Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have learnt their Premier League fixture schedule for the Christmas period over three months before the games take place
Television picks for the Premier League games over Christmas have been confirmed(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images))
The Premier League have confirmed that Arsenal will face Crystal Palace on Sunday, December 27 in 7pm kick-off. Chelsea meanwhile, travel to Coventry City for a 2pm kick-off on that same day while Tottenham face Bournemouth in one of seven Boxing Day games with that starting at 3pm.
The announcement of the festive fixtures has come seven weeks earlier than last season after the Premier League received a request from Manchester United to bring it forward in order to help fans plan travel.
They were the only team that played on Boxing Day last season as they beat Newcastle United 1-0 in a game that kicked off at 8pm. For 2026, a further six games will occur but neither Chelsea or Arsenal will be in action on the day after Christmas with both fixtures picked for Sky Sports coverage.
Fixture changes around New Year have also been announced with Mikel Arteta’s side facing Fulham in a 7:30pm kick-off on Wednesday, December 30 with that also on Sky Sports.
Arsenal welcoming Ipswich Town to Emirates Stadium a few days later has not been selected for TV coverage but in the next midweek they will face Brentford live on Sky Sports in a 7:30pm kick-off.
Following their Boxing Day clash being moved back a day, Chelsea head to Ipswich Town in one of two later kick-offs (8:15pm) on Wednesday, December 30. Xabi Alonso’s side have also been selected for TV that weekend as they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, January 3 for a 2pm kick-off.
That means their next fixture which is away to Crystal Palace will be on Wednesday, January 6. Spurs have a slightly different schedule to their London rivals with their match at home to Bournemouth remaining on Boxing Day but not selected for TV and thus will still take place at 3pm.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are also on home soil for the following midweek as they take on his former club Brighton in a 7:30pm kick-off on Tuesday, December 29.
The Lilywhites’ first game of 2027 takes place on Sunday, January 3 at 4:30pm, is away to Manchester City and will be live on Sky Sports. Their busy festive period concludes at Fulham three days later with that game kicking off at 7:30pm.
The Premier League have also confirmed that “broadcast selections for October will be announced week commencing 21 September 2026 and match rounds in December will be announced by week commencing 19 October 2026”.
Prior to the commencement of the hectic Christmas schedule, the Carabao Cup fifth round will take place. Chelsea have already beaten Leeds United 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the fourth round.
Arsenal and Tottenham play their third round ties next week against Ipswich Town and Liverpool, respectively. Those are taking place on Tuesday, September 15 due to the Champions League starting up this week.
The Gunners have just one European fixture during the final month of 2026 with that coming at home to Real Madrid.
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