Most leagues in Europe have a winter break of one or two weeks around Christmas, when matches are paused and training schedules are lightened.
But festive football has been an ironclad British institution for decades. And that means that, yes, most professional footballers will train on Christmas Day.
“When your kids are out there playing with their new toys and you have to go to training, it’s a big sacrifice. It’s not about the money – it’s just human nature,” said the former Sheffield United, Tottenham and Fulham midfielder. Michael Brown told the BBC.
With matches in the top-flight divisions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all scheduled for Boxing Day – as well as in the English lower leagues – a Christmas Day training session is the final opportunity for managers to help players maintain their fitness and work. In a gameplan.
Festive pictures featuring players wearing Santa hats and reindeer noses are often posted online by clubs training on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day sessions for teams playing at home on Boxing Day usually take place in the morning or afternoon, before the players head home to spend time with family later in the day.
But if a team is playing away from home on Boxing Day, it becomes more complicated.
Clubs often stay in hotels the night before away matches, especially for early kick-off times or long distances to travel, meaning a coach journey or flight after a night at a hotel is common.
