As the summer winds down, September turns up the heat with a packed sporting calendar. From cricket finals and cycling showdowns to snooker, golf, rugby, racing, and football, the month is bursting with opportunities for pubs to draw in fans and keep the atmosphere buzzing. Here’s what to watch from 5 September onwards—and how to make the most of it.
The month roars into action with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza from 5–7 September, a classic on the F1 calendar known for its high speeds and passionate crowds. With early-afternoon screenings ideal for pub settings, race-day drink specials or themed menus could help build a motorsport-friendly atmosphere.
Cricket takes centre stage soon after, beginning with T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston on 13 September, one of the domestic season’s most popular events. The excitement continues with the One-Day Cup Final at Trent Bridge on 20 September and the Women’s One-Day Cup Final at the Rose Bowl on 21 September, providing back-to-back weekends of drama. Adding an international flavour, England hosts South Africa for an ODI and T20 series that will be a major draw for fans across the country between the 7th – 14th of September then England face Ireland in a three-match T20I series in Dublin on 17, 19 and 21 September. For pubs, these fixtures provide the perfect excuse for screenings, themed food offers, and midweek drink deals to keep the atmosphere buzzing.
Football also returns to the spotlight in a big way this month, with the Premier League delivering some early-season blockbuster clashes and derby games that will pack out pubs nationwide. On top of that, the European competitions get underway, with the Champions League group stage kicking off mid-September and English clubs chasing glory under the lights. The Europa League and Conference League add further excitement to the Thursday night schedule, while the Women’s Super League also begins its new season, continuing the momentum built over the summer and bringing in a growing audience that pubs can tap into with screenings and special promotions.
Golf fans are treated to a double bill, with the Solheim Cup running from 10–15 September as Europe’s best take on Team USA in women’s golf’s greatest contest, followed immediately by the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth from 11–14 September, a tournament that attracts global talent. Rounding off the action later in the month is the Ryder Cup, taking place from 27–29 September, where Team Europe face the USA in one of sport’s most passionate rivalries – always a huge draw for UK fans eager to get behind their side.
Snooker also takes the spotlight, with back-to-back ranking tournaments dominating the calendar. The English Open in Brentwood from 11–21 September leads into the British Open in Cheltenham from 22–28 September, offering pubs the chance to create a snooker-themed corner, run frame-by-frame drinks offers, or simply provide a relaxed space for fans to follow the action.
Horse racing brings plenty of glamour with the St Leger Festival in Doncaster from 12–15 September, one of the crown jewels of the flat season. It’s a natural fit for pubs to host race-day specials, best-dressed competitions, or sweepstakes to replicate the festival buzz indoors.
On the global stage, Britain’s best athletes will be competing in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from 13–21 September, with evening highlights and recap shows perfect for pubs wanting to offer something different on weeknights. Just days earlier, on 7 September, the Great North Run takes place from Newcastle to South Shields, attracting tens of thousands of participants and millions of viewers. For pubs along the route, it’s a golden chance to welcome runners and spectators alike, while elsewhere it’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievement with recovery-themed food and drink offers.
All in all, September doesn’t just keep sports fans entertained—it helps pubs build momentum into autumn. With football already back on the screens, cricket drawing to a thrilling close, and a host of other sports keeping the calendar busy, now is the perfect moment to put sport at the centre of the pub experience. A big screen, a well-timed pint, and a touch of themed fun could turn one-off visitors into loyal regulars.