Brits watching Boxing Day game love snacking on festive leftovers & taking a break from the family, survey finds

Boxing Day football is a beloved annual tradition – but are you an expert when it comes to results from years gone by?

This tricky quiz will separate the Santa Stattos from the plain old turkeys and promises to test even the most committed footie fans.

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32 per cent of football fans will tune into women’s football this festive period[/caption]

A poll found the best things about Boxing Day football are being able to snack on festive leftovers, almost every team being in action – and having an excuse to take a break from the family.

A survey of 2,000 football fans found that many love the congested calendar around Christmas as they watch their team several times over the festive break.

23 per cent of fans were delighted at the sheer number of games while another 23 per cent were happy to say goodbye to “Christmassy TV finally”.

While 12 per cent relish watching games with the anticipation of the January transfer window about to open.

Other reasons included 14 per cent of football fans using the football as the perfect excuse to get a “break” from the family – while 9 per cent were happy to see their team get a runout.

A spokesperson for Lottoland’s Sportsbook, which commissioned the research, said: “Boxing Day is a sacred time for football fans.

“While players and managers might occasionally moan about having to miss out on the Christmas pudding with games kicking off left right and centre, fans love it.

“It’s not just the matches on the 26th, the festive period as a whole is jam-packed with games to watch, so there are plenty of opportunities to have a ‘break’ from the family as so many seem to want.”

On average, footie fans will watch five games live throughout December – one every six days – although some will sit through 10 or more.

According to the survey over a third of fans will be placing bets on matches over the festive period, with 28 per cent believing they are luckier with their wins during the Christmas period.

More than half will use the opportunity to bond with family members over matches, with 32 per cent more likely to watch games their team isn’t even playing in, just because they’re on.

For one in four, watching football on December 26th is simply more enjoyable than any other time of year, with 54 per cent saying it even makes them proud to be British.

While 59 per cent will catch a match on TV, 15 per cent will don hats and scarves to watch a game live.

Around a tenth will head to the pub, while a similar figure will settle down at a relative’s house to watch some footballing action.

However, 28 per cent admitted the prospect of their team losing could ruin the entire festive period for them.

It also emerged that 43 per cent confessed to having no sympathy at all for Premier League footballers who have to play a match on December 26th, when most of the rest of the nation has the day off.

The study carried out via OnePoll, found 34 per cent of people claim their partner knows full well not to make any social plans on Boxing Day – as it’s going to be devoted to football.

And it’s not only the men’s game captivating fans over the festive period, with 32 per cent planning on tuning into women’s football.

Lottoland’s spokesperson added: “From December 1st right through to New Year’s Day, the festive period is one of the most storied in the football calendar.

“And it’s no surprise to see that so many football fans will be betting on the action over Christmas, though the fact that nearly a third think it’s a ‘lucky’ time of year for them is interesting indeed.

“Perhaps it’s something about the magic of Christmas, but either way, here’s hoping for lots of Sportsbook wins this Boxing Day.”