Whether you’re into cricket, football or golf – here are some of the best women’s sports events coming your way in 2023.
For women’s sports, 2022 was nothing short of sensational. In February, Team GB won curling gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics while in July the England Lionesses became victors of European football.
Elsewhere, the first-ever Tour de France Femmes took place, F1 announced an all-female F1 Academy and The Black Ferns were crowned rugby champions of the world.
So yeah, 2022 was good. But we already know that 2023 is going to be even better for women’s sports.
Without further ado, here are eight women’s sports events we at SPORF think you should look out for in 2023.
Cricket: Women’s T20 World Cup 2023
When?
10 – 26 February 2023
Where?
South Africa
This year, the Women’s T20 World Cup is taking place in South Africa between 10 – 26 February.
The biennial international women’s cricket championship features 10 teams. This year’s tournament roster includes reigning champions Australia, as well as England, Ireland and the West Indies.
The opening match of the T20 World Cup is set to take place between host nation South Africa and Sri Lanka on Friday, 10 February.
England’s Women’s Cricket Team will make their T20 World Cup 2023 debut on Saturday 11 against West Indies.
Following the West Indies game, England will then come up against the Republic of Ireland on Monday 13, India on Saturday 18 and then Pakistan on Tuesday 21.
The final of the Women’s T20 World Cup will be played on Sunday 26 – but who will make it to the end?
Football: Women’s Finalissima: England vs Brazil
When?
6 April 2023
Where?
Wembley Stadium, London
After a sensational summer, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 champions England will face 2022 Copa América Femenina victors, Brazil.
The first-ever Women’s Finalissima will take place on Thursday 6 April at Wembley Stadium.
Interestingly, however, the forthcoming game will only be the third time the senior England Lionesses meet their Finalissima opponents
The first game between the two champions was a friendly back in 2018, where a Fran Kirby screamer in the second minute saw England win 1-0.
The second meeting was in 2019. On 27 February, Ellen White and Beth Mead scored two goals in the SheBelieves Cup match, while Brazil’s Andressa Alves only put one past goalkeeper Carly Telford.
The third clash was also in 2019 when Brazil beat England 2-1 in Middlesbrough. Goals from the international friendly came from Debinha and Tottenham Hostpur’s Beth England.
Rugby: TikTok Women’s Six Nations 2023
When?
25 March – 29 April 2023
Where?
Various stadiums across England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy
The TikTok Women’s Six Nations Championship returns in 2023 and England will be hoping for their fifth consecutive win as well as another Grand Slam.
The women’s sports events consist of five rounds and kick off on Saturday 25 March. Wales will open the championship by hosting Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park.
England’s first match will also take place on Saturday, where they will face Scotland at Kingston Park, Newcastle Upon-Tyne.
The two other women’s rugby teams included in the Women’s Six Nations 2023 are of course Italy and France. The duo play each other on Sunday 26 March at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma.
The final round of women’s rugby matches, which take place on Saturday, 29 April, will see England hosting France at Twickenham.
Elsewhere, Italy will play Wales at home while Scotland will take on Ireland at The Dam Health Stadium, Edinburgh.
Cricket: The Women’s Ashes 2023
When?
June 22 – July 18 2023
Where?
Various stadiums across England
This summer, England’s women’s cricket team will be hoping to prise the Women’s Ashes out of Australia’s hands for the first time since 2014. However, this is no easy feat.
This year, the Women’s Ashes consists of three formats and officially starts on June 22.
Firstly, England will come up against Australia in a five-day Test match at Trent Bridge. Excitingly, this is also the first time a women’s Test has been scheduled to be played over five days.
Next, there will be three Twenty20 International matches that the two nations can earn points from, as well as three One Day Internationals in July.
Scores will then be tallied using a points-based system across all three formats. So, whoever has the most points wins the women’s sports event. Simple, right?
Will England be victorious? Or, will Australia claim the Women’s Ashes for the 10th time?
Football: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
When?
July 20 – August 20
Where?
Australia and New Zealand
For the first time, the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup is being hosted by two nations, with all matches taking place in either Australia or New Zealand.
The tournament begins on Thursday 20 July while the final is set to be held on Sunday 20 August.
The ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup also features 32 teams for the first time.
These include EURO winners England alongside Japan, Sweden and reigning World Cup champions, the US Women’s National Team.
The women’s sports event kicks off with games between co-hosts New Zealand and Australia, who play Norway and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.
England Lionesses are set to play their first game of the tournament on Saturday 22 July. However, their Group D opponent is yet to be decided.
Following this match, Sarina Wiegman’s side will then go on to play Denmark on Friday 28 July and the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday 1 August.
The final of the Women’s World Cup 2023 will take place at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Sunday 20 August.
The AIG Women’s Open
When?
10-13 August
Where?
Walton Heath, Surrey
For the first time in its 47-year history, the annual AIG Women’s Open will take place at Walton Heath, Surrey between Thursday 10 and Sunday 13 August.
The 2023 major women’s golf championship will see Ashleigh Buhai defending her AIG Women’s Open title.
The South African golfer won the 2022 edition at Muirfield with a score of 274, beating South Korea’s Chun ln-Gee in a playoff.
Pre-Qualifying and Final Qualifying for the Women’s Open will take place on Monday 17 July and Monday 7 August, respectively.
A practice day will then also take place a day before the championship begins on Wednesday 9 August.
So, if you’re looking for a more accessible way to watch women’s sports events this year – the cheaper practice day could be your ticket.
Tour de France Femmes 2023
When?
23-30 July
Where?
Starting in Clermont-Ferrand and finishing in Pau
The second edition of the Tour de France Femmes starts on Friday 23 July. It’s thought that Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten will be hoping to defend her title.
As part of the UCI Women’s World Tour, the Tour de France Femmes will begin in Clermont-Ferrand and consist of eight stages.
These stages consist of four flat stages, two hilly stages, one mountain stage and also an individual 22km time trial.
The 956km Tour de France Femmes has limited seven riders to each team and will officially conclude on Sunday 30 July in Pau.
Netball World Cup 2023
When?
28 July – 6 August
Where?
Cape Town, South Africa
2023 is a big year for South Africa, as they hold the Women’s T20 World Cup and also the Netball World Cup for the first time.
The 16th edition of the quadrennial netball championship will see New Zealand hoping to defend their title against 15 other nations. These include Trinidad & Tobago, England, Uganda and Australia.
The latter has won the Netball World Cup 11 times and only lost the 2019 edition to New Zealand by one goal. So, you can expect to see some fierce competition between the Australian Diamonds and the Silver Ferns this year.
The 2023 Netball world cup begins on Friday 28 July with all teams competing in a round-robin-styled format.
England’s Vitality Roses will play their first game against Malawi on Saturday 29 July. They will then go on to play Scotland on Saturday 30 July.
So, what women’s sports events are you most looking forward to in 2023? Let us know across our socials.
Featured image credit: Getty Images