Sporting highlights

Royal Ascot, Berkshire, England 
17 to 21 June 2025 

Royal Ascot blends top-class horse racing with a display of tradition and elegance, making it a key part of Britain’s social calendar. Held over five days at Ascot Racecourse, the event is widely regarded as the pinnacle of British flat racing and regularly welcomes some of the finest racehorses from around the world. Your clients can experience the glamour of Ladies Day, renowned for its spectacular hats and fashion statements, and pick from a range of viewing areas, known as Enclosures. 

Getting there: Direct trains run regularly from London Waterloo Station to Ascot Station, with a journey time of around 55 minutes. During Royal Ascot week, extra trains and services are often added to accommodate the influx of visitors. London is served by several major airports, offering a range of options for international travellers, including London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport and London Stansted Airport. 

The Championships, Wimbledon, England 

30 June 2025 to 13 July 2025 

The Championships remains the crown jewel of the tennis calendar, held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. Steeped in tradition, Wimbledon is famed for its grass courts, white dress code, and the ritual of strawberries and cream – around 200,000 portions are devoured each tournament. Taking place each summer, the event draws global fans to witness two weeks of nail-biting action. The demand for tickets is extremely high and those unsuccessful in the Wimbledon Public Ballot (now closed for 2025) can try to obtain tickets on the day. Each day a queue forms to buy either one of the limited Show Court tickets available, or a Grounds ticket. Tickets are sold on a best available, one per person queuing basis and are non-transferable.  

Getting there: London is served by several major airports, offering a range of options for international and domestic travellers, including London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport and London Stansted Airport. Wimbledon is a short train or London Underground-ride from the centre of the capital.  

Henley Royal Regatta, Henley-on-Thames, England 

1 to 6 July 2025 

The Henley Royal Regatta is a quintessentially British sporting event held annually along the picturesque banks of the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames. Established in 1839, this prestigious rowing competition attracts teams from around the world, competing in a series of compelling races over a 1,640-metre course. The regatta is renowned for its elegant social scene, with spectators enjoying picnics along the riverside. Clients can also indulge in fine dining and live music as the boats glide past. 

Getting there: Henley-on-Thames station is located around 10-15 minutes’ walk from the regatta course. From London Paddington, clients can take a train to Twyford (about 30 minutes) and change onto a local service to Henley-on-Thames (about 10 minutes). London Heathrow Airport is a 45-minute drive from Henley-on-Thames. 

British Grand Prix, Northamptonshire, England 

3 to 6 July 2025 

Get swept away by the roar of the engines and the cheers of the crowd at The British Grand Prix, a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar held annually at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire. This thrilling event attracts motorsport fans from around the world, as the fastest cars and most talented drivers compete on one of the most iconic tracks. The event offers an electrifying atmosphere, complete with entertainment, fan zones, and the opportunity to experience the latest F1 technology. 

Getting there: The nearest train station to Silverstone is Northampton, around 13 miles (21 km) away. From there, clients can take a taxi or bus to the circuit. The journey by taxi takes around 20 minutes. Train services from London Euston to Northampton operate frequently, with travel times of around one hour. 

Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex, England 

10 to 13 July 2025 

Taking place at the historic Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, this annual motor sporting festival features an array of historic and modern motor racing vehicles. Your clients can take in various races and thrilling hill climbs, with additional air displays, live demonstrations and an incredible display of classic cars. Known for attracting top drivers and iconic vehicles from Formula 1 to rally racing, the event offers a unique blend of speed and heritage with a lively festival atmosphere. 

Getting there: Chichester is the nearest train station to the Goodwood Estate, approximately 3 miles (5 km) away. From London Victoria, trains to Chichester take from one hour and 30 minutes. Once at Chichester station, clients can take a taxi or event shuttle bus to Goodwood. London is served by several major airports, including London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport and London Stansted Airport. 

London Athletics Meet, London 

19 July 

The London Athletics Meet, a highlight of the 2025 athletics season, is set to take place at the London Stadium on 19 July. This prestigious event will feature world-class athletes competing in a full programme of track and field events, attracting global stars just weeks ahead of major international championships. 

Getting there: Gates open at 12pm, with the first race beginning at 1pm. The London Stadium is well connected by public transport, including the London Underground and overground services.  London is served by several major airports, including London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport and London Stansted Airport. 

Premier League, various locations, England 

From 16 August 2025 

The Premier League season 2025/26 kicks off in August, offering the chance to experience the excitement of English football at some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, including Old Trafford, Anfield, and Stamford Bridge. For those not visiting on match days, a variety of stadium tours and football experiences are also available, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the history, players and inner workings of their favourite clubs. Walk in the footsteps of football legends on a tour of Old Trafford or The Etihad in Manchester. Or take your football adventure to new heights with the Dare Skywalk – scale Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, brave the glass walkway, and soak in an epic London view. Liverpool fans can also experience Anfield Stadium from a completely new perspective thanks to the Anfield Abseil – a 100ft descent down the side of the stadium. 

Women’s Rugby World Cup, various locations, England 

22 August to 27 September 2025 

In August and September 2025, England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup. With games taking place in host cities across the country, your clients can explore England while cheering on the world’s best teams. Whether visitors are catching a game by the seaside in Brighton and Hove or soaking up the culture in Bristol, or heading to Exeter and Northampton, there is plenty to discover beyond the pitch. London will also host blockbuster matches, as will Manchester, Sunderland, and York, promising a summer of sport and adventure. Booking tickets and accommodation in advance is highly recommended, as these cities will be busy with fans throughout the tournament.  

Getting there: Major cities like London, Manchester and Bristol are well served by international airports and extensive train networks, making it easy for international visitors to arrive and get around. Brighton and Hove, Exeter, York, Sunderland and Northampton are accessible by direct train services from London and other major cities. 

The Hundred, various locations, England 

5 to 31 August 2025  

The Hundred cricket tournament will return to stadiums across England and Wales in summer 2025. Launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the tournament sees eight city-based teams compete in 100-ball matches. Featuring world-class men’s and women’s players, The Hundred is designed to appeal to both die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport, with lively atmospheres, music, and family-friendly entertainment. Matches will take place across various cities and cricket grounds, including Lords and the Oval in London, the Rose Bowl in Southampton, Sofia Gardens in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Headingly in Leeds and Trent Bridge in Nottingham. 

Getting there: London is served by several major airports, including London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport and London Stansted Airport. The nearest airport to Edgbaston is Birmingham Airport while Manchester Airport provides can provide connections to Manchester and Leeds. 

Great North Run, Newcastle, England 

7 September 2025 

Taking place in Newcastle, the Great North Run is the world’s largest half marathon, drawing more than 60,000 runners from across the globe. The 13.1-mile route starts in the heart of Newcastle and finishes along the coastline in South Shields, offering spectators and participants stunning views. 

Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle International Airport, located just six miles (10 km) west of the city centre. This airport has a direct metro line into the city, which takes around 25 minutes.