Top 15 best things about Boxing Day football - some reasons may surprise you
Football fans have shared their favourite things about Boxing Day football, including the sheer number of matches on (23%) – and getting to take a “break” from the family (14%).
The fact that every team plays, and the chance to snack on Christmas leftovers, are other fan favourites when it comes to the beautiful game on December 26. And almost a quarter (23%) jump at the chance to watch something other than festive movies and TV.
The poll of 2,000 football fans even found that 54% feel proud to be British, when they settle down to watch a game the day after the big day. And a quarter feel football is simply more enjoyable on Boxing Day, than at any other time of year.
More than one in 10 (12%) put this down to the anticipation of the January transfer window being so imminent, while 9% simply love to watch squad players get a runout.
The research was commissioned by Lottoland's Sportsbook, which has also created this tricky quiz, to test how closely fans have paid attention to football matches on Boxing Days gone by.
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Nearly one in six fans will wrap up warm on Boxing Day to go and watch a match in person (Sam Bagnall/AMA/Getty Images)A spokesman said: “Boxing Day is a sacred time for football fans. While players and managers might occasionally moan about having to miss out on the Christmas pudding, with games kicking off left, right, and centre, fans love it.
“It’s not just the matches on the 26th – the festive period as a whole is jam-packed with games to watch, so there are plenty of opportunities to have a “break” from the family, as so many seem to want.”
On average, footie fans will watch five games live throughout December, an average of one every six days – although some will sit through 10 or more.
Four in 10 fans (39%) will also be placing bets on the matches over that time, with 28% believing they are luckier with their wins during the Christmas period.
More than half (54%) will use the opportunity to bond with family members over matches – while 32% are more likely to watch games their team isn’t even playing in, just because they’re on.
And while 59% will catch a match on TV, 15% will don hats and scarves to watch a game live. Meanwhile, around a tenth will head to the pub, and a similar number will settle down at a relative’s house to watch some footballing action. However, 28% admitted the prospect of their team losing can ruin the entire festive period for them.
And one in 10 will take in the action at the pub, or round at a relative's house (Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Getty Images)It also emerged 43% confessed to having no sympathy at all for Premier League footballers who have to play a match on December 26th, when most of the rest of the nation has the day off.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, even revealed that 34% of people claim their partner knows full well not to make any social plans on Boxing Day – as it’s going to be devoted to football.
And it’s not only the men’s game captivating fans over the festive period, with 32% planning on tuning into women’s football.
Lottoland’s spokesman added: “From December 1st right through to New Year’s Day, the festive period is one of the most storied in the football calendar.
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“And it’s no surprise to see that so many football fans will be betting on the action over Christmas – although the fact that nearly a third think it’s a “lucky” time of year for them is interesting indeed.
“Perhaps it’s something about the magic of Christmas – but either way, here’s hoping for lots of Sportsbook wins this Boxing Day.”
THE TOP 15 BEST THINGS ABOUT BOXING DAY FOOTBALL:
- Being able to snack on Christmas Day leftovers
- The fact that every team plays
- Having people around to watch the football with
- The sheer number of games to watch
- Finally being able to turn off all the “Christmassy” TV and movies
- Watching your team play loads over the festive break
- Having a chance to decompress from the Christmas craziness
- Getting to go watch the game live
- Going to watch the games as a way to escape
- It marks the halfway point in the season
- Having the perfect excuse to have a “break” from the family
- Having an excuse to see mates, rather than family
- Not having to take time off work to watch the games
- The anticipation of the January transfer window opening soon
- With so many games on, you see some squad rotation, and players who don't normally start
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