ClickCease

Author: Jack Smith

Everything you need to know about the Grand National

Posted on by Jack Smith

Good news, horse racing fans! While you may still be feeling the blues of Cheltenham being over for another year, it’s only a week until this year’s Grand National festival gets underway.

Cheltenham may be the Christmas of horse racing but the Grand National is arguably the biggest race in the world. It’s the headline event of the iconic three-day event at Aintree, which takes place from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th April this year.

All eyes will be on the main event, which sets off at 4pm on the Saturday. Around 150,000 spectators will flock to Liverpool to watch the race, while a further 600 million across the globe are expected to tune in and enjoy it on TV.

It was first run way back in 1839 and covers an official distance of around four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs. Some of the greatest racehorses on the planet will compete over 30 fences as they battle for a Β£1 million prize fund.

Red Rum still holds the record for the most Grand National wins with three, having stormed to victory in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Last year’s race was won by I Am Maximus, with Paul Townend riding Willie Mullins’ first Grand National winner since Hedgehunter in 2005.

Who are this year’s favourites?

There are currently 34 horses set to start this year’s Grand National – but there can only be one winner. I Am Maximus was the favourite last year and he repaid the punters’ faith in him by storming to glory.

And while he’s looking to emulate Red Rum and Tiger Roll by securing back-to-back wins this year, it may be beyond him following disappointing showings in his two runs since last year’s triumph.

Intense Raffles is the market leader one week out after winning the Irish Grand National last year. He’s regularly impressed at Fairyhouse, including a second place finish in the Bobbyjo Chase, and he’ll be looking to replicate that form at Aintree.

Elsewhere, Iroko is expected to challenge following a good showing in last year’s Mildmay Chase, where only Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin beat him. Stumptown could be a contender, while Willie Mullins’ Minella Cocooner has an outside chance after finishing third in the Irish Grand National.

Grand National race schedule

Opening Day – Thursday 3rd April

1:45pm – The EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase
2:20pm – The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle Race
2:55pm – The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase
3:30pm – The William Hill Aintree Hurdle Race
4:05pm – The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
4:40pm – The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase
5:15pm – The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

Ladies Day – Friday 4th April

1:45pm – The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase
2:20pm – The William Hill Handicap Hurdle Race
2:55pm – The Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle Race
3:30pm – The My Pension Expert Melling Steeple Chase
4:05pm – The Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer Uk Topham Handicap Steeple Chase
4:40pm – The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle Race
5:15pm – The Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle Race

Grand National Day – Saturday 5th April

1:20pm – The William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle Race
1:55pm – The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Race
2:30pm – The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase
3:05pm – The Liverpool Hurdle Race
4pm – The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase
5pm – The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase
5:35pm – The Weatherbys Nhstallions.Co.Uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

Grand National Hospitality

As ever, you can enjoy the Grand National in style with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages. We’re offering two different options this year, each with unrivalled views of the action, delicious food and complimentary drinks.

The Sunloch Restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere, as well as a four-course lunch, a wide range of drink options, a private balcony and plenty more. Meanwhile, our Horse & Groom pub option provides guests with a three-course lunch, afternoon snacks, a complimentary bar and a Jockey Club tipster to help you pick some winners.

Enquire today to reserve your place.

Grand National dress code

The Grand National is the perfect opportunity to dress to impress, although the dress code isn’t hugely strict. Aintree racecourse encourages smart casual wear, with no offensive fancy dress or sports team colours or kits allowed.

How to get there

For those driving, you can reach Aintree recourse via the A59, which is just a mile from the M57 and M58. From the A59 to Liverpool, follow the yellow signs to the car parks – spaces can be booked in advance online.

The closest train station is Aintree, which is opposite the racecourse. It’s just seven minutes from Liverpool Central, with frequent Merseyrail services.

Engage Completes Ambro Integration

Posted on by Jack Smith

We are delighted to share that the integration of Ambro Events to Engage Sport Management Limited has been completed.

