2024 is not just the year of the America’s Cup, Paris Olympic and Paralympic games – there are sporting highlights taking place all across the world. From the Tour de France’s first-ever stint in Italy, to UEFA Euro 2024 , and the 13th African Games taking place in Accra. Here are the events to add to your calendar in 2024 to plan your trips around.
Six Nations
Friday 2 February – Sunday 16 March in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy
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Although this match-up is already underway, it’s not too late to support the world’s longest-running rugby tournament. It lasts well over a month. All six of the participating nations host rugby games over the spring, with the 2023 winners, Ireland, hoping to defend their title. On Sunday 16 March, all three of the final games (Wales vs Italy in Cardiff; Ireland v Scotland in Dublin; France v England in Lyon) will take place on the same day.
Check the schedule here.
2024 Formula One World Championship
March – December, around the world
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Netflix’s Formula One: Drive to Survive inspired a new generation of F1 fanatics – and these mega fans are now following the world’s best drivers all across the world to a series of championships that sees one winner crowned toward the end of the year. Races take place in Bahrain, Melbourne, Monaco, São Paulo, Shanghai and more between March and December, with the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.
Check the schedule here.
African Games
Friday 8 – Sunday 24 March in Accra, Ghana
The 13th edition of this Olympic-style event sees 49 countries come together for two weeks of events. Expect boxing, wrestling, and swimming among the 23 sporting competitions, with a handful of tournaments acting as qualifiers for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games such as cycling, athletics and triathlon. There will also be a handful of demonstration sports including, for the first time, E-Sports. The games take place in Accra. This Ghanian capital was rated one of the best places to go in 2024 for its intriguing food movements and vibrant festival scene, so it’s worth making a trip there.
Check the schedule here.
UEFA EURO 2024
Friday 14 June – Sunday 14 July in Germany
Germany is the host nation of this year’s Euro’s, which will see teams from England, Scotland, France, Romania, Albania and beyond take part in the month-long tournament.
Check the schedule here.
Tour de France
Sat 29 June – Sun 21 July in Italy and France
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For the first time, the Tour de France will kick off not in France at all, but in Italy. The first three stages of the Tour de France will take place in Italy in 2024, a historic moment for the country, the sport and the prestigious race. Competitors will saddle up in Florence, head east towards Rimini on the Adriatic Coast, follow the Apennines north through Emilia-Romagna and complete stage three in Turin.
Check the route and schedule here.
Planning to stay longer in France, check out our guide on places to visit while in France.
37th Americas Cup
August to October 2024
Ricardo Pinto
The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup taking place between August and October 2024 in the beating heart of beautiful Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of the most visited cities on planet Earth. Situated around Port Vell and along the beach to Port Olímpic, the sailing world has made Barcelona their home for what promises to be one of the most intense America’s Cups in the event’s 174-year history.
The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona official opening ceremony will be held in Barcelona on the 22nd of August 2024. The final Preliminary Regatta and the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) will follow, leading up to the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match starting on the 12th of October 2024. Three preliminary events were held in 2023 and will be held in 2024 in Vilanova i La Geltrú, Jeddah, and Barcelona.
The Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy – dating back to 1851 – and stands as one of the hardest sporting endeavours. The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it in 1983 to Australia. Since then, the Cup has only been won by teams from the United States, Switzerland, and New Zealand. The current Defender of the America’s Cup is Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Summer Olympic Games
Fri 26 July – Sun 11 August in Paris, France
Parisians might feel as though they’ve been anticipating the 2024 Summer Olympic Games for long enough by now – and in a way, they’d be right, as the city was awarded hosting duties in 2017. For three weeks, the French capital will become home to around 11,000 athletes and their teams, and events will take place all across the arrondissements. A handful of events will take place outside of Paris. The sailing events and some football games will happen in the port city of Marseille, while the overseas territory of French Polynesia will host the surfing championships. And, for the first time ever, an equal number of male and female athletes will participate.
Check the schedule here.
Summer Paralympic Games
Wed 28 August – Sunday 8 September in Paris, France
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As soon as the excitement of the Summer Olympic Games starts to settle, Paris will gear up for its second major international sporting event of the summer – the Paralympic Games. More than 4,400 disabled athletes will participate in competitions such as judo, powerlifting, rowing and many more to 3.4 million spectators.
Check the schedule here.
Red Bull King of the Air
November/ December 2024
The world’s best kite-boarders will take it to the skies at the Red Bull King of the Air at Kite Beach. The athletes will try to outdo each other with the highest jumps and most insane tricks in the ferocious Cape Town winds. It’s a true spectacle to watch.
