Most Awaited Sporting Events in 2021

2020 didn’t turn out to be the year we all expected. It brought several postponements and cancellations of major sporting events. While other major tournaments were held behind closed doors without fans and in strict conditions. As the Summer Olympics and the Euro2020 have been postponed to 2021 along with other big tournaments, we can hope for a much better year. These are the most awaited sporting events in 2021. 

A year ago we thought 2021 will be a regular year with no special sporting events. But after this very weird 2020, it has become a much anticipated 12 months. Hopefully, the situation will get better during the year and fans can rejoin their favorite athletes in the stadiums. The Olympic Games in Tokyo can be the highlight of the year, but we shall see if it can be organized. But other top sporting events will also return from the new Formula 1 season to the ATP and WTA Tours. 

Football leagues have been resumed everywhere and should continue along with the Champions League and Europa League. With national teams preparing for the European Championships held in 12 cities across Europe. Sadly the Indoor World Athletics Indoor Championship has been canceled, while the Swimming World Championships have been postponed to 2022. Still, there are plenty of great events to look out for, let’s see them now. 

Tokyo Olympics and Euro 2020 are the Most Awaited Sporting Events in 2021

First of all, we have to mention the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games, on which you can bet at bet365 Sportsbook. It was supposed to take place in 2020. The Olympics was one of the first major sporting events to be postponed to 2021 after long discussions. Now the Games are scheduled to start on the 23rd of July and last until the 8th of August. Before the start, several qualifications should also take part in lots of different sports from water polo to boxing.

In the Football World, two major tournaments will take place in the summer. The European Championship between 11 June – 11 July, with 24 teams participating. Online sportsbooks in the UK mention current world champions France as the biggest favorites along with Belgium and England. The special tournament celebrates its 60th birthday and will be held in 12 different cities across Europe. The tickets are already sold, so players should expect full stadiums finally if everything goes according to the plans. At the same time, the 2021 Copa America should bring the biggest excitement in South America. Click here to bet on Copa América at bet365 Sportsbook.

Top Football Leagues will Hopefully Continue in 2021

Fingers crossed, all top football leagues can continue next year, including the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga.  Following the long break, the 2020-21 season is packed with games with little resting time, making it harder for bigger teams. Thanks to the new schedule, we can see a much more balanced situation in all leagues, with a few possible candidates for the title. Liverpool are back on top in the Premier League but only leading two points ahead of Manchester United.

Bayern had a superb last season winning the treble but they also had a small, 2-point lead ahead of Leverkusen and RB Leipzig. In Spain Atletico Madrid lead and have the chance to win their first La Liga title since 2014. While in Italy the two teams from Milan seem to be the biggest favorites to become champions. The Champions League will continue in February with games in the last 16, with the Barcelona vs PSG tie being the most exciting one.

Can Hamilton Win his 8th World Championship Title?

The last Formula 1 season before the new regulations come to work also belongs to the most awaited sporting events in 2021. In spite of Lewis Hamilton’s dominating the 2020 season, we could see some great races at the end of the season. Impressive performances from Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who will be teammates in the new season. While in Ferrari Carlos Sainz will replace Sebastien Vettel who will try to re-energize his career at Aston Martin. And surely many fans can’t wait to see Fernando Alonso back in the circuit.

In MotoGP 6-time world champion Marc Marquez should return and claim back his throne from new champion Joan Mir. But other contestants like Fabio Quartararo will aim for a better result after a disappointing end of his season. He will join the Yamaha factory team leaving Petronas Yamaha, which will be joined by Valentino Rossi. In the American top motorsport, Nascar, the field is even more balanced with several drivers as possible winners. The season will start with the Daytona 500 on the 14th of February.

Looking for the best F1 odds? Join bet365!

Wimbledon is Back, just like The Open Championship

Major tournaments in tennis and golf were all affected this year and postponed or canceled. One of the biggest of them was the Grand Slam in Wimbledon which will return in 2021. Online gambling sites in the UK predict another victory there for world No1 Novak Djokovic. But his old rival, Rafael Nadal is still in great form, just like the new generation with Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev. In women’s tennis, the choice is even wider with Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, or Simona Halep all winning titles in 2020.

The new, 2020-21 golf season has already started with Dustin Johnson winning the postponed Masters tournament in November. It will be also the first major tournament of the year where his main rivals, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas will aim to defeat him. In cycling Giro d’Italia is scheduled to take place in its original date in May, starting from Sicily. British driver Tao Geoghegan Hart will try to defend his first Grand Tour title while the Slovenian duo of Pogacar and Roglic can fight again on the Tour de France.

The Most Awaited Team Sporting Events

The year will start with the Men’s World Handball Championship in Egypt, where Denmark is the top favorite. The women’s event will close the year in December. An even tougher sport, ice hockey will also have its world championship in May co-hosted by Minsk and Riga. While rugby fans should be excited about the upcoming Six Nations tournament and the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Cricket’s calendar is also full of great events. Including the new Hundred tournament and the first World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

But all top American leagues will continue as well, like the NBA, MLB, NHL and NFL, with the LV Super Bowl scheduled for the 7th of February. So plenty of great sporting events to be looking forward to in the new year, with even more betting options for most of them.

Click here to bet on the most popular sports in 2021