At first glance, a football-loving nation like Spain might seem ready to host a Boxing Day, but reality tells a different story.
Boxing Day remains a distinctly British tradition with decades of history, delivering joy to millions of football fans who follow the sport in stadiums or from home as one of the most anticipated Christmas fixtures in world football.
What Boxing Day means and why English football matches take place on December 26
As with many other countries, people have wondered whether adopting the same approach could entertain a large fan base and also spread income across the football business. The answer in Spain, for now, is that Boxing Day as practiced there would not fit with the country’s sporting calendar or consumer habits. While experiments have been attempted, the returns have not met expectations.
During the 2015/16 season a variant was tested on the tail end of the year, scheduling matches for December 30 and New Year’s Eve. The idea did not resonate with the public, and it did not win support from clubs or broadcasters for several reasons.
Most games took place on December 30, leaving only one match for New Year’s Eve, Villarreal against Valencia, a regional derby that allowed participants to celebrate with family at home. On December 30, there were no standout fixtures beyond a clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, but attendance and television viewing fell short of expectations. The holiday period, the executives responsible for sports and TV rights believed, is a time for family, shopping, and end-of-year leisure, not necessarily for high-profile football events.
Additionally, the crowded fixture list and tight schedules make players and unions wary of swapping Christmas rest periods for a growing demand on top players. The AFE and other stakeholders were reluctant to lose key holiday break moments to accommodate a heavier calendar.
One possible path forward could involve selecting dates with intense club rivalries, offering a compelling product in exchange for fewer days off during Christmas. For now, Spain keeps Christmas traditions intact and Christmas football on hold.
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