BWF World Junior Championships (Nanchang, China, September 30 - October 13)

The BWF World Junior Championships is an annual badminton event showcasing the sport's brightest young talents. The tournament is divided into two distinct competitions: the Mixed Team Championships, where teams compete for the prestigious Suhandinata Cup, and the Individual Championships, where players vie for the Eye Level Cups. Hosted over 12 days, the event attracts up to 50 teams and 400 players from across the globe, offering badminton fans an early glimpse of future stars.

This championship is a significant milestone for young athletes, providing them with their first opportunity to represent their countries on a global stage. It also serves as a crucial step in their journey toward becoming top-level competitors, giving them invaluable experience against the best junior players in the world.

The BWF World Junior Championships began in 1992 in Jakarta, Indonesia, originally as an individual event. The tournament quickly established itself as a premier global competition for youth badminton. A pivotal figure in the creation of the event was Justian Suhandinata, BWF Honorary Life Vice President. In the mid-1980s, he organized the Jakarta Open Junior Championships, which brought together top junior players worldwide and laid the foundation for what would become the World Junior Championships.

In 2000, the World Junior Mixed Team Championships were introduced alongside the individual events. A decade later, the Suhandinata family donated a stunning trophy to be awarded to the winners of the Mixed Team Championships, further enhancing the prestige of the event.

The individual event trophies were initially known as the Bimantara Cups, named after the tournament's first corporate sponsor. In 2011, these trophies were rebranded as the Eye Level Cups, reflecting the sponsorship from Korean educational service provider Daekyo. Under the leadership of Dr. Kang Young Joong, former BWF President and Chairman of Daekyo, a scholarship fund of USD 36,000 was established to support the winners of each of the five individual events annually.

The YONEX BWF World Junior Championships 2024 is set to be hosted in Nanchang, China. The Mixed Team Championships for the Suhandinata Cup will take place from September 30 to October 5, followed by the Individual Championships for the Eye Level Cups from October 7 to October 13. This event promises to continue its tradition of spotlighting the next generation of badminton champions.

Shanghai Masters (Shanghai, China, October 3 - 10)

The Shanghai Masters, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, is set to return from October 3 to 10, 2024. Held at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China, this ATP Tour Masters 1000 event is the only tournament of its kind not played in Europe or North America, making it a unique stop on the ATP Tour.

Since its inception in 2009, the Shanghai Masters has established itself as a key event on the tennis calendar, attracting the top male players from around the globe. The tournament is played on outdoor hard courts, providing a challenging and fast-paced environment for the competitors. With a draw of 96 singles players, 48 qualifiers, and 32 doubles teams, the event promises intense competition and thrilling matches.

The 2023 edition saw Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz clinch the singles title, while the doubles crown was claimed by Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos. As the 2024 tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Shanghai to see if Hurkacz can defend his title or if a new champion will emerge from the strong field of competitors.

With a prize money pool of $8,800,000 in 2023, the Shanghai Masters continues to be a significant and lucrative event on the ATP Tour, drawing both players and fans from all over the world.

37th America's Cup (Barcelona, Spain, October 12)

The 37th America's Cup, one of the most prestigious events in international sport, is set to take place in Barcelona, Spain, from October 12 to October 20, 2024. This iconic yacht race will see the defending champions, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, compete against the challenger from the Royal Yacht Squadron in a first-to-seven-wins match-race series.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, represented by Emirates Team New Zealand, successfully defended the America's Cup in 2021, defeating Italy's Luna Rossa 7–3 in the waters off Auckland, New Zealand. This victory marked the squadron's fourth America's Cup title, cementing its status as one of the competition's most successful clubs.

Barcelona's selection as the venue for the 2024 event was announced in March 2022, following extensive negotiations between the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Challenger of Record. The decision to hold the race in Barcelona marks a departure from tradition, as the event is typically hosted in the defender's home waters. This choice reflects a unique collaboration between various public and private entities in Catalonia, which worked together to secure the event for the city.

The yachts for both the defender and the challenger have yet to be revealed, but they will compete under the AC75 class rule, continuing the tradition of innovation and high performance that has defined the America's Cup for over a century. The race will be broadcast worldwide, with millions of fans eagerly anticipating the showdown between these two elite sailing teams.

As the oldest continuous competition in international sports, the America's Cup continues to captivate audiences with its blend of tradition, technology, and sporting excellence. The 2024 edition in Barcelona promises to be another thrilling chapter in the event's storied history, as teams battle it out for the honor of lifting the "Auld Mug."

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup (Dominican Republic, October 16 - November 3)

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to take place in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024. This marks the first time the Caribbean nation will host a FIFA tournament, underscoring its growing significance in the global football community.

The 2024 edition will feature 16 teams competing for the prestigious title, with each squad eager to follow in the footsteps of previous champions like DPR Korea, Korea Republic, France, Japan, and Spain. Spain enters the tournament as the defending champions, having claimed the title in 2022. Remarkably, Spain achieved a historic feat by simultaneously holding the U-17, U-20, and senior women’s World Cup titles, becoming the first nation to do so.

As the Dominican Republic prepares to host the eighth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the tournament promises to deliver exciting matches and showcase emerging talent. Fans can look forward to witnessing the next generation of women’s football stars as they battle it out for glory.

Throughout its history, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has produced unforgettable moments and impressive statistics. The 2014 edition in Costa Rica set a record for the highest attendance, with a total of 284,320 fans (an average of 8,885 per game) filling the stands. This figure surpassed the attendance at the 2012 tournament in Azerbaijan, where France emerged victorious, and average gates reached 8,058.

With the Dominican Republic now taking the stage, anticipation is building for what is sure to be another thrilling chapter in the history of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. As teams from around the world converge on the Caribbean nation, they will not only compete for the coveted trophy but also contribute to the rich legacy of women’s football.

Rolex Paris Masters (Paris, France, October 26 - November 3)

Rolex Paris Masters 2024 is the premier indoor tennis event on the ATP Tour. From October 26 to November 3, 2024, the Accor Arena in Paris will become the center of tennis, hosting the world’s top players in this prestigious ATP Tour Masters 1000 event.

As the final Masters 1000 tournament of the season, this event is crucial in shaping year-end rankings and determining spots for the Nitto ATP Finals. The indoor courts of the Accor Arena provide a fast-paced challenge, making this tournament a unique and thrilling experience for both players and fans.