocal supporters and when the floodlights shine over the pitch, this match often becomes a memory for those watching.
A tradition that brings together the football world
Boxing Day is not only about the fights themselves, but also about the tradition, community and memories that are created. This is a day where both regular supporters and more neutral football fans get carried away in a mixture of passion, history and expectation. The fact that the battles come so close creates a holistic experience of constant tension.
Whether you choose to follow your favorite team throughout the match, or rather jump around to catch the most important events in several matches, Boxing Day is a day that offers something for everyone. This is football at its most intense and popular and for many, this is one of the best days in the entire football calendar.
