Brighton is a wonderful town that is visited by around 9 million tourists due to its incredible nightlife and stunning beachfront. It is known by the Brits as the hippiest and happiest city in the UK. But, there is another feature about Brighton that many visitors don’t see.
We are of course thinking of the many sporting events and activities that take place in this city. Regardless if it’s on a professional or on an amateur level, there is a variety of sports that you can experience. Below we will mention the best sports that take place in Brighton.
Football
We start off with football, which is the most popular sport in Brighton, as well as in the UK. The whole city is cheering for Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., a club that competes in the English Premier League. It has its ups and downs, but in recent years it’s shown some remarkable performances.
The club finished in the 9th spot in the Premier League in season 2021/22 and was only 5 points away from a European spot. This season, they have a pretty decent chance of achieving a better position.
Football is a very big thing in Brighton, and it has been so for more than a hundred years. Spectating a football match at the Falmer Stadium is one of the best feelings that you can experience in this city.
If you want to try out your skills on a football pitch, then you will be pleased to know that there are numerous grounds to choose from. There you will find many football enthusiasts to play with, in case you travel alone.
Horse Racing
Next up, we have the second most popular sport in the UK, horse racing. This sport is very much valued in Brighton, where you will find many horse racing events at the Brighton Racecourse.
It is one of the smallest racecourses in the country, but that doesn’t mean that there is no quality. Many residents enjoy the thrill and excitement of the racing events as well as from betting on horses.
The very first organized public horse racing event that took place at this racecourse took place in 1783, although this sport has been practised in the city since 1713.
The official horse races at the Brighton Racecourse start around the 20th of April and last until the 20th of October. We recommend you visit the races that occur during the three-day Brighton Festival, which takes place on the first Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of August.
Also, make sure to catch the main event at this festival, which is the Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy Handicap. If you are into horse riding, then you can also reach out to the local riding schools and stables for an unforgettable ride.
Cricket
Cricket is also quite popular in Brighton, as this city is part of the region of England where this sport was invented. Residents in this town are following the matches from their beloved club Sussex Sharks, which is a regular contender for the cricket County Championship.
Sussex Sharks is actually the oldest first-class club within the domestic cricket County Championship. The club’s matches are extremely entertaining and you can watch them at the County Cricket Ground, Hove.
It is worth noting that the cricket season in the UK begins in April and ends in September, so make sure to catch at least one game in this time period.
Brighton is also providing its residents, especially its older citizens, with many cricket clubs where they can enjoy this fun sport.
Cycling
Last but not least, we have cycling, which is another major sport in Brighton. Not long ago, this city was labelled as the 6th best city in the UK for cycling. There are numerous cycling routes around Brighton, which will feel you with energy and relaxation.
One of the best cycling routes that you can take is the London to Brighton Bike Ride. This iconic cycle ride is 55 miles long and it is an astonishing event that every bike fanatic must try.
In Brighton, there are around 39 kilometres of bike routes that every cyclist can enjoy. The city provides its visitors with a chance to rent a bike and even meet up with other people and go on a bike tour.
