Nothing Beats Sporting Routes

• The rail industry is inspiring people to take a trip to watch, learn about and discover new sporting passions by train, embracing the wellbeing benefits that come with experiencing sports in the real world

• Teaming up with Kirsty Gallacher to host a new audio series, each episode delves into a different sport and features an interview with a sporting legend - like Luke Littler, Kate Cross and Derek Redmond - to uncover some of  Britain’s fantastic sporting locations and how to visit them by train on a budget

In the midst of a sports-packed summer, new research from the rail industry has revealed there are gaps in British sporting knowledge. In fact, over two fifths (44%) are unaware Britain last hosted the Olympic Games in 2012 and only 37% know that the England men’s football team has NEVER won the Euros - with 14% of 18-24 year olds being optimistic enough to believe they’ve won it twice!  

With over half (52%) of Brits revealing that they would travel to a new location to learn more about a sport they’re really passionate about, a new 8-part audio series from the rail industry provides a deep-dive into football, rugby, tennis, cricket, snooker, darts, horse racing and athletics. 

Within each episode, host Kirsty Gallacher interviews sporting heroes - from Luke Littler to Kate Cross and Derek Redmond - to bring to life the origins of Britain’s most popular sports, the places where they can be enjoyed today - with options for every budget - and hidden gems that will inspire new sporting passions by train. 

It comes as 64% of Brits incorrectly believe Wimbledon is the birthplace of modern Tennis (lawn tennis), when in fact, Edgbaston in Birmingham is the home of the world's first tennis club. There’s even a blue plaque to commemorate the club that you can easily visit today from Five Ways train station. Similarly, 66% didn’t know that rugby comes from Rugby, despite the sport widely believed to have first been played at the Rugby School in the Warwickshire town, when back in 1823 during a game of football, William Webb Ellis decided to pick up the ball and run with it! 

What’s more, the research also found only 12% of Brits are aware it was the women’s team that won the first Cricket World Cup for England in 1973, highlighting the need to continue supporting women’s matches just as much as the men’s game. 

The episodes include stories such as when snooker player John Pulman was travelling from his home in Dorset to compete at the British Boys Championship in London, left his cue on the train. He ended up borrowing another player’s cue at the tournament, which he went on to win. Pulman then used that same cue for the rest of his successful career, which included winning the world championship a whopping eight times. 

And locations, such as the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, just a 10 minute walk from Newmarket station, which features a collection of birthday cards that were sent to the nation's most beloved thoroughbred, Red Rum. The horse was so popular that people campaigned for him to become Sports Personality of the Year in 1977, however, it sadly wasn’t possible as the competitors need to be human!

Sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher said: “This summer presents an unprecedented source of sporting inspiration. I’ve teamed up with National Rail to host a new audio series interviewing the great and the good of the sporting world, talking about Britain’s fantastic sports and sporting locations, encouraging as many people as possible to go on a sporting discovery by train.

"Experiencing sport in the real world not only fosters a sense of togetherness, but the research shows many agree it helps build lifelong memories (77%) and create family traditions (66%), something I can attest to. I’ve had great days out with my children by train - whether that’s been to support their favourite team, or watch them play sport themselves - and these guides include lots of great travel tips and suggestions for every budget.”

Luke Littler, professional darts sensation said: “It’s so important for people to keep coming out and travelling to experience sport in person, whether it's at a match,  fan park, or visiting a venue where you can try it for yourself. I remember how much I was inspired by my early sporting outings, when I’d take the train from Warrington to Blackpool to watch Phil Taylor play at the Winter Gardens. I know first hand that these experiences could help Britain unearth future sporting superstars, all because they got out there and enjoyed it in real life.” 

Jacqueline Starr, CEO at Rail Delivery Group, explained: “Travelling by train connects you to the people, places and things you love - like sport. We’re delighted to be working with Kirsty to help people learn and discover more about the fantastic sporting experiences Britain has to offer, by train, and embrace the wellbeing benefits that come with experiencing sports in the real world. After all, when it comes to sport, Nothing Beats Being There.”

When it comes to sport, Nothing Beats Being There. You can save 1/3 off most rail journeys with a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab) for just £30 a year, a cost that can be made back in savings in just a few trips. When you travel by train you can also enjoy discount entry to a lot of sporting attractions like the National Football Museum, World Rugby Museum, National Horseracing Museum, Football Stadium tours and more from National Rail’s Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab).  

Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/sportingroutes to find out where you can watch, learn about and discover new sporting passions by train.