Hospitality Calendar | Latest News | Our Work with Charity | Work with Engage

Ambro was purchased by Engage Sport Management Limited in 2020, and over the past four years, we have worked together to align our services to better support you.

The Ambro brand hospitality offering will now be included as part of the core Engage service and a new brand ELEVATE has been launched to focus exclusively on supporting customers bespoke event management requirements.

We have focused on providing you with the same great service delivered by the same expert team, but will now fully leverage Engage’s wider experience and expertise in the broader hospitality and events sector to enhance our overall offer to you even further.

If you are already a client of Ambro Events, this information should have been communicated to you. If you have any further questions, please speak to your Account Manager.

Engage β€” Experience better

Since 2005 Engage has been providing high-quality hospitality experiences around the world. From the FA Cup to the Super Bowl, from Monza to Allianz Stadium, we’ve given people breathtaking moments and amazing memories.

We strive to become the leading Sports and entertainment agency in the market as our long-term strategy is to ensure our customers have the best experiences possible.

The Ambro integration into Engage further demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional customer.

Engage Product and Service Brands

  • ICON – ICON represents the pinnacle of event experiences, offering a luxury hospitality experience at some of the world’s most prestigious sporting and cultural events.
  • VIBE – VIBE delivers entertaining hospitality that delivers an incredible experience and a buzz you won’t find anywhere else.
  • ROAM – Experience the ultimate blend of sport, entertainment, and luxury with ROAM, our premier travel brand designed for those who seek the extraordinary.
  • ELEVATE – ELEVATE creates seamless, innovative experiences that take your events to the next level. See below for more details

We are aware of unprecedented customer demand for bespoke events to be delivered to exceptionally high standards of quality and experience.

To continue to support this customer demand, ENGAGE has established a specialist division called ELEVATE that will creatively design, expertly build and conscientiously deliver bespoke events for our customers.

We are extremely excited to share with you the future development of the ELEVATE service and will be in touch to discuss the proposition further.

We look forward to continuing to work with you whether as an ENGAGE or ELEVATE customer.

Engage Named in Sunday Times’ ‘Best Places to Work’

Posted on by Jack Smith

Best Places to Work Award – Medium Organisation

Engage Hospitality is delighted to have been recognized as one of the Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work 2024’. This prestigious award, powered by WorkL, celebrates the outstanding achievements of Britain’s top employers in creating exceptional workplace environments.

The report said: β€œUncapped commission, incentives including ski trips and outings to sporting events and concerts, and regular social events are among the benefits of working for this London-based hospitality agency. Engage, which delivers corporate sports and entertainment events in the UK and globally, prides itself on cultivating a fun and positive work environment built on meritocracy. All 73 employees take part in diversity and inclusion training as well as mental health awareness training.”

It’s a true testament to our people, who aim to embody our company values on a daily basis through their work, personalities and interactions with our clients.

Whether it’s at our events, or in our London office, we strive to be Excellent, Engaging and Entertaining for everything we do and everyone that we hire.

β€œBeing named a ‘Best Place to Work’ is a very proud moment for all at Engage Hospitality. It is a testament to the hard work put in consistently by all of the team. We are honoured to receive this recognition and remain committed to enhancing our workplace environment to support the wellbeing and professional growth of all our employees.”
Andrew Hodgkins, Managing Director

How does the ‘Sunday Times – Best Places to Work’ work?

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards survey uses 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement, wellbeing and discretionary effort in the workplace. To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organization must score well across WorkL’s six-step framework:

  1. Reward and Recognition
  2. Instilling Pride
  3. Information Sharing
  4. Empowerment
  5. Wellbeing
  6. Job Satisfaction

Engage Hospitality scored over 75% in every single category, and 80% or more in the Wellbeing, Instilling Pride and Job Satisfaction sections. It was also rated Excellent for Diversity and Inclusion as well as Confidence in Management.

