Premier League Big Six: Which Clubs Perform Best On Boxing Day?
Boxing Day fixtures are a tradition of the Premier League, but as things stand there will be no matches played on that day this Christmas.
Since the inception of the current Premier League format there have always been games played on December 26, but the Premier League fixture list for 2025/26 revealed all 10 matches will be played 24 hours later instead.
After this surprising announcement, Gambling.com worked out which of the traditional ‘Big Six' clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) have benefited the most from Boxing Day fixtures - and those that have not fared so well.
📣 ANNOUNCE 2025/26 PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES 📣
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 18, 2025
Boxing Day Belongs To Man United
Having dominated the majority of the Premier League in the 90s and noughties, it is no surprise that Manchester United have the highest points per game (ppg) from their Boxing Day results.
Since the start of the Premier League in 1992/93, the Red Devils have played 29 matches and won 21, giving them a score of 2.31 ppg from their Boxing Day fixtures.
Some notable results include a 3-2 win at Chelsea in the 1994/95 season, a 5-0 thrashing of struggling Wigan in 2011/12 and a 4-0 victory at Sunderland in 2007 when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored.
That win at Stamford Bridge was United’s only Boxing Day success against a traditional big-six side.
This highlights the favourable fixtures the Red Devils were handed over the festive period.
The decision to remove Boxing Day fixtures may well impact Manchester United the most, but what about the rest?
Premier League Big Six Boxing Day Results
Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points Per Game |
Manchester United | 29 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 2.31 |
Arsenal | 25 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 2.20 |
Liverpool | 27 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 2.19 |
Tottenham | 27 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 1.96 |
Manchester City | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 1.95 |
Chelsea | 29 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 1.66 |
Arsenal Bridesmaids Yet Again
Having finished runners-up in the past three Premier League seasons, Arsenal once again fell short with 2.20 ppg on Boxing Day.
The Gunners have played 25 games and won 16, only losing two games which is the lowest of any of the traditional big six.
Some stand-out results for Arsenal include the 6-1 battering of Leicester in the 2000/01 season, a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the following year and a surprising 4-0 loss at Southampton in the 2015/16 campaign.
Liverpool, 2/1 favourites with football betting sites for a successful Premier League title defence, are close behind in third with 2.19 ppg.
The Merseyside club have played 27 times, winning 18 matches and losing on four occasions.
Tottenham Take Top-Four Spot
It's been four years since Tottenham finished in the Premier League's top four, but they've snatched the final Champions League spot when it comes to Boxing Day games.
The London club have a reasonable record in matches played immediately after Christmas Day with 15 wins from 27 games and only four losses.
On average, the north London side have scored an average of 1.96 points per game on Boxing Day.
Spurs have had some big wins, scoring five against Bournemouth, Southampton and Fulham, and they also netted four against Aston Villa and Watford.
Manchester City are fifth out of six in our Boxing Day rankings with 1.95 ppg. The Cityzens have played the fewest amount of games compared to the other five because they were in and out of the Premier League throughout the nighties.
With only 22 Boxing Day fixtures compared to the 29 of local rivals United, City won 13 times.
However, since the 2006/07 campaign, they have been unbeaten on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day Blues For Chelsea
Although a powerhouse in the Premier League, Chelsea languish at the bottom of our standings with 1.66 ppg.
Having played the joint most number of Boxing Day games alongside Manchester United, the Blues have only won 13 of their 29 matches and lost seven times.
Chelsea struggled in the 90s and early 2000s, only winning three of their first 11 Boxing Day fixtures during which they lost to Manchester United, Wimbledon, Arsenal and Charlton.
No More Boxing Day Football - Here’s Why
One reason cited for the removal of Boxing Day fixtures was down to the congested calendar, and subsequent lack of free weekends.
Due to changes to the FA Cup, the Premier League committed themselves to 33 weekend and five midweek dates in 2025/26.
This means December 27 will be one of the regular match weekends.
Another reason for the change is the Premier League’s status as a global brand.
Not every country with a TV deal to stream English football celebrates Christmas, so having games on December 27 will suit a wider audience.
