As
outlined in our Six Nations guide, some tickets and packages can still
be found, namely for Wales v Italy and Wales v France (wru.co.uk/tickets);
Scotland v France (scottishrugby.org);
France v Italy (ffr.fr) and
France v England (englandrugbytravel.com);
Italy v Scotland and Italy v England (federugby.it;
englandrugbytravel.com).
For advice on the best bars and attractions in each of the host cities, see
our guide.
Read more
Six Nations rugby: a guide for travelling supporters
Dubai World Cup
March 29
The world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, takes place on March 29.
Prices for entry range from AED25 (£4.20) for general admission to AED3,750
(£625) for tickets to the first class lounge. Children under 12 may attend
for free. See www.dubaiworldcup.com.
For hotel recommendations, and information on flights, see our Dubai
guide.
One week later, attention turns to Aintree for the Grand National – see www.aintree.co.uk/pages/grand-national
for tickets and information. The Derby, meanwhile, takes place in Epsom on
June 7. See epsomdowns.co.uk/racing/investec-derby-festival
The Boat Race
April 6
The annual contest between Oxford and Cambridge attracts thousands of
revellers to the banks of the Thames, and – best of all – is free (Pimms
budget notwithstanding). The race covers a 4.2-mile stretch of river from
Putney to Mortlake. There are a number of vantage points by the water, and
big screens and entertainment at Bishop’s Park (on the north bank, near the
start) and Furnivall Gardens (on the north bank, by Hammersmith Bridge). See theboatrace.org/men/map#places-to-watch
for more information.
You can take to the streets of London again, one week later, to cheer on
runners at the 2014 London Marathon. Click
here for more information on where to watch the race.
The Masters Golf
April 10-13
A trip to the manicured fairways of Augusta is unlikely to disappoint, even if
you must put up with whooping American fans. A package with Tailormade
Luxury Golf Holidays, including flights, transfers, tickets to the final two
day’s action, and three night’s accommodation, costs from £3,795 per person.
See www.luxurygolfholiday.co.uk/greenjacketpackage.html
The Open Championships, meanwhile, takes place at the Royal Liverpool course
from July 17-20. See https://tickets.theopen.com
for tickets.
Champions League Final
May 24
This year’s Champions League final takes place in Lisbon, as enticing a
destination as any for a late spring city break. Tickets
will be made available later in the year. Click
here to read our expert guide to the Portuguese capital, including the
best hotels, restaurants, sights, bars and shops.
The FA Cup final takes place one week earlier, on May 17. See www.wembleystadium.com/Events/2014/FA-Cup-Final/17-May-2014
Heineken Cup Final
May 24
European rugby’s top club competition concludes on May 24 at the Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff. Tickets cost from £35-£75 (www.ercrugby.com/finals/index.php).
Accommodation options include St
David’s Hotel and Spa, “offering great views, knowledgeable staff,
and an excellent spa, near the shops and bars of Cardiff Bay”.
Isle of Man TT
May 24 – June 6
The finest riders will converge on this small island in the Irish Sea for what
remains one of the greatest road race festivals in the world – the 38-mile
undulating mountain course, run on regular roads, is motor racing at its
most raw and dangerous. IOM TT Breaks offers a wide variety of packages
featuring camping, hotel, and homestay accommodation, as well as flights or
ferry travel. See www.iomttbreaks.com
for information.
Monaco Grand Prix
May 25
Arguably the most glamorous sporting event of them all. The course winds
through the city’s narrow streets past the harbour, the Grand Casino and the
boutiques of Gucci and Prada. The harbour fills with yachts and Ferraris and
Aston Martins hug the kerbsides. If you can schmooze your way into one of
the car owner’s post-race parties you really have arrived. Packages can be
booked from £739 per person through Thomas
Cook Sport, or from £799 per person through Thomson
Sport.