Work with Engage

If you are interested in working with Engage, then please do not hesitate to contact us about our current opportunities or email careers@engage.co.uk directly.

Formula One 2025: Race dates, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari and where will Carlos Sainz end up?

Posted on by Jack Smith

Formula 1 has released its calendar for the 2025 Season, with 24 races across the year, kicking things off on March 16 in Australia.  

This will be a particularly special edition as it is the 75th anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship. The calendar features all of the same circuits as the 2024 schedule with a few changes to the order of races.

Bahrain has opened the calendar for the past four years, but due to the timing of Ramadan, the race in Sakhir and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will now take place in April, having Australia open in Melbourne instead. This will then be followed by China and Japan, this all being the only major change from this year’s calendar. 

EXPLORE 2025 F1 HOSPITALITY

F1 2025 CALENDAR

Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne – March 16 

Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai – March 23

Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka – April 6

Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir – April 13 

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah – April 20 

Miami Grand Prix – Miami – May 4

Italian Grand Prix – Emilia Romagna – May 18

Monaco Grand Prix – Monaco – May 25 

Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona – June 1 

Canadian Grand Prix – Montreal – June 15

Austrian Grand Prix – Spielberg – June 29 

British Grand Prix – Silverstone – July 6Β 

Belgium Grand Prix – Spa – July 27 

Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest – August 3 

Dutch Grand Prix – Zandvoort – August 31 

Italian Grand Prix – Monza – September 7

Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku – September 21 

Singapore Grand Prix – Singapore – October 5 

USA Grand Prix – Austin – October 19 

Mexico Grand Prix – Mexico City – October 26 

Brazil Grand Prix – Sao Paulo – November 9 

Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas – November 22 

Qatar Grand Prix – Lusail – November 30 

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina – December 7 

LEWIS HAMILTON’S MOVE TO FERRARI

Lewis Hamilton will depart from Mercedes after the 2024 season after opting out of his final contract year, replacing Carlos Sainz at Ferrari.  

Hamiliton’s contract came to an end after the driver activated a release clause in his contract, confirming he will be joining Ferrari on a multi-year deal. 

Considered the most successful F1 driver in history holding seven world titles, the driver expressed that this move would be fulfilling a β€œchildhood dream”. Hamilton will be driving alongside Charles Leclerc and linking up with Fred Vasseur, who he worked with in junior formulae, building the foundations of their relationship. 

WHERE WILL CARLOS SAINZ BE HEADING?

Ferrari’s signing of Lewis Hamilton leaves everyone wondering who Carlos Sainz will be signing a contract with next.  

Carlos Sainz is the top driver available for the 2025 season. Sainz has been linked to several teams since the news broke and has been open about the contract negotiations taking place for him.  

Red Bull have confirmed that they have been in talks with Sainz about the possibility of driving alongside current world champion Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez currently drives alongside Verstappen for Red Bull but his future there could be in doubt due to his recent performances and the availability of Sainz. 

We also know that Mercedes is seeking replacement for Hamilton. 

The door was closed for Sainz at Aston Martin after they confirmed the contract continuation of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, although he did say that they wouldn’t have been his top choice, stating that all of his best options are still open. 

With multiple options for the driver, it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

We are excited to offer multiple hospitality packages across the whole of the F1 calendar, with travel and accommodation inclusions at a number of racing weekends. Get in touch with us and discuss your options today!

Engage team up with Challenging MND

Posted on by Jack Smith

Engage Hospitality are delighted to announce our newest charity partnership, as we team up with Challenging MND.

During this time, all proceeds from the auctions at our ICON events will be going towards the great cause and we will also be getting involved in some of the challenges and events that Challenging MND are organising.

Inspired by Alex Gibson who was diagnosed in 2018, Challenging MND was set up with the mission to provide financial support and assistance to those living with motor neurone disease, to complete any lasting memorable challenges or experiences. MND is a debilitating progressive disease which involves degeneration of the motor neurones and wasting of muscles.

