English football has a curious tradition. December 26th hosts an almost always full round of Premier League matches and this year will be no different.
The brings you the origin of Boxing Day and the origin of the tradition in English football!
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Why does the Premier League hold games on this date?
The 26th of December became a landmark in football as the now considered first football match in history was held on that date, in the year 1860. The match was between Sheffield Football Club and Hallam FC, with Sheffield winning by 2 to 0.
This fact created a tradition in English football, meaning that matches are always held on that date.
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What games will take place on Boxing Day 2024?
December 26th, Thursday
Games in Brasilia time
- 09h30 – Manchester City x Everton – ESPN (TV fechada) e Disney+ (streaming)
- 12h – Newcastle x Aston Villa – ESPN (TV fechada) e Disney+ (streaming)
- 12h – Nottingham Forest x Tottenham – ESPN (TV fechada) e Disney+ (streaming)
- 12h – Southampton x West Ham – Disney+ (streaming)
- 12h – Chelsea x Fulham – Disney+ (streaming)
- 12h – Bournemouth x Crystal Palace – Disney+ (streaming)
- 14h30 – Wolverhampton x Manchester United – Disney+ (streaming)
- 17h – Liverpool x Leicester City – ESPN (TV fechada) e Disney+ (streaming)
Why is it called Boxing Day?
Boxing Day, as it is known, is the 26th of December, right after Christmas. There are many theories as to why the day received this name, which would be Box Day in literal translation.
One of them is that the date was used in English-speaking countries in past centuries as a day for the aristocracy to give gifts to employees and the poor, usually giving them in wooden boxes.
Another theory is that on December 26th boxes were placed around cities and churches to collect donations for the poorest people.
One of the most modern reasons is because December 26th is the first day after Christmas, a date on which many exchanges of gifts received at Christmas take place in stores.
Who are the biggest champions of the English Championship?
Official football tournaments in England have been played since the 1888-89 season. The first champion was Preston North End, with Aston Villa as runners-up. The nomenclature has been changed to Premier League since the 1992/93 season, when Manchester United won the title – once again Villa came in second place.
United, in fact, are the biggest champions of the English championship, with 20 titles. Liverpool is the second biggest winner, with 19 trophies. Arsenal comes in third place, with 13 titles, followed by Manchester City, with 10. The top 5 is completed by Everton, with nine wins.
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- Manchester United – 20 titles
- Liverpool – 19 titles
- Arsenal – 13 titles
- Manchester City – 10 titles
- Everton – 9 titles
- Aston Villa – 7 titles
- Sunderlan – 6 titles
- Chelsea – 6 titles
- Newcastle – 4 titles
- Sheffield Wednesday – 4 títulos
- Leeds – 3 titles
- Wolverhampton – 3 titles
- Huddersfield Town – 3 títulos
- Blackburn Rovers – 3 titles
- Preston North End – 2 titles
- Tottenham – 2 titles
- Derby County – 2 titles
- Burnely – 2 titles
- Portsmouth – 2 titles
- Ipswich Town – 1 title
- Sheffield United – 1 title
- West Bromwich Albion – 1 title
- Nottingham Forest – 1 title
- Leicester – 1 title
