A big year of sport in Scotland got off to a flying start with the World Indoor Athletics Championships. And there’s plenty more to come! For news of all the best action in 2024 taking place on ‘The Perfect Stage, read on 👇
APRIL – SPORT IN SCOTLAND
🏒 ICE HOCKEY. ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE. SPORT IN SCOTLAND ~ 3 April onwards ~ Glasgow/Dundee/Fife
The 2023/2024 Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season is approaching the business end. Scotland’s three representatives – Glasgow Clan, Fife Flyers and Dundee Stars – are all in home action this month. The EIHL is the top tier of UK club ice hockey and a top-eight finish is the target to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs at the end of April. It’s tight at the bottom but Clan, Flyers and Stars are all in play-off contention | 🎟️ Tickets can be purchased at Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers.
⚽️ FOOTBALL (M). SPFL ~ 7 April onwards ~ Venues various
Title dreams and the spectre of relegation are dual themes at play across the Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 as the 2023/2024 Scottish Football Professional Football League (SPFL) season continues. Celtic are top of the Premiership with Rangers in pursuit. Livingston are propping up the table. In the Championship Dundee United are leading the way. Falkirk are streets ahead in League 1 while Stenhousemuir are top of League 2 | 🎟️ Visit the SPFL website for upcoming fixture news and head to the home team websites for ticket news.
April cont.
🏀 BASKETBALL. BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUES ~ 7 April onwards ~ Playsport Arena
Caledonia Gladiators are flying the flag for Scotland this season in the British Basketball League (BBL) and Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL), the top tiers of club basketball in the UK. Both Gladiators sides are on a mission to qualify for the end of season play-offs in May, with the Gladiators women and Gladiators men in first and second place in the WBBL and BBL respectively coming into April. Catch both teams in action at the brand new multi-million Playsport Arena in East Kilbride! | 🎟️ Women’s tickets here and Men’s tickets here.
⚽️ FOOTBALL (W). UEFA WOMEN’S EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS: SCOTLAND v SLOVAKIA ~ Tuesday 9 April ~ Glasgow
Scotland take on Slovakia as Hampden Park hosts the Scotland Women’s National Team for the first time in 2024. The UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers aka road to Switzerland 2025 got underway last Friday as Scotland travelled to Serbia and came away with a 0-0 draw | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish FA website.
🏉 RUGBY SEVENS. MELROSE 7s FESTIVAL ~ Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 April ~ The Greenyards, Melrose
A historic tournament on the rugby calendar the Melrose 7s Festival is back for 2024 at Greenyards, the spiritual home of Rugby 7s. The festival includes the men’s 1883 Centenary Cup and women’s Mike Bleasdale Cup. It starts with a Hall of Fame Dinner on Thursday night that will be attended by stars of the rugby world | 🎟️ Tickets are available from the Melrose 7s website.
April cont. – Sport in Scotland
🏁 SPEEDWAY. SGB CHAMPIONSHIP ~ 12 April onwards ~ Armadale Stadium and Peugeot Ashfield Stadium
It’s tapes-up for Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs as the 2024 Championship speedway season roars into action this month. The Tigers are defending the Cab Direct Championship title they won defeating Poole Pirates in the Grand Final last October. Peugeot Ashfield Stadium and Armadale Stadium host the action in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively | 🎟️ Visit the Glasgow Tigers website and Edinburgh Monarchs website for the latest fixture and ticket news.
🏉 RUGBY UNION (W). WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS: SCOTLAND v ENGLAND ~ Saturday 13 April ~ Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Scotland’s women welcome England to Hive Stadium on Saturday 13 April for Round 3 of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. The hosts can take heart from a battling performance against France in Round 2. But now the ante goes up against the unbeaten Auld Enemy. England recently regained their world number one ranking after clinching the inaugural WXV1 title with a 33-12 victory over Women’s Rugby World Cup holders New Zealand | 🎟️ Tickets are sold out.
⚽️ FOOTBALL (W). SCOTTISH WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE ~ 14 April onwards ~ Venues various
The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) 2023/2024 season continues with Glasgow City FC defending the title (a historic 16th) they won last May. Coming into April Rangers are top of the table on 63 points, with Celtic just a point behind. Glasgow City in third place on 59 points, with ground to make up on their title rivals after an indifferent start to the season | 🎟️ See the SWPL website for upcoming fixture news and visit home team websites for the latest information.
