Many football fans will be glad to see the back of the international fixtures for the year. England have got the job done and qualified for the World Cup in North America in 2026, and in quite some style. They did it with a 100% record, keeping a perfect eight clean sheets too, and will be among the favourites, along with the likes of Spain, France and Brazil, next summer.
However, for many club fans, relatively meaningless international fixtures – and the ease with which the Three Lions qualified means there was little jeopardy – do little to set the pulses racing. For many, the real excitement lies in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.
In England, unlike many other major European nations, December is a time when the fixture list really heats up. The last month of 2025 is jam-packed with fixtures, with some English sides playing six, seven or even eight matches. The build-up to Christmas and then into the New Year may see the cessation of Champions League action, but there are still several potentially crucial games to look forward to. And best of all, many of us will be off work, meaning plenty of free time to watch the football!
Significant Games Before Christmas
The most wonderful time of the year 🎁
Check out the #FestiveFixtures schedule for 2025/26!
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🐝 @BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/CDpq0RTayB— Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2025
It is impossible to win the league before Christmas but being top of the table on the 25th and into the New Year is certainly something to aspire to, and puts teams in the best place possible for the second half of the campaign. At the time of writing, all 20 Premier League clubs have played 11 fixtures but the table has begun to take shape, and the fixtures either side of Christmas will give us an even clearer picture of who might be able to maintain a title challenge into spring, who will have to settle for the European places, and which teams will be eager to get to May so they can forget all about 2025/26!
Tough Tests on the 20th
We’ll begin our look at the festive fixtures on the 20th of December, when five clubs with lofty ambitions all face big tests. The early kick-off sees Newcastle host Chelsea and if the Blues are to mount a lasting title challenge, that is the sort of fixture they must win. As for the Magpies, on home soil they will target three points as they attempt to push up the table and earn a Champions League place next term.
Later in the day, we have the biggest clash of the weekend, as Liverpool travel to Spurs. Tottenham have been poor at home and so Arne Slot and co will fancy their chances. That said, as things stand, Tottenham are above the Reds in the table, albeit only thanks to goal difference.
One of two 8 pm games on the 20th December sees the current table-toppers, Arsenal, travel to Everton. The Toffees have been strong on home soil, so that will present a tough test for the Gunners, who will also have CL and EFL Cup games in December.
There is then just one game on Sunday, as Man United travel to Aston Villa. By that stage, we will know who will have Christmas Day bragging rights, though Fulham play Forest on Monday the 22nd and Arsenal and Palace play in the League Cup the day after that.
Boxing Day Disappointment But Decent Games Ahead
The only Premier League fixture on Boxing Day sees Newcastle head to Man United. It is a decent game, but just the one top-flight fixture? That’s no way to see off the Christmas hangover! There are seven matches on the 27th, though not that we would clash as Christmas crackers, though Chelsea versus Villa could be interesting, as could Arsenal versus Brighton.
As we head towards New Year’s Eve, the fixtures continue to come thick and fast, but the computer has not served up any real top-class thrillers. The final top-flight games of 2025 will take place on the 30th, with 12 teams in action. Chelsea versus Bournemouth and Arsenal versus Villa are probably the pick of the bunch.
New Year Action Aplenty
On the 1st day of 2026, Liverpool will host Leeds, Brentford welcome Thomas Frank back as Spurs come to town, while Sunderland host Man City. Could the Black Cats still be in the race for a top-four finish by then? There is also a London derby between Crystal Palace and Fulham.
The next day will feature four more games, though once again, the fixture super-computer has not exactly done neutrals the favour of serving up some truly top-class title six-pointers. Even so, Arsenal will face a tough test of their title credentials as they travel to Bournemouth.
There are then six more Premier League fixtures to ease us into 2026. Man United travel to Leeds for what is always an extremely spicy fixture. Liverpool won’t relish a trip to Fulham, while Spurs host Sunderland before the biggest game of the weekend. The early-evening game sees Chelsea travel to Man City. Both will hope to be in the title race by the time that fixture comes around, and while Arsenal and Liverpool may hope for a draw, a win for either could set them up nicely for a successful 2026.