Sports fans are in for a treat in 2023, with the upcoming calendar packed with a host of top-class events taking place around the world.
Read on as we take a closer look at what’s on the agenda, starting with an event that always attracts a bumper global television audience.
NFL Super Bowl – February 12
The eyes of the sporting world will be on Glendale, Arizona, in February as the 2022 NFL season reaches its culmination with the Super Bowl.
The Buffalo Bills are favourites to lift the prestigious trophy, but will face stiff competition from Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
However, the team to beat could well be the San Francisco 49ers, who have been hugely impressive on their way to winning the NFC West title.
Cheltenham Festival – March 14-17
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season in the United Kingdom, providing horse racing fans with a plethora of betting opportunities.
The four-day meeting features several Grade 1 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Cheltenham Racecourse is noted for its superb atmosphere, which is generated by the tens of thousands of people who faithfully attend the event each year.
Champions League Final – June 10
The Champions League final is a fitting climax to the football season in Europe, bringing the curtain down on a thrilling ten months of action.
Champions League holders Real Madrid will be eager to defend the title, but several other teams have a genuine chance of getting their hands on the prestigious trophy.
They include Manchester City, who have a frightening array of attacking talent at their disposal including prolific Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland.
Wimbledon Championships – July 3-16
Wimbledon is the third of four tennis Grand Slam tournaments staged during the year and is widely viewed as being the most prestigious.
Novak Djokovic has dominated the men’s singles in recent years and will be one of the favourites to add another major title to his glittering CV.
The Serbian heads into 2023 on a mission to overhaul Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slams and it would be a brave move to back against him achieving the feat.
Women’s Soccer World Cup – July 20 – August 20
The 2023 Women’s Soccer World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and will feature 32 teams for the first ever time.
The United States are the defending champions and will be tough to beat in their quest to become world champions for the fifth time.
However, 2022 European championship winners England will believe they have what it takes to knock the USWNT of their perch.
Rugby World Cup – September 8 – October 28
The 2023 Rugby World Cup is guaranteed to get off to a spectacular start as hosts France go head-to-head with three-time champions New Zealand at the Stade de France.
The two sides are amongst the favourites to win the title, but several other teams harbour hopes of emerging victorious on October 28.
They include defending champions South Africa, while Ireland, England and Australia should also not be underestimated.
Asian Games Hangzhou – September 23 – October 8
The delayed 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 will be a historic moment for video gaming, with the event set to feature eSports for the first ever time.
Medals will be up for grabs in eight different games including FIFA, Dota 2, League of Legends and Dream Three Kingdoms 2.
The addition of eSports to the line-up is a test-run for future inclusion in the Summer Olympics and is seen as major step towards the genre crossing firmly into the mainstream.
Golf Ryder Cup – September 29 – October 1
The world’s finest golf players will be action next autumn as the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup takes place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio near Rome.
The United States romped to victory in the last Ryder Cup, securing a 19-9 success to grab the prestigious trophy back from their European counterparts.
However, the US have not triumphed in Europe since 1993 and they may find it difficult to end that streak this time around.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – October – November (dates TBC)
The 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will get underway in October with ten teams dreaming of winning the tournament.
Hosts India are amongst the favourites to come out on top, although several other teams will fancy their chances of claiming the title. In age of live cricket streams and being hosted in India, this is likely to be the most watched cricket event in history.
Defending champions England could be the value bet having recently clinched their second T20 world title courtesy of a victory over Pakistan in Australia.
Breeders’ Cup – November 3-4
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is now firmly established as the culmination of the international horse racing calendar.
The two-day event attracts the top horses, jockeys and trainers from around the world to contest championship events over various disciplines.
Santa Anita Park will host the meeting in 2023 – the eleventh time the picturesque Californian venue has staged the Breeders’ Cup.
