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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 31st 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 3rd 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.

To add the calender below to your Google Calendar, simply click the +Google Calendar button in the bottom right corner.

2016 Sporting Events

January 2016

Cricket

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

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

2016 Sporting Events: cricket Photo by: Lance Bellers/Fotolia

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

Darts

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

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

Bowls

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

Tennis

18th-31st: Australian Open, Melbourne.

Ice Hockey

31st: NHL All-Star game.

February 2016

Cricket

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

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

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

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

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

Rugby Union

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

7th: Ireland v Wales, 6 Nations.

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

14th: Italy v England, 6 Nations.

2016 Sporting Events: 6 Nations Photo by: fovivafoto/Fotolia

26th: Wales v France, 6 Nations.

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

American Football

7th: Super Bowl 50, California.

Basketball

14th: NBA All-Star game, Toronto.

Snooker

3rd-7th: German Masters, Berlin.

15th-21st: Welsh Open, Cardiff.

Football

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

March 2016

Darts

4th-6th: UK Open, Minehead.

Snooker

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

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

Cricket

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

Rugby Union

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

13th: Scotland v France, 6 Nations.

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

Football

12th-13th: FA Cup Quarter Finals.

26th: Germany v England, Berlin.

29th: England v Netherlands, Wembley.

Formula 1

20th: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne.

Horse Racing

15th-18th: Cheltenham Festival.

April 2016

Formula 1

3rd: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir.

17th: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai.

Football

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

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

Horse Racing

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

May 2016

Formula 1

1st: Russian Grand Prix, Sochi.

2016 Sporting Events: Formula 1 Photo by: AHMAD FAIZAL YAHYA/Fotolia

15th: Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona.

29th: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo.

Football

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

21st: FA Cup Final, Wembley.

28th: UEFA Champions League Final, Milan.

Horse Racing

7th: Kentucky Derby, Louisville.

Cricket

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

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

Golf

26th-29th: PGA Championship, Wentworth.

Rugby Union

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

28th: Premiership Final, Twickenham.

June 2016

Tennis

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

27th – July 10th: Wimbledon Championships.

Football

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

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

2016 Sporting Events: UEFA EURO 2016 Photo by: p!xel-66/Fotolia

Cricket

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

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

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

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

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

Formula 1

12th: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal.

19th: European Grand Prix, Baku.

July

Cricket

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

Cycling

2nd-24th: Tour de France.

Formula 1

3rd: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg.

10th: British Grand Prix, Silverstone.

24th: Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring.

31st: German Grand Prix, Hockenheim.

Golf

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

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

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

August

Football

2nd: FA Community Shield, Wembley.

8th: English Premier League starts.

Olympics

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

Formula 1

28th: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa.

Tennis

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

September

Formula 1

4th: Italian Grand Prix, Monza.

18th: Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore.

Football

4th: Slovakia v England, World Cup Qualifier.

Paralympics

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

Golf

15th-18th: Evian Championship, Evian.

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

October

Formula 1

2nd: Malaysian Grand Prix, Kuala Lumpur.

9th: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka.

23rd: USA Grand Prix, Austin.

30th: Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City.

American Football

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

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

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

2016 Sporting Events: American Football Photo by: JJPhoto/Fotolia

Football

8th: England v Malta, World Cup Qualifier.

11th: Slovenia v England, World Cup Qualifier.

Darts

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

November

Rugby Union

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

Football

11th: England v Scotland, World Cup Qualifier.

Formula 1

13th: Brazilian Grand Prix, São Paulo.

27th: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi.

December

Horse Racing

26th-27th: 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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