Boxing Day 3pm blackout rules explained with four Premier League sides in action
Football fans will be able to watch all Premier League football on Boxing Day - including games kicking off at 3pm.
Festive football has become a tradition across the UK and the 2023/24 season is no different with a packed calendar of Premier League and EFL fixtures immediately after Christmas Day.
The post-Christmas offering gets underway with Newcastle ’s clash with Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park. Attention then turns to Sheffield United’s showdown with relegation rivals Luton, as well as Bournemouth ’s match against Fulham with both games kicking off at 3pm.
Usually games scheduled for that time would not be broadcast live on TV due to English football’s 3pm blackout rule enforced to protect attendances lower down the pyramid. However, with the games not taking place on Saturday then they are free to be broadcast.
As they have done on Boxing Day over the last few years, Amazon have won the rights to show an entire round of festive fixtures and will be broadcasting all of the games. The Boxing Day football doesn’t end with the 3pm kick-offs however.
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Liverpool ’s clash away to Burnley follows at 5:30pm, while Manchester United ’s home game with Aston Villa takes place at 8pm. There are a further three fixtures the following day including Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Wolves ’ trip to Brentford and Everton ’s clash with reigning champions Manchester City at Goodison Park.
Premier League matches continue on December 28. Tottenham ’s trip to take on Brighton is followed by Arsenal ’s showdown with West Ham at the London Stadium later in the day.
All of the fixtures on Boxing Day will be shown on TV in the UK (Getty Images)Which games are you attending over Christmas? Share your plans in the comments below
It is the fifth time that Amazon are showing Premier League fixtures since they agreed a 20-game-per-season package back in 2018. That deal runs until the end of the 2024/25 season, with further festive football expected to be broadcast next term.
However, Amazon have not secured rights for the next domestic cycle which runs through to the end of the 2028/29 campaign. Instead, only Sky and TNTSports have packages in a deal worth £6.7billion over four years.
The number of live games is set to grow with all matches outside of the Saturday 3pm kick-off time due to be broadcast from the 2025/26 campaign. Speaking at the time, Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: “As longstanding and valued partners, Sky Sports and TNT Sports are renowned for consistently delivering world‑class coverage and programming.
"We have enjoyed record audiences and attendances in recent seasons, and we know that their continued innovation will drive more people to watch and follow the Premier League. The outcome of this process underlines the strength of the Premier League and is testament to our clubs, players and managers who continue to deliver the world’s most competitive football in full stadiums, and to supporters, who create an unrivalled atmosphere every week.”
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