As the Christmas break nears, sports enthusiasts can anticipate a vibrant year-end sports calendar. Major leagues in football, basketball, American football, and cricket will actively hold events throughout December. Additionally, international tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will capture global attention.
Premier League Matches and AFCON 2025
The Premier League will see a shift in its traditional Boxing Day schedule in 2025. On December 26, only one match will take place: Manchester United versus Newcastle United. Other fixtures in Matchweek 19 will be rescheduled for December 27-28 due to expanded European competitions, creating calendar congestion.
The Africa Cup of Nations, set in Morocco, begins on December 21 and will overlap with the Christmas and New Year holidays. The tournament will feature 24 national teams, leading to the absence of several high-profile African players from their clubs during this festive season. This unusual scheduling is expected to impact squad rotations and league dynamics as the year concludes.
NBA Christmas Day Games
The NBA continues to dominate Christmas Day sports programming with a lineup of five games on December 25, 2025. Notable matchups include:
- Cavaliers vs. Knicks
- Spurs vs. Thunder
- Mavericks vs. Warriors
- Rockets vs. Lakers
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
This schedule is strategically crafted for international audiences, featuring both title contenders and emerging young talent. Christmas Day basketball regularly ranks among the highest-rated regular-season broadcasts.
NFL Christmas Day Triple-header
The NFL will host another triple-header on Christmas Day, a growing tradition. The 2025 lineup includes:
- Cowboys vs. Commanders
- Lions vs. Vikings
- Broncos vs. Chiefs
Both the Cowboys vs. Commanders and Lions vs. Vikings games will be available exclusively on Netflix. The Broncos vs. Chiefs matchup will be streamed on Prime Video. This trend of three Christmas Day NFL games is expected to continue, given fans’ enthusiasm for late-season contests during the holiday period.
Cricket Over Christmas: The Ashes and T20 Matches
Cricket fans can look forward to significant events during the holiday season. The 2025-26 Ashes series will feature its Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, followed by the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Alongside these landmark Tests, fans can enjoy various short-format competitions.
The ILT20 in the UAE will run into early January, while New Zealand’s Super Smash T20 begins on December 26. This combination of Test and T20 cricket ensures a diverse offering for fans around the world during the festive season.
In conclusion, 2025 promises an exciting mix of sports throughout the Christmas break, catering to a global audience. With pivotal games in football, basketball, American football, and cricket, fans will have numerous opportunities to engage with their favorite sports during the holiday season.
