This Week in Sport: 1st April − 7th April 2024

Ben Earl running with the ball.There is exciting sport taking place across the world this week. On Monday, the Mumbai Indians host the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Tuesday will see the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL, and Manchester City face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Houston Rockets go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA, and on Friday Lancashire take on Surrey in the opening round of the County Championship.

Heading into the weekend, Saracens travel to France to face Bordeaux Bègles in the European Rugby Champions Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, and Formula 1 action rounds out the week with the Japanese Grand Prix.

Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals

Monday 1st April 2:00PM GMT/7:30PM Local Time

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The new Indian Premier League season is now well underway, and Monday will see five-time Champions, the Mumbai Indians, face the inaugural season’s Champions in the Rajasthan Royals. After two games, the Indians sit rock bottom of the table, losing against the Gujarat Titans and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Royals have started the season in much better form than their opponents, winning their opening two fixtures against the Lucknow Super Giants and the Delhi Capitals.

NHL: Vegas Golden Knights v Vancouver Canucks

Tuesday 2nd April 2:00AM (3rd) GMT/7:00PM Local Time

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

There is high-quality NHL action on Tuesday, as the reigning Stanley Cup holders, the Vegas Golden Knights, host the Vancouver Canucks at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This Pacific Division clash in the Western Conference will see the Canucks look to add to their already sizeable lead in the table ahead of the Edmonton Oilers and the Golden Knights in second and third, respectively. The Golden Knights, on the other hand, will be wanting to win this tough matchup to feel like a contender with the postseason fast approaching.

Premier League: Manchester City v Aston Villa

Wednesday 3rd April 7:15PM GMT/8:15PM Local Time

City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

On Wednesday, reigning Premier League Champions, Manchester City, will host Aston Villa at the City of Manchester Stadium. City, who are on the hunt for their fourth consecutive Premier League title, currently sit in third place, three points behind Liverpool in first. Villa are enjoying a particularly successful season, sitting in fourth place, and a win here will further their chances of securing a UEFA Champions League spot.

NBA: Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors

Thursday 4th April 12:00AM (5th) GMT/7:00PM Local Time

Toyota Center, Houston

Thursday will see a huge game in the NBA’s Western Conference, as the Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors at the Toyota Center. The Rockets went on an amazing 11 game win streak to put themselves back in contention to make it to the postseason. The Warriors, who sit in 10th, one place above the Rockets, will want to build on their win streak of four against the Dallas Mavericks and the Rockets in their coming games to further their own chances of postseason action, whilst putting an end to the Rockets’ hopes.

County Championship Division One: Lancashire v Surrey

Friday 5th April 10:00AM GMT/11:00AM Local Time

Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester

On Friday, the new County Championship season gets underway for another year as Lancashire host reigning Champions Surrey. The visitors retained the trophy in the last round of matches in 2023 and in the process won their 22nd County Championship. Lancashire last won the trophy in 2011.

European Rugby Champions Cup: Bordeaux Bègles v Saracens

Saturday 6th April 4:30PM GMT/6:30PM Local Time

Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux

The weekend sees exciting European Rugby Champions Action on Saturday, as Bordeaux Bègles host Saracens in the Round of 16 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. The hosts topped Pool 1 in the group stage, whilst Saracens scraped through in fourth place of the same Pool, but the reigning Premiership Rugby Champions will be hoping to use their experience here to beat tough opponents.

Formula 1: Japanese Grand Prix

Sunday 7th April 5:00AM GMT/2:00PM Local Time

Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka

Formula 1 action rounds out the week with the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. Max Verstappen and Red Bull started the season dominantly, winning the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but a rare Verstappen DNF in Australia saw Ferrari capitalise with a 1-2 finish, with Carlos Sainz taking the victory. All eyes will be on how Red Bull react, and whether Ferrari can build on their impressive performance in Melbourne.

Photo by:  Saracens

Written and information correct on 1st April 2024 at 6AM GMT

Use the full Fixture Calendar website to explore all the world’s sporting events.

See what else is happening in the world of sport

Fixture calendar