Boxing Day Football: How 2025 Almost Broke 157 Years of Tradition
There is only ONE Premier League match on Boxing Day this year, this guide provides the info you need to turn less into more. TOCA Social has five interactive football games, a world-class menu and a banging cocktail list - this covers the full pitch.
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The 2025 Reality Check: Time for New Traditions?
Boxing Day 2025 will make history, but perhaps not in the way traditionalists wanted.
For the first time in modern Premier League history, the festive fixture list has been slashed. The result is a calendar anomaly that has left millions of fans scratching their heads.
The good news is that the teams involved in the stand-alone fixture created one of the all time great Premier League Boxing Day ties in 2012. (Keep reading to see our 10 TOP BOXING DAY MOMENTS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE.)
The 25/26 Edition:
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United | 20:00 | Old Trafford
The State-of-Play:
The traditional lunch time kick-off and 15:00 goal-fests are glaring omissions to the fixture list on the 26th, instead they have been moved to 27 and 28 December to accommodate player recovery times following expanded European competition schedules.
The Problem: A “Dead Zone” (12:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
This creates a massive logistical problem for football fans across the UK.
Usually, Boxing Day is the "Great Escape". It is the legitimate excuse to leave the in-laws, head to the pub at noon, and immerse yourself in back-to-back football for ten hours.
This year, there is no live Premier League football to show until 8:00 pm.
This leaves you with two options:
- Stay home and endure another round of monopoly, new toy noise, and dry turkey leftovers.
- Find a venue that offers entertainment and good food to fill the dead zone until kick-off.
The Solution: Don’t Just Watch. Play.
If you cannot watch Boxing Day football all day, you should play it.
TOCA Social is the only venue in London and Birmingham designed to fill the "Dead Zone". Instead of sitting in a quiet pub nursing a pint and waiting for the evening kick-off, you can turn Boxing Day into an active social event.
The TOCA Boxing Day Itinerary:
- 15:00 – 17:30: The Escape. Book a private booth. Order some famous TOCA sharing platters. Play Zombie Attack or Atom Splitter to burn off the Christmas pudding.
- 17:30 – 19:30: The Warm Up. Switch to Eliminator or TOCA Challenge mode. Settle the family rivalries before the real teams take the pitch. Sample a couple signature cocktails (mocktails also available), or get a beer tower for the table.
- 20:00: The Main Event. The Man Utd vs. Newcastle match goes live on your booth’s private screen.
The Advantage: You have guaranteed seating, table service (no bar queues), and your own screen sovereignty. You are not fighting for space in a crowded pub that has a bar queue wait time longer than half-time.
View the Food + Drink Menu | View the Packages Menu
The Midlands HQ: Boxing Day at TOCA Birmingham
For fans in the Midlands, Old Trafford is too far to travel on Boxing Day, and London is too busy. TOCA Social Birmingham has emerged as the new Headquarters for the festive fixture list.
Located in the iconic Bullring, this is the central meeting point for Villa, Wolves, and Forest fans who need a football fix but have no game of their own to watch.
Why TOCA Birmingham Wins on Boxing Day:
- The “Culture” Menu: The Birmingham kitchen features exclusive items you won't find in London, such as the "Gunpowder Wing" (inspired by Birmingham's curry culture) and the Katsu Curry Bao.
- Central Access: Direct access from Birmingham New Street Station (a 1-minute walk). No taxis required, meaning you can enjoy the festive drinks menu without transport anxiety.
- Capacity & Vibe: With 23 interactive boxes and 2 bars, it handles the "Big Night Out" energy better than any local sports bar. It transforms the lack of a Midlands derby into a unified football celebration.
Check Availability at TOCA Birmingham
London Calling: The O2 and Westfield White City
For Londoners, the choice is between the iconic O2 Arena (Greenwich) or the premium lounge experience at Westfield White City.
The O2: Perfect for South and East Londoners. Combine your session with a walk over the O2 or a visit to the surrounding bars.
