Amanda PhillipsEnjoy both travel and sport? Then 2018 has plenty of opportunities for you to combine your love of the two. Whether it’s the heavyweight events like the World Cup or something a little more niche, the sporting world has a busy year planned. Here are just a few of the biggest world sporting events happening in 2018.
2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
The FIFA World Cup is always massive, with fans flocking to the host country every four years. This year it is Russia’s turn. Twelve stadiums will be used for the matches, all of which will be in European Russia (including two stadiums in Moscow).
England is the only UK team to qualify, and their first match will be held on the 18th of June in the Volgograd Arena in the south of Russia.
2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea
It’s time for the Winter Olympics again, and this time it will take place in Pyeongchang County during February. The Alpensia Resort in Daegwallyeong-myeon will be the focus of the games, and will host the ski jumping, snowboarding, bobsleighing, biathlon, alpine skiing and cross-country skiing (as well as the opening and closing ceremonies).
The east coast city of Gangneung will also be stepping in to host the indoor events. If curling, ice hockey, speed skating or figure skating are your winter sports of choice then this is the city to travel to.
Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast
It doesn’t feel as though it’s been four years since Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games, but here they are again – but this time it’s on the sunny Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The majority of the stadiums will be located within the city (and are only a 20 minutes’ drive from the Athletes Village) with only track cycling, shooting and the preliminary rounds of basketball held elsewhere (Brisbane and Cairns/Townsville respectively).
Superbowl in Minneapolis
One of the biggest annual sporting events (not even just in America) is the Superbowl. It will be held on the 4th of February this year at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, though it is not yet known what teams will be playing.
US Open
The US Open is the modern version of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world and continues to attract the crowds. Details of this year’s US Open have not yet been announced but traditionally it is held on the last Monday in August, and continues for two weeks into September, with the middle weekend coinciding with the Labor Day holiday.
Wimbledon
We can’t forget about the UK’s very own tennis championship, can we? It’s the oldest tennis championship in the world and is regarded as the most prestigious. This year’s tournament will begin on the 2nd of July.
2018 Sailing World Cup in Denmark
If you’re a sailing fan you won’t need to travel very far as this year’s Sailing World Cup is being held in Denmark. While the crowds for this are not massive, the performance of the teams is used to qualify countries for the next Olympics (which will be Japan 2020).
European Sports Championships in Glasgow and Berlin
This is Europe’s biggest inter-sport championship and this August it will be split between the iconic German city of Berlin and Scotland’s very own Glasgow. Athletics, aquatics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon will all be represented. Tickets are not yet available but you can sign up for alerts.
