English Premier League 2025-2026 Fixtures REVEALED | Boxing Day matches?
Premier League 2025-26 fixtures are out! No full Boxing Day matches this year—here’s why and what it means for fans, players & clubs.
Shortest90
- July 2, 2025
As the curtain slowly rises on the 2025/26 Premier League season, controversy and anticipation already loom large. The fixture list reveal has sparked heated discussions, not only among fans but also inside Premier League circles. Most notably, the absence of a traditional Boxing Day slate of matches has raised eyebrows.
The Premier League has long prided itself on its festive football—a Boxing Day tradition that has existed for centuries in English culture. However, with the 27th of December marked as the matchday, broadcasters now hold the power to shift select games back to the 26th. Still, a full-day feast of football appears off the table this time around.
“It’s a departure, there’s no question about that,” said one pundit. “We gorge on turkey, potatoes—and football. But scheduling around travel, recovery, and TV demands has changed the game.” Indeed, concerns over player fatigue and congested schedules are being acknowledged more seriously than ever.
Arteta Under Fire: Arsenal’s Nightmare Start
If December’s changes are controversial, August and September could be decisive for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta faces a ruthless opening run: four of the first six games against Champions League-level opposition, including trips to Anfield and Old Trafford.
Pundits argue this could be a “make or break” phase for Arteta. “You can’t win the league before Christmas—but you can lose it,” one analyst noted. With expectations now elevated beyond last season’s second-place finish, merely competing won’t be enough.
“There should be pressure,” another pundit emphasized. “Arteta’s got to deliver results at hostile venues. If Arsenal stumble early, the title race could be over before October.”
The club’s transfer strategy is also under the microscope. After multiple underwhelming windows, Arsenal must move decisively—especially to secure a reliable striker and consistent left-winger. Skipper Martin Ødegaard, too, has questions to answer. “In the final third, he was a ghost last season,” one commentator said. “This is a big year for him.
Liverpool: Title Defense or Just the Beginning?
Fresh off their 20th league title, Liverpool under Arne Slot face a different question: Can they do better?
On paper, 84 points was a relatively modest haul for a champion. Critics were quick to point out that Manchester City imploded, Arsenal faded, and Chelsea never arrived. The season was theirs to take—and they did.
But with Jeremy Frimpong adding blistering pace and tactical freshness on the right, many believe Liverpool are far from done. “This team went on vacation after the Carabao Cup,” one analyst said, alluding to Liverpool’s early clinch. “With Slot’s refresh, there’s no reason they can’t improve.”
Even so, a runaway 99-point season isn’t expected. “Better? Yes. Dominant? Not necessarily.”
Manchester City: A Silent Storm Brewing
Pep Guardiola’s side endured a rare trophyless campaign, finishing third on just 71 points—their worst in nearly a decade. But the mood around Manchester City suggests a silent storm is gathering.
Guardiola has taken unusual steps. For the first time in his career, he personally appointed Bernardo Silva as captain, breaking his tradition of letting the dressing room decide. It’s a clear statement of intent and leadership.
With Rodri back, and high-quality additions like Joey Veerman and Ryan Gravenberch expected to integrate seamlessly, there’s renewed focus. “City have done the business early. They look sharp. They look serious,” a pundit stated.
The title race? They’re very much back in it.
Manchester United: New Era or Same Old Woes?
15th place. No trophies. Europa League heartbreak. That was Manchester United’s 2024/25 season—a year to forget.
But with Rúben Amorim taking charge and reinforcements like Kuna and possibly Bryan Mbeumo incoming, there’s cautious optimism. “It can’t get worse,” a panelist joked, before admitting that European qualification remains a tough ask.
The club’s long-term goal is to win the Premier League by 2028. Yet with opening fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, Amorim will be tested immediately. “If they don’t get ten points from their first seven games, I’ll be shocked,” one expert said.
The pressure is real. Without a good start, Amorim’s tenure could be short-lived.
Tottenham Hotspur: Europa Glory, Premier League Rebuild
Despite finishing 17th, Tottenham’s Europa League triumph gave fans a reason to smile. Under new manager Thomas Frank, the focus now is domestic improvement.
Frank’s emotional intelligence and adaptability—so evident at Brentford—will be key. “He improved Brentford without Ivan Toney. He can rebuild Spurs too,” said a pundit.
But lingering questions remain over Son Heung-min’s future and the club’s tendency for deadline-day transfers. Still, with Frank at the helm, the feeling is Spurs will climb.
Final Word
The 2025/26 Premier League season hasn’t kicked a ball yet, but drama, doubt, and dreams are already in full flow. Fixture congestion, title ambitions, and survival battles—all brewing beneath the surface.
One thing is clear: this season could reshape the Premier League hierarchy once again.
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