The end of the year is typically ripe with sports, as most of the popular leagues, tournaments, and competitions start to slow down before they go on a break before the holidays. However, some of the major ones are at their very best around Christmas and New Year, resulting in what is one of the best times of year to be a sports fan. Two big examples that immediately come to mind are the NBA Christmas games and the Premier League Boxing Day matches. But these are just two of the options for fans looking to wager on their favorite teams in late December.
In this guide, we talk about some of the best chances for sports betting that remain in 2025. Soon, the New Year will be here, and all of the sports will enter a very busy January. With 2026 just around the corner, here is a list of what all fans should pay attention to, regardless of whether or not that particular sport or league is their go-to. Of course, you will need the right platform to do this, so make sure to pick only the best bookmakers for sports where you can find the latest odds and all the betting markets.
NBA Christmas Day Games
The NBA’s Christmas Day slate is one of the most bettor friendly days on the basketball calendar because it consistently features elite teams, star players, and playoff caliber matchups. On top of it all, the games do not run simultaneously but in succession, meaning you get to watch all of them! Oddsmakers post early lines due to the fixed nature of the schedule, which creates opportunities for bettors who closely track rest advantages, recent form, and coaching tendencies. Because these games are standalone events with maximum public attention, popular teams and superstar players often attract heavy public money that can slightly skew spreads and totals.
Another appealing angle of NBA Christmas games is the variety of markets available beyond traditional sides and totals. Player performance props, first quarter outcomes, and alternate lines often present value when teams with contrasting styles clash. Since rotations are usually tighter and stars log heavy minutes on this stage, bettors who understand usage rates and matchup history can find edges that are harder to locate during a typical regular season slate. All in all, it is the perfect chance for the diehard, in depth enthusiasts to showcase their knowledge.
The 2025 slate features five high profile games that are already generating considerable buzz among bettors and fans alike. The schedule includes the Cleveland Cavaliers at the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets. These games are set to run across national television platforms and offer multiple angles for season long narratives and betting interest. They are also playoff level, highly competitive matchups between teams with historical rivalries.
The NBA carefully picks the games with the most interesting narratives, like highly anticipated star matchups, previous finals matchups, and expected late stage playoff meetings. Everywhere you look, it is star studded rosters and potential contenders facing off. Wemby vs SGA, Brunson and KAT vs Spida Mitchell, Cooper Flagg and AD vs Steph and Jimmy, Durant and Sengun vs LeBron and Luka, Ant vs Jokic…it is going to be a doozy!
Premier League Boxing Day Matches
Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League offer a unique betting environment driven by congestion, fatigue, and squad depth. Teams are often playing their third match in a short span, which can heavily influence performance, especially for clubs balancing domestic and European commitments, with the domestic cup also on the way. Bettors who follow rotation patterns and injury reports closely can take advantage of situations where the market underestimates the impact of tired legs or heavily rotated lineups.
Another factor that makes Boxing Day appealing is the historical unpredictability of results. Home field advantage can be amplified by festive crowds, while weather conditions sometimes favor physically defensive, solid teams over technical sides. This combination opens value in underdog prices, draw markets, and goal related bets, particularly when public sentiment leans too heavily on league position alone. This season’s Premier League Boxing Day landscape is unique. Due to scheduling pressures from expanded European competitions, there will be only one match on December 26, i.e., Manchester United hosting Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Traditionally, a full round of fixtures, this pared down approach isolates this clash as the marquee festive fixture of the English season. Manchester United and Newcastle are both clubs with high stakes in the league table at this stage of the campaign. United’s pursuit of a top four finish and Newcastle’s consolidation in European qualification spots make this match pivotal for momentum heading into the busy second half of the season. However, the rest of the teams play on December 27, and there are some key matchups, like Chelsea vs Aston Villa, Nottm Forest vs Man City, West Ham vs Fulham, and Liverpool vs Wolves.
NFL Weeks 16, 17, and 18
While the NFL postseason, culminating in the Super Bowl in February, remains one of the most heavily analyzed betting periods in sports, there are still games left to be played before then. The final three regular season game days, weeks 16, 17, and 18, will be played from December 21 to January 4, thereby perfectly synching with the Holiday Season. A lot is at stake as the teams try to clinch their playoff spots and secure the best seeding. So, who plays who, and what can the fans expect in American football?
As the 2025 NFL regular season unfolds toward its climax, certain teams are emerging as important betting considerations for postseason success. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are scheduled for a Christmas Day game that has been highlighted as a marquee matchup. Added entertainment, such as a high profile halftime show reflect the growing cultural prominence of NFL holiday broadcasts. Additionally, games like Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos complete a triple header that day, offering bettors early clues about playoff seeding and momentum and giving the fans an opportunity to watch some of the better teams going at it on a special day.
