While the name may suggest a day of prizefights, the sporting tradition of ‘Boxing Day’ has everything to do with history and nothing to do with gloves.
In the UK and Commonwealth countries, December 26 is one of the most anticipated dates on the athletics calendar, with a packed schedule of Premier League football, cricket’s iconic Melbourne Test and high-stakes horse racing.
The Origin of the Term ‘Boxing Day’
The term ‘Boxing Day’ dates back to Victorian England. Historically, it was the day when servants and tradesmen – who had worked on Christmas Day to serve the wealthy – were given the day off. They would receive ‘Christmas hampers’ from their employers containing gifts, bonuses and leftover food to take home to their families.
A secondary theory points to ‘alms boxes’ being placed in churches. During the Advent season, parishioners placed donations in these boxes, which were then opened and distributed to the poor on December 26, the feast day of St. Stephen.
From charity to kick-offs
The transition from a day of charity to a day of sport began at the end of the 19th century. When the Industrial Revolution standardized the working week, Boxing Day became a public holiday in Britain in 1871. With a guaranteed day off, the working class flocked to outdoor activities.
Local football derbies became a staple of the holidays because they required minimal travel for fans and players at a time when transportation was limited. The tradition was so strong that teams often played back-to-back games on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day until the 1950s.
A global tradition
Today, the ‘Boxing Day’ label has become a leading brand in the sports world:
Football: The very first inter-club football match took place on December 26, 1860 between Sheffield FC and Hallam FC. In 1888, the Football League had established the date as the cornerstone of the season.
Cricket: In the Southern Hemisphere, the ‘Boxing Day Test’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has become a global phenomenon since its permanent establishment in 1950.
Horse racing: The King George VI Chase at Kempton Park remains one of the most prestigious events in racing, attracting huge crowds every year.
Today, while the physical ‘boxes’ of the Victorian era have faded, the name survives through these high-energy fixtures. For millions of fans, the day has evolved from a gesture of service to a celebration of community.
Published on December 25, 2025
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