Top UK sporting events to look forward to this year
This post is a collaboration with Keith Prowse
In any given year, we are spoilt for choice with all the sporting events going on in London and the UK. This year, as restrictions lift, we have an almost full calendar again, albeit slightly adjusted for crowd sizes. Let’s start with “The English Season”, which includes all the top social events of the summer in England and are the most coveted tickets. Not all of these are sports events and thankfully, it is possible to buy tickets for most of them.
There are so many fun sporting events to look forward to. Here are some that I am really looking forward to.
Favourite UK Sporting Events in 2022
Rugby Six Nations
When: 5 February to 19 March 022
Where : Stadiums around Europe
At this year’s Six Nations 2022 tournament, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy will be facing each other on the pitch over five weeks, starting from 5 February. Wales, the defending champions will be playing Ireland in the first match at Murrayfield. Each country will play each other one time over five rounds.
I might not be the obvious rugby fan but I am. It all started when the English rugby team used to train in my gym in the city. My brother in law was glued to the tele every time a big rugby match is on, and that means most weekends. When I was working in Hong Kong, Rugby Sevens was a regular fixture in the expat social calendar.
The All England Tennis at Wimbledon
When: 27 June – July 2022
Where: All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London SW19, England
Top of the list is for me is tennis, specifically Wimbledon. I am a massive tennis fan and for many years, I will be glued to the TV watching tennis for the fortnight that it is on. There is something about those vibrant green grass courts that signal Summertime for me.
If I don’t manage to get tickets through my tennis club ballot, I am quite happy to queue for a ground ticket. Learn all about the history or Wimbledon and this year’s fixtures here.
cinch Championships at Queens Club
When:13 – 19 June 2022
Where: Queen’s Club, London
I should have listed this first as it is the big warm up tournament for the grass-court season in the UK. Held at the Queen’s Club in West London, it is a much smaller tournament than Wimbledon but it is possible to get tickets.
For tennis fans, this is a great one to watch live as you get to see all the top tennis professionals play in a very intimate stadium. If you know any Queens Club members, get them to take you in as their guest so that you don’t have to scramble for tickets.
Royal Ascot
When: 14 June to 18 June 2022
Where: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Surrey
Horse racing at Royal Ascot is one of the most popular of the Season, especially ladies day. The tabloids love the spectacle of ladies dressed up in their finest summer outfits and outlandish hats. Horse racing is a sport that our family enjoyed when we had a part share of a racehorse. Some of my friends are in syndicates, have a stud farm and know a few of the big trainers. #This means, going racing with them is great as we get great tips.
Ascot is a lovely summer event to attend as there is so much to enjoy. It is a great occasion to dress up and you might even get a glimpse of the Queen. If you are not a fan of the actual horse racing, you can book in for a fab meal. Every year, they outdo themselves by inviting some of the UK’s top chefs to design the menus. In previous years, they have featured Raymond Blanc, Ollie Dabous and Tom Booton (the very talented young head chef of the Dorchester Grill).
Golf – The Open at St Andrews
When: 10-17 July 2022
Where: Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland
If you are a golf fan, one of the most important in the professional golf tour is the Open Championship, which is being played at the home of golf this year, St Andrews in Scotland. This links course is the mecca for golfers everywhere. To get a tee time to play on the famous old course is notoriously difficult. But second best is to watch the top professional golfers in the world play here.
This year is also the 150th anniversary of the Open Championship and my golf pro brother will be attending with his teenage protegee who is playing in the Junior Open. If I can find accommodation, I’ll be joining them in Scotland this summer.
You can get all the details from their website.
Henley Royal Regatta
When: 28 June – 3 July 2022
Where: River Thames, Henley, Oxfordshire
The Henley Royal Regatta is one of the most unusual and fun days out in the summer and is the highlight of the summer social calendar. The regatta is the most famous rowing event in the world, held over 5 days in midsummer with thousands of spectators. It’s all about stripey blazers, straw boaters, strawberries and champagne. You can watch the races from anywhere along the mile-long course but getting a ticket to the enclosures is where you will have the best vantage point and have the most fun.
After the regatta week, the enclosure is used to host the Henley Festival, which is one not ot miss. The dress code is evening dress and lots of people bring picnics to enjoy on the lawns lining the river, and enjoy the various forms of music and entertainment in the tents.