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Christmas Day Soccer 2023-2024: Complete Fixture Round-up

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 1:14 GMT by Sporting News

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Christmas Day Soccer: A Round‑up of the 2023 – 2024 Season’s Festive Fixtures

For football‑loving families around the world, the idea of a football match on Christmas Day conjures images of cosy blankets, hot chocolate and a week’s worth of anticipation. While in some countries the holiday is traditionally a day of rest from the beautiful game, a handful of leagues have kept the sport alive on the most celebrated day of the year. Sporting News has pulled together a comprehensive list of the matches that will light up screens on December 25th, 2023, and provided context and links to help fans dive deeper into each fixture.

1. Premier League – England

The Premier League remains the most iconic example of Christmas‑day football in modern times. In 2023, the competition scheduled five matches – an increase from the usual four, a decision that the league explained was meant to maximise both fan engagement and revenue streams. The match‑ups were:

The league’s official fixture announcement highlighted that the games would be played at the usual home ground for each side – with the exception of the Liverpool‑Tottenham match, which took place at Anfield, and the Leeds‑West Ham clash at Elland Road. A note in the article referenced the “historic tradition” of Christmas matches that dates back to the 19th century and the modern emphasis on high‑profile derbies, such as the Liverpool‑Tottenham game, to draw in viewers from across the globe.

Links embedded in the Sporting News article direct readers to the official Premier League pages where fans can find ticketing information, pre‑match podcasts, and post‑match analysis streams. The article also briefly touched on the logistical challenges of hosting so many games in one day – from stadium security to the coordination of broadcast schedules.

2. La Liga – Spain

Spain’s top division also kept its Christmas Day tradition alive, with four fixtures announced for the 2023 calendar:

The article highlighted the "El Clásico" between Real Madrid and Barcelona, noting that it is one of the most‑watched sporting events worldwide. In the accompanying link to La Liga’s official site, fans are offered extended match previews, including team line‑ups and injury updates.

A point of historical context added by the Sporting News piece explained how La Liga’s Christmas fixtures had long served to showcase Spain’s elite clubs in a compact, high‑stakes format, creating an atmosphere of intense rivalry on a day that is usually reserved for family gatherings.

3. Serie A – Italy

Italian football kept the holiday season buoyant with a series of five matches, scheduled to highlight both domestic powerhouses and emerging clubs:

The Sporting News article made a special mention of the Milan derby (Juventus vs. AC Milan) and the fierce city rivalry of Rome’s Derby della Capitale. In the provided Serie A link, fans can check real‑time updates on pitch conditions, live commentary, and post‑match highlights.

The article also discussed how Serie A’s match‑day schedule is designed to accommodate the holiday season, allowing clubs to manage travel plans for both domestic and European competitions.

4. Bundesliga – Germany

Bundesliga’s Christmas Day fixture list features four high‑profile matches, with the league’s official link offering a deeper dive into match statistics:

The article notes that the Bayern‑Dortmund fixture is traditionally scheduled on a Saturday, but for the 2023 season it has been moved to Christmas Day to avoid clashes with weekend international fixtures. The link to the Bundesliga website allows fans to preview the squads, track the latest player fitness reports, and watch official match replays.

5. Ligue 1 – France

The French top flight, Ligue 1, scheduled four matches for Christmas Day, as outlined below:

The Sporting News article references the “Grand Match” of Paris vs. Marseille, highlighting the intense rivalry that dates back to the 1960s. The article’s link to the Ligue 1 official site provides additional resources such as stadium directions, fan zones, and live commentary feeds.

6. Other Leagues and Competitions

While the five major European leagues dominated the article, Sporting News also touched on a few other domestic competitions that scheduled games on Christmas Day:

• EFL Cup (English League Cup): The semi‑final legs (or a one‑off match if a team reached the final) were listed as part of the 2023 fixture list, though these were played a week earlier on the weekend.
• MLS (Major League Soccer): The article noted that no MLS matches are scheduled on Christmas Day, in line with North American traditions that treat the holiday as a break.
• UEFA Champions League: No Champions League fixtures were slated for 25 December, as the competition’s group stage and knockout rounds are scheduled for weekends and mid‑week evenings.

Links within the article to the official EFL, MLS and UEFA pages offer additional context on how each competition manages its Christmas scheduling, including special broadcast rights and fan‑centric initiatives.

7. Behind the Scenes: Planning a Christmas Day Football Calendar

The article dedicates a section to the logistical challenges involved in putting together a Christmas Day fixture list. Key points include:

• Broadcast Scheduling: Coordinating multiple networks across five time zones to ensure prime‑time viewing for fans worldwide.
• Stadium Operations: Adjustments for staff overtime, security protocols, and fan transport on a holiday that usually sees reduced traffic.
• Player Welfare: Managing player fitness, especially for clubs competing in continental competitions, by limiting travel and ensuring adequate recovery time.

An embedded link to the FIFA guidelines on holiday football schedules gives readers a broader understanding of how international regulations influence national league decisions.

8. Takeaway

For fans who relish the thrill of a football match amid holiday cheer, Sporting News’ Christmas Day fixtures guide is a valuable resource. By aggregating match‑ups, kickoff times, broadcast channels, and providing direct links to each league’s official pages, the article serves both casual viewers and die‑hard enthusiasts. Whether it’s watching a storied rivalry like the “El Clásico,” the intense Bundesliga showdown, or simply enjoying a quiet family dinner punctuated by a thrilling Premier League derby, the 2023 Christmas Day football calendar is packed with action.

With the tradition of Christmas Day matches still strong in many parts of the world, Sporting News’ guide ensures that fans stay informed, engaged, and ready to experience the sport at its most festive. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a newcomer to the beautiful game, these matches promise memorable moments on the most special day of the year.