January brings a steady mix of major football fixtures, snooker and darts finals, Grand Slam tennis and lively horse racing that gives pubs and bars plenty of live sport to promote. From Premier League weekends and FA Cup ties to floodlit all‑weather racing and flat/jump festivals, this month has something nearly every day for fans to gather and watch.
Football Fixtures That Drive Footfall
Premier League & EFL (Throughout January)
January features several weekend and midweek Premier League games alongside Championship, League One, and League Two matches. Three particularly notable fixtures this month include:
- Manchester City vs Chelsea – 4 January
- Arsenal vs Liverpool – 8 January
- Manchester City vs Man United – 17 January
These matches are key nights to programme screens, generate lively atmospheres, and capture fan interest, ensuring consistent engagement for pubs and bars throughout the month.
FA Cup Third Round – Weekend of 10–11 January
The FA Cup’s Third Round is one of the season’s most watched domestic fixtures, perfect for fan gatherings and matchday scheduling.
- Tottenham Spurs vs Aston Villa – 10 January (FA Cup Third Round tie)
- Newcastle vs Bournemouth – 10 January
EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) Semi-Finals
The EFL Cup semi-finals take place across January and are a major draw for midweek viewing, with two-legged ties adding extra drama and repeat viewing opportunities.
- Semi-final 1: Newcastle vs Manchester City, First Leg – 13 January
- Semi-final 2: Chelsea vs Arsenal, First leg – 14 January
With a place at Wembley on the line, these matches traditionally attract strong audiences and are well suited to evening screenings in pubs and bars.
Horse Racing Highlights Across January
1 January – New Year’s Day Racing (Southwell & Various UK Courses)
Start the year with New Year’s Day all‑weather flat racing at Southwell and other venues, a popular live TV‑covered sport for fans and casual viewers alike.
3 January – Floodlit Flat Racing (Southwell & Newcastle)
Evening all‑weather racing under lights gives fans live sport on the first weekend of January, ideal for weekend line‑ups.
9 January – Afternoon Jump Racing (Southwell)
National Hunt racing returns mid‑month with jump cards that deliver edge‑of‑seat action and additional televised racing for screens.
12 January – Seasonal Afternoon Jump Racing (Hereford & Other Courses)
Midweek jump racing offers viewers another live sporting spectacle, great for daytime or early evening scheduling.
17–18 January – Berkshire Winter Million Festival (Windsor / Ascot Weekend)
One of the most significant January race weekends, featuring several high‑stakes races including the Fitzdares Sovereign Hurdle and the Fleur de Lys Chase in Windsor’s three‑day Winter Million festival.
17 January – The Winter Oaks (Lingfield Park)
The Winter Oaks Listed flat race is a standout event in the UK racing calendar, showcasing top‑class racing mid‑January.
23–26 January – Floodlit & Flat Racing (Southwell & Wolverhampton)
Multiple flat racing cards throughout late January — including evening floodlit meetings in Southwell and Wolverhampton — keep racing drama flowing.
25 January – Sunday Jump Racing (Sedgefield)
Late‑January turf jump racing continues with fixtures such as Sunday afternoon jump cards that add variety to sports screens.
Snooker & Cue Sports
11–18 January – Snooker Masters (Alexandra Palace)
The Masters is one of snooker’s most prestigious Triple Crown events and makes for compelling mid‑week viewing.
Ongoing – Championship League & German Masters Qualifiers
These tournaments offer consistent snooker viewing throughout the month.
Darts
Early January – PDC World Darts Championship Finale
The World Darts Championship wraps up in early January with quarter‑finals, semis and the final — big nights for fans and group viewing.
Tennis
12 January–1 February – Australian Open
The first Grand Slam of the year begins mid‑January, building toward Australian Open finals at the end of the month — a fixture sequence popular with sports fans.
Why January Still Packs Sporting Punch
January may sit outside the festive peak, but it’s rich in football, high‑profile horse racing, snooker, darts and Grand Slam tennis. Whether it’s packed weekend fixtures, televised racing festivals, major finals or midweek sport, there are plenty of reasons for fans to fill screens and venues throughout the first month of the year.