Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching, which means retailers everywhere are gearing up for hectic Black Friday sales and dusting off their Mariah Carey records once again, whilst sports fans are preparing themselves for a veritable smorgasbord of athletic delights. Festive sport is a proud tradition across the world, from Thanksgiving Day NFL games to Boxing Day football, so take a break from turkey-stuffing, put the gift-wrapping on hold, and check out these top events.
National Hockey League (24-26 November 2023), Ice Hockey
Venues across Canada and the United States
Whilst it is American football that is most closely tied to Turkey Day tradition, ice hockey can also provide a seasonal spectacle, with dozens of matches to enjoy in the days following Thanksgiving. The annual Thanksgiving Showdown match on Friday 24 November will see the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres, whilst other notable fixtures across the weekend include an Atlantic division clash between the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings, another instalment of the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers rivalry, and the Chicago Blackhawks versus the St. Louis Blues. Official or resale tickets for each game are available from USD $66.
SLS Super Crown World Championship (2-3 December 2023), Skateboarding
Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil
Street League Skateboarding brings its latest season to an exciting close in the first week of December, as the world’s top skateboarders gather in São Paulo for the Super Crown World Championship. The tour has already visited Chicago, Tokyo, and Sydney in 2023, and each event has brought new tricks and twists to keep fans entertained. The field is still open in both the men’s and women’s categories, but Australian 13-year-old Chloe Covell is a top contender for the title after extraordinary back-to-back wins in Japan and Australia. Tickets for the Super Crown World Championship weekend are still available, with full-price tickets starting at BRL R$310 (USD $64) for Saturday and R$460 (USD $94) for Sunday.
Grant Thornton Invitational (4-10 December 2023), Golf
Tiburón Golf Club, Naples, USA
The holidays are a time for people to come together, and the Grant Thornton Invitational will get into that spirit when it unites the PGA and LPGA Tours in its eagerly-anticipated debut this year. This unique mixed-gender team event will see 16 top-class players from each Tour – from Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, and Lydia Ko to Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, and Jason Day – pair up to face off for an equal share of a $4 million prize purse. It’s also the last chance to see any golfing action from either tour in 2023, so if you want to grab tickets they start from USD $50. The event also features the annual Live Fest concert; combo tickets including golf access start at $189.
Mosconi Cup (6-9 December 2023), Pool
Alexandra Palace, London, UK
In the world of pool, December is reserved for the sport’s greatest duel as Europe and the USA do battle for the Mosconi Cup. Similar in style to golf’s Ryder Cup, this team-based event has been played annually since 1994 with passionate capacity crowds in attendance each year. In 2023, the contest returns to Alexandra Palace between 6–9 December as Europe look to win the coveted trophy for the fourth time in a row. With tickets available from GBP £55, expect high emotions and world-class pool at this winter’s Mosconi Cup – one of the most captivating events on the sporting calendar!
Big Bash League (7 December 2023 – 24 January 2024), Cricket
Venues across Australia
The Australian summer is heating up, and that means cricket is back Down Under! Headlining the domestic calendar in 2023 is the return of the Big Bash League (BBL) – one of the world’s most popular T20 tournaments. BBL13 will launch on 7 December this year as last season’s finalists Brisbane Heat take on Melbourne Stars. Other fixtures to look out for include a homecoming for reigning champions Perth Scorchers against Hobart Hurricanes on 20 December, and an all-Sydney showdown in the Harbour City on Boxing Day. Tickets for the Big Bash start at AUD $25 (USD $16) for adults and just AUD $5 (USD $3) for juniors, making it one of the best-value ways to watch all the big hits and tumbling wickets of T20 cricket.
The London International Horse Show (13-18 December 2023), Equestrian
ExCel London, London, UK
There may not be reindeer at The London International Horse Show this December, but there’s plenty to get excited about with prancing ponies and festive fillies on display. This show is unique in the UK as the only event to host all 3 FEI World Cup Qualifiers in Dressage, Show Jumping, and Driving, so there’s a bit of something for everyone to enjoy over the course of 5 action-packed days. The venue is split into 2 arenas: the London Arena and the International Arena. Adult ticket prices start at GBP £37 for the former and £27 for the latter.
World Darts Championship (15 December 2023 – 3 January 2024), Darts
Alexandra Palace, London, UK
Hosted each year at “Ally Pally” in London, the Professional Darts Corporation World Darts Championship is a fan-favourite event which combines dramatic moments of sporting excellence with plenty of festive fun. Last year’s final saw Michael Smith defeat Michael van Gerwen in one of the greatest televised darts matches of all time, and the 2024 event promises to be just as exciting, as the best dartists in the world compete for the sport’s highest honour. Although official ticket allocations have now sold out, plenty of resale tickets are still available, with prices starting from approximately GBP £70 – so grab a ticket, don your best snowman costume, and ask Santa to bring you a few 180s this Christmas!
San Francisco 49ers v Baltimore Ravens (25 December 2023), American Football
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
This holiday season brings the ultimate festive treat for NFL fans, who can find 3 separate Christmas Day clashes under the tree. Although Chiefs v Raiders and Eagles v Giants will both offer looks at top playoff contenders, the pick of the day’s games sees the Ravens take on the 49ers in Santa Clara. Baltimore currently leads the AFC North, while San Francisco sits just ahead of Seattle at the top of the NFC West. Both teams feature incredible talent, with Lamar Jackson enjoying another great season at QB for the Ravens and the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey widely considered the league’s best running back. Tickets are still on sale for this merry matchup at Levi’s Stadium, starting at USD $140.
Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics (25 December 2023), Basketball
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, USA
If you’re a basketball fan, what better way to spend Christmas Day than to watch a titanic clash between 2 of the NBA’s biggest rivals. The pair have been facing off since 1948, and as the league’s 2 most successful teams with 17 championships apiece, their rivalry has only become fiercer and fiercer over the decades. The Celtics won both of their meetings last season, on both occasions coming out on top with a dramatic overtime victory, so the Lakers will be desperate to even the score on home turf in their first clash of the 2023-24 season. Tickets for this game start at USD $270.
Manchester United v Aston Villa (26 December 2023), Football
Old Trafford, Manchester, UK
The pick of the Premier League’s raft of Boxing Day fixtures this year will be Manchester United’s hosting of Aston Villa. The Red Devils have been vulnerable at Old Trafford this season with the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle United all coming away with victories, while Villa have been enjoying a superb campaign and find themselves in contention for a UEFA Champions League place, so it should make for a thrilling contest! It’s also the 60th anniversary of the infamous round of fixtures on Boxing Day 1963 in which an astonishing 66 goals were scored in just 10 games – here’s hoping for a repeat performance! Official tickets for this match have sold out, but resale is available starting at GBP £84.
For more information on these events, including ticket prices, click the links below:
- National Hockey League (24-26 November 2023), Ice Hockey
- SLS Super Crown World Championship (2-3 December 2023), Skateboarding
- Grant Thornton Invitational (4-10 December 2023), Golf
- Mosconi Cup (6-9 December 2023), Pool
- Big Bash League (7 December 2023 – 24 January 2024), Cricket
- The London International Horse Show (13-18 December 2023), Equestrian
- World Darts Championship (15 December 2023 – 3 January 2024), Darts
- San Francisco 49ers v Baltimore Ravens (25 December 2023), American Football
- Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics (25 December 2023), Basketball
- Manchester United v Aston Villa (26 December 2023), Football