Forget old movies, cold cuts and the in-laws! With plenty of NFL and NBA action – and a bit of cricket – there’s a whole feast of live sport to enjoy on Christmas Day
- Following the World Cup final, it may feel like sport has been winding down
- However, there will be plenty of action to enjoy throughout the festive period
- On top of the Boxing Day football, there’s a range of sports on Christmas Day
- There are three NFL games, five NBA fixtures and one cricket Test to be enjoyed
After the World Cup came to a dramatic end on Sunday afternoon, it may feel as if live sport has been winding down for the winter.
There’s been a drip feed of football entertainment in the past week – as the Football League gets up and running – but nothing quite like the thrills we saw in Qatar.
Football fans in the UK will be eagerly awaiting the traditionally hectic Boxing Day schedule, which features Spurs’ trip to Brentford and Arsenal’s clash with West Ham.
It feels like there’s been a lack of live sports since the World Cup came to an end on Sunday
On top of the four London club’s facing off, Boxing Day will also showcase Leicester’s clash with Newcastle, Liverpool’s journey to Aston Villa and much more.
However, if you can’t wait until then, Sportsmail has compiled a list of the best live sports being broadcast on Christmas Day – which you can use as an excuse for a break from the family!
With a range of NFL and NBA fixtures – and some late night cricket action – there’s plenty to sink your teeth into once the festivities have come to an end.
Lebron James will play in an NBA game on Christmas Day for the 17th time in his career
CRICKET
For those of you who will be up late on Christmas Day – whether that’s from clearing away the leftover turkey or secretly scoffing down some mince pies – you can treat yourself to the start of the annual Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Australia and South Africa will face off in the second Test of their series – which the hosts lead 1-0 after beating the visitors by six wickets in their recent encounter.
The coverage will start at 11:30pm on the 25th for UK fans and will run throughout the night, into the early hours. The perfect way to prepare for football the next day!
Fixtures: Australia vs South Africa (BT Sport 1)
Time: 11:30pm (UK time), 6:30pm (US time), 10:30am – 26th (AUS time)
South Africa (pictured) will face Australia in their second Test match on Christmas Day
NFL
If you weren’t aware – similarly to the UK’s tradition with a packed Boxing Day football schedule – live sports are a given on Christmas Day in America.
And from 5pm onwards on the day, fans can sit back and enjoy three back-to-back NFL fixtures that promise to be exciting affairs – such as the Green Bay Packers’ clash with the Miami Dolphins.
Even if you aren’t an NFL aficionado, you can treat yourself to a bit of Tom Brady action as his Bucaneers will be in action just after midnight on Christmas Day.
Fixtures: Packers vs Dolphins (5pm UK, 12pm USA), Broncos vs Rams (9.15pm UK, 4:15pm USA), Cardinals vs Bucaneers (1am – 26th – UK, 8pm USA)
Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be in action in the early hours of Boxing Day for UK fans
NBA
The American basketball season will take no breaks throughout the festive period and instead will see a number of stars lace up and take to the court on Christmas.
There will be five NBA games broadcast on the 25th, with big names like Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant are all likely to feature.
LA Lakers superstar Lebron James is set to play in a match on Christmas Day for the 17th time in his professional career – drawing level with Kobe Bryant’s record.
Three of the five games on offer will be aired on prime time for Europe, the Middle East and Africa – so there’s no excuse not to tune in!
Fixtures: Philadelphia vs New York (5pm UK, 12pm USA), LA Lakers vs Dallas (7.30pm UK, 2:30pm USA), Milwaukee vs Boston (10pm UK, 6pm USA), Golden State vs Memphis (1am – 26th – UK, 8pm USA), Phoenix vs Denver (3.30am – 26th – UK, 10:30pm USA)
Golden State Warrior’s star Steph Curry (above) has struggled with injuries in recent weeks
.