Challenging MND work tirelessly to create lasting memories for those living with MND and their families. They achieve this by offering bespoke challenges or activities of their choosing, fostering a sense of empowerment and joy.

Alex perseveres through physically and mentally challenging events each year to raise funds and awareness for this disease. Although a small, local charity based in the UK, Challenging MND are growing stronger each year and expanding their reach to beneficiaries throughout the country.

This year alone, they have supported 157 individuals living with MND across the UK. Alex’s unwavering dedication to establishing the charity is truly inspiring.

Upcoming Events

There are some amazing events coming up this year, which will be tremendous fun whilst at the same time raising money to help those living with motor neurone disease.

Charity Quiz Night
Billericay Tennis Club, Billericay, CM12 9SA
27 April 2024

Charity Golf Day
Heron Country Golf Course, Brentwood, CM13 3LW
30 April 2024

Annual Sportive
Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, CM15 9NN
23 June 2024

Family Summer Fayre
Deanes Sports Centre, Daws Heath, SS7 2TD
13 July 2024

Charity Gala
Stockbrook Manor, Billericay, CM12 0SP
23 November 2024

Keep an eye on Challenging MND’s website and Instagram page to keep up to date with upcoming events and what you can do to get involved!

Engage delighted to raise money for Kerslake Robshaw Foundation

Posted on by Jack Smith

Engage Hospitality is proud to announce its successful fundraising efforts in support of the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation during a series of sporting events in February and March, including England v Wales and Ireland at Twickenham, England v Brazil at Wembley and Cheltenham Festival.

Throughout these events, auctions took place in our ICON facilities with all proceeds going to the foundation. We want to thank all those involved in the auctions and are delighted to announce we have raised over Β£29,000 for wonderful causes.

Founded by couple Chris Robshaw former England rugby captain, and Camilla Kerslake, BRIT nominated opera singer, the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation envisions a society where every young person discovers life-enriching experiences through music and sport. Their mission is twofold: to harness the healing power of music and sport as tools for recovery among young people impacted by grief, abuse, and violence, and to provide equal access for all young people, regardless of background, ensuring that access to music and sport is not confined by circumstance.

They passionately believe music and sport are a are vital part of young people’s lives. They offer not just a creative outlet, but an opportunity to socialise, and a means to stay physically active. Unfortunately, financial barriers often deny access to pay for lessons or the opportunity to join a team. As a result, they can miss out on important benefits that can help them reach their full potential. The Kerslake Robshaw Foundation is a grant making charity, they award grants to innovative organisations that help young people enjoy the benefits that music and sport provide, no matter what their background.Β 

Organisations that the donations will be supporting include:

I Choose Freedom – A wonderful independent charity who provide refuge and a path to freedom for survivors of domestic abuse, the grant is providing physical activity sessions for women and children attending the refuge.

London Youth Choirs – Brilliant and vibrant organisation, the foundation is supporting an engagement programme working in state schools and communities. Young people are invited to sing in a choir in an environment that is inclusive, supportive and fun, through free workshops, Singing Assemblies and intergenerational Come-and-Sing days.

Buttle UK – Renowned organisation providing support to children and young people who are in poverty and crisis; including domestic abuse, kinship care, estrangement, bereavement. The grant is providing music and sports-related items and activities to enhance the physical, mental, or emotional well-being of the children and young people they support.

Brixton Chamber Orchestra – Community focused charity who champion orchestral music, presenting it to new audiences in unexpected venues. The grant is engaging children with music-making on a range of levels, particularly those who haven’t done so before and have no encouragement at home to do so.

Intergenerational Music Making – an incredible organisation bringing together generations through the transformative power of music and sport, the grant is helping deliver projects that focus on reducing loneliness, isolation, improving mental health and wellbeing whilst creating access to music and physical provisions.

Engage team up with the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation

Posted on by Jack Smith

Engage Hospitality are delighted to announce that we are working with the Kerslake Robshaw Foundation in order to help give opportunities to children through sport and music.