April cont. – Sport in Scotland
🏉 RUGBY UNION (M). UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: GLASGOW WARRIORS & EDINBURGH RUGBY ~ 19 April onwards ~ Scotstoun Stadium & Hive Stadium
Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby are Scotland’s representatives in the 2022/2023 United Rugby Championship (URC). This features the 16 top club sides from Ireland, Wales, Italy, Scotland and South Africa. The top 8 teams at the conclusion of the league stages go through to the knockout rounds in June with the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday 22 June at a venue to be confirmed. Warriors are second in the URC standings on 49 points, 5 points behind leaders Leinster. Edinburgh are in ninth place on 34 points, just a point behind eighth-placed Ulster | 🎟️ Tickets via the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby websites.
🏇 HORSE RACING. SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL ~ Friday 19 & Saturday 20 April ~ Ayr Racecourse
They’re under starter’s order at Ayr Racecourse for the highlight of the National Hunt calendar in Scotland. The Scottish Grand National Festival is back and set to once again welcome thousands of racegoers for an unmissable day of sport in Scotland. Ladies Day is on Friday while Saturday features the famous Coral Scottish Grand National. Fantastic racing is guaranteed with live music and lots of other entertainment to complement the jumps action on the racecourse | 🎟️ Tickets are now on sale.
🏐 NETBALL. STRATHCLYDE SIRENS v CARDIFF DRAGONS ~ Friday 19 April ~ Glasgow Netball is back at the Emirates Arena as Strathclyde Sirens take on Leeds Rhinos. The hosts have yet to win a game so far in the 2024 Vitality Netball Superleague season despite some battling performances. The UK’s elite netball competition featuring the top ten club teams from England, Scotland and Wales. The Rhinos are currently seventh in the table and Sirens will fancy their chances on home soil | 🎟️ Tickets on general sale.
April cont.
🏇 HORSE RACING. PERTH FESTIVAL ~ Wednesday 24 April to Friday 26 April ~ Perth Racecourse
A stellar month of horse racing – which started with the Scottish Grand National Festival – continues this week with the ever-popular Perth Festival. Nestled in the stunning parklands of Scone Palace, the racecourse is Scotland’s most northerly course. The festival – a three-day treat for fans of jump racing – marks the first fixture in the 2024 Perth Racecourse calendar | 🎟️ Tickets are available.
🤼♂️ WRESTLING. ICW: Boots Yer Baws Live! ~ Sunday 28 April ~ The Garage The waiting is over for Boots Yer Baws Live in Glasgow. A night of high-octane wrestling is guaranteed from the stars of Insane Championship Wrestling. Over 18s only | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale here.
MAY
🎯 DARTS. PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS ~ Thursday 2 May ~ P&J Live
All arrows lead to Aberdeen for Night 14 of the 2024 Premier League Darts. Drama is guaranteed as eight of the biggest stars in world darts take to the oche at P&J Live. The players are battling it out to make Play-Offs Night later in May at London’s O2 Arena | 🎟️ Tickets are on general sale here.
🏏 CRICKET. ICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP LEAGUE 2 ~ Thursday 2 to Sunday 12 May ~ Forfarshire CC
The cricket season has lift off as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 action arrives at Forfarshire CC. Scotland, Oman and Nambia will play a total of six ODI fixtures, with Scotland and Oman also playing a T20i at the ground following the conclusion of the CWCL2 series | 🎟️ Tickets are on general sale on Friday 12 April.
🚵 MOUNTAIN BIKING. WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES FORT WILLIAM ~ Friday 3 to Sunday 5 May ~ Fort William
Join the thrill and excitement as the world’s best downhill mountain bikers gear up for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Fort William. A three-day extravaganza awaits at this legendary annual event in cycling circles | 🎟️ Tickets are available here.
🏋️💃🏃♀️ HIGHLAND GAMES. GORDON CASTLE HIGHLAND GAMES ~ Sunday 19 May ~ Gordon Castle
Sport in Scotland wouldn’t be complete without a Highland Games experience and welcoming thousands of national and international visitors to the north-east of Scotland the Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair is set to be a highlight of 2024. Highland dancing, piping, heavy weights and tug of war events will all feature | 🎟️ Visit the Gordon Castle website for the latest ticket information.
⚽️ FOOTBALL. SCOTTISH CUP FINALS ~ Saturday 25 May & Sunday 26 May ~ Hampden Park
Hampden Park is the venue for two of the biggest matches in Scottish cup football. The Scottish Cup Final and Scottish Women’s Cup Final. The former celebrating the 150th anniversary of the competition. The first preliminary round took place back in August 2023. Now just two teams are left to compete for each trophy this weekend. Can 2023 dual winners Celtic retain their trophies, or will new sides be victorious in 2024? | 🎟️ See the Scottish FA website for the latest ticket news.
