Dates for the Diary - Scotland

Sport in Scotland ~ What’s On in 2024

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 👇

JULY – SPORT IN SCOTLAND

🏉 RUGBY UNION (M).  WORLD RUGBY U20 TROPHY, SPORT IN SCOTLAND ~ Tuesday 2 to Wednesday 17 July ~ Hive Stadium

Scotland are one of eight teams taking part in the the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024.  Also featuring Japan, USA, Hong Kong China, Samoa, Uruguay, Kenya and Netherlands it takes place between 2-17 July.  The tournament is played over four match days at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.  The teams are fighting for promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 | 🎟️ Visit the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre for fixture news and the latest ticket availability.

🏁 SPEEDWAY.  SGB CHAMPIONSHIP ~ 5 July onwards ~ Armadale Stadium and Peugeot Ashfield Stadium 

It’s tapes-up for Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs as the 2024 Championship speedway season continues 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.

sport in scotland

JULY cont.

⛳️ 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.

🏅🧭 ORIENTEERING.  SPRINT WORLD ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS ~ Friday 12 to Tuesday 16 July ~ Edinburgh 

The 2024 Sprint Orienteering World Championships are set to take over the Scottish capital for a five-day festival of the sport.  From Leith Links to Heriot-Watt University to St John Street spectators will be able to get up close and personal to the elite race action in the finish arenas.  There will also be free family activities on offer throughout the week, including orienteering mazes, fun races while all the action is broadcast on live screens.  Tap here for a full timetable of events | 🎟️ Spectating is free.

⚽️ FOOTBALL (W).  UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: SCOTLAND v SERBIA ~ Tuesday 16 July ~ Glasgow

Scotland’s women welcome Serbia to Wyre Stadium as they bring the curtain down on the group stages of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers.  Scotland are currently top of B2 after an unbeaten run of 3 wins and 1 draw so far in the campaign.  With a play-off spot secured the hosts will look to round off their campaign with a another win | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish FA website.

🏏 CRICKET (M).  ICC MEN’S CWCL2 SERIES ~ Tuesday 16 July to Friday 26 July ~ Forfarshire CC 

International cricket returns to Scotland with Oman and Namibia joining the hosts for the ICC Men’s CWCL2 Series taking place at Forfarshire CC.  The series was originally due to take place in May before it was postponed.  A total of four ODI fixtures will be played as Scotland take on Oman and Namibia twice | 🎟️ For ticket info visit the Cricket Scotland website.

sport in scotland

⛳️ 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.

THE SENIOR OPEN ~ Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 July ~ Carnoustie Golf Links 

A big month of men’s golf in Scotland concludes with The Senior Open Presented by Rolex.  Taking place at Carnoustie Golf Links three-time Major Champion Pádraig Harrington is set to tee up.  Joining Harrington are a quartet of fellow Ryder Cup captains in the shape of Thomas Bjørn, Paul McGinley, Tom Lehman and Ian Woosnam | 🎟️ Tickets are on general sale.

AUGUST – SPORT IN SCOTLAND!

⚽️ FOOTBALL (M).  SPFL ~ 3 August onwards ~ Venues various 

Title dreams, European qualification and the spectre of relegation are all on the line across the Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 as the 2024/2025 Scottish Football Professional Football League (SPFL) season gets underway this month.  Celtic are the defending Premiership champions and Scottish Cup holders after they completed a 13th double last season | 🎟️ Visit the SPFL website for upcoming fixture news and head to the home team websites for ticket news.

🏎️ 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 ~ South Inch Parkland

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 South Inch parkland, Perth, a wide range of trade and craft stands will ensure shopping needs are catered for | 🎟️ Visit the Games website for the latest ticket information.

August cont.

⚽️ FOOTBALL (W).  SCOTTISH WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE ~ 11 August onwards ~ Venues various 

The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) 2024/2025 season gets underway this month with Celtic defending the title they won last May for the first time in their history.  On a dramatic final day Celtic scored a 90th-minute winner to beat Hibernian to finish ahead of their fierce rivals Rangers on goal difference | 🎟️ See the SWPL  website for upcoming fixture news and visit home team websites for the latest 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.  Last summer at Walton Heath Vu won the title by six shots | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale here.  

🏇 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 ticket information.

August cont.

🏑 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

🏀 BASKETBALL.  BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUES ~ September onwards ~ Playsport Arena 

Caledonia Gladiators will fly 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 which take place in May.  In addition the Caledonia men are in European action having been confirmed as one of 24 clubs to compete in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) qualifiers which take place in mid-September.  Catch both Caledonia teams in action at the brand new multi-million Playsport Arena in East Kilbride! | 🎟️ Women’s tickets here and Men’s tickets here.  

🚴‍♂️🚴🚴‍♂️ CYCLING (M).  TOUR OF BRITAIN: STAGES ONE ~ Tuesday 3 September ~ Kelso & Scottish Borders

Britain’s biggest professional cycling race returns to Scotland which hosts the opening stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men cycle race.  Expect a star-studded startlist in Kelso at a race that has previously featured GB superstars Mark Cavendish and Tom Pidcock and world champions including Julian Alaphilippe and Wout van Aert.