White City: The largest TOCA venue. Ideal for West London groups who want to combine the match with a visit to Sandbox VR or a shopping trip to the sales.
The “Real” Boxing Day: Saturday, 27 December
Do not panic about the lack of games on the 26th. The fixture computer has simply shifted the feast to Saturday, 27 December.
The Fixture Festival (Dec 27):
12:30: Arsenal vs. Aston Villa
15:00: Liverpool vs. Wolves / West Ham vs. Fulham
17:30: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
BOOKMARK THIS → Upcoming Football Fixtures At TOCA Social
Strategic Advice: Use Boxing Day (the 26th) for a single-match social event focused on gaming and food.
Book a Double Header on the 27th to watch the full slate of games back-to-back.
Booking information
TOCA Social bookings are open now. To secure your ideal time slot:
2 - 24 players: Book Now
25 + players: Book Events
Select your location. Choose your package and number of guests.
Add optional extras such as cocktail upgrades or festive food platters.
For event bookings, enter your preferences and contact details. A specialised event coordinator will contact you to discuss bespoke packages or full venue hire options, from there they will plan your dream event.
Final Whistle: Secure Your Escape Route
The "One Match" anomaly means everyone will be trying to book a venue for the 8:00 pm kick-off. Capacity for this specific time slot will vanish fast.
Whether you are in Greenwich, White City, or the Bullring, secure your space before the fixtures are sold out.
Related Christmas Resources
Need a plan for the whole month? Read the Christmas Football Watch Parties Guide for the full December Premier League schedule.
Planning a late Christmas party? Check Office Christmas Party Ideas London 2025
Want to know the games? Read Christmas Party Games: Interactive Football.
At TOCA Social, we don’t let the fixture list dictate the fun, We make our own games.
Bonus: The Top 10 Boxing Day Moments in Premier League History
Manchester United 4-3 Newcastle United (2012)
Sir Alex Ferguson's final Boxing Day match saw Newcastle lead three times before United equalized each time. Javier "Chicharito" Hernández scored a dramatic, last-minute winner, securing the famous victory and extending United's league lead.
Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa (2007)
This chaotic classic featured eight goals, three red cards, and two penalties. Villa led 2-0 before Chelsea fought back. Michael Ballack's 88th-minute goal looked to be the winner until Gareth Barry equalized from a stoppage-time penalty after Ashley Cole's goal-line handball and red card.
Arsenal 6-1 Leicester City (2000)
Thierry Henry scored his first Premier League hat-trick as Arsenal dominated Leicester at Highbury.
Manchester City 5-1 Hull City (2008)
Infamous for the one-sided result, the match is best known for Hull manager Phil Brown's extraordinary on-pitch half-time team talk to the away fans after falling behind 4-0.
Sheffield Wednesday 3-3 Manchester United (1992)
In the Premier League's inaugural Boxing Day, United came back from a 3-0 deficit to snatch a point at Hillsborough, with Eric Cantona netting a late equalizer.
Coventry City 3-2 Arsenal (1999)
Coventry secured a memorable upset against title-hopefuls Arsenal, with goals from Gary McAllister, Mustapha Hadji, and Robbie Keane.
Southampton 4-0 Arsenal (2015)
A great day for Southampton and Cuco Martina. On his full Premier League debut, the Curacaoan defender scored the opener with a spectacular 30-yard swerving half-volley.
Manchester City 6-3 Leicester (2021)
Man City's 4-0 half-time lead was almost wiped out as Leicester fought back to 4-3 before two late goals settled the league leaders' nerves.
Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland (2016)
Mkhitaryan scored a spectacular backheel scorpion volley. "Outrageous" - Alan Shearer.
Crystal Palace 2-1 West Ham United (2019)
Jordan Ayew produced a moment of magic with a stunning solo effort, beating four defenders with sublime skill before chipping the goalkeeper for a last-minute winner.
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TOCA Social is the world’s first interactive football and dining experience, combining interactive football experiences, immersive gaming and world class food and drink.
