Arguably one of the most exciting years in sports in a long time, 2023 was packed with heart-jumping action and adrenaline. LeBron rose to become the all-time leading scorer in the NBA, surpassing Kareem. Victor Wembanyama, hailed as the best NBA prospect since LeBron burst into the scene. The Spain women’s football team won their first FIFA World Cup title and Coco Gauff made history as the youngest player since Serena to win the US Open. 2024 promises to be an even better year for sports. Below, we look at some of the most anticipated sports events of the year.
When: 13 January to 11 February
The biggest football tournament in the African continent kicked off the year in high gear, launching on 13 January. This most-anticipated event kicked off a flurry of fan activity and betting on sites like Betway as Africans flocked to Ivory Coast – physically and virtually – to see Africa’s giants battle it out on the field. Already in its second week, AFCON 2023 boasts some of the biggest African names in football today, including Mo Salah, Achraf Hakimi, André Onana, Sadio Mané, and Victor Osimhen.
When: 14 January to 8 January
Tennis this year will move to Melbourne as world star Novak Djokovic seeks to win his 25th grand slam title. If achieved, this feat will see Djokovic surpass Margaret Court as the most successful tennis player. The women’s matches will see Aryna Sabalenka try to defend her title.
When: 2 February to 16 March, 23 March to 27 April
Coming four months after the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations will see the best of the best in rugby in the northern hemisphere gather in Europe. Ireland and France will open the tournament in Marseille as England, who are missing their captain, face Italy in Rome on 3rd.
When: 11 February
America’s biggest football event is scheduled for 11 February. The 58th edition will be held in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. All eyes will be on the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be looking to defend their title. Outside of football, another widely anticipated event will be the halftime show led this year by Usher.
When: 2 March to 8 December
This season of the F1 competitions will feature some changes. This year, racers and fans can look forward to a record 23 races – the most possible for a reason. The opening races will be held in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on back-to-back Saturdays – another change. Additionally, there will be six sprint races held in Qatar, Brazil, Austin, Austria, Miami, and China.
When: 25 May/1 June
The Champions League will see top European teams battle it out for the Champions League Title mid-year. The women's final is scheduled for 25 May, with the men's coming about a week later. In the former, the contenders will meet at the San Mamés stadium for the final showdown. Meanwhile, Man City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich will head for a chance at the title.
When: 26 July to 11 August
The 2024 Olympics will be the first edition to be held in Europe since 2012 when London played host to the world's biggest sporting event. Paris is already set for a great year, with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place on the Seine. This year's Olympics will also feature four new games: skateboarding, breakdancing, sport climbing, and surfing.
There is so much to look forward to in the world of sports this year. 2024 is a year that includes many sports events including, two cricket World Cups, a European Championship, the Olympics, the Paralympics, and the ultimate battle for UFC supremacy. If you are a sports fan, start marking your calendar for an action-packed year and stay connected to sports betting platforms like Betway so you never miss a match.
