A packed spring of sport kicks off with the Six Nations, with fans of the home nations sides eagerly anticipating a thrilling campaign. Since taking over as coach, Aussie Eddie Jones has turned a previously flaky England team into a crack unit boasting a winning record of 14 matches, dating back to the painful defeat to Australia which ended the host nation’s World Cup dream. Twickenham will play host to France, Italy and Scotland, with England starting as favourites to claim Six Nations glory; it won’t be easy with the typically strong Ireland and Wales sides champing at the bit, a resurgent and fast-developing Scottish team, and the mercurial talents of the ever-dangerous French vying for glory. It promises to be another thrilling series.
The most important National Hunt meeting of the year returns in March, as the Cheltenham Festival welcomes the world’s best jumpers to the Prestbury Park track. Enjoying a day of world class racing and hospitality at this stunning meeting has to be on the “bucket list”. The atmosphere at the track is second to none, and the noise as the runners hit the home straight has to be experienced to be believed! With Group One and feature races every day, you are guaranteed show-stopping performances from horses and jockeys who have trained to be at their peak for the big one. The most prestigious race of all is the Cheltenham Gold Cup; last year’s winner Don Cossack and 2016 World Hurdle winner Thistlecrack look sure to be amongst the favourites.
With the Aintree Grand National meeting also taking place in early April, this is the best time of year for lovers of National Hunt racing. Last year’s winner of the most famous steeplechase in the world was the aptly named 33-1 shot Rule The World, ridden by David Mullins; which horse and jockey will conquer the field of 40 runners and riders, and etch their names in history this time around?
British boxing is going through something of a golden era, and with two “Superfights” lined up in the Spring, fans are in for a real treat. The Heavyweight grudge match between David “The Hayemaker” Haye and WBC World Cruiserweight champ Tony “Bomber” Bellew is set to take place at the O2 Arena on Saturday 4th March; two huge hitters who are sure to deliver explosive action. Then perhaps the biggest fight of 2017 takes place at Wembley on Saturday 29th April, as up-and-coming British boxing superstar Anthony Joshua fights boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko, in a bout which could set Joshua on the path to total domination of the Heavyweight division, and the Ukranian into retirement.
As we move into May, the football season reaches the business end as the big guns look to restore order in the Barclay’s Premier League following the epic triumph of 5000-1 shots Leicester City last season. The likes of Guardiola, Klopp, Wenger, Mourinho and Conte will no doubt be fighting out the finish this time around. The FA Cup Final will bring the curtain down on the domestic season on Saturday 27th May. Fans will also have one eye on the Champions’ League; will one of the English sides make it through to the Final for the first time since Chelsea famously lifted the trophy in 2012?
Other major events to look out for as Spring draws to a close at the end of May are the BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth, the Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham, and the start of the international cricket season, as England welcome the ‘Proteas’ of South Africa for the three match One Day International Series with fixtures at Headingley, the Ageas Bowl (Southampton) and Lords.
Whatever takes your fancy, we at Gala Events are delighted to offer top class hospitality options at all major sporting events. For further details of everything we have to offer, please check out our website, or call one of the team on 0800 195 4250.
