After a rollercoaster couple of years, 2022 is shaping up to see the return of sport as we know and love. And with events such as the Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and the FIFA World Cup lining up alongside our annual favourites, 2022 offers something extra special for sports fans and sports bettors alike.
To help you plan your year ahead, here’s our guide to the essential events to include in your 2022 sports betting calendar.
Rugby Six Nations
Starts 5 February
With Wales all out to defend their 2021 Champions title, this year’s Six Nations is set to be an epic clash of the rugby titans. For all the sides, 2022 is the year they have everything to play for, with Scotland and England starting in round one at Murrayfield on the 5 February. But with England recently suffering a setback with captain Owen Farrell ruled out due to ankle surgery, can the side do enough to pull it out of the bag? All eyes will also be on France, who came so close in last year’s tournament, and have something to prove.
With fans back in the stadiums for the first time in two years, whichever way the Six Nations 2022 goes, this five-week tournament will be a lively affair.
The Super Bowl
13 February
Over on the other side of the Atlantic, the iconic Super Bowl also kicks off in LA’s SoFi Stadium on the 13th, with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams all in the running. The Kansas City Chiefs are currently favourites to lift the iconic Lombardi Trophy, with the Rams a close second.
Aintree Grand National
7 to 9 April
Last year’s National made history, with Rachael Blackmore becoming the first woman jockey to win the three miles and two furlongs race. Her mount, Minella Times returns to the famous Aintree turf for the 2022 Grand National, and punters are wondering can this wonder horse from Henry de Bromhead’s yard make it two years in a row.
Others to look out for are Any Second Now and Galvin, both trained by Gordon Elliot. Run Wild Fred is also another to keep a close eye on, although the beauty of the National is that is can be anyone’s game!
World Snooker Championship
Starts 16 April
Bringing the 2022 sporting action inside, the World Snooker Championship returns to Sheffield’s Crucible from 16 April, with four-times Champion Mark Selby returning to defend his title. Amongst this year’s top seeded 16 are Ronnie O’Sullivan and possible 2022 Championship favourite Judd Trump, who is currently running with the odds to lift the trophy for the second time.
FA Cup Final
14 May
With Leicester scoring a shock win in the 2021 FA Cup Final, this year’s race to Wembley on 14 May is already proving to be epic. But with the 2021-2022 Premier League season still in full swing, we can only go on the predictions as to who may reach the FA Cup Final.
Manchester City remain the favourites to lift the FA Cup in 2022, although it is still possible for Leicester to produce an upset twice in a row. But it is Chelsea, closely followed by Liverpool, that are currently tipped to be the ones that could slip past and take their place in the much-anticipated finale to the English football season.
Wimbledon
Starts 27 June
Tennis has been in the spotlight over the last 12 months, with plenty of surprises, changes in the world rankings and a grand slam win for the UK’s own Emma Raducanu. The big question as we look towards the summer spectacle that is Wimbledon 2002 is whether the big players can retain their form or if there more upsets on the cards.
However the iconic two-week tennis event plays out, Wimbledon is one of the most popular sporting events in the world and offers both thrills and wide-spread odds for the sports betting fan. And the 2022 tournament is already shaping up to be the one to watch.
T20 World Cup
Starts 16 October
The one-day cricket phenomenon that is the T20 returns to the world stage from 16 October and is already generating quite the buzz. The pundits’ current front-runners to lift the T20 trophy are South Africa. But with 16 hard-hitting teams in this year’s tournament, the South African side will certainly be given a run for their money.
Australia are the hosts for the 2022 T20, after originally being scheduled to host the 2020 tournament before Covid took hold. This means you may need to endure some antisocial match times. But those late nights will be worth it for the quality cricket and your chance to place a bet on your own predicted T20 trophy winner.
FIFA World Cup
21 November – 18 December
We end the year with the long-awaited FIFA World Cup, to be staged in Qatar where Brazil are current favourites followed France and Germany, who would lift the coveted golden trophy for the fifth time. And if the early predictions are to be believed, Gareth Southgate’s England side is also in the top five to be in with a chance to take home the FIFA glory.
Whatever the outcome, the World Cup 2022 offers sports betting fans the chance to study the form as well as run with their heart and make the most of the biggest football event there is.
And that’s the perfect way to end an action packed 2022 and round off your sport betting calendar!
