December 2025: A Month of Major Sporting Spectacles and Strategic Football Acquisitions

December 2025 is set to captivate sports enthusiasts worldwide with a packed calendar of high-profile events, ranging from continental football championships to festive holiday matchups in top-tier leagues. This month also marks a significant development in the global football landscape with a major acquisition by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), as reported by Gulf Business on December 10, 2025.

The highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 will kick off in Morocco, a historic moment as the tournament runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, according to africanews. This marks the first time the prestigious 24-nation tournament will be held over the Christmas and New Year period, a shift necessitated by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup schedule.

Meanwhile, traditional Premier League Boxing Day fixtures will see a notable change this year, with only one match scheduled for December 26, 2025. Sky News reported on October 31, 2025, that Manchester United will host Newcastle United, a departure from the usual full slate of games due to an increasingly congested European football calendar.

Basketball and American football fans can look forward to their annual holiday traditions, with the NBA unveiling five nationally televised Christmas Day games. ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed the matchups on August 8, 2025, promising a star-studded lineup across various networks and streaming platforms. The NFL is also doubling down on its Christmas Day presence, scheduling three divisional matchups to be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as detailed by Forbes on December 9, 2025.

Beyond the on-field action, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the influential owners of Paris Saint-Germain, are expanding their multi-club ownership model with the acquisition of Belgian second-tier club KAS Eupen. This strategic move was announced on December 9, 2025, by QSI, further solidifying their global footprint in football.

The acquisition of KAS Eupen from the Aspire Zone Foundation, another Qatari entity, signifies QSI's commitment to developing football assets and talent pathways. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of QSI, expressed pride in becoming the custodian of KAS Eupen, as reported by sportcal on December 9, 2025.

This expansion into the Belgian Challenger Pro League underscores QSI's vision to create a connected, high-performance ecosystem across its diverse portfolio. The immediate takeover of sporting operations, pending regulatory approvals, highlights the swift execution of this significant deal, according to Arabian Business on December 10, 2025.

• The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco marks a historic shift, taking place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This rescheduling, confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was primarily influenced by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which occupies the traditional summer slot. The tournament will be hosted across six major Moroccan cities, including Rabat and Casablanca, showcasing the nation's upgraded infrastructure.
• Premier League Boxing Day fixtures in 2025 will deviate significantly from tradition, featuring only one match: Manchester United versus Newcastle United. This decision, announced by the Premier League, is a direct consequence of the increasingly congested football calendar, particularly the expansion of European club competitions. While disappointing for some fans, the league has assured a return to a fuller schedule for Boxing Day 2026, when the date falls on a Saturday.
• The NBA continues its cherished tradition of Christmas Day games, with five marquee matchups slated for December 25, 2025. These nationally televised contests, broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and various streaming platforms, are a highlight of the regular season, featuring top teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. This annual event, dating back to 1947, consistently delivers high-stakes entertainment and significant viewership.
• The NFL is strategically expanding its presence on Christmas Day, scheduling three divisional rivalry games for December 25, 2025. These matchups, including the Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders and the Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, will be exclusively streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. This move builds on the success of previous Christmas Day games, further establishing American football as a holiday viewing staple alongside basketball.
• Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has formally announced its acquisition of KAS Eupen, a club currently competing in Belgium's Challenger Pro League. This move, reported by qsi on December 9, 2025, expands their growing multi-club portfolio, which already includes French giants Paris Saint-Germain and a minority stake in Portugal's Sporting Clube de Braga. The acquisition from Aspire Zone Foundation, Eupen's previous Qatari owner since 2012, streamlines the club into QSI's broader sports development strategy.
• The strategic rationale behind QSI's acquisition of KAS Eupen centers on strengthening its multi-club ownership model. As Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of QSI, stated, the objective is to build a modern, competitive football and business structure. QSI plans to invest in the club's youth academy, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance community engagement, leveraging Belgium's reputation as a market conducive to talent development, according to sportcal on December 9, 2025.
• This acquisition highlights a growing trend in European football where investment groups establish multi-club networks to facilitate player development, share resources, and expand commercial reach. Belgium, with its competitive league and lower entry costs compared to top-tier European leagues, has become an attractive market for such investments, as noted by SportsPro on December 10, 2025. The integration of KAS Eupen into QSI's ecosystem is expected to create new pathways for talent within the group.