Johannesburg, 22 December 2025: ESPN Africa is gearing up for a high-energy festive season, and fans are in for a heart-pounding bumper lineup of live sport in the Christmas week. From headline basketball fixtures to the drama of college football bowl games and a great day of Boxing Day football, viewers across Africa can settle in for a lively holiday viewing experience on ESPN (DStv 218, StarSat 248) and on ESPN2 (DStv 219, StarSat 249).

Christmas Eve Warm-Up

• The celebrations start early on Wednesday, 24 December, when the NHL hits the ice at 02:00 (CAT) with the Hurricanes meeting the Panthers in a regular-season clash on ESPN.
• The action continues at 04:00 on ESPN2 with the Frisco Bowl, bringing college football fans a spirited postseason showdown.

Christmas Day Showdowns

Christmas Day keeps the momentum going with pulse-racing sporting action on screen.

• The Hawaii Bowl kicks off at 03:00 on ESPN2, adding a dose of late-night gridiron.
• From 19:00, the spotlight moves to the NBA on ESPN as the New York Knicks face the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• This game will be followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder going up against the San Antonio Spurs at 21:30.
• The evening rounds off with the Golden State Warriors against the Dallas Mavericks at 24:00, giving basketball fans a thrilling run of back-to-back matchups.

Boxing Day Action Across Courts and Pitches

• Friday 26 December offers a packed schedule when the NBA ignites the action at 03:00 with the LA Lakers against the Houston Rockets on ESPN
• The thrills continue at 05:30, when the Denver Nuggets will be taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
• NFL fans can tune in at 03:15 on ESPN2 for the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Denver Broncos in Week 17.
• The afternoon moves into EFL fixtures on ESPN with Birmingham City against Derby County at 14:30, then Middlesbrough versus Blackburn Rovers at 17:00.
• At 19:30, the Saudi Pro League features Al Hilal against Al Khaleej
• The evening closes with the Sports Bowl at 20:00 on ESPN2.
• The ESPN linear channels are also available on Disney+ in South Africa

The ESPN linear channels are also available on Disney+ in South Africa. For updates regarding ESPN Africa Boxing and other sports, fans can connect to @ESPNAfrica on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit espn.com. 

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*Currency in South African Rands (ZAR)