What is Boxing Day? How it became an English Premier League tradition (Interesting facts)

Boxing Day' comes around every year in Enlgish football and half the world wonders what it is about. It is a frantic day of Premier League action, with eight games in action, all right after Christmas.

While half of Europe is off, England go full out with football on 'Boxing Day'. Stadiums all over the country fill up with families to watch football and celebrated Christmas on a very special day of Premier League action.

What is 'Boxing Day' and where did it come from?

On this day celebrated just one day after Christmas, 'Boxing Day' is synonymous with gratitude and charity. On a day where teams slash ticket prices to get more kids and not-so-young ones along to the football for a good cause.

The tradition all started with the San Esteban Festivities, where the upper-class English families made charitable donations those most in need. What is more, it is one of the days that bosses gave to their workers off after Christmas, as well as free football tickets. Ever since then, it has been a tradition, and today, a lot of British clubs send cards to their fans wishing them a Happy Christmas.

When is 'Boxing Day', and where is it celebrated?

Just as every year, 'Boxing Day' 2022 is on the 26th December. However this season there are special circumstances, and in order for sides like Manchester City, Chelsea and United to not have too many games, they will play their 'Boxing Day' fixtures on the 27th and 28th.

Therefore, this year, the holiday is a bit longer, and there will be three consecutive days of football, including games such as Arsenal v West Ham, Manchester City v Leeds and Aston Villa v Liverpool.

This special day is not just a British tradition, and it is also celebrated in places such as Ireland and the Commonwealth countries such as Canada or Australia.

Boxing Day is a day in which many families get together for the first or second time during the holiday period. The football matches on offer are a focal point for many families on the day.

On Boxing Day 2022, the Premier League specifically will offer matches throughout the day. Many of the fixtures will be televised in the UK and around the world, giving football fans some glorious post-Christmas sports to watch.

Some teams and players enjoy playing on Boxing Day more than others. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler scored nine times in Boxing Day fixtures. Former Newcastle player Alan Shearer and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane netted eight goals on December 26.

Fowler is one of a handful of players to score a Boxing Day hat trick. He did it against Bolton Wanderers in 2001 while playing for Leeds. Thierry Henry, Kevin Phillips, Dimitar Berbatov, Gareth Bale, and Harry Kane also notched hat-tricks the day after Christmas.

Former Aston Villa and Man City midfielder Gareth Barry appeared in 18 Boxing Day fixtures. No player has appeared in more games on the day.

Liverpool’s James Milner could have pulled closer to Barry’s record. However, the midfielder will sit out this Boxing Day with an injury.