The British sporting calendar is bursting with events throughout the year. Some require dress codes and etiquette while others are crammed with lively spectators lining riverbanks, streets and anywhere else there’s a spot to grab. 2025 is set to be a big year, as alongside established events like the Wimbledon Championships and Royal Ascot, we’ll also be welcoming elite players for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August and September.
3 – 6 July 2025
Head to the ‘Home of British Motorsport’ at Silverstone in Northamptonshire for an unrivalled weekend of high-octane fun in July. General admission ticket holders get to roam around the Formula 1 circuit, while Grandstand and Enclosure tickets offer allocated seating and giant screens.
31 January – 15 March 2025
Catch a game in London, Edinburgh or Cardiff to see three of our home nations battle it out for the Triple Crown rugby trophy. Hospitality packages are available from a range of official providers.
England, Wales and Scotland are among the teams competing in the Six Nations tournament from January to March.
Catch world-class football with Premier League games across the country from August to May. Each year, 20 teams battle it out to be named champions, including Liverpool Football Club, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. Bag yourself a ticket to see some of the world’s best footballers showing off their skills on the pitch.
30 June 2025 – 13 July 2025
Join the thousands of Brits who will be glued to the world’s oldest tennis tournament this summer. A ballot for Wimbledon tickets opens in September through the All England Lawn Tennis Championships, or if you miss out, join ‘The Queue’ on the day for a chance to grab a ticket returned by spectators leaving early.
9 – 11 April 2026
Europe’s richest racecourse, Aintree near Liverpool sees horses battle it out in this uniquely challenging 7km-long course. Experience three days of horse racing in April, including the showcase event on the Saturday during The Randox Grand National.
15 December 2024 – 3 January 2025
The world’s top players descend on Alexandra Palace in North London during the festive period, December to early January, for one of the biggest competitions in darts, often accompanied by raucous crowds donning an array of eye-catching fancy dress.
From pomp and pageantry at Royal Ascot to breath-taking speed at Silverstone and crunching tackles during the Six Nations, you can experience a taste of Britain’s sporting pedigree all year-round. It’s time to delve into our sporting season and discover the events you won’t want to miss.
An eight-time host of the Open Championship, Carnoustie is golfing royalty – but you don’t need to be a pro to play here. Choose from three splendid courses – the Championship Course, Burnside Course or Buddon Course – for the ultimate in Scottish links golf. If you’re nervous about tackling ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’, hone your technique at the cutting-edge Performance Centre.
It’s worth making a special trip to tee off at this award-winning golf club, which is located on the coast of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. With fresh sea air and the mighty mountains beyond, you’ll enjoy challenges aplenty on its 18-hole par 69 course, whose golfing history dates back to 1894. Open year-round, it hosts various tournaments and offers high-quality accommodation in The Dormy.
For style and substance, look no further than the nine-hole, par 34 course at Leeds Castle. The course dates back to the 1930s and is overlooked by the mighty castle itself – well worth a visit in its own right. If you want to brush up on your golf skills, lessons are available for adults and children.
Where rural North Yorkshire meets the sea, you’ll find peaceful Hunley Golf Club. With 27 holes and three course layouts, there are options for all levels of player. Challenge yourself on the par 72, championship-length Morgans Course – just try not to get distracted by the stunning sea views.
Tewkesbury Park combines cracking golf with historic hotel accommodation, all within easy reach of the Cotswolds. There’s even an on-site spa to soothe those muscles after a day on the green. If you’re new to the sport, tee off on the par three Acorn course, while more experienced players will love the 18-hole, par 72 Deerpark course, with the manor house as your backdrop.
Enjoy a round on the South West’s only PGA Golf Course, at the heart of the Capability Brown-designed Bowood country estate. All golfers are welcome at the 18-hole championship course, and there’s an academy course that’s perfect for newer players. Make time to visit the historic Bowood house and gardens, too.
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Mark your calendar for 13 – 20 July 2025, when the Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush. It’s the second time the Dunluce Links will hold the event, which promises nail-biting action from golf’s biggest names. Why not extend your stay and discover more of Northern Ireland’s magical Causeway Coast while you’re there? Plan your trip now!
Kent, England
A 15-time host of the Open Championship, Royal St George’s became the first club outside Scotland to host the esteemed major in 1894. Enjoy views over the Kent coast as you tackle this gently undulating course with tests aplenty.
Merseyside, England
One of England’s oldest seaside clubs dating back to 1869, Royal Liverpool boasts bucketloads of golfing heritage. While its flat fairways may not appear intimidating, this course is a true test of skill for any golfer – especially when coupled with that coastal breeze.
The Royals arrive at 2pm each day in horse-drawn carriages which follow the Straight Mile section of the course, passing all enclosures and the parade ring, before the Royal party enter their own box at the top of the Grandstand.
The Saturday, and Ladies Day on the Thursday, are the hottest tickets, so booking early through the Royal Ascot website is always a good idea. Enclosure upgrades and add-ons include access to private bars and fine-dining packages.
Dress codes differ wildly depending on which enclosure you choose. In the Royal Enclosure, men must wear a waistcoat and tie, a top hat and black shoes. Dresses worn by ladies must fall just above the knee. Hat-wearing here almost becomes its own sporting event, and has its own rules. The Grandstand has all men wearing suits, and all women in hats, while the Silver Ring is much more relaxed with no formal dress code.
Pack a picnic or enquire about a range of hospitality and fine dining options, ranging from Michelin-starred food in the Royal Enclosure to The Villiers Club - a private garden at the heart of the Village Enclosure featuring live bands, sandwiches and sweet treats.
Less than a ten-minute walk gets you from Ascot station to Royal Ascot. London Waterloo is under an hour away by train and Reading station is under 30 minutes away. By car, Ascot is within 10 miles of the M4, M3 and M25 motorways.
Grab a picnic and a Pimms and settle by the water’s edge at this pretty Thames riverside town. The Henley Royal Regatta is one of the biggest meetings in rowing, with crews from around the world competing in various Challenge Trophies in July.
Come and cheer on anyone from a guy in a gorilla suit to world-class athletes as they wind their way around England’s capital in this grueling 26.2-mile road race in April. Watch them pound past the historic Cutty Sark in Greenwich at mile six, pant past Tower Bridge at mile 12, puff their way to the London Eye and hopefully keep going on past Big Ben at mile 25, before the London Marathon finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
Watch the competitive annual boat race along a four-mile stretch of the River Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities in a sporting institution that dates all the way back to 1829. Taking place at the end of March, drink in the views from a Riverside pub or find a spot along the West London tow paths and cheer on the crews.
This half marathon in North East England during September sees participants run between Newcastle-upon- Tyne and South Shields. Crammed with spectator activities, entertainment and vantage points right along its 13.1-mile route, the Tyne Bridge is a particularly popular viewing spot for the Great North Run.
