5 Unmissable Sports Events in the United Kingdom & Ireland in 2024

Sports fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland have plenty to look forward to in 2024, with the upcoming calendar packed with a host of top-class events.

With that in mind, we have scoured the schedule to come up with one sporting event in each of the five nations that you simply cannot afford to miss next year.

The Friendship Series – Northern Ireland

Ice hockey takes centre stage in Northern Ireland on the first weekend in January as the prestigious Friendship Series is staged at the SSE Arena in Belfast.

The event is the first and only NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey tournament to be held outside of the United States, and is a significant coup for the city.

Princeton University and Providence College will feature in a two-game series designed to promote education, social welfare and community integration in Northern Ireland.

The Friendship Series has its roots in the sister cities agreement between Belfast and Boston, and has always previously been well supported by ice hockey fans.

The weekend will be the third edition of the women’s college hockey event, following clashes between Clarkson and Northeastern in 2018/19 and Merrimack and Quinnipiac in 2019/20.

Premier League Darts - England

The 2024 Premier League Darts roadshow features 17 exciting events in the UK, Ireland and Europe between February 1 and May 25.

More than half of the tournament will be staged in England, with Exeter once again getting its day in the spotlight on Match Night Five.

Michael van Gerwen was the winner of this year’s event in the Devon city and will be amongst the line-up at the Westpoint Arena on February 29.

The Dutchman subsequently won the Premier League for the seventh time after defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final at the O2 Arena in London.

Price will be gunning for revenge next year, while Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries will also expect to challenge for the title.

Six Nations Championship - Wales

Rugby union fans in Wales are spoilt for choice next year, with the country set to stage several home matches in the Six Nations Championship.

Wales men’s side kick off their campaign with the visit of Scotland to the Principality Stadium on February 2 in a clash that could be a feist affair.

France visit Cardiff on March 10, while the clash against Italy six says later rounds things off for Wales in their 2024 Six Nations campaign.

Wales Women also feature on home soil at Cardiff Arms Park during their Six Nations campaign, with clashes against Scotland on March 23 and France on April 21.

They head to the Principality Stadium for their final clash against Italy on April 27.

All-Ireland Football Championship – Republic of Ireland

The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship is the premier inter-county competition in Gaelic football and generates a ton of interest in online betting circles.

The final is generally played in July at Croke Park in Dublin, with the winning team receiving the prestigious Sam Maguire Cup.

Kerry are the most successful club in the history of the tournament having lifted the trophy 38 times and are favourites in the GAA betting for the 2024 title.

Reigning champions Dublin are also prominent in the outright market, while Galway, Derry and Mayo are other teams who could challenge next season.

The event garners massive interest among Irish fans and is a must-visit occasion for anyone who loves wagering on top-class sporting action.

The Open Golf Championship - Scotland

The 152nd edition of The Open Golf Championship will be played at Royal Troon in Scotland from July 18-19.

The Open returns to the course for the tenth time following Henrik Stenson’s memorable final-round duel with Phil Mickelson before he claimed victory in 2016.

Next year’s tournament could feature Scottish golf veteran Colin Montgomerie, who is aiming to qualify for the prestigious event.

While Montgomery’s chances of winning the event in 2024 are remote, there would no more fitting way to crown his career than with an appearance at his favourite course.

Regardless of whether he secures a place in the tournament, The Open will unquestionably be one next year’s most unmissable sports events.