Arsenal, Man U And Liverpool Learn Fate as Premier League Announces Christmas Schedule

The Premier League has announced its Christmas and New Year fixture schedule earlier than usual, following pressure from clubs and fans

Seven matches are set for Boxing Day this season, a sharp rise from the single game played on December 26 last season

A new minimum 60-hour gap between festive fixtures has been introduced to ease the strain of a congested December calendar

Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool now have a clearer picture of what their December calendar will look like, after the competition's organisers moved to confirm the festive fixture arrangements sooner than in previous seasons.

The announcement comes after sustained pressure from clubs and supporters' groups, who called for greater transparency around Christmas scheduling to give fans enough time to plan travel and book accommodation during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Manchester United were among the clubs most vocal in pushing for an earlier broadcast confirmation, with officials reportedly raising the matter directly with the Premier League and its broadcasting partners.

The Football Supporters' Association was also part of discussions over the timing of the announcement.

One of the most notable developments in this season's festive programme is the sheer volume of matches lined up for Boxing Day.

Seven Premier League games are scheduled for December 26, a dramatic jump from last season, when just a single fixture was played on the day.

The league has also introduced a new rule requiring a minimum 60-hour rest period between matches during the Christmas and New Year window.

The measure is designed to ease the physical and logistical burden on squads navigating an increasingly crowded football calendar, with English clubs now managing domestic cup commitments, European competition and international fixtures on top of the league programme.

Below are the fixtures:

December 26

Aston Villa v Leeds

Everton v Sunderland

Fulham v Brighton

Ipswich v Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth

Hull v Liverpool

Newcastle United v Manchester City

December 27

Coventry v Chelsea

Manchester United v Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

December 29

Hull v Leeds

Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton

Everton v Manchester City

December 30

Coventry v Brentford

Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

Fulham v Arsenal

Manchester United v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Ipswich v Chelsea

January 1

Leeds v Everton

January 2

Brighton v Manchester United

Arsenal v Ipswich

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Coventry

Nottingham Forest v Fulham

Sunderland v Hull

AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

January 3

Chelsea v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

January 5

Arsenal v Brentford

Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

Everton v Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest v Hull

Sunderland v Liverpool

January 6

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur

Ipswich v Coventry

Leeds v Manchester City

January 7

Manchester United v Newcastle United

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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