The 2016 Sporting Calendar – 1st Quarter!
2016 is set to be an exciting year for sports, especially as it’s an Olympic year. The great thing about the Olympics, is that although a lot of attention is given to this major event, it tends to boost the general appetite for sporting events, pulling in more viewers for other events such as Wimbledon, the Champion’s League, Athletics, Horse Racing and the Paralympics, as people become inspired by athletes. Every few months we’ll be listing the upcoming sporting events, and reviewing the key points of interest sporting fans will be watching for. Let us know what you think too in the comments!
January
2nd – 6th – Cricket – South Africa Vs. England 2nd Test
5th – 6th – Football – League Cup Semi Finals
9th – 10th – Football – FA Cup Third Round
14th – 18th – Cricket – South Africa Vs. England 3rd Test
18th – 31st – Tennis – Australian Open
22nd – 26th – Cricket – South Africa Vs. England 4th Test
26th – 27th – Football – League Cup Semi Finals
30th – 31st – Football – FA Cup 4th Round
What to Watch in January
Chelsea FC have maintained a strong comeback since they replaced their manager, after a set of dismal results left them falling down the ranks – will 2016 be a huge year for this club again? Likewise will underdogs-turned-formidable-foes Leicester continue their prowess in the new year? Look out for them on the 13th January. England Cricketers had a poor year in 2015 being knocked out of the World Cup early, will they give fans something to talk about in 2016?
February
2nd – 21st – Cricket – England Women in South Africa
3rd – Cricket – South Africa Vs. England 1st One Day International
6th – Rugby – Rugby Union Six Nations Starts
7th – American Football – Super Bowl 50
16th – 17th – Football – Champions League Round of 16 First Leg
18th – Football – Europa League Round of 32 First Leg
20th – Athletics – Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix
23rd – 24th – Football – Champion’s League Round of 16 First Leg
25th – Football – Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg
28th – Football – League Cup Final
What to Watch in February
It seems most of our commentary might refer to poor results from England’s sporting teams, but we still have to mention our hopes for British Rugby this year. Last year saw England, Scotland and Wales knocked out of leagues early, will they fare better in the six nations? Athletics also faces a shaky start in 2016 amidst the Russian doping scandal, and some even calling for a ‘reset’ to athletics world records, hoping for a clean slate and a new era.
March
1st – 4th – Formula 1 – Winter Testing
2nd – 6th – Cycling – World Track Racing Championships
4th – 6th – Tennis – Davis Cup First Round
8th – 9th – Football – Champion’s League Round of 16 Second Leg
10th – Football – Europa League Round of 16 First Leg
11th – 3rd April – Cricket – ICC World Twenty20
15th – 18th – Formula 1 – Winter Testing
15th – 18th – Horse Racing – Cheltenham Festival
17th – 20th – Athletics – World Indoor Athletics
18th – 20th – Formula 1 – Opening Race of the Season
19th – Rugby – Six Nations Final Round
What to Watch in March
Who will win the six nations? As we write this in January, we hope our home teams are still in the running. The opening races of the Formula 1 will provide an interesting first thought on who to watch in 2016. According to the media, it seems 2015 was the year of Lewis Hamilton, even though he was beaten by Nico Rosberg in the final races. Will we be gearing up for an epic Hamilton vs Rosberg fight to the finish line in 2016?