Book now or walk-in to enjoy our fantastic food and drinks, as well as foosball tables, arcades, selfie booths and more.
If you need to move dates or cancel for a full refund, this is easily done ahead of time with a quick call or email.
Spaces At the o2
PLAYER'S LOUNGE
Capacity: 250
Seats: 80
Boxes: 4
Our purpose-build space for private events. Ideal for team socials, seasonal celebrations, away days, and the list doesn't stop there -the versatile space really can do pretty much anything you need!
The Player's Lounge can be found on the upper mezzanine overlooking our main London activity bar venue, enabling you to soak up the atmosphere from your very own exclusive floor.
With four boxes for playing in, your own private Mezcal bar and even your own photo booth to capture your event, inject some VIP treatment into your next event by claiming the Player's Lounge for yourself.
CORNER BAR
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Capacity: 200
Seats: 150
Boxes: 7
Our Corner Bar event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 200 guests.
Seven Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with foosball tables and vintage arcade games and not to mention your very own exclusive Bar and WC's.
Experience fun activities at the best activity bar in London!
What more could you need to offer your guests the VIP TOCA treatment?
FULL VENUE
Capacity: 700
Seats: 200
Boxes: 17
Split over two floors, the Midfield Bar, Corner Bar and Player's Lounge provide three different bars to choose from, photo booths, foosball tables, and even a dessert room. Our London games bar has spaces that can be exclusively hired, privatised or semi-privatised to fit your needs.
From meetings and product launches to after-work socials and seasonal parties, if your numbers are anything from 12 - 700, then give your next event a spectacular home and experience fun activities inside The O2.
EXECUTIVE BOXES
Capacity: 50
Seats: 50
Boxes: 1
Looking for your own private space but still want to be part of the hustle and bustle? TOCA Social has got you covered.
The executive boxes at our London activity bar offer the best of both worlds. In our Executive Boxes you will find two private Boxes for game time and plenty of networking spaces in between.
Located on the upper mezzanine level of the venue, this space is perfect for up to 50 guests whilst offering that VIP exclusive environment.
Spaces At Birmingham Bullring
FULL VENUE
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Capacity: 1000
Seats: 500
Boxes: 23
The entire venue boasts a capacity of 1000.
Split over the same floor, the Midfield Bar, Right Wing and Corner Bar with two different bars to choose from, photo booths, foosball tables, and even AV Equipment, our flexible spaces can be exclusively hired, privatised or semi-privatised to fit your needs.
From meetings and product launches to after-work socials and seasonal parties, if your numbers are anything from 12 - 1000, then give your next event a spectacular home at TOCA Social
CORNER BAR
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Capacity: 300
Seats: 250
Boxes: 8
Our Corner Bar event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 300 guests.
Eight Boxes at our Birmingham games bar for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with foosball tables and vintage arcade games, your own photo booth to catch all the action and not to mention your very own exclusive Bar and WC's.
What more could you need to offer your guests the VIP TOCA treatment?
LEFT WING
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Capacity: 60
Seats: 50
Boxes: 3
Our Left Wing event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 60 guests.
Three Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space complete with your very own private meeting room space at our amazing activity bar in Birmingham.
Fun activities in Birmingham experienced here!
EXECUTIVE BOX
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Capacity: 40
Seats: 30
Boxes: 1
Looking for your own private space but still want to be part of the hustle and bustle? TOCA Social has got you covered.
In our Executive Box you will find your own private Box for game time and plenty of networking spaces in between.
Located on the lower level of the venue in your own private area, the Executive Box at our Birmingham activity bar is perfect for up to 40 guests whilst offering that VIP exclusive environment.
RIGHT WING
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Capacity: 30
Seats: 20
Boxes: 2
Our Right Wing event space offers an ideal location for your next private event for up to 30 guests.
Two Boxes for playing our high tech immersive games, a large networking and interactive space. With 20 Seats for you and your guests offering you a private area of our games bar in Birmingham.
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