If you're watching the 12.30pm Leeds vs Liverpool match on Boxing Day and you want to escape the house, we've got the best sports bars to head over to.
With 90 players across the Premier League currently isolating with Covid-19 in the last week alone, the talk of Boxing Day matches have been proceeding with caution: at present, we know at least Leeds and Liverpool will be taking to the Anfield pitch on the 26th, as long as both teams have 13 fit-to-play players on the day.
Whether you're team Leeds or Liverpool or actually want to watch the Boxing Day Test Match taking place down under, there's plenty of places that will be opening their doors just 24 hours after Christmas for punters to enjoy a pre and post-match pint.
The Box
Image: The Box
The Box have locations in the city centre and Headingley, so you're never far from a cold pint of Budweiser or a bottle of wine. Across their three locations (they have a spot on Deansgate in Manchester too if you're heading that way this Christmas), you can grab 2-for-1 cocktails, a 20% student discount and a pornstar martinis, served by the stein.
You can bet your bottom dollar that Walkabout will be saying G'day this Boxing Day and serving up a feast whilst the Boxing Day matches play out. The Australian-themed sports bar boast space indoors and outdoors, as well as in their dedicated live sports areas, but booking is recommended to make sure you get a spot at the table before kickoff.
The Tap Room is the Beck & Call's dedicated sports room. Complete with pool table, darts and huge TV screens for all the live games, the popular watering hole have stated they will be showing the Leeds vs Liverpool game, as well Aston Villa vs Chelsea at 5.30pm an Brighton vs Brentford, but as the games continue to alter according to Covid-19 cases, it is likely this is subject to change.
The Greene King pub boast that they will be showing every premier league game live over the festive period, as well as games on Sky Sports and BT Sport. On Boxing Day, the pub will be open 11am - 11pm and serving food into the night until 9pm. Grab yourself a Boxing Day treat and kick back on Boar Lane.
The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you're a student looking for some Boxing Day action, you'll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop. The pub will be showing all the football over Boxing Day, including (provisionally) the Scottish Premiership, Premier League and Sky Bet Championship games.
Leeds Rhinos face Wakefield Trinity in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge, but this year, you can watch live from Headingley Stadium from kickoff at 11.30am. Leeds Rhinos have teamed up with Our League to offer Rugby League fans around the world the chance to watch the traditional Boxing Day clash for just £4.95 from anywhere in the world- a great solution if you're isolating this Christmas or don't want to head over to the pub.
If you want to get out and about on Boxing Day but can't stand the thought of being packed into a sports bar and watching match after match, the Canary bar: a new bar and kitchen made entirely out of shipping containers, are offering an ideal alternative. Get your team maters ready for their Boxing Day pub quiz at 5pm, before singing your favourite tunes at their karaoke evening. Locally brewed beers, spirits, and signature cocktails are all part of the experience here- and the management is proud of their ability to support other local businesses, whilst providing excellent hospitality. So go on, support the new kid on the block and let out the last of that Christmas cheer in good company.
A popular package holiday company has launched a new ‘Beckham Clause’ to help protect feuding families.
It's official… family fallouts are now holiday-proof, thanks to a new ‘Beckham Clause’ that’s been launched by a Manchester-based travel company On The Beach in the wake of the ongoing – and at this point, inescapable – Beckham family feud.
In case you need bringing up to speed, then allow us to (briefly) sum up the Beckham family drama for you as best as possible.
Basically, at the centre of this discourse the eldest Beckham child, Brooklyn, his wife Nicola Peltz, and primarily his mum Victoria, although as the months have gone on, it appears there’s no member of the Beckham family that isn’t somewhat involved (okay, maybe not Harper… well at least not publicly, anyway).
Image: Natalya Zaritskaya (via Unsplash)
Earlier this month, it was reported that Brooklyn had become estranged from his family, and had told his parents to contact him only through lawyers.
And then yesterday, of course, Brooklyn publicly spoke out about the accusations on his Instagram Stories for the first time ever… and all hell broke loose in the celebrity news world.
On the Beach’s new clause – officially titled the Family Fallout Refund, and already nicknamed the ‘Beckham Clause’ by bosses – aims to give holidaymakers peace of mind that no matter how messy things get at home, their getaway won’t suffer, as it applies to family holidays where one member suddenly drops out due to a feud, argument, or full-blown emotional meltdown.
Under the new policy, if a family member pulls out before departure, their share of the hotel booking will be refunded rather than leaving the rest of the group to foot the bill.
Family fallouts aren’t just limited to celebrities, every year hundreds of holiday bookings need amending due to feuds, On The Beach said, which is why it’s chosen to launch the new refund scheme.
“We love family holidays, but we’re also very aware that family fallouts cam hamper plans,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach.
“The ‘Beckham Clause’ is there for those moments when someone decides they’d rather cool off at home than by the pool.
“Our new perk means that if a family feud takes place and one person drops out, the rest of the group can still head off, relax, and enjoy the holiday they were looking forward to.”
The Family Fallout Refund is available on family holidays with five or more people, and needs to be claimed at least 60 days before departure.
It applies to new and existing bookings departing on or before 31 August 2026.
Three-acre padel court development set to move into historic Leeds landmark
Clementine Hall
Leeds-based Ollo Padel have revealed plans for a new three-acre padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse.
It seems like padel is taking over the world at the moment, and it's about to take over Leeds.
Three years after the plans were first put forward, Ollo Padel is set to bring a state-of-the-art padel and leisure centre to the outskirts of the city centre.
The Roundhouse is a Grade II listed Victorian landmark that first opened in 1847 and will be brought back to everyday use as a community-led space before the end of 2026.
Image: Supplied
The new space will feature five covered and four open courts, alongside hospitality and social spaces, retail space, fitness studios, gyms and more.
Being a Leeds-based company, Ollo Padel are working to put Leeds’ communities at the heart of the new centre, with plans for free school coaching lessons, school partnerships, inclusive programmes for women and juniors and focusing on providing a non-intimidating environment for all-ages and abilities.
The development is expected to create 14 permanent on-site roles, spanning coaching, front-of-house, hospitality and operations, with a strong commitment to local recruitment.
Image: Supplied
Will Linley, Co-Founder (Founder of Linley & Simpson) said: “These proposals focus on sensitively bringing one of Leeds’ most iconic buildings back to life — restoring the Roundhouse and creating a place people can enjoy, feel proud of and use as part of everyday city life.
“Padel is a brilliant way to bring people together. We’re designing Ollo around the social side of the sport — creating a place that supports both physical and mental wellbeing through movement, play and connection”
Luke Gidney, Founder, Ollo Padel said: “We are so excited about the opportunity to create this centre for Leeds. We’re still at an early stage, and that really matters to us, because it means local residents, businesses and community groups can help shape the plans. We want to listen, learn and make sure the Roundhouse works day to day for the people around it.”
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2021 
