Did you know that Brighton has one of the highest densities of golfers anywhere in the country? Or that it’s home to the UK’s largest indoor cricket centre? If you’re a sports fan, you probably already know this. But what kind of sports-mad individual would want to live in a place without a decent pub or two? We’ll explore some of Brighton & Hove’s best sporting events, from darts and pool to horseracing, bowling, and everything in between.
Horseracing at Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium
Brighton’s horseracing track is one of the UK’s top ten courses. As well as being home to the Gents’ and Ladies’ Open Golf Championships, it also holds weekly racing throughout the year and several annual fixtures. The most popular of these is the Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium’s annual Grand National meeting. This takes place over three days in April every year, attracting tens of thousands of sports fans yearly. The event features live racing and a range of side activities like casino games and live music. The event is an excellent opportunity to visit one of the UK’s top horse racing venues. If you’ve never been, the experience is a bit different from what you might be used to. There’s no grandstand as such – instead, the action is broadcast on giant screens positioned about the track. And the weather is usually pretty good, too.
British Basketball League – The Brighton Bears
The Brighton & Hove Seagulls play in the British Basketball League. While their home games are played at the Amex Arena, other fans will get the chance to see them compete live at different venues around the country. In addition, the British Basketball League hosts a playoff tournament at several venues in March every year. The team that wins the playoff tournament is the team that goes on to represent the country at the European Championships in August. So if you’re a basketball fan and want to see some of the country’s best athletes in action, keep an eye on the BBL website for details of the playoff tournament. We expect tickets to go on sale in the autumn, so keep an eye out for more information.
Bowling at Ocean Bowl
Ocean Bowl is one of Brighton’s most beloved attractions. The bowling alley has been delighting families and friends for decades with its great atmosphere and quirky decor. And, of course, it’s challenging bowling lanes! If you’re a bowling fan, you should definitely make the most of Ocean Bowl’s event calendar, which features regular bowling tournaments for all abilities. If you’re visiting with a group, you can also hire out the whole venue for a private event. Ocean Bowl’s calendar of events is widely varied. It features everything from family fun days to Friday night disco bowling and themed nights like ‘Cosplay Wednesdays’ and ‘Retro Rotten Sundays.’ Ocean Bowl is also a great place to spend a birthday. Book a lane and hire out the venue’s party room to make your celebration extra special.
Sussex County Cricket Club – The Brighton Spartans
Brighton & Hove’s oldest sports club is Sussex County Cricket Club, founded in 1882. The club’s home ground, The County Ground, is one of the country’s most picturesque cricket venues. You’ll find it close to Brighton’s seafront, right beside Hove Lawns and just a stone’s throw from Brighton Pier. If you’re a cricket fan, you don’t have to wait for the season to start to see Sussex County play. The club hosts an annual game against MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), one of the sport’s governing bodies and the world’s most prestigious club. This match is Sussex’s calendar’s highlight and sells out yearly. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket to the annual match between these two great cricketing institutions, you’re in for a real treat. The occasion is renowned for its fun and quirky atmosphere: expect giant inflatable balls, giant bats, and a candy floss machine!
Tennis at the Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is home to several annual tennis tournaments. It hosts the British International Pool and Squash Championships each year, as well as many amateur tournaments open to all ages and abilities. If you’re a tennis fan, you can also keep an eye out for details of the annual Brighton Open: a prestigious ATP Challenger Tour event. This tournament is open to both professionals and amateurs, so it’s an excellent opportunity to see some of the country’s best tennis players in action. In addition to these annual events, the Brighton Centre also hosts a wide variety of one-off tennis matches. Keep an eye on the venue’s website for details of upcoming games.
Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Brighton & Hove Albion FC is the city’s Premier League football club. You can keep an eye out for details of the club’s home games throughout the season, either on their website or in the local press. If you want to attend a home game, you’ll need to buy a ticket in advance. Albion’s stadium, The Amex, is a small, jam-packed ground that often sells out well ahead of time. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, make sure you get to the stadium early: the atmosphere at a game is like nothing else!
Bowloree
Bowloree is a city-wide indoor ten-pin bowling competition. The event is held annually in March and sees hundreds of bowlers compete for glory. If you’re a bowling fan, Bowloree is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts and test your skills against the best in the city. The Bowloree competition takes place over two days, with the first-day seeing competitors split into teams of four. Next, you and your teammates will play against other teams in a knockout tournament, aiming to win as many games as possible. Finally, the second day sees the best performers from each group competing against one another in a knockout tournament. The aim is simple: be the best bowler in Brighton!