Chris Robshaw has been a friend of Engage for many years now, championing our ICON spirit and his current work alongside wife Camilla Kerslake highlights that.

England’s first home game at Twickenham is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the foundation and our ICON facility is sponsored by the foundation itself, with a fantastic package opportunity with Chris in our auction brochure.

The Kerslake Robshaw Foundation aims to give as many children as possible the chance to enjoy music and sport through providing access to a network of influential figures and professionals to help guide them on their journey, whether the take part for fun or as a potential career path.

The Foundation is already investing in initiatives to use music and sport to improve recovery from trauma, as well as forming proactive partnerships to open-up the opportunities that music and sport can have on improving young lives. We are very excited to see what the beneficiaries of the KRF will achieve once their full potential is unlocked.

On the partnership, Chris has said “The Kerslake Robshaw Foundation are extremely excited to be working with Engage this Six Nations, it will be a great opportunity for us to grow and give more young people a sporting or music opportunity. Engage and I have supported each other over the last few years and now brilliantly they are taking the relationship one step further to support us. We are extremely grateful. Enjoy the game and come on England!” 

We look forward to this brilliant partnership and are delighted to be supporting a inspirational foundation.

Helping you choose the perfect gifts this Christmas

Posted on by Jack Smith

‘Tis the season of celebration, and what better way to share joy than by delighting your loved ones with a thoughtful gift this festive season. Here at Engage, we recognise the significance of quality time spent with loved ones, and we advocate for creating those memorable moments while indulging in excellent hospitality. 

In light of this, we have assembled a special Christmas Gift Guide of four tiers, Bronze to Platinum, to simplify your festive shopping. Whether it’s an evening filled with fantastic artists at Capital’s Summertime Ball, the thrill of festive football, or a summer’s day at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, we have the ideal gift waiting for you!

Group of Friends Christmas

Christmas Gift Guide

Find Out More

Bronze Tier

Our Bronze tier is tailored for those seeking a fantastic family day out. There’ll be enjoyment for all at these entertaining events.Β 

Immerse yourself in the excitement of Showdown 4 at the spectacular Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Witness a memorable clash as Saracens take on Harlequins in a day that will linger in the memories of North London. 

Alternatively, embark on a journey to Wembley for an unforgettable day. Be a part of the thrill as two of the finest women’s teams in the country face off in the FA Cup Final.

For those whose hearts beat to the rhythm of music rather than sports, worry not, we’ve got you covered. Experience the magic of Capital’s Summertime Ball in June, where heavyweights like Calvin Harris, Niall Horan, and Anne-Marie headlined in 2023. The promise of another spectacular day awaits next year. 

Silver Tier

In our Silver tier, we present an elevated setting for your loved ones to relish a truly unforgettable day.Β 

Get ready as the much-anticipated BRIT Awards approach, now confirmed for 2nd March. This prestigious ceremony exudes glamour and promises a stellar lineup of acts for your enjoyment. 

Experience the pinnacle of festive football with premium hospitality. Witness some of the Premier League’s most thrilling fixtures: West Ham travel to Arsenal on Boxing Day and Chelsea host Crystal Palace on the 27th. 

Looking ahead to next summer, mark your calendars for the renowned Chelsea Flower Show in May. Once again, we proudly serve as official hospitality agents for this fabulous event, enabling you to plan and enjoy this spectacular show. 

Gold Tier

Step into the pinnacle of our offerings with the Gold tier, featuring unmissable events on the UK sporting calendar, all enhanced by our prestigious ICON hospitality.Β 

Immerse yourself in the excitement of the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Our ICON facility at the track guarantees an exceptional race weekend experience in a premium setting. 

For an indulgence in glamour, there’s nothing quite like Royal Ascot, a highlight in the horse racing calendar. Make Ladies’ Day truly unforgettable with our exclusive ICON facility. 

