Ireland and the UK are known as sporting hubs. Let’s take a look at the biggest events you can’t miss out on.
There are a number of sporting events that take place in the UK and Ireland each year that any sports enthusiast needs to experience at least one.
Sites like GO Sport Travel are essential for keeping up the date with the latest news, events, and more. In this article, we formulate the ultimate UK and Ireland sporting Bucket List – the ten events everyone must experience.
10. The British Grand Prix – British motor racing
Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, the British Grand Prix is a motor race that has taken place every year since 1948.
The event takes place at the Silverstone Circuit, known as the official home of British Motor Racing. To get up close and personal with the British Grand Prix is something you’ll never forget.
9. The Ashes – for the cricket fans
The Ashes is a series of Test cricket matches played between England and Australia. The event dates back to 1877, but the satirical name spawned after the ninth Test in 1882.
The name emerged after Australia’s victory that year, the country’s first Test win in England. A satirical obituary was published in The Sporting Times, saying that English cricket was dead. Since then, the event has always been one of the biggest in the UK.
8. London Marathon – a special event
The London Marathon is one of the greatest sporting events in the UK that you need to experience. This year, five million people tuned in to watch the live event, and many more from around the world caught up on it later on.
Marathons are a really special event, one that brings people from all over the world together on a united front. It’s really difficult to get signed up for the London Marathon. Over half a million people applied this year, with only 48,000 selected to take part.
7. British Open – one of the biggest sporting events of the year
Taking place in July each year, the British Open has been held on a number of coastal links golf courses in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland since 1860.
This year, the event will take place in the Royal Liverpool and the Royal Troon in 2024. The following year, it will be held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. The British Open should definitely be on your UK and Ireland sporting Bucket List.
Check out our article on 20 inside facts about up-and-coming Irish golfer Matthew McClean, who may one day light up these tournaments.
6. The Grand National – horse racing
The Grand National horse racing is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, England. The event is one that brings in bets from across the globe and certainly remains one of the biggest sporting events in the UK.
5. The Six Nations – one of the most famous rugby events
England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland participate in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament every year. Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Ireland and the UK.
The event is hosted annually by six of the participating country’s cities – England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy and Wales. Ireland are the current champions.
For more links between the countries, check out this article on Ireland vs UK comparison: which country is better to live in & visit.
4. Premier League – the biggest football event in the UK
The Premier League typically runs from August to May. Each team in the league, including the top-tier teams in English football, like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea, will play 38 games.
When the Premier League is on, you’ll find it played live in pubs, bars, and homes all over the UK and Ireland until the final.
3. All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship – Ireland’s national sport
Hurling is the national sport of Ireland, so of course, the Senior Hurling Championship is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar in the country.
Often cited as one of the fastest sports in the world, to see it unfold in real life is something truly special.
2. Wimbledon – arguably the biggest sporting event in the UK
Arguably the biggest sporting event in the UK calendar is Wimbledon. Wimbledon began back in 1877.
Every year since then, the event has taken place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.
The tournament takes place across two weeks, this year from 3 July to 16 July, and sees millions of people from around the world tune in live. If you ever get the chance to go to Wimbledon, take it.
1. All-Ireland Senior Football Championship – the GAA
By far, the biggest sporting event in Ireland is the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. Gaelic football is at the core of Irish culture, just like hurling.
As such, this inter-county competition, which began way back in 1887, sees county teams from across Ireland play against each other to declare the All-Ireland Champions.
If you find yourself in Ireland in June, this is one sporting event you can’t miss.
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