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Ticket Notebook: Sports Ticket Updates for Tour de France, Darts & More (23 October 2026)
From £27 tickets for the Tour de France's Edinburgh opening ceremony to Premier League Darts availability, last-minute tennis in Paris and free entry to two major golf tournaments in the UAE, here are five sports ticket updates worth knowing about this week.
Welcome to Sports Travel Tom's Ticket Notebook, my weekly round-up of sports ticket updates, upcoming sales, ballots and booking opportunities from around the world.
This week, there's an exciting chance to secure tickets for the 2027 Tour de France opening ceremony at Edinburgh Castle. We're also looking at which Premier League Darts venues still have tickets available, affordable tennis at the Paris Masters, two of the biggest golf tournaments in the UAE and £15 tickets to watch the England Lionesses at Wembley.
From tickets already available to important upcoming sale dates, here's what you need to know to start planning your next sporting adventure.
All information has been checked for publication on Friday 23 October 2026. Ticket prices and availability can change, so always check the official booking websites before purchasing.
At a Glance: This Week's Sports Ticket Updates
Tour de France 2027: Tickets for the Edinburgh Castle opening ceremony on 30 June start at £27. Presales begin on 23 October, with general sale opening at midday on 30 October.
Premier League Darts 2027: General sale is now open, with tickets still available at several UK and European venues. Prices found include Liverpool from £51, Glasgow from £53 and Berlin from €56.
Paris Masters 2026: Tickets remain available for the tournament in Paris, with selected sessions advertised from €15 and special early-week offers.
Abu Dhabi & Dubai Golf 2026: Free general admission is available on Thursday and Friday at the Abu Dhabi Championship, while the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai offers free entry on Thursday.
England Lionesses: Tickets remain available from £15 for England's match against Ukraine at Wembley on 5 December 2026.
Ticket information researched on 23 October 2026. Prices and availability are subject to change.
1. Tour de France 2027: Edinburgh Opening Ceremony Tickets from £27
One of the world's biggest sporting events is coming to Scotland next summer, and there's an opportunity to be part of the celebrations before the racing even begins.
The 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ opening ceremony takes place on Wednesday 30 June 2027 at Edinburgh Castle, where the world's leading cyclists and their teams will be introduced to the public.
The ceremony begins at 6:30pm and will be produced by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, bringing together the official rider presentation with Scottish music, massed pipes and drums, Highland dancing and other performances.
Tickets start at £27, with several presale opportunities ahead of the general sale.
Key ticket dates
Friday 23 October, midday: Presale opens for Grand Départ GB newsletter subscribers who registered before Friday morning.
Saturday 24 October, midday: Presale opens for eligible British Cycling, Scottish Cycling and Beicio Cymru members.
Monday 26 October, midday: Presale opens for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo customers.
Wednesday 28 October, midnight: All presale windows close.
Friday 30 October, midday: General ticket sale opens.
How much do tickets cost?
There are four seating categories for the ceremony at Edinburgh Castle:
Band C: £27
Band B: £59
Band A: £79
Premier seats: £99
These are advertised ticket prices, rather than confirmation that every category remains available during each presale window.
Do you need tickets to watch the Tour de France in Edinburgh?
No. And this is an important distinction.
The opening ceremony at Edinburgh Castle is a ticketed event, but the Tour de France itself will be free to watch from public viewing areas along the route.
The men's race begins in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, with the opening stage heading south towards Carlisle.
So even if you don't secure tickets for the castle ceremony, there will still be opportunities to experience the atmosphere of the Grand Départ without paying for admission.
My ticket tip: If you're interested in attending the opening ceremony, check whether you're eligible for one of the presale windows before waiting for general sale. And if you're planning a trip to Edinburgh, consider staying through to Friday to experience the start of the race itself.
Official ticket information: https://www.letourgb.com/opening-ceremony/
2. Premier League Darts 2027: Tickets Still Available After General Sale
The 2027 Premier League Darts general sale opened on Thursday 22 October, and despite strong demand, tickets are still available for several nights across the UK and Europe.
The competition begins in Glasgow on 4 February 2027, before travelling to 15 other cities and finishing with Finals Night at London's O2 Arena on 27 May.
I've experienced live darts myself in Dubai, and it's one of the most entertaining sporting events I've attended, particularly if you're going with a group of friends.
And the good news is that you don't necessarily need to spend a fortune to experience it.
Where are Premier League Darts tickets still available?
