Christmas comes early as the festive period kicks off this weekend with 192 Sky Bet Football League fixtures
SKY SPORTS Football League expert Ian Holloway today called for fans around the country to get behind their local clubs this Christmas (watch the video here), as The Football League begin preparations for the start of the festive period where a massive 192 Football League games will be played.Over 2 million fans are expected to attend Football League fixtures between the 11th December and the 2nd January, with many heading home to re-unite with friends, family and their local football clubs. Those that do will have the opportunity to take in the magic of Christmas in the stands with over 17,000 hours of football set to light up the festive period.
Fans can find out when their local clubs are playing and purchase tickets by visiting www.comehomeforfootball.com, making it easier than ever for supporters to be in the thick of the action during what is traditionally one of the most exciting periods of the season.
Supporters that head to www.comehomeforfootball.com will also have the chance to win a pair of tickets to their club’s final home game of 2015 and an official Mitre Delta Hyperseam club-branded football signed by the squad. The competition is being run in association with Mitre, the Official Ball Supplier to The Football League.
Speaking about the bumper Christmas schedule, Shaun Harvey, Chief Executive of The Football League said: “Christmas and New Year has always been a special time for fans and with over 180 Football League fixtures scheduled we’re all in for another treat this season.
“Over 2 million people will experience the excitement of Football League matches first-hand over the festive period. We’re encouraging as many people as possible to come home for football and join them at a game this Christmas”.
The festivities kick off on Sky Sports, who will be showing 10 live matches from the Sky Bet Football League in 10 consecutive days this December, in what is a first for The Football League. A full list of the live games can be found here.
Starting with Nottingham Forest’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday 11th December, Sky Sports’ ‘10 in 10’ is the perfect option for those that can’t get to their local club in person across Christmas but don’t want to miss out on the fantastic entertainment on offer.
Ian Holloway, who will be a studio guest for all 10 matches on Sky Sports added: “Christmas has come early! It’s been a brilliant start to the season and what better way to celebrate the festive season than by showing ten matches in ten days from the most exciting League in football. I’m delighted that fans will get the chance to enjoy nearly two weeks of non-stop Football League action exclusively live on Sky Sports.”
The full list of matches to be shown live for 10 in 10 is:
Fri 11 Dec Wolverhampton W v Nottingham Forest 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1 & 5
Sat 12 Dec Milton Keynes Dons v Ipswich Town 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Sun 13 Dec Sheffield United v Coventry City 12.00pm, Sky Sports 2
Mon 14 Dec Blackburn Rovers v Nottingham Forest 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2
Tue 15 Dec Queens Park Rangers v Brighton & HA 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1 & 5
Wed 16 Dec Hull City v Reading 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1 & 5
Thu 17 Dec Wolverhampton W v Leeds United 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1
Fri 18 Dec Birmingham City v Cardiff City 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1
Sat 19 Dec Brighton & Hove Albion v Middlesbrough 12.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Sun 20 Dec Walsall v Port Vale 12.00pm, Sky Sports 2
Football League 10 in 10 is part of Sky Sports’ biggest ever Football League season which includes live coverage of 127 live fixtures from the Sky Bet Championship and Sky Bet Leagues 1 and 2, including the Sky Play-Off Semi-Finals and all three Finals from Wembley.