Following the excitement of the 2023 Ashes series, gear up for England’s return to test action next summer. Join us at the iconic Lord’s for our outstanding ICON events and witness England take on Sri Lanka in August. 

Platinum Tier

Elevate your Christmas gift-giving with our Platinum tier, designed for those seeking to bestow a truly bucket-list present, which are the unforgettable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.Β 

Delight in Wimbledon like never before with our outstanding debentures. Immerse yourself in the unparalleled atmosphere of the premier tennis tournament, seated in the best positions in the house. 

Monaco, a jewel in the F1 calendar, takes on a whole new dimension with our exceptional hospitality packages. Ensure you experience this iconic race to the fullest. 

For the golf enthusiasts in your family, grant them access to the pinnacle of golfing excellence at The Masters. Don’t miss a moment of the Augusta thrills with our range of hospitality options. 

Saudi Arabia Set to Host 2034 World Cup

Posted on by Jack Smith

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the sole bidder to host the Men’s FIFA World Cup in 2034, making it all but a formality that there will be a second World Cup in the Gulf within 12 years.

Australia opted not to submit a bid to host the tournament just hours before FIFA’s deadline for declarations of interest, which was last Tuesday.

Saudi’s Investment Pays Dividends for World Cup Bid

The anticipation of a World Cup taking place in Saudi Arabia has been a long-held expectation, given the country’s substantial investments in sports in recent years, which have consistently pointed toward this significant milestone.

For those who have been closely following Saudi Arabia’s transformative influence in the world of golf via the innovative LIV Series, it’s increasing prominence as a host for top-tier boxing events, and it’s disruptive impact on the global football transfer market, the realization of this World Cup opportunity shouldn’t come as a major surprise.

With the country now almost certain to host the tournament in eleven years, there is a possibility that it may become even more contentious than Qatar’s hosting in the previous year. Concerns encompass a wide range of issues, including human rights worries, FIFA’s management of the bidding process, potential disruptions to the sporting calendar, and the impact on player well-being due to the likely need for another winter World Cup to avoid extreme summer temperatures.

The potential for disruption could surpass that of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with an expanded 48-team format and the necessity for substantial infrastructure development, there are fears around sustainability too. Even though Saudi Arabia boasts a richer footballing history compared to Qatar, attendances at most of the Pro League clubs have declined during the current season.

However, regardless of the actual intentions of Saudi Arabia’s leadership, their unopposed bid for the 2034 World Cup will heighten scrutiny of FIFA’s procedures and decision-making. Some observers have expressed reservations that this result may have been deliberately orchestrated, creating an effective fait accompli in a deal marked by a lack of transparency and accountability.

Wembley Pitchview restaurant

International Football Hospitality

Enquire Now

Looking Ahead to the World Cup in 2026 & 2030

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June to July and will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico and the US. The tournament will be the first hosted by three nations and the first North American World Cup since 1994.

The upcoming tournament will mark the introduction of an expanded format featuring 48 teams, a significant increase from the previous 32-team setup. The United 2026 bid successfully prevailed over a competing bid by Morocco in the final vote held at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow. Notably, this tournament will be the first since 2002 to be jointly hosted by multiple nations.

The FIFA World Cup is set to undergo a significant transformation by featuring 48 teams for the first time. This expansion represents an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous seven tournaments. The teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new round of 32. The expansion was officially approved by the FIFA Council on March 14th 2023, marking the first alteration of its kind since 1998.

Now looking at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the 24th edition of the tournament is a significant milestone, celebrating the centennial of the World Cup competition. It will also introduce a novel approach to hosting, with three countries spanning two continents taking on the responsibility. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host the event.

Furthermore, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will participate as nations that kick off the tournament, in a special tribute to the 100th anniversary of the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay. This competition will represent a return to Africa, which last hosted in 2010, South America, which last hosted in 2014, and Europe, which last hosted in 2018.

