But there are still a host of showcase events from rugby and football to cycling and racing, to appeal to every sports fan. Here are some of the most popular taking place in the UK and around the world in 2025.
NFL: Super Bowl LIX
The NFL’s showpiece event, the Super Bowl, takes place for the 59th time in 2025. Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the halftime show, which often draws more viewers than the game itself.
Men’s football: Uefa Champions League final
FC Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena hosts European club football’s biggest match. It marks the culmination of an expanded and reformatted Champions League, with Real Madrid hoping to continue their extraordinary success in the tournament by clinging on to an unprecedented 16th title.
Rugby union: Six Nations
England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales go for glory in the Six Nations Championship. Ireland will be looking to retain their crown, with England aiming to do the same in the Women’s Six Nations, having won the Grand Slam in 2024.
9 February, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Cycling: Tour de France
The 112th edition of the Men’s Tour de France starts in Lille on 5 July, with the final stage ending on the Champs-Élysées in Paris just under three weeks later.
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Horse racing: Grand National Festival
A few weeks after Cheltenham, the world of horse racing will then focus on Aintree for the three-day Grand National Festival. The 2025 National, often described as the greatest Jump race in the world, will start at 4pm on Saturday 5 April.
Formula 1: British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix takes place in July at the spiritual home of motor racing, Silverstone Circuit, in Northamptonshire.
Darts: 2024-2025 PDC World Darts Championship final
The sporting year starts with a bang as the PDC World Darts Championship final takes place on 3 January at Alexandra Palace in London. Teenage sensation Luke Littler, who made his breakthrough at the event in January, is odds-on favourite to go one better this time and clinch the title at Ally Pally.
Rugby: Women’s World Cup
This autumn will see the Women’s Rugby World Cup come to England. Games will be spread across the country, from Brighton and Bristol to London and Manchester.
30 June to 13 July, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London
19 April to 5 May, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Following a bumper year for sport that saw the Paris Olympics, Euros and Copa America, and T20 cricket World Cup, 2025 may appear somewhat anticlimactic.
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27 April, London