Football
Major Football Events 2023
After a scintillating 12 months for domestic and international football, topped off by a brilliant FIFA World Cup in Qatar, 2023 promises to bring much more for the globe’s favourite sport.
From English football to European knockout tournaments on the big stage, below is a complete guide for everything to look out for over the next calendar year.
| Date | Event | Type | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28th May 2023 | The Premier League | Domestic | 380 |
| 29th May 2023 | The EFL | Domestic | 1610 |
| 3rd June 2023 | FA Cup | Domestic | 40 |
| 27th February 2023 | EFL Cup | Domestic | 35 |
| 31st May 2023 | UEFA Europa League | European | 96 |
| 10th June 2023 | UEFA Champions League | European | 96 |
| 20th July 2023 | Women’s World Cup | International | 64 |
The Premier League
- Start Date: 6th August 2022
- End Date: 28th May 2023
- Type: Domestic
- Games: 380
The Premier League is the highest division of English league football and encompasses the best 20 teams in the country. It is often regarded as the most challenging domestic league in the world, attracting world-class players and managers from all around the globe.
Having taken a break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Premier League returned to action on Boxing Day, with Arsenal consolidating their position at the top of the table with a stirring second-half comeback against West Ham. By the time the Premier League ends on 28th May 2023, we’ll know if the Gunners were able to win their first league title since 2004.
Arsenal are 2/1 to secure the title, behind current champions Manchester City at 4/9.
Bet on the Premier League with William Hill.
The EFL
- Start Date: 29th July 2022
- End Date: 29th May 2023
- Type: Domestic
- Games: 1610
The English Football League (EFL) encompasses the four professional divisions below the Premier League, namely the Championship, League One and League Two, plus the playoff matches after the conclusion of the league season.
With all four divisions taking individual breaks for the World Cup, the EFL action is back in full swing now, with Burnley, Leyton Orient and Plymouth Argyle each hoping they can hold onto their leads at the top of their respective tables.
The FA Cup
- Start Date: 6th August 2022
- End Date: 3rd June 2023
- Type: Domestic
- Games: 40
The FA Cup, the oldest national football competition in the world, is likewise back in full swing following the World Cup break, with the Third-Round fixtures set to commence in early January. Last year’s winners Liverpool will be hoping to defend their crown when they line up against Wolves at Anfield on 7th January, and are 6/1 to retain the trophy.
Six-time winners Manchester City are the current favourites at 10/3 to lift the FA Cup at Wembley on June 3rd, with current Premier League leaders Arsenal also fancied at 7/1.
The EFL Cup
- Start Date: 9th August 2022
- End Date: 27th February 2023
- Type: Domestic
- Games: 35
England’s second knockout competition, the EFL Cup, is slightly closer to completion than the FA Cup, with February’s final at Wembley meaning we’re already into the quarter-final stage.
Eight teams remain to try and secure a semi-final place, with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool already knocked out. With that in mind, it could finally be Newcastle’s (5/1) year for a major trophy, though they will have to overcome both Manchester clubs, with United (5/2) and eight-time winners City (4/5) considered the frontrunners for Wembley glory.
UEFA Europa League
- Start Date: 4th August 2022
- End Date: 31st May 2023
- Type: European
- Games: 96
The UEFA Europa League is Europe’s second-biggest knockout competition, after the prestigious Champions League. Despite this sentiment, it usually incorporates some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona finding themselves in the knockout stage for this year’s competition.
When the round of 32 commences in February, current Premier League leaders Arsenal will be considered favourites to win their first ever European competition at 4/1, with Spanish giants Barcelona deemed the next-best bet at 9/2, though the Catalans will have to overcome Manchester United in the qualifying round.
UEFA Champions League
- Start Date: 21st June 2022
- End Date: 10th June 2023
- Type: European
- Games: 96
The UEFA Champions League, by far the most prestigious club competition in world football, returns to action in February. Whilst it follows a similar structure to the Europa League, the Champions League contains one less knockout stage, meaning the round of 16 will commence upon the tournament’s return.
Current holders Real Madrid will be looking to add to their 14 titles when they line up against Liverpool, though they are somewhat considered outsiders at 11/1 to win the competition. Manchester City are the 13/8 favourites to break their Champions League curse and lift the trophy in Istanbul on 10th June, with Bayern Munich the next fancied option at 6/1.
FIFA Women’s World Cup
- Start Date: 20th July 2023
- End Date: 20th August 2023
- Type: International
- Games: 64
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth edition of the tournament and will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. It will be the first women’s World Cup to be hosted by two nations and is scheduled to take place between July and August 2023.
The formidable United States side are the current holders, having won the last two editions of the competition, and will be favourites to triumph for a third successive time and their fifth in history. England will also be considered within a shout following their Euro 2022 victory in the summer, with Sarina Weigman’s well backed to lift the trophy down under.
