Key Highlights
- Sky Sports will broadcast 31 Premier League fixtures live in late December and early January.
- The only Boxing Day match this season is Manchester United vs Newcastle on December 26.
- Premier League cites fixture scheduling challenges due to European competitions.
- Eight matches are scheduled for New Year’s Day, including Arsenal vs Liverpool on January 8.
Sky Sports Premier League Fixtures: Boxing Day and Beyond
The festive season in the Premier League is set to be broadcast live by Sky Sports, with a total of 31 fixtures scheduled from late December through early January. This announcement comes as fans eagerly await the return of Boxing Day football.
Boxing Day Football Returns
Sky Sports will kick off the Boxing Day festivities on December 26, with a high-profile match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at 8 PM. This is the only top-flight fixture scheduled for that day, reflecting the challenges of Premier League scheduling.
Premier League Scheduling Challenges
The decision to host only one Boxing Day match this season was not made lightly. The Premier League has cited several challenges in their fixture scheduling due to the expansion of European club competitions. This led to a revision of their domestic calendar for last season, including changes to the FA Cup.
As a result, the Premier League is now operating as a 33-weekend competition—a reduction from previous seasons despite the total number of matches since 1995 being 380. With fewer weekends available, the League must carefully plan its schedule to accommodate all teams and competitions.
New Year’s Day Matches
On New Year’s Day, eight Premier League fixtures will be shown live on Sky Sports. These include important matches such as Arsenal vs Liverpool, which is set for 8 PM on January 8. This game could have significant implications for the title race.
Full Fixtures Schedule
In addition to these highlights, a detailed schedule of fixtures will be broadcast by Sky Sports. Key matches include:
- December 27: Chelsea vs Aston Villa at 5:30 PM
- December 28: Sunderland vs Leeds (2 PM) and Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur (4:30 PM)
- December 30 & January 1: Multiple matches will be shown, including Arsenal vs Aston Villa on Tuesday December 30 at 8:15 PM.
Aston Villa will host Nottingham Forest at 12:30 PM and Bournemouth will face Arsenal on the south coast at 5:30 PM on January 3. Manchester City vs Chelsea is scheduled for 5:30 PM on Sunday January 4.
Super 6 Promotion
Sky Sports is also offering a special promotion called “Super 6,” which guarantees a £1,000,000 winner. Fans can play for free and upgrade to Sky Sports to access 80% of all televised Premier League matches this season.
For more information on fixtures or to participate in the Super 6 promotion, fans can visit Sky’s website.
Conclusion
The festive period is set to bring excitement and tension for Premier League fans. With Sky Sports broadcasting a substantial number of live matches from Boxing Day through New Year’s Day, there will be plenty of opportunities to follow the action. The challenges in fixture scheduling highlight the complexities involved in organizing one of the world’s most-watched sports leagues.
