London remains one of the sporting capitals of the world, with Wembley Stadium, several Premier League football grounds, and other world class-venues in the city. However, the city has lost some of its traditional events over the years.
Here is a look back at some of the sporting events that used to be held in London.
Greyhound Derby
The Greyhound Derby is an event that traces its history back to 1927. It is the most prestigious race in the sport of greyhound racing, and for many years it was held in London at White City (1927-1984) and then Wimbledon (1985-2016).
Some of the most famous greyhounds in history, such as Mick the Miller and Westmead Hawk have lit up London with big performances on the track. The latest renewal will be held at Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire in May 2025. Bockos Diamond is the 14/1 favourite in the betting on greyhounds to add his name to the roll of honour.
The betting calculator suggests a £1 bet on last year’s Greyhound Derby winner prevailing again in 2025 will generate a return of £26. De Lahdedah will be bidding to become the fifth dog in history to win the race twice. Mick the Miller, Patricia's Hope, Rapid Ranger, and Westmead Hawk managed that feat at one of London’s premier tracks.
Cricket One Day Cup Final
The One Day Cup is a competition that has had many names since it was inaugurated, but for half a century, the final was always held at Lord’s in London, the Home of Cricket. Just like Wembley in football, Lord’s is a ground that every cricketer around the world dreams of playing at.
Kent hold the record for the most victories in the One Day Cup final at Lord’s. They were successful six times in the capital, while Lancashire, Warwickshire, Essex and Hampshire are one win behind with five triumphs.
The new format of the One Day Cup was won by Glamorgan earlier this year. They defeated Somerset at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge. Hopefully the final will return to London again in the future, but until then, cricket fans in the capital are not short of matches, as both Lord’s and the Oval host several international matches across the summer.
World Snooker Championship
The Crucible in Sheffield is considered the home of the World Snooker Championship as it has hosted the event since 1977.
However, before it moved to Yorkshire, the event was held in London. Thurston’s Hall (Leicester Square), Royal Horticultural Hall (Westminster), Burroughes Hall (Soho) and Victoria House (Bloomsbury) all held the competition at various stages.
No player in history has won the World Snooker Championship more times than Hall of Famer Joe Davis. He dominated the sport between 1920-1950, winning 15 world titles. A lot of his success came in London where he was a huge star.
The future of the World Snooker Championship is uncertain as the current deal with the Crucible in Sheffield ends in 2027. The most likely destination is Saudi Arabia, as the nation has shown a great interest in the tournament.
Hopefully, we see the above three events return to London in the future and a new chapter can be added to the history books.
