Premier League
Boxing Day in England: The ball rolls on Christmas too
Liverpool FC wants to take back the top spot on Boxing Day. photo
© Jon Super/AP/dpa
Jürgen Klopp won’t have a merry Christmas this year either, because after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, his Liverpool FC will play an away game on the second holiday.
In English football there is again this time No time off at Christmas. While the Bundesliga professionals – including Bayern’s English striker Harry Kane – can take a winter break, the ball will continue to roll on the island on December 26th.
Boxing Day is an integral part of the schedule in the Premier League and the leagues below and has a long tradition.
“People usually sit around at home between the holidays anyway. What could be better than watching football,” said German national goalkeeper Bernd Leno from FC Fulham to the “Funke Mediengruppe”. Leno explained: “Boxing Day for the English is like Easter, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving combined. It is the best day of the year.”
Where does the name Boxing Day come from?
It has nothing to do with boxing. Boxing in this case refers to wrapping gifts. The origins of Boxing Day lie in the Victorian era. During this time, it was common practice for wealthy people to wrap Christmas presents for poorer people and their servants. The employees traditionally had December 26th off and received a Christmas package for themselves and their families from their employers on that day.
Why is football played on Boxing Day in England?
Until the 1950s, a full day of games was played on Christmas Day, December 25th. At the time, today’s Premier League club FC Brentford advertised with the sexist slogan: “Men go to the game while women cook in the kitchen.” After the visit to the stadium there was a feast. For logistical reasons, from the mid-1960s onwards, Boxing Day was used. The reason: Public transport employees were given the day off on December 25th, so no buses or trains ran.
Which top games will take place on Boxing Day this year?
Only five out of ten games on matchday 19 will be played on Boxing Day. There are no real hits. After the 1-1 draw against Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC wants to regain the top of the table, at least for the time being, with a win at Burnley FC. The struggling Manchester United welcomes the surprise team of the season in Aston Villa, which could even take first place if Liverpool slip up at Burnley.
When does the competition play?
The defending champions and newly crowned club world champions Manchester City, who have recently been weak in the Premier League, will play at Everton FC on Wednesday. Arsenal FC, with the in-form German international Kai Havertz, welcomes West Ham United to the London derby on Thursday. And Harry Kane’s former club Tottenham Hotspur also has a say. Spurs play Brighton & Hove Albion away on Thursday.
How can I watch the games in Germany?
The German pay-TV broadcaster Sky is showing all Premier League games live on Boxing Day: Newcastle United – Nottingham Forest (1.30 p.m.), AFC Bournemouth against FC Fulham and Sheffield United against Luton Town (4 p.m., also as a conference), Burnley FC against Liverpool FC (6.30 p.m.) and Manchester United against Aston Villa (9 p.m.). Sky will show the remaining games of the 19th matchday on Wednesday and Thursday in full length.
What happens after Christmas?
Keyword: English weeks. Even around the turn of the year, the football professionals on the island can hardly catch their breath. The 20th matchday will take place from December 30th to January 2nd. Man City has a supposedly easy opponent in Sheffield United on Saturday, as does Aston Villa with Burnley FC. On New Year’s Eve afternoon, Arsenal will play their next derby against strong home FC Fulham. Tottenham hosts Bournemouth. Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool team play at home against struggling Newcastle United on New Year’s Eve.