For football enthusiasts around the world, 26th of December holds a special place in their hearts as it marks the celebration of a unique tradition in the United Kingdom – Boxing Day football. Comparable to the NFL’s association with Thanksgiving or the NBA’s link to Christmas Day in the United States, Boxing Day has become synonymous with a feast of Premier League action.
The Origin of Boxing Day
Boxing Day, observed annually on the 26th of December, follows the fun of Christmas Day. Originating in the UK, this day is designated as a “bank holiday”, leading to closures of businesses and granting most employees a day off. The term “Boxing Day” is attributed to Charles Dickens, who coined it in 1833. The holiday officially became established in 1871, although the practice of giving gifts on this day dates back even further.
The name “Boxing Day” has nothing to do with the sport of boxing, but instead has its roots in a historical tradition where employers would distribute boxes of Christmas gifts to their employees, particularly to those who worked on Christmas, such as servants and household staff. These employees would then share these boxes with their families, turning the holiday into a gesture of generosity and gift-giving.
However, over time, the original charitable intent of Boxing Day has evolved. Today, the day is renowned for two main activities: sports and shopping.
Boxing Day in Football History
In the inaugural year of the Football League in 1888, Boxing Day witnessed the commencement of a footballing tradition that has endured for over a century. Over 4,000 matches have been played in the English Football League on Boxing Day since then.
West Bromwich Albion, holds the record for the most Boxing Day matches in league history, with 106 games played and a record of 45 wins, 39 losses, and 22 draws. Manchester United leads in points accumulated on Boxing Day, with 171 points from 51 wins, 27 losses, and 18 draws across 96 matches.
Notable records include Harry Kane’s record for the most goals scored on Boxing Day (10) and the highest-scoring Premier League fixture in 2021, where Manchester City triumphed over Leicester City in a 6-3 spectacle. However, the pinnacle of goal-scoring madness in English top-flight history occurred in 1963, with an astonishing 66 goals scored across 10 matches, featuring a 10-1 victory for Fulham over Ipswich Town and an 8-2 drubbing by Blackburn Rovers over West Ham.
In the past, Christmas Day itself saw football matches in the UK, but this tradition underwent a transformation in the 1950s. As 25th of December became more focused on family, the last Christmas Day football game occurred in 1957, establishing Boxing Day football as a new tradition.
Football historian Martin Johnes notes that Christmas Day football was part of public working-class events, but as communal entertainments declined, the sport shifted to Boxing Day. This transition was facilitated by the changing nature of Christmas as a more family-oriented celebration and the limitations imposed by reduced public transport during the holiday season.
Boxing Day has evolved from its origins of charitable gift-giving to a day deeply embedded in the sporting culture of the United Kingdom. As families gather, leftovers are enjoyed, and gifts are exchanged, football takes center stage, providing a festive and action-packed extension to the holiday season for football fans across the nation.