The announcement of the 2030 addition has generated criticism from various quarters, including fans, football officials, and environmental organisations. These critics have raised concerns about the considerable distance between South America and Europe, which would necessitate extensive air travel. This, in turn, could significantly increase the tournament’s carbon footprint and potentially undermine FIFA’s carbon-neutral initiatives.

WTA End of Season Review

Posted on by Jack Smith

As the dust is beginning to settle on another fantastic WTA season, we take a look back at some of the best bits in the world of women’s professional tennis singles from 2023.

From maiden Grand Slam victories to three set battles, it was another wonderful and highly entertaining year in the women’s professional tennis season.

Sabalenka Triumphs Down Under

Back in January, the opening Grand Slam of the year took place in Australia and was a fantastic fortnight to kick off the tennis majors in 2023. Ashleigh Barty’s retirement, coupled with Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka’s absence due to pregnancy, left the 2023 women’s tennis draw very open, with Victoria Azarenka and Sofia Kenin as the sole former champions. Their paths crossed in the first round, where Azarenka emerged victorious in straight sets.

After two weeks of very highly competitive tennis, the final took place between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. In what was a titanic battle, Sabalenka secured her first major singles title with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4. Sabalenka’s impressive performance throughout the tournament included dropping just one set, which happened during her championship match against Rybakina.

ŚwiΔ…tek Defends in France

Iga ŚwiΔ…tek, the defending champion, secured her third French Open title and fourth major title overall by defeating KarolΓ­na MuchovΓ‘ in a thrilling final with a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 at the 2023 French Open. ŚwiΔ…tek’s remarkable achievement made her only the third woman in the Open Era, following in the footsteps of Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka, to win her first four major finals. Additionally, she became the youngest woman to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2002.

ŚwiΔ…tek also etched her name in history as the first player to successfully defend the French Open title since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend a major title since Serena Williams at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. Throughout the tournament, ŚwiΔ…tek displayed exceptional form, dropping just one set in her path to the title, which happened during the final against MuchovΓ‘.

Tennis Hospitality

VondrouΕ‘ovΓ‘ Creates History in SW19

MarkΓ©ta VondrouΕ‘ovΓ‘ achieved a historical victory at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships by defeating Ons Jabeur in the final with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This triumph marked her first major singles title and her first title overall in six years. VondrouΕ‘ovΓ‘’s remarkable journey to the Wimbledon title included several historic achievements.

VondrouΕ‘ovΓ‘ became the first unseeded female player to win the Wimbledon title, a feat not seen since Billie Jean King reached the final in 1963. Furthermore, her world ranking of #42 made her the second lowest-ranked finalist since the establishment of the WTA rankings in 1975. Winning the Wimbledon title also propelled VondrouΕ‘ovΓ‘ into the top ten of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career.

Gauff Causes US Frenzy

Coco Gauff’s impressive victory at the 2023 US Open marked a significant moment in her career. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, clinching her first major singles title. Gauff’s achievement made her the first American teenager to claim the US Open title since Serena Williams did so in 1999.

Gauff also joined a select group of teenagers who won the US Open in the past five years, following in the footsteps of Bianca Andreescu in 2019 and Emma Raducanu in 2021. Notably, Aryna Sabalenka’s performance to reach the semi-finals meant that she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach at least the semi-finals in all four major tournaments during a single season.

ŚwiΔ…tek Ends the Year on Top

The WTA Finals is the season-ending championship of the WTA Tour and took place in Cancun, Mexico this year. The tournament holds a prominent position in the annual tennis calendar, following the four major tournaments. This event showcases the elite eight singles players and the top eight doubles teams, who qualify based on their season-long performance.

In what was a highly competitive week of fantastic tennis, the Polish Iga ŚwiΔ…tek came out as the victor, regaining the world ranking of #1 at the same time. ŚwiΔ…tek dispatched American Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-0 in just under an hour in what was a flawless performance. In winning the tournament and finishing the week undefeated, ŚwiΔ…tek pocketed $3,780,000 as a monetary prize, in addition to 1,500 points towards her WTA ranking.

int(174)