It’s never too early to start planning your sports calendar for the next year. We have a bit more to wait until 2025 officially arrives, but the full schedule of major sports events is already out there. To sum it up quickly, there will be plenty of great action to follow regardless of your favorite sports.
Based on the announced events, this will be a great year for betting on sports. Here is what you can look forward to next year when it comes to global tournaments and high-level competitions.
Winter World University Games (starts on January 13th)
There will be lots of exciting things to watch at the 32nd Winter Universiade. After all, this will be hosted by the historical town of Turin, Italy. The best student-athletes in the world will appear in a total of 96 events in 11 different winter sports, ranging from alpine skiing to hockey. In a non-Olympic year, this is the best you can hope for.
College Football Playoff National Championship (January 20th)
The final game of the NCAA football season is sure to draw high ratings and attract a lot of bets regardless of which teams eventually qualify. The CFP Championship game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It normally hosts NFL games. But, it will be broadcast live in the United States and Canada, as well as in several international markets.
Super Bowl LIX (February 9th)
If you prefer professional football, you will have lots to do all winter as NFL playoffs get underway. Winners of each conference will meet in New Orleans to decide the new champion in the 59th edition of the Super Bowl. This is probably the media event of the year in North America and an opportunity for casual fans to tune in and see the biggest game of the season.
World Athletics Indoor Championship (starts on March 21st)
This indoor athletics fest will feature 26 different events held over four days. Now in its 38th edition, this global competition will travel to the picturesque town of Apeldoom in the Netherlands, which has an impressive multi-sport arena. Make sure to watch some of the best performers in athletics compete for medals and records.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (starts on May 1st)
While beach soccer is not a mainstream sport, it’s immensely fun. That’s why you shouldn’t miss the World Cup, which will be organized for the 13th time in 2025. Half of the appeal is the location. But, this FIFA-sanctioned event was awarded to Seychelles. It will make the island nation the center of the soccer world for the first time in its history.
Kentucky Derby (May 3rd)
Traditionalist-minded sports fans who enjoy equestrian sports have lots of competitive races to follow in 2025. But, none is more iconic than the Kentucky Derby. Since 1875, this event has been the centerpiece of the North American racing season. As always, the race will happen on the first Saturday in May and will run for a mile and a quarter.
CONCACAF Gold Cup (starts on June 14th)
16 of the best soccer nations in North and Central America and the Caribbean will meet to crown a champion in the 18th Gold Cup. The tournament will be geographically dispersed. After all, it is hosted jointly by the US and Canada in 13 different cities. Mexico will try to defend its title, but it will have plenty of challengers ready to claim the top spot.
FIBA AmeriCup (starts on August 23rd)
The continental basketball championship takes place every four years. But, this next one will be hosted by Nicaragua. There will be 12 teams competing coming from all parts of the Americas. The United States never sends its best players to tournaments of this rank. This means some of the smaller nations actually have a chance to win gold.
World Athletics Championship (starts on September 25th)
For the third time, Tokyo will host the biggest outdoor event in athletics. It was selected for this honor in part because of the National Stadium. It was rebuilt for the 2020 Olympics and is currently one of the finest venues in the world. With a total of 49 events scheduled, this championship will provide lots of elite entertainment for sports fans.
FIFA U-20 World Cup (starts on September 27th)
To witness the rise of young talent in international soccer, you should watch as many games as you can during the U-20 World Cup. Historically, the tournament has been the showcase for up-and-coming stars, and we can expect the same when the 24th edition kicks off in Chile. We still don’t know all of the 24 qualifying teams, so check back closer to the tournament for details.
Beach Volleyball World Championships (starts on November 14th)
You wouldn’t expect beach volleyball to be played in mid-November. But in Australia, this is the high season for this increasingly popular sport. That’s why the bi-annual World Championship will be played in Adelaide – likely in sunny weather. Catching a few games could be a great way to break the routine and enjoy spectacular moves on the sand.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports for more sports content and entertainment.
Featured Image: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
