Greene King Pubs showing Boxing Day football 2026
There are fewer nostalgic moments than waking up on 26th December, still wearing yesterday’s Christmas jumper, wondering how there’s somehow still enough food in the fridge for the next four days. Luckily, there’s another Boxing Day tradition to look forward to: Boxing Day football.
After the Premier League took a break from Boxing Day fixtures in 2025 (showing only one game), the festive footie is back in 2026. That means more goals, more drama, more questionable refereeing decisions and plenty of reasons to swap the sofa for your local Greene King pub.
Whether you’re following your team, keeping one eye on the scores or simply looking for an excuse to escape the Christmas leftovers, we’ll have the big games, cold drinks and plenty of festive cheer waiting.
Find a pub for Boxing Day Football
Boxing Day football returns!
Boxing Day football is a long-standing tradition in the UK and dates back to the 19th century. The day after Christmas was originally reserved for charitable giving and time with the family.In fact, the name Boxing Day comes from the historical custom of Christmas boxes, which were gifts or money typically given to those in need.
But Boxing Day soon became associated with sport, especially football. With many people off work and eager for a form of entertainment, clubs began to schedule matches for Boxing Day in the hopes of drawing in larger crowds.
In the early days of the Football League, teams would often play two fixtures over Christmas: one on Christmas Day and another on Boxing Day.
The Christmas Day matches were phased out by the 1960s, with Boxing Day becoming the main day of action. Although 2025 was a little different for football fans, normal service has resumed.
In 2026, the Premier League is back with its traditional Boxing Day slot, with a full helping of fixtures across 26th and 27th December. So, once Christmas Day is done and dusted, our sports pubs are ready to bring you live football across Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
And if the Premier League isn’t quite your cup of tea, there’s Sky Bet Championship action on Boxing Day too!
2026 Boxing Day Premier League fixtures
Here’s what’s on the football menu this Boxing Day:
Saturday 26th December
12:30pm: Aston Villa vs Leeds United
3:00pm: Everton vs Sunderland
3:00pm: Fulham vs Brighton & Hove Albion
3:00pm: Ipswich Town vs Brentford
3:00pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth
5:30pm: Hull City vs Liverpool
8:00pm: Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Sunday 27th December
2:00pm: Coventry City vs Chelsea
4:30pm: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
7:00pm: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Boxing Day Championship fixtures
The Championship is getting in on the festive action too, with a full set of fixtures:
Saturday 26 December
12:30pm: Bolton Wanderers vs Burnley
12:30pm: Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough
3:00pm: Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City
3:00pm: Cardiff City vs Millwall
3:00pm: Charlton Athletic vs Southampton
3:00pm: Lincoln City vs West Bromwich Albion
3:00pm: Portsmouth vs Watford
3:00pm: Preston North End vs Derby County
3:00pm: Queens Park Rangers vs Bristol City
3:00pm: Stoke City vs Wrexham
3:00pm: West Ham United vs Norwich City
3:00pm: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Swansea City
And the festive football doesn’t stop there. More Championship fixtures follow on Tuesday 29 December, including Wrexham vs Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City vs Cardiff City and Burnley vs Lincoln City.
So, basically, there’s plenty of football between Christmas dinner and New Year’s Eve.
Why visit the pub on Boxing Day?
- Because sitting at home in yesterday’s pyjamas eating a turkey sandwich for the third time is only fun for so long.
- Catch the Boxing Day football on the big screen
- Get the gang together for a proper post-Christmas catch-up
- Give whoever cooked Christmas dinner the day off
- Swap the leftovers for something freshly cooked from the menu
- Raise a glass to Christmas being successfully survived
- Enjoy the festive atmosphere without having to host everyone yourself
- Make the most of that Christmas break before normal life starts creeping back in
- Avoid washing up for a few more hours. You’re welcome.
Christmas dinner is done. Time for a Boxing Day feast.
Christmas Day might be all about turkey, trimmings and arguing over who gets the last roast potato. Boxing Day? That’s a different story.
Head to your local Greene King and tuck into something hearty, scrumptious, and proper! Whether you fancy a pub classic, a juicy burger, a fragrant curry or something a little lighter after yesterday’s feast, there’s plenty to choose from.
Christmas leftovers have their place, but there’s a limit to how many times one turkey can make an appearance.
Drinks, goals and festive cheer
Football and a drink. A partnership almost as reliable as Christmas and too much food.
Grab a beer, pour yourself a glass of wine or pick from our selection of spirits, cocktails and soft drinks while you settle in for the action.
And if you’re keeping things alcohol-free, there are low and no-alcohol options too. So everyone can raise a glass, whether you’re here for the full-time whistle or just the festive atmosphere.
Boxing Day football near you
Find your nearest Greene King pub and see which venues are showing the live action. Whether you’re spending Christmas at home, heading to the in-laws or escaping the pictures from last night, there’s a pub nearby to welcome you.