13 of the best sports contests in London and the UK in 2013, including a world cup and The Ashes

There could have been a lull after maybe the all-time greatest year for sport, but this one will be huge too, with scarcely a week passing without a major event in London or at least an easy bus or train ride away.

We’ve picked 13 of the best contests to look forward to in 2013, including a world cup, iconic international landmarks and a little thing called The Ashes – and yes, some Olympians go around again, too.

Rugby: RBS Six Nations Championship

Even without allegiance to a team, this tournament is a beauty – and anything can happen.

Wales earned the Triple Crown (beating all Home Nations) and a Grand Slam (beating everyone) last year.

England’s home matches at Twickenham are on Feb 2 (Scotland), Feb 13 (France) and March 10 (Italy). 

rbs6nations.com

Rowing: The Boat Race

Famously disrupted by Aussie protester Trenton Oldfield last year, the 159th annual eights showdown between Oxford and Cambridge will be rowed March 31 on the Thames in London from Putney Bridge to Chiswick Bridge at 4.30pm. 

theboatrace.org

Cricket: ICC Champions Trophy in England/Wales

Australia‘s going for three in a row in the last ever version of this two-yearly series between the top eight-ranked sides in the world, held in London, Birmingham and Cardiff.

The group stages run June 6-17 before semis at The Oval and Cardiff on June 19-20 and the final at Edgbaston on June 23. 

icc-cricket.com

Rugby Union: Heineken Cup finals

London clubs Harlequins and Saracens have been superb so far in the European Rugby Championship and could both host home quarter-finals on April 5-7 at Twickenham Stoop and Vicarage Road.

Semi-finals are on April 26-28, while the final is on May 18 in Dublin, home of 2012 winners Leinster. 

ercrugby.com

Cricket: First five of 10 Ashes Tests

A double Ashes series, with five Tests in England and Australia – awesome. England’s settled side have the edge, but Michael Clarke’s men proved they can match the best by pushing South Africa.

The first Test begins July 10 in Nottingham, before the teams come to the home of cricket, London’s Lord’s, on July 18.

The other Tests are in Manchester (Aug 1), Durham (Aug 9) and The Oval in London (Aug 21). Try for tickets through the venues, or check out the tour matches. 

ecb.co.uk/tickets

Athletics: Samsung Diamond League London GP

The big money Diamond League, for which the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on July 26-27 is a meet, makes athletics more than a four-yearly sport.

It’ll star Team GB members along with Aussie gold medalist Sally Pearson and US stars such as Aries Merritt. 

diamondleague-london.com

Cricket: England v Australia NatWest ODI and T20

The pyjamas come on for two T20s in Southampton (Aug 29) and Durham (Aug 31), then five 50-over clashes in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and back in Southampton.

England are world number ones in this form of the game. 

ecb.co.uk/tickets

Tennis: The Championships Wimbledon

Wimbledon’s the mother of all Grand Slams and tennis is in a golden age for talent. The best way to get in is via ‘the queue’, a concept unique to the Championships where you can get most levels of tickets on the day.

The queue begins 8am on Sunday June 24. Can Roger Federer make it eight? 

wimbledon.com