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We are playing host to a stellar line-up of international events, from the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and UEFA European Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship – among many more local events and tournaments.<\/p>\nWe are playing host to a stellar line-up of international events, from the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and UEFA European Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship – among many more local events and tournaments.<\/p>\n
So whether you\u2019re a football, rugby or cycling fan, you\u2019ll find plenty to get behind in this \u201cSummer of Sport\u201d.<\/p>\n
John McGrillen, Tourism Northern Ireland Chief Executive, said: \u201cThis summer is packed full of sporting events that will make a real impact to the visitor economy across Northern Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPeople from Northern Ireland have shown themselves to be hugely enthusiastic and supportive of local, national and international events. Local crowd support will be an important element in making these events a real success and helping us to attract more large-scale events to Northern Ireland in the future. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFrom the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and UEFA European Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship \u2013 there\u2019s a huge variety of sporting events to choose from and at the same time experience some of our fantastic accommodation, restaurants, pubs and attractions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has put together a list of some top sporting events taking place this year in Northern Ireland that you can be a part of, be that as a spectator or participant.<\/p>\n So why not get on your bike, tee off at a world-renowned golf course, or simply book your tickets to be a part of something amazing in this epic sporting year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5 – 9 June<\/em><\/p>\n The Causeway Coast Amateur Golf Tournament is in its 50th year and is the largest amateur golf tournament in Europe, held every summer on the glorious north coast. Played over the Valley; Royal Portrush, Ballycastle, Castlerock and Ballyliffin links, the tournament offers a unique challenge to amateurs with an official club handicap of 20 or less.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6 – 9 July<\/em> 6. Super Cup NI<\/strong> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 6 – 12 August<\/p>\n Another exciting returning highlight in Northern Ireland’s road racing calendar is the\u00a0MCE Ulster Grand Prix<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>– the fastest road race in the world. The 2016 meeting was hailed as one of the most thrilling the sport has seen in recent years, with close racing between the world’s top road racers culminating in four wins for Tyco BMW racer Ian Hutchinson, who also broke the record for the fastest lap with a whopping 134.087mph on the final lap of the second superbike race. The 2017 MCE Ulster Grand Prix is expected to exhibit the best and brightest talent. 10. Northern Ireland Open<\/strong> 11. Ulster Rally<\/strong> 12. Giant\u2019s Causeway Coast Sportive, Co. Antrim <\/strong>For more information on any of these upcoming sporting events in Northern Ireland, visit <\/strong>www.discovernorthernireland.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/strong>*Information correct at time of print and subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SUMMER 2017 is set to be an epic year for sport in Northern Ireland. We are playing host to a stellar line-up of international events, from the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open and UEFA European Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship – among many more local events and tournaments. So whether you\u2019re … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14303"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14303"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14305,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14303\/revisions\/14305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\n3 – 4 June<\/em>
\nThe Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland weekend is fast becoming one of the must-ride sportives in the UK and Ireland. Sunday will see thousands of cyclists take on two routes through the stunning County Down landscape – the 58km Strangford race overlooking the island-dotted lough,\u00a0 and the more gruelling 175km Mourne route \u2013 ascending some of Northern Ireland\u2019s highest mountain peaks. The Giro d’Italia trophy, Trofeo Senza Fine, will be on display at the Giro Expo in Belfast for riders and fans to get their photos taken, and there\u2019s a post-ride pasta party at Stormont Estate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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\n3 – 5 July<\/em>
\nA unique parkland tournament, Belfast Parkland brings together some of the most prestigious golf courses in the Belfast area. Take the opportunity to be part of history and play the inaugural tournament this summer featuring Malone Golf Club, Royal Belfast and Shandon Park. Registration is open until 30 June.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nThe Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, is returning once again to Northern Ireland this summer, with the Causeway Coastal Route providing a picturesque canvas for the July tournament at Portstewart Golf Club. Past winners Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry will be joining host Rory McIlroy, and with more player announcements imminent, this year\u2019s tournament is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Don\u2019t miss out on seeing golfing\u2019s elite this summer in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n
\n17 July \u2013 22 July<\/em>
\nThe Foyle Cup is one of Ireland and indeed Europe\u2019s premier youth tournaments and is widely recognised as a tournament that launches the careers of young players aspiring to sign professional contracts. It has grown into a six-day festival of football, catering for all ages, and allows spectators to watch up to three games every day.<\/p>\n
\n23 – 28 July<\/em>
\nThis summer Super Cup NI celebrates its 35th<\/sup> anniversary as one of the world\u2019s best youth football tournaments, with teams from across the world descending on Northern Ireland. Manchester United, six times Premier title winners, will contest the Junior competition, one of six English clubs involved.Past competitors in the tournament, formerly known as The Milk Cup, have included David Beckham, Gary Neville and Peter Crouch. Matches are played at various venues across the Causeway Coast area with the finals taking place at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday 28th July.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\n8. 2017 UEFA European Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship<\/strong>
\n8 \u2013 20 August<\/em>
\nFor the first time ever, the Irish Football Association is hosting the Women\u2019s Under-19 Championship in Northern Ireland. Eight national teams, including host Northern Ireland, will participate in the prestigious 16-day tournament showcasing Northern Ireland at its best, including our football, our facilities, our culture, our history, our fans and our unconditional love of the game on a national scale. Get your tickets now and cheer on the girls in the first of two major women\u2019s events taking place this year.
\n
\n9. Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2017<\/strong>
\n9 \u2013 26 August<\/em>
\nThe 2017 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup will be the biggest ever \u2013 and it\u2019s happening right here. Following pool stage matches in Dublin, the tournament will make its way to Belfast for play-off rounds at Kingspan Stadium and Queen\u2019s University, before culminating in a grand finale on Saturday 26 August at the home of Ulster Rugby. WRWC 2017 promises to be a highlight of the sporting calendar in Ireland and is sure to inspire a new generation of female players across the island. Tickets cost from as little as \u00a310 for children and \u00a315 for adults. Can Ireland bring the trophy home?<\/p>\n
\n10 \u2013 13 August<\/em>
\nNorthern Ireland’s annual national professional tournament returns to Galgorm Castle, Ballymena as part of the European Challenge Tour\u2019s international schedule.\u00a0 The tournament regularly attracts strong players such as Michael Hoey, Peter Lawrie and Gareth Maybin to the course\u2019s stunning fairways. But this is a\u00a0golf tournament for all the family \u2013 it also features a kids\u2019 fun area, food festival and live music<\/strong>.<\/strong> The tournament is free for spectators and tickets can be secured by registering online.<\/p>\n
\n18 \u2013 19 August<\/em>
\nRunning for over 40 years, the Ulster Rally is one of a select number of events included in the prestigious MSA British Rally and TROA Tarmac Rally Championships as well as the European Celtic Cup and the Northern Ireland Championship. This prestigious sporting event is returning once again to the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry and this year will feature an exciting set of revised stages including the introduction of the Re-Grouping halts in Strabane town centre, giving spectators the opportunity to get up close to the competitors.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>9 September<\/em>
\n<\/strong>The Giant’s Causeway Coast Sportive is a unique road cycling event along the iconic Causeway Coast, offering an unforgettable cycling experience through some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the island. Starting and finishing in Ballycastle, it attracts over 1,000 participants, winding through the magical Glens of Antrim with three routes to choose from. Entries are now open online.\u00a0 <\/p>\n