6 fantastic British sporting events you don’t want to miss this summer

6 fantastic British sporting events you don’t want to miss this summer

After the past two years of disruptions and delays, the British sport calendar is back to usual in 2022, packed with unmissable events throughout the summer months.

From football and cricket to motor racing, here are six of the biggest British sporting events that you’ll want to keep an eye on this summer.

1. Wimbledon

When: Monday 27 June to Sunday 10 July

Where: Wimbledon, London

The greatest grass-court tennis competition in the world, Wimbledon has been a fixture in the British sporting calendar since 1877.

While the balloted tickets sold out some time ago, there will be plenty of ground and day tickets available for anyone wanting to join the queues snaking through SW19.

As the greats of men’s tennis age, is this the final year for a Djokovic or Nadal victory, or will one of the next generation of talents finally step up?

And, after five different winners in the last five tournaments, the women’s singles is as open as it has ever been, especially considering the unexpected retirement of reigning champion Ash Barty earlier this year.

From a British perspective, all eyes will be on US Open champion, Emma Raducanu – injury permitting.

The 19-year-old reached the last 16 at Wimbledon last year before being forced to retire, and while her form has not been terrific since her unexpected US Open win, the surface will suit her game. With a passionate home crowd behind her, the rising star could go far.

2. The British Grand Prix

When: Sunday 3 July

Where: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester  

A fixture in the Formula One calendar since 1950, more than 140,000 spectators will pack into the Northamptonshire circuit in the first weekend of July for this year’s British Grand Prix.

Chances of a home victory look longer than they have in years. Despite winning the race eight times – and seven out of the last eight years – Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult 2022 season, finishing no higher than third by the time of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.

The Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez lead the drivers’ championship – but watch out for the British pair of George Russell and Lando Norris, who have both secured podium finishes more recently than Hamilton.

3. Women’s Euros

When: Wednesday 6 July to Sunday 31 July

Where: Across the UK

Having been postponed for a year, the UEFA European Women’s Football Championship takes place across England this July. Towns and cities including Rotherham, Milton Keynes, Brighton, and Southampton will welcome Europe’s 16 best international sides.

There are high hopes that the hosts could win the tournament for the first time, and the Lionesses match against first-time qualifiers, Northern Ireland, in Southampton on 15 July will be a highlight.

While Spain, France, and Germany are the most likely winners, England will be hoping to go one better than their male counterparts and win the final at Wembley on 31 July.

4. The Open

When: Thursday 14 July to Sunday 17 July

Where: Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland

Where better to host the 150th Open championship than at the spiritual home of golf, the Old Course at St Andrews?

156 of the world’s best players will head to the east coast of Fife hoping to emulate Zach Johnson, the last winner over the Old Course back in 2015.

After his positive performance at the US PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy is among the favourites and would be a popular winner. Or, could Tiger Woods roll back the years and follow up his 2004 win at St Andrews with another victory?

5, The Hundred

When: Wednesday 3 August to Saturday 3 September

Where: Across the UK

Did England really need yet another new cricket format? That was the question posed before the first season of The Hundred last year. However, audiences quickly took the short-form game to their hearts and more than 500,000 people packed into grounds across the country for last year’s tournament.

Eight city-based teams will again compete for both men’s and women’s titles, with matches often played back-to-back on the same day.

Southern-based sides dominated the first season, with Oval Invincibles winning the women’s title and Southern Brave victorious in the men’s tournament – so can Trent Rockets or Birmingham Phoenix take the trophies back to the midlands this year?

6. The Commonwealth Games

When: Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August

Where: Birmingham

For the first time since 2002 the Commonwealth Games comes to England as athletes from around the world land in the West Midlands to participate in 283 events across two weeks.

Spectators will be able to see action across the region, from athletics at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham to bowls in Leamington Spa and table tennis at the NEC.

Athletes from 72 nations will take part, with Australia and the hosts likely to be battling for supremacy at the top of the medals table.