Why is Serie A playing on Boxing Day, have they done it before and which other leagues are in action?

SERIE A is breaking new ground this year with fans in Italy able to enjoy Boxing Day football.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus will be in action as well as both Milan clubs, with a full festive programme ahead.

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Why is Serie A playing on Boxing Day?

Serie A is playing on Boxing Day for the first time after league chiefs witnessed the boost in attendances in the UK during festive football and decided to follow suit.

A successful pilot was held in Serie B last year and now the top flight has decided to follow suit.

Serie A extraordinary commissioner Giovanni Malago said: "We are convinced that this solution will produce great results."

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Which other leagues play on Boxing Day?

There will be a full Boxing Day programme in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, in addition to Italy.

The only other top tier league in Europe to currently have Boxing Day football is the Belgian First Division A.

Adelaide United will play the West Sydney Wanderers in Australia's only Boxing Day fixture.

Boxing Day Serie A fixtures

All fixtures listed in UK time (GMT):

Frosinone vs AC Milan (11.30am)

Atalanta vs Juventus (2pm)

Bologna vs Lazio (2pm)

Cagliari vs Genoa (2pm)

Fiorentina vs Parma (2pm)

Sampdoria vs Chievo (2pm)

Roma vs Sassuolo (5pm)

SPAL vs Udinese (5pm)

Torino vs Empoli (5pm)

Inter vs Napoli (7.30pm)