5 can’t-miss sporting events in 2024

3. KENTUCKY DERBY, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WHEN: May 4 The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, the granddaddy of all horse racing events, takes place at Churchill Downs in the spring, which

is a most pleasant time of year in the Bluegrass State. The reimagined Paddock at Churchill Downs will be open for the race. Start looking now for your most eccentric, most outrageous hat

for this sesquicentennial event. GET HERE: The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is less than 3 miles from Churchill Downs and can be easily accessed by car or public

transportation.  STAY: The Hyatt Regency Louisville is in the heart of downtown about 4 miles from Churchill Downs and boasts city views and an indoor pool. The hotel is also next door to

the bars and restaurants of Fourth Street Live!  Spectators can watch the greatest in the game this July at Wimbledon 2024. Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images 4. WIMBLEDON, LONDON WHEN:

July 1-14, 2024 Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, but it hasn’t lost any speed or popularity over the years. That’s because the match is still played on the only grass

court in the Grand Slam championship series, and tennis aficionados will be quick to tell you that grass is the fastest surface there is. GET HERE: London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) is about

13 miles away, and London Gatwick (LGW) is roughly 30 miles away. (Some low-cost airlines fly to Gatwick from U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami.) STAY: Hard to say

whether Lord Tennyson, Oscar Wilde or the last Maharaja of Punjab were tennis fans, but they all stayed at the Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, and the luxury property still holds court within

walking distance of the Wimbledon tennis club.    The NASCAR Cup Series Championship is headed back to the Phoenix Raceway in Arizona. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images 5. NASCAR CUP

SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP, AVONDALE, ARIZONA WHEN: Nov. 8-10 (Championship race is Nov. 10) The Sonoran Desert and, by proxy, the city of Phoenix host the final NASCAR event of the year. The Cup

Series Championship is returning to the Phoenix Raceway for the second year in a row. Join the crowd to watch fan favorites Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin as they sprint for the

Cup. GET HERE: The Phoenix Raceway is about 25 miles west of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). STAY: The Vee Quiva, a Gila River Resorts & Casinos property, has 90

boutique guest rooms and gaming opportunities about 18 miles from the Phoenix Raceway.