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Things to do | Posted 05 Mar 2020

Planning a trip to the capital in 2020? Here are the top London sporting events to keep you occupied during your visit:

 

The London Marathon 2020

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No list of sporting events in the capital would be complete without mentioning the London Marathon. Starting at Greenwich and Blackheath, runners will once again cross the Thames over the iconic Tower Bridge, all the while passing some of the world’s most famous landmarks (The Tower of London and Big Ben, to name just two of many) as they go.

In the early 80s, Olympic gold medallist Chris Brasher returned from New York with an idea. The New York Marathon had inspired him so much that he was determined to bring it back to the UK. And after months of hard work, the first London Marathon took place on the 29th March 1981 to a sea of spectators.

Every year the London Marathon attracts millions upon millions of people either running, watching on the street or watching at home, and since it began has raised over £1 billion for charity!

Need somewhere to stay during your marathon weekend? NYX London Holborn is right in the middle of the action, so it’s a great place to stagger back to after your amazing feat!


Wimbledon

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Each summer, the area of Wimbledon hosts the most renowned tennis playoffs in the world, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. Attracting around half a million spectators, including the Royal Family, Wimbledon is the longest-running tennis championships ever, and is one of four global Grand Slam tennis events.

We’ll say this now: Wimbledon tickets are like gold dust. They’re rare, but not completely impossible to get your hands on. The only way to book advance tickets to Wimbledon is by entering your details into the public ballot before crossing your fingers! Successful applicants are selected randomly by a computer and there’s no way of knowing which day or court you’ll get, so it’s wise to keep the entire fortnight free, just in case!

Leonardo Hotel London Croydon is located less than an hour away from Wimbledon by public transport, so it’s a great place to lay your head after a long day of looking right, then left, then right, then left…


UEFA Euro 2020

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When it comes to Wembley Stadium events, this one comes out on top. One of the most famous football championships in the world, the UEFA European Championship is back in 2020, beginning its month-long tour of the continent in Rome, before finishing on the 12th July at Wembley Stadium, London.

London and the Euros go hand-in-hand, and this year the UK’s capital plays host to not just the final, not even just the semi-finals, but four other matches on the 14th, 19th, 23th, and 27th of June! Much like Wimbledon, getting tickets for the Euros involves an application process and a whole lotta luck. And while the general ticket applications for Euro 2020 have no closed, you can still bag yourself tickets if you meet certain criteria.

Leonardo Hotel London Watford is less than an hour away from Wembley Stadium by train.


Formula E Championship

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The ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to London in June for the 2020 London E-Prix, its season finish. Taking place in ExCeL London, the Formula E Championship is two days of racing on a unique outdoor track.

This year, five British drivers are taking part: Sam Bird, Alexander Sims, James Calado, Oliver Rowland and Oliver Turvey, in what promises to be an electrifying weekend. But it’s not all about the race itself. The event has plenty of activities to keep families entertained over the two days, including the Ultimate Formula 1 Fan Experience.


FINA Diving World Series

Olympic fans, listen up because this one will appeal to you. The FINA Diving World Series is a key part of the qualifications for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and will see world-champion divers take to the board at the London Aquatics Centre.

After the roaring success of last year, the FINA Diving World Series will take place across the globe – with competitions in China, Russia, and Canada. The grand finale of the series will see divers go head-to-head at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Competing divers include Grace Reid, Jack Laugher, and Tom Daley. 


Major League Baseball: London Series 20

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This year, Major League Baseball comes to the capital for the second time and it promises to be an unforgettable weekend for baseball fans. 2020 sees the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs compete against each other at the prestigious London Stadium for two games only.

London Stadium’s famous pitch will be turned into a ginormous baseball field as baseball fans flock to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this coming June. Aside from world-class baseball, attendees can also enjoy a variety of live entertainment including mascot races and national anthem singing.

Oh, and don’t forget to bring your baseball glove with you. Those pesky balls have a habit of ending up in the crowd!


Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle

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To get more people on bikes rather than cars, Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle is a great opportunity to get the whole family cycling through Central London – without any traffic in sight!

The seven-mile round-route travels right through the centre of the UK’s capital, passing by many world-famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Bank of England, plus you’ll get to ride alongside the River Thames in all its pewter glory.

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