London has gained a well-earned reputation for being one of the world’s best cities for watching top-class sporting action.
That point is evidenced by the number of overseas visitors who visit England’s capital city when major sports events are staged.
For many Australian sports fans, London is a ‘bucket-list’ destination – the one they are most keen to visit at least once in their life.
With that in mind, we look at some of the top sports events scheduled to take place in London over the next year, starting with a showcase of American Football.
NFL International Series – October 1-15
London has become a permanent fixture on the NFL schedule, with the city hosting a handful of regular season games each year.
Wembley Stadium will be packed to the rafters when the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars battle for supremacy on October 1.
The Jaguars are back in action seven days later at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a tough test against the Buffalo Bills.
Fans will flock to the same venue again on October 15 as the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans strut their stuff at the Premier League stadium.
World Darts Championship – December 15, 2023 – January 3, 2024
The World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace in London is not only a major sports occasion, but also one of the biggest betting events of the year.
Australian fans at the prestigious event may feel this year’s tournament will produce the first-ever winner from Down Under.
Perth-born darter Damon Heta has been climbing the world rankings and is currently on course to grab a place in the top 10.
The 2022 World Cup-winner will be a popular each-way pick with Australian punters on top betting sites to claim the first major title of his career.
Kempton Christmas Festival – December 26-27, 2023
If you are an Australian sports fan heading to London for the festive period, the Kempton Christmas Festival is another event well worth checking out.
The two-day meeting is headlined by the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day – a three-mile steeplechase that attracts at ton of interest on online sportsbooks.
With Victoria the only jurisdiction in Australia that now holds jumps racing events, a visit to Kempton is the ideal opportunity to witness one of the most thrilling spectacles in sport.
You can add to the excitement by wagering on whichever horse trainer Paul Nicholls runs in the race. He has saddled the winner a record 13 times.
Champions League Final – June 1, 2024
The biggest club soccer competition in Europe is heading to Wembley in 2024, with Champions League final set to be staged at the iconic stadium.
Australian sports bettors will likely be wading in to back Manchester City to retain the title following their impressive success last season.
With Melbourne City under the same ownership as the Premier League club, Pep Guardiola’s side have plenty of fans in Australia.
They will be keen to see Man City claim back-to-back titles and cement their status as the most dominant club in European football.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships – July 1-14, 2024
Having produced some of the finest players ever to grace the sport, it is little wonder that tennis is one of the most popular sports in Australia.
Many fans head to London each year to watch the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, where Aussie players have had plenty of success in the past.
Nick Kyrgios was the latest Aussie to reach a men’s singles final in 2022, before slipping to a 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6 defeat against Novak Djokovic.
After suffering an injury-hit 2023 campaign, Kyrgios will be eager to put on a show for Aussie fans at next year’s Wimbledon tournament.
England vs Australia International Cricket – September 11-29
The cricket rivalry between England and Australia is one of the fiercest in world sport, regardless of which version of the game they are playing.
The recent Ashes series between the two teams highlighted that point to perfection, with the five Tests producing numerous controversies.
Next year’s T20 and one-day internationals will undoubtedly generate a ton of headlines and plenty of interest in online betting circles.
Aussie fans aiming to catch their team in action should circle September 27 in their diary, with the two sides scheduled to clash at Lord’s.
