September is a huge month for sport, with the football season settling into full swing, European competition returning and plenty of cricket, rugby, F1 and racing to keep customers entertained. For pubs and bars, it is a chance to make the most of customers returning to their usual routines, with weekends and midweek evenings packed with live action.
Football takes centre stage
With the new Premier League and EFL seasons now underway, September is when the football calendar really starts to build momentum. The Premier League has a particularly strong month, with European fixtures joining the domestic schedule and several big-name clashes providing plenty of opportunities for a lively pub atmosphere.
There are three fixtures in particular that should stand out on the calendar:
6 September – Arsenal v Chelsea
A London derby and an early-season meeting between two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. With Arsenal defending their title, Chelsea will be looking to make an early statement when the sides meet at the Emirates.
13 September – Manchester United v Manchester City
The first Manchester derby of the season arrives on 13 September, with United hosting City at Old Trafford. It is one of those fixtures that needs little introduction and should be a major draw for football fans looking for somewhere to watch the action.
19 September – Nottingham Forest v Coventry City
Newly promoted Coventry City face Nottingham Forest in another fixture worth highlighting. Coventry’s return to the Premier League adds an extra storyline to the meeting, while Forest will be looking to make the most of home advantage.
The EFL and SPFL will also continue throughout the month, while European football returns with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League getting underway. With domestic and European fixtures filling the calendar, there should be no shortage of midweek football to keep the screens busy.
Cricket keeps coming
England’s summer international schedule continues into September, beginning with the final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston from 9–13 September. The white-ball action then takes over, with England facing Sri Lanka in three IT20s from 15–19 September before a three-match ODI series runs from 22–27 September.
England Women also face Ireland in three ODIs at the start of the month, giving cricket fans plenty to follow alongside the football.
Three F1 weekends
Formula 1 fans have a busy September, with three Grands Prix taking place. The Italian Grand Prix heads to Monza on 4–6 September, followed by the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid on 11–13 September. The month finishes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku from 24–26 September.
Rugby, racing and more
Rugby continues to provide plenty of action, with the final stages of the Super League season and international women’s rugby adding to the calendar. Meanwhile, the St Leger Festival runs at Doncaster from 9–12 September, with the St Leger itself taking place on Saturday 12 September.
Tennis also remains on the agenda as the US Open reaches its conclusion, with the women’s final on 12 September and men’s final on 13 September. Later in the month, the Laver Cup comes to London from 25–27 September.
Darts and snooker round out a busy month, with the World Grand Prix beginning in Leicester on 28 September and the English Open providing another major snooker event during the month.
A month made for the big screen
From huge football derbies and European nights to England cricket, F1 weekends and major individual sporting events, September gives pubs and bars plenty of reasons to keep the screens switched on.
With the football season finding its rhythm and several of the biggest sporting occasions of the autumn arriving, September could be one of the busiest months of the year yet for sports-led pub trade.