January ushers in a flurry of winter sports action, headlined by the exhilarating Tour de Ski, challenging athletes across grueling cross-country courses in Toblach and Val di Fiemme, Italy. Simultaneously, the WTA tennis season kicks off in Australia, setting the stage for intense competition leading up to the Australian Open. The prestigious Junior-VM in ice hockey takes center stage in Ottawa, Canada, showcasing the future stars of the sport. Early January also sees the PGA Tour tee off its new season in the picturesque Kapalua, Hawaii, while motorsport enthusiasts gear up for the demanding Dakarrally in Saudi Arabia. The month culminates with the Australian Open in Melbourne, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Other notable events include the U18 Women’s World Championship in ice hockey, various Alpine Skiing World Cup events, the Biathlon World Cup, and the start of the Winter Universiade in Turin, Italy.
Mid-January marks the commencement of the Men’s Handball World Championship, with Sweden aiming for glory after their previous bronze medal finish. The sporting world then turns its attention to the prestigious Idrottsgalan in Stockholm, celebrating the achievements of Swedish athletes. Equestrian enthusiasts can enjoy the World Cup events in Basel and Leipzig, while biathlon competitions continue in Oberhof and Ruhpolding, Germany. The last week of January features the Konståkning EM in Tallinn, Estonia and the Biathlon European Championships in Val Martello, Italy. The month concludes with the thrilling Prix d’Amerique, a prestigious trotting race in Paris.
February sees the commencement of the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, with Sara Hector leading the Swedish medal hopes. The world’s best biathletes gather in Lenzerheide, Switzerland for the Biathlon World Championships, while the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off promises a thrilling spectacle of hockey talent in Montreal and Boston. The SM-veckan winter multi-sport event takes place in Borås, Sweden. The month ends with the highly anticipated Skiing World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, promising intense cross-country battles and setting the stage for March’s legendary Vasaloppet.
March begins with the historic Vasaloppet ski race in Sweden, drawing thousands of participants and spectators. The focus then shifts to indoor athletics with the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Biathlon and golf also feature prominently with the Biathlon World Cup and the Ladies European Tour season opener respectively. The SHL, Sweden’s premier ice hockey league, concludes its regular season, paving the way for the playoffs. Formula 1 roars back to life with the first race of the season in Melbourne, Australia, marking the beginning of another year of high-speed competition. The month also includes the Curling World Championships for women and the Bandy World Championships.
April welcomes the prestigious Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, the first major golf championship of the year. Sweden’s rising golf star, Ludvig Åberg, is set to participate in this iconic event. The focus then turns to the ice, with the IIHF Women’s World Championship taking place in the Czech Republic. Handball fans anticipate the Women’s World Championship qualifiers, with Sweden vying for a spot in the tournament. Other prominent events include Swim Open Stockholm, the Judo European Championships, and the Chevron Championship in golf. The month also marks the start of the NHL and NBA playoffs and the U18 Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships.
May is a month filled with major sporting finals. The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships return to Sweden, co-hosted with Denmark, promising thrilling action on the ice. The prestigious World Table Tennis Championships take place in Doha, Qatar, where Swedish star Truls Möregårdh hopes to build on his previous success. Football takes center stage with the finals of the Champions League (both men’s and women’s), Europa League, and Conference League. The Elitloppet, a major trotting event, is held in Solvalla, Sweden, while the Indianapolis 500 provides another high-octane spectacle. Orientering enthusiasts can look forward to Tiomila, a major relay race in Sweden.
The summer sports season truly kicks off in June and July, with major events across various disciplines. The U21 European Championship in football will be held in Slovakia, while the UEFA Women’s Euro takes place in Switzerland, with Sweden amongst the contenders. Tennis fans will be glued to their screens for Wimbledon, while cycling enthusiasts gear up for the Tour de France (both men’s and women’s). Other highlights include the US Open in golf (both men’s and women’s), the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the World Orienteering Championships, and the European Athletics Team Championships. The Equestrian European Championships in show jumping sees Henrik von Eckermann aiming for redemption after a disappointing Olympic Games. The month of July also hosts the prestigious O-ringen, a five-day orienteering competition in Sweden.
