The $20 million Saudi Cup is one of the top major sporting events to look forward to in 2020. (Photo credit: Saudi Cup).
The year 2020 promises much, particularly in the world of sport. Around the globe there are several key events for fans of competition to get their teeth into.
This is a quick breakdown of the main sporting extravaganzas set to take place in 2020.
Coaching Changes in International Rugby
No fewer than five top tier rugby union nations are changing their head coach as a new World Cup cycle starts. In Europe, three of the Six Nations are under new management while Southern Hemisphere rivals Australia and New Zealand are both looking to appoint fresh faces.
South Africa won both the World Cup and Rugby Championship in 2019, so the Springboks are the team to beat. The Six Nations kicks off on February 1, while the Southern Hemisphere sides faceoff during their winter.
Across codes in rugby league, meanwhile, it’s the silver anniversary of Super League. Toronto Wolfpack have become the first North American club to reach Europe’s elite and have signed Kiwis and All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams.
Euros and Copa America Go Head-to-Head
Besides the raft of annual club action around the world, the summer as not one but two major international tournaments take place.
Both Euro 2020 in multiple host venues around Europe and the Copa America in Colombia and Argentina run on top of each other. These major continental events are due to start and finish on the same day, meaning there’s action on both sides of the Atlantic.
Toronto Wolfpack have become the first North American club to reach Europe’s elite and have signed Kiwis and All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams.
Copa organisers are trying to capitalise on the popularity of European football, so fans can fill their boots and gorge on the beautiful game between June 12 and July 12.
A lot of focus us going on a young England side who finally look to be ready to do it on the grandest stage. They 9/2 with 888sport to win Euro 2020, with home advantage in the semi final and final making that look like one of the most astute football bets of 2020. Usual suspects France (4/1), Belgium (7/1) and Germany (9/1, all odds from 888sport) will no doubt have something to say.
Another Excellent Year of Horse Racing
Saudi Arabia may be better known for camel racing but will host the world’s richest event for thoroughbred racehorses in 2020. The inaugural Saudi Cup in Riyadh on February 29 will have a total purse of $20,000,000.
In Europe, meanwhile, there’s the usual compelling programme of National Hunt and Flat action with key events like the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, Royal Ascot and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe expected to be better than ever.
Keeneland hosts the Breeders’ Cup in 2020 with the familiar raft of win and you’re in qualifying races held across the globe. The Kentucky Derby is another horse racing highlight in North America with Churchill Downs taking centre stage on May 2.
Terrific Tokyo Olympics the highlight of year
Japan has already had plenty of sporting exposure of late as hosts of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The Land of the Rising Sun will again command global attention in 2020 with the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The Olympic Games are what athletes across a myriad of disciplines spend their careers trying to win. There are 33 different types of sport on offer in Tokyo with baseball, climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing new additions alongside traditional fare like track and field athletics, cycling, gymnastics and swimming.
Tokyo has the Olympic carnival in town from July 24 to August 9. The Paralympics follow from 25 August to 6 September allowing athletes of all abilities to go for gold medals.
