Event-ful times ahead as London continues the magic

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Mayor of London Boris Johnson hailed London 2012 the ‘Golden Games’ during a ‘summer like no other’ following a hugely successful Olympic Games and a record-breaking Paralympic Games, pledging to secure an enduring legacy for the city. With a 2013 diary already brimming with new events and packed full of exciting returning major events – it highlights that the UK capital is focused on ensuring that pledge comes to fruition and London continues to be the most exciting destination for major live events.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “London is still buzzing from the extraordinary positive contagion which spread through the capital during the 2012 Games, and I am determined to use the fantastic summer as a springboard for the future.

“We have already lined up an exciting calendar of cultural and sporting spectaculars for the coming months, which will cement London’s reputation as the best big city in the world in which to host major events.”

Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events at London & Partners said: “It’s hard to top the most incredible summer of sport that London has ever seen but as a result of its resounding success, we have a population of passionate and informed event goers wanting to get involved – whether it’s participating or cheering on. With the diverse array of events already lined up for London fans and event enthusiasts have everything to look forward to as the capital continues to sparkle on the world stage.”

A new highlight for the 2013 calendar that follows the most inspirational performances at the Games this summer is a mass participation cycling event in August entitled RideLondon. With the event on the scale of the London Marathon it is predicted to be the largest cycling fundraising event in the world. With four separate disciplines for elite male riders, promising athletes, seasoned enthusiasts and family fun riders, it will be the largest celebration of cycling the capital has ever seen.

And for those that might be having Olympic withdrawal this autumn, perfect antidotes include major sporting events returning to the capital from the turbo-charged NFL Series International at Wembley Stadium in October to the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena, where the cream of world tennis come to meet for the year’s final showdown.

In 2013, London sees the return of Six Nations Rugby, as well as the UEFA Champions League Final in May and the ITU Triathlon World Series Grand Final in September. That’s not to mention all the regular events on the London calendar including the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in March, Virgin London Marathon in April and Wimbledon Championships in June.

As was hugely apparent with the wonderfully successful Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival this summer, complimenting our major sporting events are the widely celebrated cultural events that the city attracts. With everything from the spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks and mouth-watering Taste of London to the flamboyant Notting Hill Carnival and the buzzing UEFA Champions League Festival that goes hand in hand with the sporting final, there is something to suit every age and taste bud.

And that’s no truer than right now as we continue the momentum built from staging the largest cultural festival the capital has seen with a season celebrating the creative industries.  From captivating London Fashion Week to the innovative London Design Festival – both currently taking London by storm – to the glorious 12-day London Film Festival in October which will give a concentrated burst of film across more boroughs of London than ever before, London has never been more colourful.

The Mayor has also called on people to try their hand at a sport they may not have tried before for free as part of his Freesport programme, which is aimed at boosting interest and participation in sport before, during and after the Games. Around 130 locations across the capital will be open to the public for the initiative and Londoners can find out more by simply logging on to www.molpresents.com/freesport.

A full list of events to date is available on the London Major Events Calendar 2012/13, which will continue to be updated with events as they are confirmed.