London is the capital city of England and this year has a lot to offer the betting public. The first football (soccer) season in the city since 1962 is just around the corner. This will be followed by the start of the rugby union and cricket seasons. The most prestigious sports events will be held in and around the capital city, like the British Open golf championship, the Derby and the Royal Ascot horse races. And of course, there’s always the odd game to be played at the bottom of the garden!
With such an abundance of sport to choose from, punters will rarely be bored in London. The city has nine professional sports teams, including the England football team who will be playing some home games during the 2017-18 season. The most popular sports in London include football (soccer), tennis and golf (the sport of kings!). There’s also a range of betting options available in London, from outright betting on the result of a game to parlaying on tennis or golf events.
Which Stadia To Watch?
Football is a popular sport in London and watching a game at a prestigious stadium is a must for any sports fan visiting the city. Since 1875, the famous British Museum – or more commonly known as the British Museum as it is in London – has been the home of the English football club, Tottenham Hotspur. The venue has a capacity of over 60,000 and has hosted some memorable matches, like the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final between England and Germany. However, the most recent match held at the stadium was a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on 26 March 2017, which was played shortly before the start of the new Premier League season. Currently, the stadium is being renovated and will re-open for the start of the 2018-19 season.
Across town, in the west, is another old stadium, founded in 1899 and originally known as Oval. This year will mark its 100th anniversary and is the current home of the Arsenal football club. The Gunners have produced some great players over the years, including the legendary Englishman, Herbert Howerton (AKA Mr. Football). Like the British Museum, the capacity of the stadium has increased from the original 10,000 to over 60,000 and it has also undergone numerous renovations, making it a truly magnificent sports arena.
North London is also home to several other prestigious football clubs, like Chelsea, and their enormous Stamford Bridge stadium. The London Stadium, also in North London, is the current home of the Tottenham Hotspur football team. The stadium, which opened in October 2016, replaced the White Hart Lane stadium and has a capacity of 52,000. The opening match of the new stadium was a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace on 15 October 2016. The last match held at the White Hart Lane stadium was a 2-2 draw against Everton on 26 March 2017, just before the start of the new Premier League season.
On the same side of town, is another large stadium, called the Palace. It is the home of the West Ham football club and has been the venue of many memorable games. One of the most notable matches was the 1956 FA Cup Final, where the Hammers defeated Liverpool 4-2 in a classic penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. It currently has a capacity of over 50,000 and has hosted some fantastic matches, like the 1988 UEFA European Championships and, more recently, the Rugby World Cup, when it staged four pool matches, including one memorable clash against New Zealand!
On the South coast, the pitch is sometimes shrouded in fog and that’s what you get when you’re talking about the England cricket team and their magnificent home, the Oval. The ground has an unmatched atmosphere and is one of the most famous sports venues in the country. It is quite an experience to attend an England cricket match, especially at the Oval, as the famous English cricket commentator, Geoffrey Boycott, often says:
“I went to a Test match there once. It was raining hard and it was one of the most miserable days, I can’t remember which game it was. We were all shivering in the pavilion and the roof leaked. An umpire came in and announced that the Test was abandoned. He went under cover and we didn’t hear anything more. It was a great shame because the pitch, all of a sudden, took on a new life and you could see everything clearly. Suddenly it was a real cricket pitch and I’ll never forget the feeling as long as I live.”
Which Golf Courses To Visit?
If you’re a fan of the wonderful game of golf, you won’t get bored in London, especially now that there are so many famous courses to choose from. And the best part is that you don’t necessarily have to be a member to play at these courses. You just have to pay for the green fee. You’re only allowed to put four balls in the air at any one time, regardless of whether you’re a member or not. The best place to play golf in London is Haddington, in West London. The most recent Open Championship – the equivalent of the British Open – was won by the Irishman, Rory McIlroy, in 2015. While the closest major championship to Haddington is the Scottish Open, which is held at St. Andrews, it is still regarded as the ‘national’ Open Championship. McIlroy is one of the greatest golfers of all time and he currently holds the record for the most PGA Tour wins with 23. Although he hails from Northern Ireland, Rory is highly invested in his Scottish roots and often speaks of his desire to return to Princes Street, in Edinburgh, to finish his schooling.
For those who have seen David Lynch’s movie, ‘Twin Peaks’, Haddington might be recognizable, as it was used as the model for the White Lodge. One can only assume that those who played a role in the making of ‘Twin Peaks’, also attended this wonderful golf club. There are over 8,000,000 visitors every year and during peak periods, the club can host up to 10,000 members, as well as their families and friends. Haddington is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, founded in 1892 and it is a true privilege to be a member there.
One of the most famous and historical golf clubs in London is St. Andrews, in the East End. Like Haddington, Saint Andrews is also open to members and family and is the location of the British Open every year. Although the course was laid out in 1874, the oldest regular competition was not held until 1895. The last time the club hosted the national championship was in 1934, when amateur Jim Hornstock won the championship. One of the most famous players to represent Saint Andrews was Tommy Bolt, who won the British Open in 1912 and again in 1914. The club also produced two other British Open winners: Rex Sikes in 1907 and Bobby Weed in 1911.
Another golf destination, which will be opening up this year, is Wentworth. This is the home of the RBC (Royal Bengal Club) and has been the venue for several important tournaments, like the British Open. The course was first opened to the public in 1914 and has since hosted a number of events, including the 1942 British Open, which was dominated by Jim Byrnes, who won the championship by 15 strokes. One of the most remarkable competitors in this tournament was the great American golfer, Arnold Palmer, who nearly stole the show, with his outrageous wardrobe and colourful language!
Fans of the beautiful game will not get bored in London! There are so many options for them to choose from and the best part is that they don’t have to be a member to play. Just have to pay for the green fee. So, for those who love a game, Britain has all the necessary amenities to make their stay a comfortable one.