I've checked ticket availability across all of 2027's venues, and these are some of the prices I found:
Glasgow (4 February): £53
Berlin (11 February): €56
Newcastle (18 February): £188
Nottingham (11 March): £53
Manchester (8 April): £53
Liverpool (22 April): £51
Birmingham (29 April): £51
Leeds (6 May): £53
Aberdeen (13 May): £53
Sheffield (20 May): £53
London, Finals Night (27 May): £54
These prices reflect tickets found during my checks on 23 October 2026, rather than guaranteed starting prices for every venue.
Availability varies considerably. At the time of checking, Antwerp and Brighton were showing hospitality options only, while Newcastle's remaining options were considerably more expensive than several other venues.
My ticket tip
Despite the pre-sale allocation dissapearing quickly, don't assume that every Premier League Darts event is sold out just because the general sale has already opened.
If you're flexible about where you go, compare several venues before booking.
For example, I found tickets around £51–£53 in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow, making them worth investigating before paying substantially more elsewhere.
And if you're planning a European weekend away, Berlin could be an interesting option, with tickets showing from €56 when I checked.
Remember that each venue has its own ticketing arrangements, so it's best to start with the official PDC schedule and follow the links to the relevant authorised seller.
Official ticket information: https://www.pdc.tv/
3. Paris Masters 2026: Last-Minute Tennis Tickets Still Available
If you fancy a last-minute tennis trip to Paris, there's some good news. Tickets are still available for the 2026 Rolex Paris Masters, including some excellent value options during the early rounds.
The ATP Masters 1000 tournament takes place from 31 October to 8 November 2026 at the Plenitude Arena, formerly known as Paris La Défense Arena.
It's one of the biggest events on the men's tennis calendar, attracting many of the world's leading players for the final Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
And with the tournament just over a week away, I've checked the official ticketing website to see what you can still buy.
How much are Paris Masters tickets?
These are the lowest standard adult ticket prices I found for each day during my checks on 23 October 2026:
Saturday 31 October (qualifying): €29
Sunday 1 November (qualifying): €29
Monday 2 November: €16
Tuesday 3 November: €17
Wednesday 4 November: €19
Thursday 5 November: €24
Friday 6 November (quarter-finals): €35
Saturday 7 November (semi-finals): €80
Sunday 8 November (final): €80
These prices are for the day sessions and reflect the lowest standard adult categories shown during my checks. Booking fees may apply.
The €15 qualifying tickets advertised for the opening weekend are available to under-25s rather than all adults.
Which tickets offer the best value?
For me, the standout opportunities are the early rounds.
On Monday 2 November, Category 4 tickets were showing at €16, with Category 3 seats at €20 and Category 2 at €30.
Tuesday offers similar value, with tickets from €17, while Wednesday's second-round action starts at €19.
Even Thursday's round-of-16 matches offer an affordable option, with Category 4 seats listed at €24.
The tournament has also advertised a special €19.86 anniversary ticket offer for selected early-week sessions, but this was showing as sold out when I checked on 23 October.
My ticket tip
Don't overlook the early rounds of a major tennis tournament.
At an ATP Masters 1000 event, you can potentially watch several high-quality matches in one visit, particularly while more players remain in the draw.
I'd compare the different seating categories rather than automatically choosing the cheapest ticket. For example, paying a little more on Monday or Tuesday could get you a noticeably better viewing position.
Also, be aware that some tickets are marked as having reduced visibility, meaning part of your view may be obstructed.
If you're flexible about which day to attend, the first half of the tournament looks particularly attractive for a last-minute sports trip to Paris.
Official ticket information: https://tickets.rolexparismasters.com/en
4. Abu Dhabi & Dubai Golf 2026: Watch World-Class Golf for Free
Here's a sporting opportunity that might surprise you. Two of the biggest tournaments on the DP World Tour calendar take place in the UAE this November, and you can attend both for free on selected days.
The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship and DP World Tour Championship bring the season to a close, with some of the world's leading golfers competing in two spectacular settings in back to back weeks.
I've been fortunate enough to work as a presenter at both events over the years, and they're brilliant tournaments to experience in person.
One of the things I particularly enjoy about watching professional golf is being able to walk the course, follow different players and get remarkably close to the action.
If you're visiting Abu Dhabi or Dubai in November, they're well worth considering.
Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship: 5–8 November 2026
The first of the DP World Tour Play-Off events takes place at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, a beautiful waterfront course on Yas Island.
The leading 70 players in the Race to Dubai compete here, with places at the season-ending championship on the line.
And there's excellent news if you want to attend without spending much on tickets.
Thursday 5 November: FREE
Friday 6 November: FREE
Saturday 7 November: AED 90
Sunday 8 November: AED 90
These are the general admission prices I found on the official ticketing website.
