2016 Sporting Events To Look Forward To.

When it comes to major sporting events, 2016 is going to be pretty spectacular. The main event is obviously the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro but there are plenty of other highlights for sports fans.  Here we’re going to take a month by month look at the biggest 2016 sporting events so you know exactly what’s on where. If you’re struggling to think beyond the winter, why not check out our must visit ski resorts?

Highlights

The undoubted 2016 sporting highlights are the Olympics and Euro 2016. Rio de Janeiro is hosting the 31^st Olympiad and are the first South American host city in history. The IOC (International Olympics Committee) have concerns over Rio’s ability to host the games and vice-president John Coates has called their preparations “the worst I’ve experienced”. 206 nations are expected to attend with over 10,500 athletes also predicted to compete.

After the success of London 2012, all eyes will firmly be on Team GB who will be hoping to improve on their 3^rd place at their home games.

Euro 2016 is taking place amidst the biggest scandal in footballing history. FIFA is in turmoil with numerous chiefs arrested on corruption charges. Hosts France will be hoping they can provide an open, controversy free tournament and prove the country is a safe destination. After years of disappointment, England will be hoping for a strong showing whilst Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland will be aiming to advance from the group stages.

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2016 Sporting Events

January 2016

Cricket

2^nd-6^th: South Africa v England, Second Test, Cape Town.

14^th-18^th: South Africa v England, Third Test, Johannesburg.

Photo by: Lance Bellers/Fotolia

22^nd-26^th: South Africa v England, Fourth Test, Centurion.

Darts

1^st-3^rd: BDO William Hill World Championship, London.

2^nd-10^th: BDO Lakeside World Professional Championships, Frimley Green.

Bowls

8^th-24^th: Potters Leisure World Championships, Hopton-on-Sea.

Tennis

18^th-31^st: Australian Open, Melbourne.

Ice Hockey

31^st: NHL All-Star game.

February 2016

Cricket

3^rd: South Africa v England, First ODI, Bloemfontein.

6^th: South Africa v England, Second ODI, Port Elizabeth.

9^th: South Africa v England, Third ODI, Centurion.

12^th: South Africa v England, Fourth ODI, Port Elizabeth.

14^th: South Africa v England, Fifth ODI, Cape Town.

Rugby Union

6^th: France v Italy & Scotland v England, 6 Nations.

7^th: Ireland v Wales, 6 Nations.

13^th: France v Ireland & Wales v Scotland, 6 Nations.

14^th: Italy v England, 6 Nations.

Photo by: fovivafoto/Fotolia

26^th: Wales v France, 6 Nations.

27^th: Italy v Scotland & England v Ireland, 6 Nations.

American Football

7^th: Super Bowl 50, California.

Basketball

14^th: NBA All-Star game, Toronto.

Snooker

3^rd-7^th: German Masters, Berlin.

15^th-21^st: Welsh Open, Cardiff.

Football

20^th-21^st: FA Cup 5^th Round.

March 2016

Darts

4^th-6^th: UK Open, Minehead.

Snooker

8^th-13^th: World Grand Prix, Llandudno.

28^th March-April 11^th: Chinese Open, Beijing.

Cricket

11^th-Apil 3^rd: ICC World Twenty20, India.

Rugby Union

12^th: Ireland v Italy & England v Wales, 6 Nations.

13^th: Scotland v France, 6 Nations.

19^th: Wales v Italy, Ireland v Scotland & France v England, 6 Nations.

Football

12^th-13^th: FA Cup Quarter Finals.

26^th: Germany v England, Berlin.

29^th: England v Netherlands, Wembley.

Formula 1

20^th: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne.

Horse Racing

15^th-18^th: Cheltenham Festival.

April 2016

Formula 1

3^rd: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir.

17^th: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai.

Football

23^rd-24^th: FA Cup Semi Finals, Wembley.

26^th-27^th: UEFA Champions League Semi Finals (1^st leg).

Horse Racing

7^th-9^th: Grand National Festival, Aintree.

May 2016

Formula 1

1^st: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi.

Photo by: AHMAD FAIZAL YAHYA/Fotolia

15^th: Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona.

29^th: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo.

Football

3^rd-4^th: UEFA Champions League Semi Finals (2^nd leg).

21^st: FA Cup Final, Wembley.

28^th: UEFA Champions League Final, Milan.

Horse Racing

7^th: Kentucky Derby, Louisville.

Cricket

19^th-23^rd: England v Sri Lanka, First Test, Headingley.

27^th-31^st: England v Sri Lanka, Second Test, Durham.

Golf

26^th-29^th: PGA Championship, Wentworth.

Rugby Union

20^th-21^st: Premiership Semi Finals, TBC.

28^th: Premiership Final, Twickenham.

June 2016

Tennis

2^nd-5^th: French Open, Roland Garros.

27^th – July 10^th: Wimbledon Championships.

Football

3^rd-26^th: Copa América Centenario, USA.

10^th-July 10^th: UEFA Euro 2016, France.

Photo by: p!xel-66/Fotolia

Cricket

9^th-13^th: England v Sri Lanka, Third Test, Lords.

21^st: England v Sri Lanka, First ODI, Trent Bridge.

24^th: England v Sri Lanka, Second ODI, Edgbaston.

26^th: England v Sri Lanka, Third ODI, Bristol.

29^th: England v Sri Lanka, Fourth ODI, The Oval.

Formula 1

12^th: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal.

19^th: European Grand Prix, Baku.

July

Cricket

2^nd: England v Sri Lanka, Firth ODI, Cardiff.

Cycling

2^nd-24^th: Tour de France.

Formula 1

3^rd: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg.

10^th: British Grand Prix, Silverstone.

24^th: Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring.

31^st: German Grand Prix, Hockenheim.

Golf

7^th-10^th: US Women’s Open, California.

14^th-17^th: Open Championship, Royal Troon.

28^th-31^st: PGA Championship, Baltusrol Golf Club.

August

Football

2^nd: FA Community Shield, Wembley.

8^th: English Premier League starts.

Olympics

5^th-21^st: 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro.

Formula 1

28^th: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa.

Tennis

29^th-September 12^th: US Open, New York.

September

Formula 1

4^th: Italian Grand Prix, Monza.

18^th: Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore.

Football

4^th: Slovakia v England, World Cup Qualifier.

Paralympics

7^th-18^th: 2016 Summer Paralympics, Rio de Janeiro.

Golf

15^th-18^th: Evian Championship, Evian.

30^th-October 2^nd: Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National Golf Club.

October

Formula 1

2^nd: Malaysian Grand Prix, Kuala Lumpur.

9^th: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka.

23^rd: USA Grand Prix, Austin.

30^th: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City.

American Football

2^nd: Indianapolis Colts v Jacksonville Jaguars, Wembley Stadium.

23^rd: NFC East Team v St Louise Rams, Twickenham Stadium.

30^th: Washington Redskins v Cincinnati Bengals, Wembley Stadium.

Photo by: JJPhoto/Fotolia

Football

8^th: England v Malta, World Cup Qualifier.

11^th: Slovenia v England, World Cup Qualifier.

Darts

12^th-20^th: Grand Slam of Darts, Wolverhampton.

November

Rugby Union

5^th-December 3^rd: Autumn Internationals, TBC.

Football

11^th: England v Scotland, World Cup Qualifier.

Formula 1

13^th: Brazilian Grand Prix, São Paulo.

27^th: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi.

December

Horse Racing

26^th-27^th: King George VI Chase Meeting, Kempton.

Got the year planned?

Hopefully your favourite sporting events are listed here. If they’re not, let us know below and we’ll add them straight away!

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