Global Sports Gear Up for Packed December

December 2025 is poised to be an exceptionally busy month for the global sports calendar, featuring a confluence of major events across football and basketball. Key highlights include the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, the English Premier League's traditional Boxing Day fixtures, and the highly anticipated NBA and NFL Christmas Day showcases, according to the provided article.

The Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, is scheduled to kick off on December 21, 2025, and conclude on January 18, 2026, as reported by wikipedia. This marks the first time the tournament will be held during the Christmas and New Year period, a shift influenced by FIFA's expanded Club World Cup in mid-2025.

However, AFCON 2025 is already facing controversy, with Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong, reportedly missing from the provisional squad list. This absence stems from ongoing allowance protests by Nigerian Super Eagles players, who boycotted training in November 2025 over unpaid dues from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), businessday reported.

Meanwhile, the Premier League's cherished Boxing Day tradition will see significant changes this year. Only one fixture, Manchester United versus Newcastle United, is slated for December 26, a departure from the usual packed schedule, according to tribuna.com.

This alteration is primarily due to increased calendar congestion, driven by expanded European club competitions and broadcast commitments, as explained by Sports Illustrated. The Premier League aims to ensure adequate recovery time for players amidst a demanding schedule.

Across the Atlantic, the NBA and NFL are set to deliver their annual Christmas Day spectacles, featuring multiple high-profile games designed to captivate a global audience. The NFL will host a tripleheader, while the NBA plans a five-game slate, according to fanduel Research and BetUS.

• The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six cities including Rabat and Casablanca, as confirmed by Visit Marrakech. Morocco was awarded hosting rights on September 27, 2023, after Guinea was stripped of the privilege due to inadequate preparations, Wikipedia noted.

• Player allowance disputes have become a recurring issue in African football, with Nigeria's Super Eagles boycotting training in November 2025 over unpaid allowances and bonuses owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), businessday reported. This situation highlights broader concerns about financial management and player welfare within continental football federations.

• The Premier League's decision to scale back its Boxing Day fixtures to just one match, Manchester United vs. Newcastle United, marks a significant break from tradition, according to tribuna.com. This change is largely influenced by the expansion of European club competitions and the need to provide players with more recovery time during an increasingly congested winter schedule.

• Fixture congestion poses substantial risks to player health and performance across various sports. Research from the University of Huddersfield indicates that packed schedules limit recovery time, increasing injury risks, fatigue, and potentially affecting mental well-being. FIFPRO reported that 54% of players experienced excessive workloads in the 2023-24 season, underscoring the severity of the issue.

• Christmas Day sports events, particularly in the NBA and NFL, hold immense cultural and commercial significance, drawing massive global viewership. The NFL's 2025 Christmas tripleheader includes marquee matchups like the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs, broadcast on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, as detailed by Forbes.

• Broadcasting rights and accessibility are also points of contention, particularly for AFCON 2025. Nigerians are protesting CAF's decision to limit free-to-air broadcasts in Africa to 32 matches, while European terrestrial stations will show all 52 games, according to thisdaylive. This disparity raises questions about equitable access to major sporting events for local fans.