With coronavirus restrictions hopefully a thing of the past, the abrupt summer we had in England has come to an end, with winter approaching, temperatures dropping, but fortunately stadia opening.
After 19 months away, sports fans can finally get their fix once again and with the last few months of the year come the business end of a lot of tournaments and events that will be sure to keep you glued to the edge of your seat.
The return of fans, even when it was in a reduced capacity, brought new found life to the games we know and love. It is always so refreshing to see packed out stands and waves of crowds, especially given the hardships we have faced as a nation over the last couple of years — but what are the best sports to go and see? Read on, as we bring you some of the biggest and best events taking place this Autumn.
Grand Slam of Darts
Seeing as the temperatures will be dropping soon, it seems sensible to start with a sport that takes place indoors. Darts has risen in popularity massively in the last few years and there are few places with better atmosphere than a rambunctious gang of punters singing songs and getting behind some of the sports best as they cover a variety of venues across the country.
In preparation for the PDC Championships at the end of the year, the Grand Slam offers an early opportunity to gauge just how exciting the sport can be. The likes of Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and reigning UK Open champion James Wade are all poised to feature in Wolverhampton this November.
Greyhound Racing
The small but passionate and dedicated greyhound community always make good company for the biggest of races. Whether it be as a works night out or just an excuse to check the greyhound betting odds, there are so many races taking place between now and the end of the year. With the English Greyhound Derby having come and gone, but with plenty of events still to come, particularly in the Midlands, there are still opportunities to get down to the racetrack.
With a mix of flat racing and hurdles, British Bred derbies and elite competitions, there is something for everyone — from complete novices interested in learning the ropes to the aficionados who have mastered the greyhounds betting tips, the track will almost always guarantee to entertain.
Snooker: English Open
After a quiet spell on the snooker calendar, fans are relishing the opportunity to get back to the action, with the English Open heading to Milton Keynes next month. Attempting a new tournament structure, it will be an exciting prospect, especially given some of the sports best will be there including defending champion Judd Trump.
The qualifiers showed that there will be plenty of quality on display and even with the month absence they face over the summer, one of the most lucrative tournaments in snooker kept its high standards. With overseas players allowed to travel once again, we get to see the likes of Xiao Guodong and exciting upcomer Zhao Xintong on British soil after a long time, making the finals an exciting prospect.
