London’s Sporting Events: Summer 2022

They say it’s not just your best shot that counts in sport, it’s how you recover from the stinkers. That’s as good a way to get through life as any, and more useful than some. 

 

Two of the biggest gladiatorial events on show this Summer are Wimbledon and International cricket. 

 

It’s easy to discern strength of character and sporting prowess when it comes to Wimbledon, but significantly less obvious with cricket – especially Test cricket. With all due respect to the bravado and spectacle of the One Day game, the traditional Test match, played out over five days, is subject to so many influences and reversals, they must be the gold standard of endurance and skill. 

 

Sport is the place where you see the best – and the worst – of people. On the first day of the Test against New Zealand at Lords this June, England captain Ben Stokes wore the jersey of “seriously ill” fellow cricketer Graham Thorpe at the toss, to show support for the man and his family. It was a break with tradition, in a game that’s full of rules and conventions. 

 

Thorpe played 100 Tests and 82 one–day internationals for England. 

 

He was the England Men's assistant coach until February, but left the role following the 4-0 Ashes defeat by Australia. “We all love Thorpey and he means a hell of a lot to us," said Stokes at Lords. 

 

It’s the kind of thing we have come to expect of our sporting icons. And it’s all the more impressive when you consider how very controversial Ben Stokes was at the beginning of his career. 

 

And of course the name that dominated social media last year was football’s Marcus Rashford. 

 

As for the fixtures on offer this Summer, there’s a lot of scope for socialising and making a grand entrance, if that’s what floats your boat. 

 

Polo at the Hurlingham Club; Royal Ascot; Henley Royal Regatta. All these prestigious events give you plenty of scope to strut your stuff and enjoy the surroundings as much as the events themselves. The Hurlingham Club is in Fulham, Henley is a quick train ride from Paddington Station, and Royal Ascot is a just a 10 minute walk from Ascot station (great news for those in heels). All dovetail with a stay in central London, thanks to those top London hotel deals. 

 

But it’s not all champagne and top hats. There’s hockey from the FIH Pro League at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre; the UEFA Women’s EURO in July, with the final taking place at London’s Wembley Stadium; and the London E-Prix when the ABB FIA Formula E world championship roars around the streets of East London’s historic docklands. 

 

Also in July we have the England Men v India Royal London Series, taking place on July 12 at the Kia Oval and July 14 at Lords. It’s always a pleasure to watch India play cricket, whatever the form. 

 

And let’s not forget that June 19th is Father’s Day. 

 

 

Sporting Fixtures 

 

 

Chesterton’s Polo in the Park Horse Show 

Hurlingham Park 

London SW6 

June 10–12 Summer social and polo. There are restaurants and street food on offer, including champagne gardens and Polo Bar, a PIMM’s Bus, Fever–Tree Bar and Garden, a luxury shopping village and Little Hooves Kids Club. Music and pitch side parties, plus food festival. And polo. All in central London. 

 

 

Cartier Queens Cup Polo 2022 

High goal (20-22 goal) Final 

June 12 

Guards Polo Club, Windsor 

Guards Polo Club’s fast paced event attracts the world’s best players and their matchless ponies. Sponsored by Cartier for ten years, finals day is a stylish event. Previous winners include HRH The Prince of Wales in 1986. Non-members welcome on finals day (June 12) as well as the semi-finals (June 8). See here for tickets. 

 

 

Cinch Championships The Queens Club 

June 13–19 

Annual event on the men’s professional ATP World Tour. Many tennis icons have made their mark on this tournament, including Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Confirmed to play in 2022 so far are Italy’s Matteo Berrettini and Norway’s Casper Ruud. From the UK we have Andy Murray, Cameron Norris and Dan Evans. 

 

 

Royal Ascot 

June 14–18 

“Be part of the drama” says the Royal Ascot website. It’s one of the biggest and certain one of the dressiest events of the year. It is as much 

about the food and drink and the display as it might be about the horses. Although it does attract some of the finest horses and most of us on two legs would be hard pressed to look as impressive as the equine perfection on show. The new Pavonian Club is designed for a relaxed day with DJs and an afterparty following the racing. The Garden Club has less bustle than the Queen Anne Enclosure. Go to the website to find out about dress codes and other spaces. 

 

 

FIH Pro League 

Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Saturday June 18 

Women England v Belgium at 14:00 

Mens England v Belgium at 16:30 

Sunday June 19 

Women England v Belgium at 13:00 

Mens England v Belgium at 15:30 Annual global league for the best men’s and women’s national hockey teams in the world. The team finishing top at the end of the season is crowned champion and receives the trophy. 

 

 

Father’s Day UK 

June 19 

Time to treat Dad to all that June has to offer and book him into one of the best 5 star hotels in London. 

 

 

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 2022 

Wimbledon 

June 27–July 10 . 

Maybe it’s fitting that this year, after so much uncertainty and pandemic concern, Wimbledon’s Centre Court is celebrating its 100th birthday. The All England Club has announced that Middle Sunday (July 3) will become a permanent part of the schedules, and will also feature as the focus for the Centre Court Centenary celebrations. There are plans for a “special moment” between the second and third matches. And umpires and linespeople will be dressed in new uniforms which have been delivered by Ralph Lauren. There are also environmental and tech/connectivity plans afoot. Seeds will be announced on Weds June 22 and the official draw takes place at 10am on Friday June 22. The players themselves will be going public on June 25 and 26 (Sat and Sun) and the whole show starts up on Monday June 27. 

Many regard Wimbledon as the holy of holies of tennis, the only grand slam event still held on grass. Every September the courts are renovated with nine tons of grass seed, and during the growing season it’s cut to 8mm precisely. 

 

Famous for its strawberries and cream and the crowds on Henman Hill, this is when Summer really starts for a lot of Londoners. 

 

 

Henley Royal Regatta 

June 28–July 3 

Every year thousands of visitors watch over 300 races from Olympic rowers and brand new crews alike. It’s a great day out by the water with lots of food and drink and an irresistible holiday feel. It’s about as British as it comes and you can book a ticket from the link below. Henley on Thames is a picturesque town in its own right and the regatta is within easy walking distance of the station. 

Travel by train: frequent service from Paddington Station to Henley on Thames. Special timetable from Great Western Railway for the duration of the Regatta. Go to this link for more information. 

 

 

2022 UEFA Women’s EURO 

July 6–31

Football in nine stadiums in eight cities across England host the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 games, with the final taking place at London’s Wembley Stadium. England is the host team, the Netherlands are the defending champions, and Northern Ireland will take place in a UEFA Women’s Euro competition for the first time. 

 

 

England Men v India Royal London One Day International Series 

July 12 

Kia Oval 

Cricket at The Oval in Kennington, London, home of Surrey County Cricket Club. It was the first ground in England to host international test cricket in 1880. On July 12, it see England v India in a One Day International series. 

 

The irrepressible Virat Kohl and his team in the first ODI against England at the Kia Oval since 2011 (though have played four 50–over matches here). Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindran Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah take the field. 

 

 

England Men v India Royal London One Day International Series 

July 14 Lord’s 

Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). It’s styled as the home of cricket and houses the world’s oldest sporting museum. On Bastille Day it sees England v India walk onto its famous ground once more. 

 

If you plan to see England v India play cricket, you might also be interested in the Blue Orchid London Indian Film Festival, June 17–July 3, at the South Bank Centre, London. 

 

London E- Prix 

July 30-31 

All electric street racing! The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship takes to the streets of London: teams go wheel to wheel on the historic byways of East London’s docklands. Expect a party atmosphere and no petrolheads (just the electric version). Handy for Blue Orchid suites near the Tower of London.