National Sports Weekend

National Sports Weekend comes to York on Saturday 18 July, with free and low-cost activities running across four Better leisure centres: Burnholme Sports Centre, Energise Leisure Centre in Acomb, Yearsley Swimming Pool, and York Leisure Centre. It's a partnership between Greenwich Leisure Limited (Better) and Team England, and the whole thing is built around the Commonwealth Games, so it's a good excuse to try something you've never gone for before.

The big draw is the 'beat the cyclist' challenge at Energise, where you can go up against Abi Miller. She's a York native riding for Team England, the youngest member of the nation's women's endurance cycling squad, and a first-year member of the UAE Development Team. She's already picked up junior world and European track titles, and took an elite-level road win in May 2026. This is one of her last appearances in the city before she makes her Commonwealth Games debut in Scotland shortly after.

Beyond that, there's plenty to get stuck into. On the court, there are running and walking netball taster sessions, a Basketball 3 versus 3 tournament, and taster sessions in basketball, pickleball, badminton, table tennis, and tennis. If you're more of a gym person, there are fitness classes covering strength and conditioning, circuits, and spin, alongside introductory gym sessions for anyone who's never stepped foot in one. For the kids, there are swim school and water safety sessions for ages 5 to 11, and a roller-skating experience. It's a broad mix, so you can pick one thing or spend the day bouncing between them.

Most of it is free or low-cost, and it's spread across the city, so you can head to the centre closest to you. The whole day is on Saturday 18 July, with activities running across Burnholme, Energise, Yearsley, and York Leisure Centre.