March is a big month for global sports. In the US, it is a massive month for basketball, with some key action at elite and college level. However, across the world, sports such as horse racing take centre stage, so let’s take a look at what’s in offer for sports fans.
Roaring Success
Sports fans in the UK will be getting hyped for the Cheltenham horse racing festival. Much like March Madness, a huge number of UK residents place wagers with the Gold Cup being the highlight of the meet. Galvin and A Plus Tard are the current joint-favorites for this year’s edition in the Cheltenham races betting as they have odds of +333. Cheltenham attracts around 250,000 spectators every year and is famous for the loud roar that accompanies the start of the first race.
Each year, Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Ireland battle it out for the Prestbury Cup, which is awarded to the region that trains the most winners. Last year, 23 out of the 28 winners were prepared by Irish trainers. All the winning jockeys and trainers receive an award. The Prestbury Cup betting begins well ahead of the festival, with Ireland -2000 to take the prize at the time of writing.
NCAA
March signals the beginning of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness. It is one of the biggest annual sporting events in the country and dominates the sporting conversation for weeks on end.
March Madness also sparks a wave of predictions and wagering activity, with tens of millions of Americans participating in prediction pool contests every year. West Coast Conference champions, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, head the betting lists this year ahead of the Arizona Wildcats. But who’s your pick in your bracket for 2022?
Gonzaga is back in the Big Dance! 🕺
The Zags punch their ticket after winning the West Coast Conference championship! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/YlpHQ4bO5X
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 9, 2022
NBA
As well as college basketball, the NBA regular season also enters the final stretch. The Phoenix Suns became the first team to clinch a playoff spot. Unsurprisingly, they are the favorites to win the Championship as they look to go one better than last season.
A Duel for the Ages
Formula One is a truly global sport, and the 2022 season also kicks off on March 18th with the Bahrain Grand Prix. This year’s schedule is set to be a classic as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen renew their rivalry. Hamilton will be looking to land his eighth world championship after losing out to the Dutchman in controversial fashion last season.
Elite Golf Swings into Action
In the golfing world, the Players Championship (known as the unofficial fifth major) will be decided. The event forms part of the build-up to Masters, which is held at the beginning of April. The first women’s golf major of the year, the Chevron Championship, also gets underway at the end of March. The event was first staged in 1972 when American Jane Blalock lifted the trophy.
Something for everyone
There’s also the continuation of the new MLS season and the conclusion of the rugby union Six Nations tournament, which dates to 1883 and is one of the most important rugby events in Europe.
If you are mad about basketball or sport in general, March is a month to savor. It kicks off a golden period of springtime action with major events across a range of competitions between now and May.