The tournament also has a village with food, drinks and entertainment, making it a good day out even if you're not a dedicated golf fan.
DP World Tour Championship Dubai: 12–15 November 2026
The following week, the season concludes at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, where the leading 50 players in the Race to Dubai compete on the Earth Course.
This is one of my favourite golf tournaments to work at, particularly because the closing holes offer some brilliant opportunities to watch the action unfold.
And again, you can attend for free on the opening day.
Thursday 12 November: FREE
Friday 13 November: AED 60
Saturday 14 November: AED 160
Sunday 15 November: AED 160
These are the general admission prices shown during my ticket check on 23 October.
Children aged 17 and under can attend for free throughout the tournament, although they still need to register for a ticket.
My ticket tip
If you're visiting the UAE in November, don't overlook these tournaments simply because you're not a regular golf fan.
Both offer an opportunity to watch some of the world's best players in beautiful surroundings, with considerably more freedom to explore than you'd get at many stadium-based sporting events.
I'd particularly recommend the free Thursday and Friday options in Abu Dhabi, or Thursday at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Even though admission is free, you still need to register for a ticket in advance, so don't assume you can simply turn up at the entrance.
And if you've never attended professional golf before, arrive early, spend some time around the practice areas and follow a group of players for several holes. It's a brilliant way to appreciate just how good these golfers are.
Official ticket information:
Abu Dhabi Championship: https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/abu-dhabi-championship-2026/tickets-packages/
DP World Tour Championship Dubai: https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/dp-world-tour-championship-dubai-2026/tickets-packages/
5. England Lionesses: Wembley Tickets from £15
Fancy watching the European champions at Wembley without spending a fortune?
Tickets are still available from just £15 for England's World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine on Saturday 5 December 2026.
There's plenty riding on this match, with the Lionesses aiming to secure their place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
With kick-off at 5:30pm, it could be a brilliant sporting day out in London, particularly for families or anyone who hasn't experienced an England international at Wembley before.
How much are England Lionesses tickets?
The general sale opened on Thursday 22 October, with tickets available across several price categories.
The advertised adult ticket prices are:
Category 5: £15
Category 4: £25
Category 3: £30
Category 2: £45
Category 1: £59
Concession tickets for eligible under-16s, students and seniors are also advertised, with prices starting from £5.
And importantly, these aren't simply historic starting prices.
When I checked Ticketmaster on 23 October, £15 adult tickets were still available.
Ticket availability and booking fees may change.
Where to buy England Lionesses tickets
There are two official routes to purchase tickets for the match:
Wembley Stadium: https://www.wembleystadium.com/events/2026/England-Women-v-Ukraine
Both are legitimate ticketing platforms, so it's worth comparing the available seats before making your purchase.
My ticket tip
Don't assume Wembley's 'Best Available' ticket option is the cheapest.
When I checked the official Wembley ticketing website, it automatically selected 'Best Available' in the ticket category menu. After choosing an adult ticket, I was offered a seat costing £59.
But by manually changing the ticket category, I was able to find £15 adult tickets.
My advice: Check the individual ticket categories before accepting the default selection.
You could save yourself a considerable amount of money.
If you're taking children, it's also worth checking the concession options, with eligible tickets advertised from £5.
And if you're travelling from outside London, remember to factor in transport costs and plan your return journey in advance, particularly after an evening kick-off.
With affordable tickets available and plenty at stake for the Lionesses, this could be a great sporting experience to add to your December calendar.
Ticket prices and availability checked on 23 October 2026. Always confirm the final price and availability through the official ticketing platform before purchasing.
Final Thoughts: Start Planning Your Next Sporting Trip
Five ticket opportunities that will all give you a different atmosphere, energy and destination, from the Tour de France's historic Grand Départ in Edinburgh to Premier League Darts across Europe, last-minute tennis in Paris and international football at Wembley.
And if you're heading to the UAE in November, there's even an opportunity to watch some of the world's best golfers for free.
Some tickets are already available. Others require registering for a presale or preparing for an upcoming general sale.
What matters is knowing where to look, when to act and how to buy through legitimate channels.
I'll be publishing a new Ticket Notebook every Friday, alongside my own sporting travel experiences and practical destination guides.
And if there's a sporting event you'd like me to follow for future ticket announcements, let me know.
I'm Sports Travel Tom – helping you travel better for sport & adventure.
Ticket information researched on 23 October 2026. Prices, availability and booking arrangements can change. Always check the official ticketing platform before purchasing.
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