From roaring World Cup fan zones and Test cricket at Lord’s to grass-court tennis and the glamour of Royal Ascot, the capital becomes a giant sporting stage this month, reports Jimmy Johnson.
The biggest story of the summer is the FIFA World Cup, with fan zones and screenings running from 11 June to 19 July. BOXPARK Wembley is set to be one of the capital’s hottest tickets, showing the biggest games on giant screens, with live entertainment, street food and packed crowds creating a festival atmosphere. Its new Director’s Box sports bar offers a more premium way to watch, with multiple 4K screens, a private bar and space for groups who want the matchday energy with a sharper viewing set-up.
In Borough, Lowline is also going big for the tournament. Flat Iron Square will screen England and international matches during opening hours, along with a 16ft indoor Jumbotron, outdoor garden screens, DJs, live entertainment, 16 beers on tap and food designed for sharing.
Next door, Rae’s Summer Sports Lounge offers a more elevated late-night experience, with eight large screens, table service, cocktails
and an all-weather roof terrace, while Spring Street Pizza provides a relaxed alternative, pairing England matches with delicious18-inch New York-style pizzas. It’s the perfect place to cheer on the Three Lions as they take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama in their World Cup group-stage clashes across North America.
Cricket fans are equally spoilt as the England Men’s team host New Zealand in a Test series. Lord’s stages the opening Test from 4-8 June, before the action moves to The Kia Oval from 17-21 June, when New Zealand’s Test side returns to the ground for the first time in 27 years. Lord’s also plays a role in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which runs from 12 June to 5 July, bringing some of the world’s best women’s cricketers to one of the sport’s most historic venues.
Meanwhile, London’s tennis season gathers pace at The Queen’s Club in West Kensington with the HSBC Championships from 6-21 June. One of the world’s most prestigious grass-court tournaments, Queen’s attracts leading ATP and WTA players ahead of Wimbledon, with British No.1 Emma Raducanu the latest player to add her name to the star-studded line-up.
And finally, there’s Royal Ascot (16-20 Jun), where racing, fashion and pageantry combine in spectacular style. Whether you come for the thoroughbreds, the hats or the Champagne, few sporting occasions capture the grandeur of the British summer quite like Ascot.
