Fixture & Sporting Event Calendar – Christmas/New Year 2023

By WherestheMatch Team

The Christmas and New Year break always promises some of the most anticipated fixtures across the yearly sporting calendar. With an abundance of high-profile events taking place from mid-December all the way up until the New Year (and beyond!), it can be challenging to keep track of all the sport on tv. Our Fixture & Sporting Event Calendar for the 2023 Christmas and New Year period provides information on the most exciting match-ups taking place over the coming weeks.

Don’t miss out! Here are our picks for the most exciting upcoming events from the 16^th of December to the 1^st of January:

Saturday 16^th of December

New Zealand vs Bangladesh – One Day International (10:00pm)

A set of one day internationals before Christmas will see New Zealand face Bangladesh across a set of three matches taking place on the 16^th of December at 10:00pm (Saturday), the 19^th of December at 10:00pm (Tuesday), and the 22^nd of December at 10:00pm (Friday).

Sunday 17^th of December

UFC Fight Night – Edwards vs Covington (1:00am)

A double-header of title fights, Leon Edwards (C) and Colby Covington will dispute the welterweight belt whilst Alexandre Pantoja (C) will face Brandon Royval for the flyweight belt. Arguably the best overall fight card of 2023, the event will also see Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson, Tony Ferguson vs Paddy Pimblett and Josh Emmet vs Bryce Mitchell.

Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers – National Hockey League (3:00am)

With the Oilers firing on all cylinders again and the Panthers holding their own in the Atlantic division, a match between these sides is certainly one to watch. Top 10-point leaders Connor McDavid and Sam Reinhart are both on fine form and will be looking to inspire their sides to a vital victory fuelling both sides’ charge up their respective tables.  

South Africa vs India – One Day International (8:00am)

Two of cricket’s heavyweights meet for a three-part international series with a set of One Day Internationals taking place at 8am on Sunday 17^th of December, 11:00am on Tuesday the 19^th of December and 11:00am Thursday the 21^st of December. This comes on the back of a T20 draw between the sides earlier this month.  

Liverpool vs Manchester United – English Premier League (4:30pm)

A highly disputed fixture with rich historical significance, Manchester United vs Liverpool will see the Premier League rivals go head-to-head in a match that has massive implications for the rest of the league. Liverpool will look to keep their position at the top of the table whilst United will trying to force an upset and claw their way back into the top four.

Tuesday 19^th of December

South Africa vs India – One Day International (11:00am)

Two of cricket’s heavyweights meet for a three-part international series with a set of One Day Internationals taking place at 8am on Sunday 17^th of December, 11:00am on Tuesday the 19^th of December and 11:00am Thursday the 21^st of December. This comes on the back of a T20 draw between the sides earlier this month. 

Chelsea vs Newcastle – Carabao Cup Quarter Final (8:00pm)

Having now been knocked out of Europe, Newcastle’s most realistic chance at getting silverware this season comes in the form of the Carabao Cup. The same can be said of Chelsea who didn’t even make it into European spot last season and will be looking to compensate for their poor Premier League performances by winning a trophy. Now into the knockout stages, the Carabao Cup Quarter Finals offers both sides a chance at redemption.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh – One Day International (10:00pm)

A set of one day internationals before Christmas will see New Zealand face Bangladesh across a set of three matches taking place on the 16^th of December at 10:00pm (Saturday), the 19^th of December at 10:00pm (Tuesday), and the 22^nd of December at 10:00pm (Friday).

Wednesday 20^th of December

Carolina Hurricanes vs Vegas Golden Knights (12:00am)

Last season’s Stanley Cup champions will visit the Carolina Hurricanes to try and extend their lead at the top of the Pacific Division. Whilst many would probably back the Golden Knights, the Hurricanes offer tough competition when they hit stride and with many of their recent games being absolute goal-fests, this is very likely to be a high-scoring game with plenty of individual talent on show.

Liverpool vs West Ham United – Carabao Cup Quarter Final (8:00pm)

Two of the strongest sides left in the competition will go head-to-head in a midweek fixture to decide which team will move onto the Semi Finals. West Ham are given a chance at another piece of silverware following their Conference league success last season while Liverpool will be looking to secure a win to set them on the path to their 10^th league cup win.

Thursday 21^st of December

South Africa vs India – One Day International (11:00am)

Two of cricket’s heavyweights meet for a three-part international series with a set of One Day Internationals taking place at 8am on Sunday 17^th of December, 11:00am on Tuesday the 19^th of December and 11:00am Thursday the 21^st of December. This comes on the back of a T20 draw between the sides earlier this month. 

