As autumn deepens and evenings draw in, October brings a rich lineup of sport across racing, darts, snooker, football, F1, and more — prime material for pubs and bars to lean into with live screens, themed promos, and event nights.
Early October Highlights
2–5 October – Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (Golf, Scotland)
Played across three iconic Scottish links courses (St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns). While not UK-only viewers, golf has an engaged audience — morning tee times could be screened with brunch offers or afternoon specials.
6–12 October – World Grand Prix (Darts, Leicester)
A major darts tournament played in the UK, held at the Mattioli Arena. This is ideal for “darts nights,” doubling-down on drinks offers per frame, or hosting side games or sweepstakes.
9 October – England vs Wales (International Friendly, Football)
A big clash during the international break, pitting two fierce rivals head-to-head. A great chance to create a “home nations” atmosphere, with themed drinks, food specials, and packed screens driving footfall midweek.
Throughout October – Horse Racing Fixtures (UK Flat & Transition to Jumps)
UK seasonal racing transitions from flat to jumps. Key races and meetings happen weekly — see the British racing fixture list.
- October 2025 – British Champions Day (Ascot, 18 October) is a flagship flat racing event.
- “The Showcase Saturday,” 25 October – Cheltenham marks an early jumps meeting.
5–19 October – NFL London Games
Matchups are held at Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over multiple weekends. These American Football fixtures attract attention in the UK and can be a novelty draw.
Mid-Month Momentum
19–26 October – Northern Ireland Open (Snooker, Belfast)
A ranking snooker event as part of the Home Nations series. Good for quieter midweek bookings or alternative sport nights.
23–26 October – European Championship (Darts, Dortmund, but with UK interest)
Top 32 players qualify via European Tour; a high-stakes event among darts fans.
Greyhound Racing Key Dates
Several high-interest races happen mid to late October:
- Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes (Romford)
- Kent Derby (Central Park)
- Steel City Cup (Sheffield)
Late October Energy
October 17–19 – United States Grand Prix (F1)
Though abroad, F1 is widely watched in the UK. The Sunday race and supporting sessions can bring in motorsport fans.
25 October – The Showcase Saturday (Cheltenham, jumps preview)
A showcase race event in Cheltenham, marking a transition into the jump racing season.
25 October onwards – Kangaroo Tour (Rugby League, Australia vs England)
The 2025 Kangaroo Tour of England begins late in October. This gives rugby league content toward month’s end.
All-Month Opportunities
- Premier League & Domestic Football — consistent weekend content for promos and matchday atmospheres.
- European Football Competitions — Champions League, Europa League, Conference League midweeks for additional draw.
- Snooker + Darts + Racing — excellent alternatives for nights when football isn’t on.
- Greyhound Racing — draws a dedicated fan base; good fallback for late evenings.
- Motorsport (F1) & NFL — occasional “event nights” that stand out and attract crossover audiences.
Why This Works
October’s mix means you’re never short of content. Weekends remain football-heavy, but midweek gaps are filled by darts, snooker, racing, and motorsport. British Champions Day in horse racing and NFL London give you marquee events to build around. Smart scheduling, themed food + drink bundles, and clever marketing will help pubs and bars stay lively all month long, rather than just on weekends.