Four Newcastle fixtures moved for TV as Boxing Day gets another 8pm kick-off

Newcastle United have had four festive Premier League fixtures rescheduled, including an 8pm kick-off against Manchester City at St James’ Park on Boxing Day.

The club has confirmed that all four games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with changes also affecting our home match against Nottingham Forest and January trips to Chelsea and Manchester United.

The announcement follows pressure from clubs to give match-going supporters more time to plan. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United were among those who urged the league and broadcasters to bring their decisions forward, with the Football Supporters’ Association also understood to have been involved in discussions.

Newcastle’s confirmed festive fixture changes

The Manchester City game stays on Saturday 26 December but moves from 3pm to 8pm. Our final match of 2026, against Nottingham Forest, remains on Wednesday 30 December with kick-off brought forward half an hour.

Both January away games change dates, with Chelsea moving to Sunday and Manchester United pushed back to Thursday.

All times are GMT. You can find our full programme on our Newcastle United fixtures page.

Earlier notice is welcome, even with another late Boxing Day kick-off

Getting these decisions in September gives supporters considerably more notice than last season, when the festive announcement did not arrive until 31 October.

As we reported at the time, our trip to Manchester United was brought forward from Saturday 27 December to an 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. It was the only Premier League game played that day.

We’re at home this time, but another 8pm start on Boxing Day will hardly suit everyone travelling to and from St James’ Park.

Earlier notice won’t make an awkward kick-off any less awkward, but it gives supporters a better chance of sorting travel, accommodation and time off work. It shouldn’t require pressure from clubs to get that consideration, but it’s welcome all the same.