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ESPN Africa serves a festive feast of live sport

22 December 2025 Content supplied Travel, Tourism, Entertainment & Lifestyle Spread 0

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 full day of Boxing Day football, viewers across Africa can settle in for a lively holiday viewing experience on ESPN (DStv 218, StarSat 248), 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 Knicks face the Cavaliers.
  • This game will be followed by Oklahoma City Thunder going up against the San Antonio Spurs at 21:30.
  • The evening rounds off with Golden State Warriors against 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 Kansas City Chiefs versus 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.