JUNE – SPORT IN SCOTLAND
🏇 HORSE RACING. EDINBURGH CUP RACEDAY ~ Saturday 1 June May ~ Musselburgh Racecourse
Musselburgh Racecourse is the place to be this afternoon for one of the most prestigious days of the Scottish Flat season – the Edinburgh Gin Raceday featuring The Edinburgh Cup. Gates open at 11.30am ahead of a programme packed full of quality racing, great food and live music | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale from the Musselburgh Racecourse website
⚽️ FOOTBALL (M). INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Scotland v Final ~ Friday 7 June ~ Glasgow
Scotland’s men welcome Finland to Hampden Park for a final warm up match ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championships, where Scotland will play hosts Germany in the opening match on Friday 14 June | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish FA website.
🤼♂️ WRESTLING. FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN & CLASH AT THE CASTLE ~ Friday 14 June & Saturday 15 June ~ OVO Hydro
It’s a a dream double-header for wrestling fans after WWE officially announced that Glasgow will host Friday Night SmackDown and Clash At The Castle: Scotland on consecutive nights this summer. “We are excited to bring both Friday Night SmackDown and Clash At The Castle: Scotland to our amazing fans in Scotland at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow this June,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “The world will see that this is one of the UK’s best venues and Scottish crowds are some of the loudest, craziest and most passionate on the planet.” | 🎟️ For ticket updates pre-register here at the WWE website.
🏍️ MOTORSPORT. BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ~ Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June ~ Knockhill Racing Circuit
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship means only one thing. Some of best bike racers in the world are back at Knockhill for three days of 180mph wheel-to-wheel action. As well as two BSB races there’s a support package that will provide plenty of entertainment for bike racing fans | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now.
JULY
⛳️ GOLF (M). SCOTTISH OPEN ~ Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 July ~ Renaissance Club
The Genesis Scottish Open returns to the Renaissance Club and golf fans are in for a treat with a host of the world’s best players set to tee it up on the North Berwick fairways. In 2023, four-time major champion Rory Mcllroy won the title shooting a 68 in the final round. Mcllroy was part of a stellar field that included eight of the world’s top ten players. These included world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and fellow major champions Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas. This Rolex Series event is not to be missed! | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale here.
⛳️ GOLF (M). THE OPEN ~ Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 July ~ Royal Troon
The 152nd Open returns to the iconic Royal Troon Old Course for the first time since 2016. Sport in Scotland doesn’t get much bigger than this! South Ayrshire is the centre of the sporting universe this week as it welcomes the best men’s golfers on the planet playing for the famous Claret Jug. Previous winners of The Open are a roll call of the greatest players in history such as Jack Nickaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods | 🎟️ For the latest ticket news visit The Open website.
AUGUST – SPORT IN SCOTLAND!
🏎️ MOTORSPORT. BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP ~ Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 August ~ Knockhill Racing Circuit
Knockhill in Fife welcomes fans back for the latest round of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Regarded as the best saloon car racing championship in the world a true festival of speed awaits with exhilarating racing action coupled with entertainment for the whole family. Two days of non-stop action features practice, qualifying and a 17-race schedule featuring three BTCC races | 🎟️ Tickets are available.
🏋️💃🏃♀️ HIGHLAND GAMES. PERTH HIGHLAND GAMES ~ Sunday 11 August ~ Scone Palace Parklands The Perth Highland Games returns with its traditional Heavyweight events. These include throwing weights and hammers and tossing the caber. This popular event in the Games calendar also features Highland dancing, foot and cycle races and its ever-popular pipe band contest. Taking place in Scone Palace Parklands a wide range of trade and craft stands will ensure shopping needs are catered for | 🎟️ Visit the Games website for the latest ticket information.
⛳️ GOLF (W). WOMEN’S OPEN ~ Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 August ~St Andrews
The 2024 AIG Women’s Open takes place at the Old Course, St Andrews with the best women golfers in the world set to tee it up at the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. The first time since 2013 the championship has taken place at the Old Course. The defending champion is Lilia Vu from the USA who won the title by six shots last summer at Walton Heath | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale here.
August cont.
