London · Sports & events

Six top-flight clubs, August to May. Tickets go through club memberships and ballots — buy from the official exchange, never from a tout outside.

Grass-court tennis across late June and early July. Entry comes through a public ballot months ahead, or by joining the queue with a tent.

The county and international season runs April to September, with Test matches at Lord's and the Oval and cheap, rowdy T20 evenings.

The London Marathon fills the streets each April and costs nothing to watch. Every Saturday morning, free timed five-kilometre runs start in dozens of parks.