The sporting world truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Hot on the heels of a Christmas period which saw the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, Masters Snooker, and PDC World Championships, fans barely have a chance to draw breath, with the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup already back in full swing.
Football fans in particular have been spoilt for choice over the past year, with a seemingly endless conveyor belt of action dominating the sports news headlines. However, it is not all about the global game, and thankfully 2023 looks set to add a healthy dose of diversity to the sporting schedule.
Here we take a look at five of the biggest events in the coming year, likely to have fans glued to their TV sets, and punters scouring the internet for the very best new Betting offers.
Six Nations Championship
Dates: 4th February – 18th March
As ever, one of the early highlights of the calendar year comes with the annual edition of the Six Nations Championship, which sees England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy renew rivalries once more.
France swept all before them in the 2022 edition, claiming both the Champions Trophy and Grand Slam. It is however Ireland who are favourites to win it all this time around, which is no surprise, considering the team from the Emerald Isle are currently ranked as the number one side on the planet. Scotland and Italy are the outsiders, but England and Wales may not be without hope if revitalised by recent coaching changes.
World Athletics Championships
Dates: 19th – 27th August
One year ahead of the hugely anticipated Olympic Games in Paris, the stars of track and field are granted the chance to shine on the second biggest stage that the sport has to offer. Held every two years, the latest edition of the World Athletics Championships is set to take place in Budapest, Hungary in its usual summertime slot.
A European host nation means European-friendly start times – excellent news for armchair viewers hoping to tune into the action. US sprint stars Noah Lyles and Trayvon Bromell are just two of what looks set to be a stellar cast of stars on display.
Ryder Cup
Dates: 29th September – 1st October
The golfing calendar is fuller than ever in 2023 with, not only the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, but also the new upstart of the LIV Tour providing a stream of events throughout the year. All tournaments generate plenty of excitement, particularly the four majors, but in terms of sheer drama, nothing can quite match the Ryder Cup.
It’s the USA vs Europe once again, with this year’s action taking place at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy. Having been routed by the USA at Whistling Straights in 2021, a European team – featuring World Number 1 Rory McIlroy – will be out for revenge in an event which never fails to deliver.
Rugby World Cup
Dates: 8th September – 28th October
It’s certainly a big year on the Rugby Union scene. With the appetite whetted by the Six Nations Championship and Women’s World Cup of 2022, September sees the biggest and best event in the sport get underway in France.
Ranked second in the world heading into 2023, France will be hoping to ride home advantage to success. The stats are however against both France and world number 1 side Ireland, as only one European nation has ever lifted the trophy – that honour falling to England in 2003. With all of the major southern hemisphere sides in the 20-nation field, this year’s tournament looks set to be an extremely closely fought affair, providing an autumn sporting highlight not to be missed.
Cricket World Cup
Dates: October/November Exact Dates TBC
If the all-out action and aggression of rugby union doesn’t get the juices flowing, perhaps the sound of leather on willow may be more up your street. One of the beauties of Cricket is that, due to the various game formats, we rarely have to wait too long for the next major tournament to come along.
Following England’s magical T20 World Cup success in 2022, this year sees the sport’s biggest event take place in that most cricket-loving nation of all, as India plays host to the One Day International World Cup. India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and defending champions England, are among the nations to have already booked their tickets for one of the most thrilling spectacles the sport has to offer.
Featured image credit: Pixabay
