What happened: Newcastle United host Manchester City at 8pm GMT on December 26. Defending champions Arsenal visit Crystal Palace the following evening at 7pm.
Why it matters: Early broadcast selections give supporters more time to arrange festive travel. A full midweek round follows on December 29–30, adding another planning deadline for clubs and fans.
By the numbers: The schedule contains 21 matches from December 26 through January 1. Boxing Day 2025 featured only one match, according to the [Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4450679/premier-league-boxing-day-fixtures-why-is-there-only-one-match).
What to watch: Leeds United host Everton at 8pm GMT in the only Premier League fixture on New Year's Day 2027.