In Sheffield, sport has become embedded in the history of the city as well as local communities. From football and basketball to the more niche sports of diving and BMX, there is a viewing spectacle waiting for every type of sports fan.
Sheffield boasts two professional football sides in Sheffield Wednesday and United, which brings about a competitive rivalry between residents as they claim themselves to be an Owl or a Blade respectively. Despite being in different divisions, the two teams are performing well this season and a trip to either Hillsborough or Bramall lane to watch them play is a must-do.
The city is also a hotbed of grassroots football and the birthplace of the modern game. Founded in 1857, Sheffield FC is the world’s oldest club. Just across the city, you’ll find Hallam FC playing at Sandygate – the oldest football stadium on Earth.
There are plenty of other professional sports teams competing at a high level within the city such as the Sheffield Steelers who are a well-renowned ice hockey team whose home games take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield.
Fancy watching British basketball? Sheffield has that too in the form of the Sheffield Sharks Men’s team and Sheffield Hatters Women’s team who have both collected an enviable array of national titles.
Take a dip into Ponds Forge, the International Centre home to the City of Sheffield Diving Club which had representatives competing at the most recent Commonwealth Games.
Ponds Forge hosts regional, national and international diving competitions and is a world-class venue for swimming and many other sporting events
Or why not watch entire tournaments, including the legendary World Snooker championships hosted at the Crucible or the thrilling British Bouldering Championships on Devonshire Green.
The Peak District National Park is right on your doorstep meaning outdoor enthusiasts are in their element. Climbers flock to Sheffield for the excellent array of indoor climbing walls. From the Monsal Trail to picturesque reservoir loops, the nearby Peak District has tons of glorious routes to charm cyclists and walkers.
It’s also the perfect place to try something a bit different, including BMX, skateboarding, caving and rowing. This city is full of active and supportive people, keen to find new devotees for the sport they love.
The University also puts on its very own electrifying sporting event in the form of an annual Varsity. Every year, students from The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam compete at venues across the city region for the coveted varsity trophy as well as bragging rights over their rivals.
There is a wide and diverse range of individual and team sports included in the events. Everything from road cycling, climbing and American football to the biggest ice hockey event outside of North America.