London is a global powerhouse, renowned for its incredible landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and more. London’s sports scene typically goes under the radar, with the masses often associating England’s capital with the royal family and the country’s centre of finance, fashion, and arts. Regarding its sporting scene, London attracts millions of fans from across the globe each year, hosting historic football finals, famous tournaments like Wimbledon, and many other notable events. The unique blend of sporting legacy, ancient tradition, and sightseeing is one of the reasons London is one of the greatest cities in the world.
Football
One of London’s greatest sporting sectors is its football, with multiple individual events that each deserve a spot on this list. London is the host to many of the greatest clubs in Premier League history, with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs making up the traditional English ‘top 6’. Whether fans bet on football or watch the sport with their closest friends, these iconic football clubs bring consistent entertainment to the areas, along with financial benefits.
When these London-based football clubs meet, it makes for a truly amazing spectacle, with two rivaling teams going toe-to-toe, and symbolising what London sport is about in 90 minutes. One of the most notable football derbies in world football is the North London derby, which pits Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur. The fixture has a notable history, with both clubs located close to each other; it is about more than the three points. In North London, many footballing fans either support Arsenal or Tottenham, making these fixtures pivotal for bragging rights in London culture.
In football, the oldest competition in history is the FA Cup, which is held annually at Wembley Stadium in London. The competition is truly special, bringing incredible underdog stories, world-class football, and lower-league sides a chance to play against the best there is. The first final to be played at Wembley was the 1923 FA Cup Final, which has since remained present, except for 2001-2006. Additionally, the EFL Cup final is held at Wembley Stadium, which adds to London’s sporting culture.
Wimbledon
Wimbledon is the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament, held annually in London. Wimbledon was formed almost 150 years ago, making it the oldest tennis tournament in history. Over time, Wimbledon has grown massively, evolving in numerous ways, although unlike other competitions that have switched surfaces, the grass has remained since Wimbledon’s origins. Wimbledon attracts incredible viewership each year, with millions tuning in online, and the small stands are always packed with passionate fans. Throughout the years, the grass courts of Wimbledon have welcomed some of the greatest tennis players of all time and have become an iconic competition in the sport.
Tennis as a whole has undergone notable change since its origins, largely driven by technological advances. Wimbledon is one of the many tennis tournaments that have adopted these technological shifts over time to make the sport a true spectacle. Not only has Wimbledon changed with technological advances, but the event as a whole has changed, with the early years being strictly male-only. The competition was male-only for seven years, until the Ladies’ Singles Championships were introduced, demonstrating their inclusiveness. In modern-day Wimbledon, there are five main events, with the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ singles and doubles, as well as a mixed doubles event. The tournament typically spans 14 days, with all games following a single-elimination format, meaning players or pairs are removed if they lose, until only two remain in the respective final.
The London Marathon
In terms of long-distance running events, there are few of greater stature than the London Marathon, an annual 26.2-mile race held in London. In the long-distance running scene, there are 6 World Marathon Majors, with London being one, and the others scattered around the USA, Japan, and Germany. As with all marathon events, the London Marathon unites a community, encouraging anyone to join in and better themselves together. In addition to bringing together a community, the London Marathon is one of the largest fundraising events in the world, accumulating hundreds of millions of pounds for various charities in the UK.
Anyone can participate in the London Marathon, though extensive training will be required to complete it. Although the marathon can be completed at your own pace, many runners set target times that they hope to break, which makes for great competition at the event. With the London Marathon being so popular, it is no surprise that it attracts some of the world’s top marathon runners and has seen multiple top-of-the-range performances.
The London Marathon is partly remembered for its iconic route, which begins in Greenwich and runs along the infamous River Thames. During your adventures on the run, you will pass iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Big Ben before finishing the race near Buckingham Palace.