Stage one in the Scottish Borders will be a 181.9-kilometre (113.1-mile) spectator friendly route.  It starts and finishes in Kelso, passing through Coldstream, Gordon, Melrose, Denholm, Jedburgh and St Boswells.  The route features two loops, enabling spectators in Kelso and Melrose, and on the categorised King of the Mountains climbs at Scott’s View and Dingleton, to see the race in action twice, with the final climb coming 23 kilometres from the finish of the stage | 🎟️ Spectating is free on the route.  

September cont.

🏏 CRICKET (M).  T20I SERIES: SCOTLAND v AUSTRALIA ~ 4, 6 and 7 September ~ Grange CC 

The Grange in Edinburgh is the place to be as Scotland take on Australia in a men’s T20 international series.  It’s the first time since 2013 the ‘Baggy Greens’ have played in Scotlaned.  The three-match series will take place on the 4, 6 and 7 September, ahead of Australia’s fixtures against England later in the month | 🎟️ For ticket info visit the Cricket Scotland website.

⚽️ 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 the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League.  The Scots won promotion to League A after topping their group in 2022.  In Group A1 they’ll also host Portugal (on 15 October) and Croatia (on 15 November) in Glasgow.  The group winners and runners-up will progress to home-and-away quarter-finals  | 🎟️ For the latest ticket information visit the Scottish FA website.

September cont.

🏋️💃🏃‍♀️ 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.

🏒 ICE HOCKEY.  ELITE ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE.  SPORT IN SCOTLAND ~ 13 Setember onwards ~ Glasgow/Dundee/Fife

The 2024/2025 Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season has lift-off this month.  Glasgow Clan, Fife Flyers and Dundee Stars are Scotland’s three representatives in the top tier of UK club ice hockey.  A top-eight finish is the target to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs at the end of April 2025 | 🎟️ Tickets can be purchased at Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers.

🏇 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.

September cont.

🏉 RUGBY UNION (M).  UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: GLASGOW WARRIORS & EDINBURGH RUGBY ~ 20 September onwards ~ Scotstoun Stadium & Hive Stadium 

Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby are Scotland’s representatives in the 2024/2025 United Rugby Championship (URC).  The URC 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 followed by the Grand Final next June.  Glasgow Warriors are the defending champions after their stunning 21-16 victory away to South Africa’s Bulls in the 2024 Grand Final | 🎟️ Tickets via the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby websites.

🏑 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.

🥋🥊 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.  PFL EUROPE ~ Saturday 28 September ~ OVO Hydro

Strap yourselves in as PFL Europe makes its debut appearance in Glasgow.  The action at OVO Hydro is headlined by Scotland’s own Stevie “Braveheart” Ray who takes on Wales’ Lewis “The Captain” Long.  Also featuring is fellow Scotsman Robert “The Hammer” Whiteford in the co-main event against American Roger “El Matador” Huerta | 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now.

sport in scotland

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.

NOVEMBER

🏉 RUGBY UNION (M).  AUTUMN NATIONS: SCOTLAND v FIFI/SOUTH AFRICA/PORTUGAL/AUSTRALIA ~ 2/10/16 and 24 November ~ Scottish Gas Murrayfield

Scotland face four international fixtures in as many weekends in this years Autumn Nations series.  Starting with the visit of Fiji on Saturday 2 November.  Then on Sunday 10 November it’s the turn of the world champions South Africa to take to the field at Murrayfield.  A quartet of Autumn Nations internationals continues with the visit of Portugal on Saturday 16 November before Australia come calling on Sunday 24 Novembernce 2013 | 🎟️ Visit the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre for the latest ticket availability.

DECEMBER – SPORT IN SCOTLAND

🏊🏊‍♂️ SWIMMING.  SCOTTISH NATIONAL SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS ~ Friday 6 to Sunday 8 December ~ Royal Commonwealth Pool

One of the highlights of the Scottish Swimming calendar returns to Edinburgh. The Scottish National Short Course Championships is widely recognised as the premier short course meet in the UK, attracting swimming talent from across Europe.  Taking place in a 25m pool the competition features breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly at 50m, 100m and 200m. Freestyle is also included at 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m, with the ‘Splash and Dash’ 100m Individual Medley also due to feature | 🎟️ Tickets can be purchased per session on the door.  Heats £3/Finals £5, card payment only.  There is no pre-sale of tickets.

🏆 SNOOKER. SCOTTISH OPEN ~ Monday 9 to Sunday 15 December ~ Edinburgh

The Scottish Open returns to Meadowbank Sports Centre after its successful 2022 debut in the capital and 2023 edition.  Part of the Home Nations Series, the top 16 seeded players are set to compete meaning the draw should once again include the likes of Scotland’s four-time world champion John Higgins and current world champion Kyren Wilson | 🎟️ Tickets are on general sale here

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Fancy a sporting weekend away?  Our ‘What’s On’ page has all the ideas you need for a trip to London and the South East of England. 

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