Leeds is set for a sizzling summer of sporting excitement

Leeds is gearing up for a summer of major events that will cement its status as one of the country’s sporting capitals.

Thousands of amateur athletes will take part in runs, bike rides and other events over the next few months, raising the city’s national and international profile and boosting its economy.

Many more will have a viewing brief, with sports fans set to pack into famous venues such as Headingley Cricket Ground and Elland Road as they put on a tasty program of top professional action.

And everyone preparing to play their part in the various events and matches – whether competitor, organizer or supporter – has been told they can look forward to the kind of immersive, inclusive experience that showcases the best from Leeds.

The list of sports dates scheduled for the city this summer includes:

• The 2024 edition of the Leeds 10K, the much-loved annual race which was first held in 2007. Organized by not-for-profit sporting events company Run For All with support from partners including Leeds City Council, this year takes place on Sunday , June 23. More than 5,000 people are expected to take part in the run, which starts at the University of Leeds Parkinson Steps and finishes outside Leeds Art Gallery;
• Legacy Ride, a mass participation cycling event that will mark its 10th^th the anniversary of Yorkshire’s staging of the Tour de France’s Grand Departure. Taking place on Sunday 7th July, the ride will visit some of the most scenic spots in the Yorkshire Dales, starting and finishing in Roundhay Park in Leeds. The event is organized by leading cycling events company Struggle Events, with support from Leeds City Council and sponsorship from Leeds-based advanced digital delivery consultancy Axiologik;
• United Kingdom Corporate Games 2024, which runs from 25 to 28 July. Europe’s largest multi-sport festival for business, it is being held in Leeds following a joint bid by Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds. The event will see thousands of participants from companies large and small competing in over 20 sports, from badminton and basketball to tennis and ten-pin bowling.

May also has an extra-special performance opportunity in the form of the second Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Taking place this Sunday 12th May, it is organized by Run For All with the support of Leeds City Council and will raise funds for a number of good causes.

Meanwhile, in April, the city opened a new sports ground when it held its first international ice hockey.

A crowd of 2,000 fans packed into Planet Ice Leeds, near Elland Road, for Great Britain’s 3-1 win over Poland on April 26.

Henry Staelens, Chief Executive of Ice Hockey Great Britain, said:

“It was great to play in front of a sold-out crowd in Leeds. Taking Great Britain through Great Britain is one of our main aims and it was fantastic to see so many new faces at the game.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in making the evening such a success.”

Leeds’ reputation as a sporting heavyweight has been strengthened in recent years by hosting events such as the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series and the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, as well as a number of matches at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.

Occasions like these raise the city’s profile, but also ring in the cash registers, with the UK Corporate Games expected to generate more than £2m for the Leeds economy. Similarly, the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart boosted the Yorkshire economy by more than £100m, even before other long-term benefits such as increased tourism and trade deals are taken into account.

The council also works alongside individual organizers to ensure that large-scale events are underpinned by sound sustainability strategies that support the city’s net zero ambitions.

Councilor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education, said:

“Leeds is a famously sporting city and also one that relishes the opportunity to host major events of all kinds.

“Both of these traits will be highlighted this summer as we host the Leeds 10K, Legacy Ride, UK Corporate Games and much, much more.

“Everyone who attends or competes can expect to enjoy the kind of inclusive, welcoming and vibrant atmosphere that Leeds does best.

“As someone who took part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon last year and will be running it again this weekend, I know how impressive the city looks and feels on these big days. They really bring people together and provide a great advert for Leeds.”

In the world of cricket, Headingley will host matches for the England men’s team against Pakistan (May 22) and Australia (September 21), with England Women taking on Pakistan Women at the same venue on May 19. , takes place at Elland Road on August 17 and 18.

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