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.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2021 