🏇 EQUESTRIAN. BLAIR CASTLE INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS ~ Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 August ~ Blair Castle
Blair Castle hosts Scotland’s premier equestrian event, the Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials. Taking place over four days, Thursday and Friday focus on the dressage phase. On Saturday the cross-country is centre stage, followed by showjumping on Sunday. The international level attracts many of the best riders in the UK. These often include Olympic and world medalists performing in front of the breathtaking backdrop of Blair Castle. There’s also the popular shopping village and Food Hall. A live band and disco combine to provide fantastic evening entertainment | 🎟️ Visit the Blair Castle Horse Trials website for the latest information on general admission, parking and camping tickets.
🏑 HOCKEY (W). EURO HOCKEY QUALIFIERS ~ Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 August ~ Glasgow
Scotland, Wales, Austria, Croatia, Czech Repulic and Lithuania take part in the EuroHockey Qualifiers this week at Glasgow National Hockey Centre. The tournament winner will stamp their passport to the EuroHockey Championships in 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch international hockey up close and personal | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish Hockey website.
🏃♀️🏃♂️ ATHLETICS. THE MONUMENT MILE CLASSIC 2024 ~ Saturday 24 August ~ Stirling
In the shadow of the iconic Wallace Monument is the place to be for 25+ mile races featuring some of Scotland’s finest athletes at The Monument Mile Classic. Celebrating its seventh year the action takes place at the University of Stirling running track between 4pm-10pm. In 2023 no less than seven men went sub-4mins in the elite men’s race. Sara Lappalainen from Finland won the elite women’s race in 4:28.12. And Angus Wilkinson of East Kilbride AC ran a World Best for age 14 with 4:11.20. Expect more drama in 2024! | 🎟️ Spectating is free.
SEPTEMBER – SPORT IN SCOTLAND
⚽️ FOOTBALL (M). UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE: SCOTLAND v POLAND ~ Thursday 5 September ~ Glasgow
Scotland’s men welcome Poland to Hampden Park for their opening match of a new UEFA Nations League campaign | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish FA website.
🏋️💃🏃♀️ HIGHLAND GAMES. THE BRAEMAR GATHERING ~ Saturday 7 September ~ The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park
Held on the first Saturday in September the Braemar Gathering is a world-famous event that heralds the finale of the Highland Games season. A showpiece event on the sport in Scotland calendar the Gathering is regularly attended by the reigning Monarch. Joined by members of the wider Royal Family. International athletes feature among those taking part in the ‘heavy’ and ‘track’ events. Pipers and dancers are in attendance while teams from H.M. Forces will compete in tug-o-war and relay events | 🎟️ Buy tickets here.
🏇 HORSE RACING. AYR GOLD CUP FESTIVAL ~ Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 September ~ Ayr Racecourse
Scotland’s biggest Flat racing festival takes place at Ayr Racecourse. Three days of action will feature some of the leading horses, jockeys and trainers in the UK. Friday is Ladies Day ahead of Saturday’s action including the historic Ayr Gold Cup. The centrepiece of the richest day in the Scottish flat season racing calendar | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale at the Ayr Racecourse website.
🏑 SHINTY (M). CAMANACHD CUP FINAL ~ Saturday 21 September ~ Fort William
The final of the biggest prize in the sport of shinty takes place at An Aird in 2024. It’s the 127th edition of the Camanachd Cup Final, the national knock-out cup competition first contested in 1896. A brilliant day out for all the family features an opportunity to watch two of the country’s best shinty teams. Kingussie are the current champions after their 1-0 victory over Oban Camanachd at Bught Park last September. The 25th time Kingussie have lifted the trophy | 🎟️ Tickets for the 2024 final are on sale here.
OCTOBER – SPORT IN SCOTLAND
🏄 WINDSURFING. TIREE WAVE CLASSIC ~ Saturday 12 to Friday 18 October ~ Isle of Tiree
Nicknamed the ‘Hawaii of the North’ the Tiree Wave Classic is the longest running professional windsurfing event in the world. It showcases some of the best UK talent against junior and professional windsurfers from around the globe. The Isle of Tiree, with its exposed position as the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides means the North Atlantic swell produces huge waves perfect for surfing | 🎟️ Spectating is free. Visit the event website for more information.
🏋️ WEIGHTLIFTING. GIANTS LIVE WORLD TOUR FINALS ~ Saturday 19 October ~ OVO Hydro
The World’s Strongest Man Arena Tour returns to Scotland for a third time after Giants Live made a memorable debut at the Hydro in 2021 with the Scottish Stoltman brothers starring at the season finale. Stand by for great entertainment for all the family as top strongmen from across the globe compete in the World Tour Finals! | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale here.
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