As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on a whirlwind 12 months in both sport and music. We’ve enjoyed yet another thrilling year, with countless unforgettable moments.
While there are plenty that we could have included, we’ve whittled it down to our five favourites.
Late Euros drama for England
England fans have become used to reaching the latter stages of international tournaments of late, so expectations were high heading into Euro 2024 earlier this year. While Gareth Southgate’s side reached yet another final, they sadly fell at the final hurdle, losing to Spain in the final.
Despite that heartbreak, there were still some huge moments for the Three Lions, with some unforgettable late goals along the way. England bored their way through the group stage to set up a round of 16 tie with Slovakia and they looked to be on their way out as the game reached its dying embers.
But Jude Bellingham had other ideas and after a phenomenal debut season at Real Madrid, he continued his dream season by scoring a dramatic 95th minute bicycle kick equaliser to take the game to extra-time. Harry Kane headed in a winner and England were into the quarter-finals.
Another late goal from Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka led to England ultimately beating Switzerland on penalties and then, in their semi-final clash with the Netherlands, another period of extra-time loomed. However, in yet another late moment of magic, Ollie Watkins smashed in a winner and England reached the final.
The return of Oasis
After splitting up in 2009, music fans have been begging for Oasis to get back together for the best part of 15 years. As time went on, those calls became more and more desperate, with many giving up hope that the feuding Gallagher brothers would ever reunite.
However, in an announcement that shocked the world, Oasis confirmed that they’d be returning for a long-awaited tour next year. The Britpop band are set to play five dates in their hometown Manchester and seven at Wembley, as well as gigs in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin and plenty of other places across the globe.
More than 10 million people logged on to buy tickets, with many fans being left disappointed. Their first return gig at the Principality Stadium is next July and it’s arguably the most anticipated concert in the history of music. If you missed out or fancy watching Oasis in style, you can join us in the UK or Ireland in Engage’s exclusive hospitality areas.
Keely Hodgkinson strikes gold in Paris
20 years after Dame Kelly Holmes did the double in the 800m and 1500m in Athens, Team GB crowned another queen of the track in Paris this summer. Keely Hodgkinson was targeting gold after claiming silver in Tokyo last time out and she didn’t disappoint.
The 22-year-old raced to glory in an emphatic performance, leaving reigning world champion Mary Moraa in her wake. Hodgkinson’s incredible feat saw her crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year earlier this week.
And the runner wasn’t Team GB’s only star at this year’s games. Alex Yee mounted a remarkable comeback to claim gold in the triathlon, while paralympian Dame Sarah Storey picked up another two cycling gold medals to take her career tally to 19.
Girls take over in pop music revival
It was a huge 2024 for pop music, with some of the world’s biggest stars enjoying their best year yet. Taylor Swift finally waved goodbye to her iconic The Eras Tour, playing the final of 149 shows in Vancouver earlier this month.
The 20-month tour became the highest-grossing in history and the first to gross more than $1 billion, with more than 10 million people attending around the world. And Swift wasn’t the only female pop superstar to taste success this year.
Sabrina Carpenter, who was a support act in some of the earlier The Eras Tour shows, enjoyed a breakthrough year. Her album ‘Short n’ Sweet’, which featured the hit single ‘Espresso’, became the first to ever debut at the top of the Billboard 200.
Elsewhere, the likes of Chappell Roan and Charlie XCX became musical icons this year, while Dua Lipa stole the show at Glastonbury as she headlined the Pyramid Stage on the Friday night.
Luke Littler bounces back from World Championship defeat
We’re currently in the midst of the PDC World Darts Championship but if we rewind 12 months, Luke Littler was taking his debut tournament by storm. Aged just 16, the 66/1 shot went on a remarkable run to reach the final.
He suffered heartbreak as he eventually lost to fellow Brit Luke Humphries but the youngster, who was the SPOTY runner-up, has bounced back and enjoyed a standout year.
Littler is the reigning Premier League Darts, Grand Slam and World Series Finals champion. He’s still hoping to add the World Championship title to his collection and, with his 18th birthday still a few weeks away, we’ve got no doubt that he’ll have plenty to his name when he eventually calls it a day.
