Sports bettors in the United Kingdom and Ireland are in for a treat in 2024, with the upcoming calendar packed with a host of exciting events.
Horse racing and football will hog plenty of the headlines, while several other sports also get their time in the spotlight as the year progresses.
With that in mind, we have scoured the 2024 sporting schedules to identify four events that are guaranteed to generate huge interest in betting circles.
Cheltenham Festival
The undisputed highlight of the National Hunt season is the Cheltenham Festival – a four-day meeting held during March at one of the most stunning racecourses in the UK.
The prestigious event features several Grade 1 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle.
Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins is generally the man to follow at Cheltenham, with his stable packed with some of the best hurdlers and chasers in the business.
They include Galopin Des Champs, who recorded a memorable victory under jockey Paul Townend in lasty year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The horse is a best-priced 2/1 to win the showpiece race next March and it would be a brave move to back against him achieving the feat.
Champions League Final
Wembley Stadium will be the venue on June 1 as two of Europe’s top football teams battle to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Reigning champions Manchester City are the bookmakers’ favourites to retain the title and they are already well on their way to securing a place in the knockout stage.
Pep Guardiola’s side can be backed at odds of 9/4 to go back-to-back in the tournament and it would be a shock if they are not in contention next June.
However, the value bet could be Real Madrid, with the 14-time winners knowing what it takes to emerge victorious in UEFA’s top club competition.
The La Liga giants can be backed at 13/2 to claim their 15th European title and it will take a good team to prevent them from getting the job done.
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
When it comes to major sports betting events in Ireland, you would be hard-pushed to find anything to rival the interest generated by the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
The best GAA betting sites in Ireland already have outright odds available on next year’s tournament, despite the final still being nine months away.
Kerry are the 15/8 favourites with the bookies to win the title for the 39th time, but several other teams have a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.
They include reigning champions Dublin, who defeated Kerry in an epic final at Croke Park this summer. Mayo, Derry and Galway are other teams who should be in contention.
Derry appeal as the most likely winners from that trio, with multiple All-Ireland winning manager Mickey Harte fancied to lead them to their first title since 1993.
PDC World Darts Championship
All eyes will be on the iconic Alexandra Palace in London during December as the Professional Darts Corporation World Championship is staged.
Phil Taylor was the punters’ pal for many years in this tournament, and his record of 14 victories in 19 finals is unlikely ever to be beaten.
Michael van Gerwyn will be a popular pick with bettors, while 2021 champion Gerwyn Price is another player capable of winning the event.
Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton are other players who could emerge victorious at the end of what is always a gruelling tournament.
However, the value bet in 2024 could be Luke Humphries, who recently won his first major title at the World Grand Prix and seems destined for greatness.