The Premier League has announced its broadcast selections for fixtures across the Christmas period, including the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day weekends, following discussions the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

The league and broadcast partners agreed to bring forward the selection process for matches which take place between Boxing Day on Saturday 26th December to Thursday 7th January. 

Broadcast selections for November are due to be announced the week commencing Monday 21st September while the remaining December fixtures will be announced the week commencing Monday 19th October.

The Premier League said: “The announcement gives supporters more than three months’ notice to plan and make travel arrangements for a particularly busy time of the year and follows consultation with the FSA and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.”

“Over the Christmas and New Year period, clubs have at least a 60-hour break between fixtures. This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested festive schedule – in the context of an expanding European and international fixture calendar.”

What does the FSA think?

We have always called for more notice when it comes to fixture announcements, and met with both the Premier League and Sky Sports earlier this year to propose increased notice for TV games, once the European calendar was known for the group stages.

Letting supporters know which games are being moved for TV makes our lives easier – whether that means cheaper rail tickets, time booked off work or even hotel room availability. 

We’re pleased the Premier League has acknowledged our views on this and today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. It does make it easier for supporters of top-flight clubs to plan for the Christmas and New Year period.

There are still further steps which could be made – moving forward the announcement of all November and December TV fixtures to align with the release of the Christmas and New Year fixtures would be massively welcomed by supporters of all top-flight clubs.

This is the approach taken by the EFL and, while the Premier League has additional challenges relating to the European calendar, those games are now known.

Nonetheless, today’s announcement is good news for supporters, and we will continue to work with the league on initiatives which will improve things for matchgoers.

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