To celebrate this summer’s global sporting event schedule, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a unique program of sporting events and installations will see the Square Mile become a vibrant hub of sporting activity, taking place amongst some of the city’s iconic landmarks. The Summer of Sport in the City will feature a diverse range of activities including beach volleyball, pickleball, table tennis, mini golf and free fitness sessions – along with a number of big screens showing major sporting events. It benefits from last summer’s successful padel installation in the Square Mile.
The City of London’s five Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), in partnership with the City of London Corporation’s Destination City program and the Central London Alliance CIC, are delighted to announce the launch of the Summer of Sport in the City. This exciting new program of events runs from 1 July to September 2024 and promises a summer full of sporting activities for workers, residents and visitors alike. Commenting on behalf of the City of London’s five business improvement districts, Ruth
Duston OBE, OC, Founder and Chief Executive of Primera said: “I am delighted that the five City BIDS have come together in partnership with the City of London Corporation and the Central London Alliance CIC to support the Summer of Sport in the City. Imagination and the vision to deliver such an ambitious and inspired program of events is second to none and I have no doubt that workers and visitors alike will enjoy what we have to offer. Our iconic and historic city is the perfect backdrop to celebrate this year’s global sporting event.”
Following the success of the 2023 installation of a padel court in The Crescent, EC4, initiated by
Central London Alliance CIC (CLA) in partnership with Aldgate Connect BID, Blue Orchid Hospitality and EC BID, further organizations have come together to expand the offer this summer and encourage more visitors from London, UK and further afield to visit the Mile square for leisure activities. Tony Matharu, Founder and Chairman of the Central London Alliance CIC commented: “The Central London Alliance continues its work to stimulate visits to central London and highlight the reasons to return to the workplace that are not just about the ‘desk’ – its well-known sporting events, second to none heritage, art, culture and other offerings.The pop-up padel initiative last summer and the successful GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title win showed the positive impact of CLA and its partners in the city and placed a global focus on it.I am glad that City BIDs, City of London Corporation and other supporters of the Central London Alliance have all come together in this exciting program of events. Sport has the power to unite, overcome barriers and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. We hope our sporting activities and events will be a place where workers and visitors can enjoy the city and build lasting relationships throughout the summer and beyond, while developing an inspiring and vibrant destination for all.”
Sporting activities will take place in over 10 different venues across London, including:
Paternoster Square, St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard, Aldgate Square, Crescent, Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden, St Giles Cripplegate, Seething Lane Garden and winding through Carter Lane over three months, suitable for all ages and abilities. This year’s event will also include free family days of pickleball and beach volleyball practice along with corporate challenges for companies to participate in. The majority of activities are free, and the pop-up sports must be booked in advance through www.sports-fest.com. The City of London Corporation’s policy chair, Chris Hayward, said: “This is a must-see celebration of sport across the Square Mile which is great fun for everyone. “The Summer of Sport is a partnership between the City Corporation and our local Business Improvement Districts to animate Square Mile through the power of partnership and play – inviting visitors to enjoy sporting activities to celebrate the many global sporting events taking place this summer. “Sport is a key element of our flagship Destination City program – the City Corporation’s growth strategy for the Square Mile – which reinforces and elevates our appeal as a UK and global visitor destination. “The UK sports sector is integral to our economic success and global reach – and our research shows that major UK sporting events could deliver up to £4 billion in soft power, trade and investment benefits over the next decade.
For the full Summer of Sport program visit: www.sportinthecity.co.uk
