Premier League set to spark controversy with decision as Liverpool fans left waiting in confusion
The Premier League is reportedly on the verge of confirming a decision that’s expected to trigger outrage among many football fans across the UK.
Currently, Liverpool and the other 19 top-flight clubs know the full schedule of fixtures up until Christmas. However, the official dates and times for matches over the festive period are still pending, even though they were originally expected to be finalised by 15 October.
There’s at least some good news for Liverpool supporters — their final two fixtures of 2025 are both set to take place at Anfield, with Wolves visiting on 27 December and Leeds United following three days later. That said, both matches remain subject to potential changes once the TV schedule is confirmed.
Only one Premier League match on Boxing Day
According to The Guardian, this year will see just one Premier League game take place on Boxing Day, a dramatic shift from the traditional full fixture list that fans have come to expect. The EFL will still host a full round of games that day, but the Premier League is restricted by its broadcasting deal, which mandates 33 weekends of fixtures per season. This limitation means most matches must be held on Saturdays or Sundays.
Scheduling challenges have also played a part — teams can’t have a Monday fixture followed by a Tuesday game in the next round, so the proximity of the midweek matches has forced the league to adjust its plans.
When will the Premier League confirm the festive schedule?
Liverpool have featured on Boxing Day for the past three years — winning against Leicester, Burnley, and Aston Villa — but there’s reportedly just a 10% chance that their game against Wolves will fall on 26 December this year.
While some fans might enjoy having Boxing Day off, others will be disappointed to miss a time-honoured football tradition, especially with other long-standing customs like FA Cup replays already disappearing from the calendar.
Frustration is also growing over the Premier League’s delay in confirming TV selections for December and January, which were due two weeks ago but are reportedly being held up by ongoing negotiations between the league and broadcasters.
Supporters will be hoping for clarity soon — particularly since Mohamed Salah will be unavailable during this crucial period due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
