As the festive season gets underway December delivers a great mix of football, darts, snooker, cricket, racing and motorsport — perfect for pubs and bars to host sport parties, themed nights, and Christmas-season specials. With evening sessions, finals, and holiday-friendly timings, it’s the perfect time to turn your venue into a go-to hub for fans, parties and seasonal footfall. Expect plenty of chances to boost sales throughout the month.
Football Highlights: Premier League & UEFA Champions League
December keeps football fans engaged with major Premier League and Champions League fixtures. Weekend Premier League clashes, including headline matches like Tottenham vs Liverpool and Aston Villa vs Manchester United, offer pubs the perfect opportunity for pre-Christmas match nights with full screens and themed promotions. Midweek Champions League games bring continental excitement, ideal for attracting a different segment of fans and boosting weekday trade. On Boxing Day this year, Manchester United vs Newcastle United will be the only top-flight game — a great chance for pubs to stage a “big festive match” event. Both domestic and European fixtures give venues the flexibility to target football enthusiasts on almost any day of the week.
Cricket: The Ashes Return
December opens with England continuing their 2025/26 Ashes tour.
4–8 December – 2nd Test, Australia vs England, 17–21 December 2025 – 3rd Test and 26–30 December 2025 (Boxing Day) – 4th Test
While time zones may mean late nights or early mornings, dedicated cricket fans will happily fill the pub for specials like breakfast deals, late-night opening or ‘Ashes Watch Parties’. A great chance to bring in loyal, repeat-visit crowds.
Darts Takes Centre Stage: PDC World Championship
The biggest event of the month is without doubt the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship, kicking off on 11 December at Alexandra Palace. A December essential for pubs, with top names, rowdy walk-ons and guaranteed atmosphere. Expect packed evenings, perfect for darts-themed offers, fan competitions and festive drinks deals.
Snooker Highlights Across the Month
December provides several high-quality tournaments ideal for quieter evenings:
UK Championship Finals – through 7 December
The closing stages of this major event land in the first week of December, great for steady midweek trade.
Snooker Shoot Out – 10–13 December
Short, fast, single-frame matches — perfect for casual viewers and lively pub atmospheres.
Scottish Open – 15–21 December
A full ranking event offering plenty of weekday coverage to fill screens and keep guests lingering longer.
Racing & F1 Fixtures
5–6 December – Sandown Park (Tingle Creek Festival)
A popular weekend for racing fans, ideal for lunchtime deals and early-afternoon screening promotions.
Across the month, festive race cards and jump-season fixtures give pubs additional opportunities to programme relaxed afternoon sports sessions during busy Christmas trading.
5–7 December – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The season-ending F1 race provides a dramatic close to the year — perfect for Sunday viewing, special bundles, or motorsport-themed cocktails to draw fans into the venue.
All-Month Opportunities
- The PDC World Championship serves as the month’s major attention-grabber, offering almost nightly entertainment.
- Snooker provides consistent midweek viewing for quieter nights.
- The Ashes offer a strong early-month hook with passionate national-team interest.
- Racing and F1 fill weekend gaps and afternoon windows.
- Premier League and Champions League fixtures provide key nights to drive footfall and themed promotions.
Why This Works
December’s blend of festive energy and packed sporting action gives pubs a powerful formula for success. Fans are looking for places to stay warm, socialise, and enjoy seasonal drinks — and live sport adds the perfect spark. With clever promotions, themed nights and a strong screen schedule, pubs and bars can maintain lively atmospheres throughout the holiday period, ensuring strong takings right up to New Year’s Eve.