Friday 22^nd of December

Dallas Stars vs Vancouver Canucks – National Hockey League (1:00am)

This is bound to be an exciting match up with some of the NHL’s most exciting talents featuring for the Stars and Canucks. The Stars are competing with some of the Central Division’s best teams while the Canucks are blowing away the competition in the Pacific and currently sit at the highest scoring side across both Conferences.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh – One Day International (10:00pm)

A set of one day internationals before Christmas will see New Zealand face Bangladesh across a set of three matches taking place on the 16^th of December at 10:00pm (Saturday), the 19^th of December at 10:00pm (Tuesday), and the 22^nd of December at 10:00pm (Friday).

Saturday 23^rd of December

West Ham vs Manchester United – English Premier League (12:30pm)

A vital match in the search for European football, both Manchester United and West Ham will be looking to gain three points to consolidate their positions toward the top half of the table. Two teams that haven’t been completely consistent across the season thus far, this promises to be competitive fixture with an outcome that is difficult to predict. 

Liverpool vs Arsenal – English Premier League (5:30pm)

Potentially an early title decider, Liverpool and Arsenal will face each other a day before Christmas Eve for what is likely to be match that decides pole position in the Premier League table. Both teams are on strong form going into the congested festive footballing calendar and three points for either side will have strong implications on how the rest of the Premier League season shapes up.

Florida Panthers vs Vegas Golden Knights – National Hockey League (8:00pm)

The two sides that contested the Stanley Cup finals last season will verse each other for the first time on the 23^rd of December. While the Florida Panthers may not be the same side they were last season, they still look to be a strong team and a chance to get revenge on the Golden Knights who are maintaining las season’s high level of performance may just be enough to spur them into action. Either way, it’s bound to be an exciting one.

Sunday 24^th of December

Los Angeles Kings vs Calgary Flames – National Hockey League (3:00am)

The Kings currently rank as the best defensive side in the NHL while the Flames are shipping goals for fun. Seems like a pretty clear-cut match at first glance, however, the Flames always manage to stay in the contest losing recent games against the far higher ranked Avs, Canucks and Golden Knights by only a single goal. They’re getting closer to being a very solid side and if something clicks into place over the coming games, they might very well give the Kings a major challenge.

Tuesday 26^th December

Sheffield United vs Luton Town – English Premier League (3:00pm)

Whilst not as much of a showstopper as some of the other Premier League fixtures being played across the festive break, Sheffield United vs Luton Town is the very definition of a relegation-six-pointer. Both sides in desperate need of a win and the safety of 17^th place still very much within touching distance, this is guaranteed to be a highly competitive fixture.

Wednesday 27^th December

Everton vs Manchester City – English Premier League (8:15pm)

With Everton playing some of their best football in the wake of their point dedication earlier this season and Manchester City looking to climb back up the table after being pushed lower into the top four by Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool; this promises to be high-quality match-up between two sides who each have a point to prove.

Thursday 28^th December

Arsenal vs West Ham – English Premier League (8:15pm)

One of the more bitter London Rivalries, Arsenal vs West Ham is usually competitive, aggressive and unpredictable. Both sides have improved greatly in recent years and their latest face-off will see a large number of top-quality players go head-to-head. Arsenal will be looking for a win to push toward the top of the table while West Ham are still in the mix for European football.

Friday 29^th December

Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings – National Hockey League (3:00am)

Two of the best sides in the NHL go head-to-head on the 29^th of December. The Golden Knights are still ahead at the top of the table but having played several more games than the Kings, this is a major opportunity for the Los Angeles side to close the gap. While it’s still early in the season, a win from either side may be enough to give them a prime position for the Pacific Division championship.

United Cup – Tennis Competition (10:00am – Ongoing)

The United Cup hosted in Perth and Sydney, Australia will be held across several weeks starting on the 29^th until the 7^th of January. International teams will face each other in a group stage followed by the traditional knockouts. There is an abundance of talent from various countries taking part in this year’s tournament and competition is expected to be at an all-time high.

Sunday 31^st December

Brisbane International – Tennis ATP Tour (9:30am – Ongoing)

The first Tennis ATP tour of 2024 will commence on the 31^st of December and run until the 7^th of January – the day on which finals for the men’s singles, women’s singles, and men’s doubles will be held. Group stages will take place daily for the duration of the tournament. The full schedule is available on the WheresTheMatch ATP World Tour page.

Monday 1^st of January

Liverpool vs Newcastle – English Premier League (8:00pm)

The last piece of the festive footballing calendar before we see normal schedules resume will see Newcastle visit Anfield on New Years Day. Liverpool will be looking to consolidate their position toward the top of the table whilst Newcastle will need a positive result to fuel their push into the top four for a spot playing European football next season.

We’re looking forward to a packed festive season with some exciting upcoming sporting fixtures. Want to see what’s on outside of our picks? View our live sport on tv guide for a broader look at all of the events taking place over the next few days, weeks and months.