Next year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in Bristol’s long history, because the city has been named as the UK’s first European City of Sport. This will be a great opportunity for sports fans in the area to sample some of the best activities the city has to offer.
As Bristol will be one of the host cities the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, the city’s European City of Sport year is set to take on a female-friendly tone, with an emphasis on encouraging girls to get involved in sport in the Southwestern city.
Due to the fact that Bristol has been awarded this prestigious title, 2017 is going to see the city’s schedule jam-packed with exciting sporting events of every kind imaginable. Here are just some of the activities that will be taking place in the city next year:
Bristol County Ground is one of five venues hosting next year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Running from June 26 to July 23, this will be the 11th International Women’s Cricket World Cup, and only the third to take place in the United Kingdom. The eight best performing women’s cricket teams in the world will take part in what is sure to be an exciting, energetic event.
Following a successful debut, this fantastic festival, which mixes music and sport, will be back for its second outing, and it is the perfect event for families to celebrate Bristol’s European City of Sport year. This event, which takes place on June 9-11, is likely to appeal to sports fans and non-fans alike, and will feature many of the UK’s best Rugby 7s teams, as well as a Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Village to get people moving, dodgeball and netball tournaments, live DJs and bands and much more besides.
Perhaps the highlight of the Bristol European City of Sport year will be the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. This annual event is one of the biggest and best in the whole of Europe. Full of hot air balloon adventure in Bristol, this event typically sees well over 100 balloons take flight for balloon rides, night glows, and spectacular aerial displays, which are perfect for family days out. You can also be apart of this event and join one of the mass ascents with Bailey Balloons – a once in a lifetime experience!
Although hot air ballooning is not something you would immediately think of as a sport, pilots often compete against each other in races and other events, and hot air ballooning has even featured in summer sporting events.
One thing is for sure – if you are even a little bit interested in sports, Bristol is truly the place to be in 2017. There’s sure to be at least one event that will appeal to you and your family, and hopefully get you up and moving more often.
