Football enthusiasts across the globe can anticipate a unique festive treat this Christmas Day, with a prominent cup final scheduled in the United Kingdom and a host of international league matches taking place. While the traditional Boxing Day fixtures remain a cornerstone of the Yuletide football calendar in mainland Britain, Northern Ireland will host its historic Steel & Sons Cup Final, offering a rare opportunity for fans to witness competitive action on December 25th.
This year’s Steel & Sons Cup Final features Holywood FC competing against Ballymacash Rangers. The eagerly awaited clash kicks off at 10:45 GMT at Seaview Stadium in Belfast. This annual competition, run by the County Antrim & District FA, holds a unique place in football tradition, having been played on Christmas Day since its inception in 1895, except when the date falls on a Sunday. Both teams have navigated challenging paths to reach this showpiece event, promising a keenly contested encounter.
Adding a touch of local celebrity support, Holywood FC received a good luck message from hometown actor Jamie Dornan. The star conveyed his best wishes for the team’s success in the final, acknowledging the special significance of playing on Christmas morning. His message underscored the community spirit and local pride surrounding the final, despite his inability to attend due to family commitments.
Beyond the UK, several international leagues are set to host matches on Christmas Day, providing a broad spectrum of football for fans worldwide. The Saudi Pro League, which has recently attracted numerous high-profile players such as Malcom, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Alexandre Lacazette (who features for Neom SC), will see Al-Fayha take on Al Hazem, Al Riyadh clash with Al-Ettifaq, and Neom SC face Al Namja.
Further Christmas Day fixtures are scheduled across Africa and the Middle East. Algeria’s Ligue 1 will host a match between CR Belouizdad and ES Setif, while Egypt’s League Cup features multiple games, including El Gouna against National Bank and Pyramids FC versus Ismaily SC. In Iran, the Persian Gulf League will see Aluminium play Malavan, among other fixtures. Israel also has a busy schedule, with several Cup Round of 32 matches set to kick off.
The tradition of Christmas Day football in the UK largely ceased after 1965, when Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers played the final Football League game on December 25th. Historically, Christmas Day was a major fixture date from the late 19th century, with clubs capitalising on public holidays to attract large crowds. Public transport availability on Christmas Day in those eras also facilitated attendance for working-class fans, often leading to reverse fixtures on Boxing Day.
However, this tradition began to wane as societal norms and leisure activities evolved. Professor Martin Johnes of Swansea University notes that while Christmas was a domestic affair for the Victorian middle class, for workers in cramped housing, getting out was paramount. Football, alongside pantomimes and other community gatherings, offered vital social opportunities. By the 1950s, however, improved housing, increased home comforts, and the advent of television made staying at home more appealing, contributing to a decline in Christmas Day match attendances and a shift in public preference.
Today, the enduring legacy of Christmas Day football is largely maintained by unique fixtures like the Steel & Sons Cup in Northern Ireland and the growing number of international leagues that embrace the holiday for their sporting calendars. These matches continue to provide a festive focal point for dedicated fans, connecting contemporary football with a rich historical tradition of holiday sport.