Indy 500
May 25
The words “Gentlemen, start your engines” brings a deafening roar
from the 33 racing cars and the half a million spectators around the
concrete oval. Known as the Brickyard, the sprawling Indianapolis Motor
Speedway plays host to more than just a motor race. People camp out for
three days beforehand just to be part of the spectacle – from the pit-lane
girls to the post-race parties. Four-night packages, including flights from
Heathrow and accommodaton at the Hampton Inn hotel, costs from £1,549 per
person with Grandstand Motor Sports. See www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk/indy-500.html?view=accommodation
England v Sri Lanka, 1st Test
June 12-16
The first Test Match of the summer, at the home of cricket, one of the
highlights of Britain’s sporting season. Tickets for the first day start at
£45 per person, or £10 for under 16s. Otherwise, hang on until July 9-13 for
England’s meeting with India (Day 5 tickets still available). See tickets.lords.org
Royal Ascot
June 17-21
Britain’s most popular horse racing event still sets the benchmark – it
attracts the finest horses and jockeys, and 300,000 spectators, for five
days of champagne, tails and outlandish hats. Tickets range from £20 to £75.
See www.ascot.co.uk.
Recommended accommodation in the area includes Coworth
Park, “a very green and very spoiling hotel”, and The
Winning Post, “offering characterful public areas, well-judged
service and excellent dining”.
Wimbledon
June 23-July 6
The green grasses of SW18 offer an easy excuse for a city break in the
capital. Henman Hill has long morphed into Murray Mound and for the first
time in decades, Britain will have a defending champion to cheer on. The
ballot for tickets has now closed, so you’ll need to get up very early and
join “The Queue” on the morning of the day in question, or
purchase a package through official tour operators Sports
World or Keith
Prowse.
The US Open (August 25-September 8) offers a brasher, more boisterous
alternative. The French Open, meanwhile, takes place in Paris from
May 25-June 8
British Grand Prix
July 6
Britain’s noisiest sporting event takes place on July 6. Tickets for the race
cost from £150 per person at www.silverstone.co.uk/events/f1-young-drivers-test/?tab=book-nowtickettype=viewall;
weekend passes are also available.
Tour de France
July 5-27
The 101st edition of the Tour de France, cycling’s most famous stage race,
will see Chris Froome attempting to defend his title against the likes of
Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Joaquim Rodriguez, while fellow Briton
Mark Cavendish will be looking to dominate the sprint-friendly stages. The
race begins in Britain, with stages finishing in Harrogate, Sheffield and
London. Other inviting stages for travelling fans are stage five (across the
unpredictable cobbled terrain of Belgium), stage 18 (climbing the famous Col
du Tourmalet, in the Pyrenees, and ending on the equally tough ascent of the
Hautacam), and stage 21 (finishing, as is customary, with a sprint on the
Champs-Elysées). See www.letour.fr
for information on the race, or click here to read our guide to Paris, and
click here to read our guide to holidays in France
The race’s Italian equivalent, the Giro d’Italia, takes place between
May 9 and June 1; The Vuelta a Espana between August 23 and September
14.
FIFA World Cup
June July
England’s chances of success in Brazil look depressingly slim, but the
carnival atmosphere will offer some consolation for those that make the
trip. Thomson Sport has a “Follow England” package, featuring
tickets to all three group games in Manaus (June 15), Sao Paulo (June 19)
and Belo Horizonte (June 24). See thomsonsport.com/event/2014-fifa-world-cup-brazil
Read more
Brazil World Cup 2014: Manaus travel guide
Brazil World Cup 2014: Sao Paulo travel guide
Brazil World Cup 2014: Belo Horizonte travel guide
Singapore Grand Prix
September 21
The glamour and glitz of Monaco has been the traditional favourite, but the
night race in Singapore is the most enticing alternative as the finest
drivers hurtle around Marina Bay’s floodlit circuit at breathtaking speeds.
Packages with Thomas Cook Sport go on sale later in the year. Register your
interest at www.thomascooksport.com/Motorsports/Formula-1/Singapore-Grand-Prix
Ryder Cup
September 26-28
The biannual golfing war between Britain and the US takes place at Gleneagles
this year. Tickets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday have sold out.
Official packages including accommodation at the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor
can still be purchases, but are dear – from £2,320 per person. See www.rcts.co.uk/ticketinclusivepackages.php
Melbourne Cup
November 4
It is more than just the Australian equivalent of Ascot. Dating from 1861, it
is known as the race that stops a nation. The day is treated by the 120,000
spectators as an excuse to dress up and enjoy the social side. Those with
the gambling bug can head to the Crown casino, one of the largest in the
southern hemisphere, or ease the next day’s hangover with shopping at
Southbank or a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens. Register for
tickets at events.com.au/melbourne-cup-packages-tickets.
Click
here to read our expert guide to Melbourne.
Sporting events in 2014: a guide for travellers
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