Sports fans are in for a treat in 2018, with a host of top events taking place throughout the year.

The football World Cup in Russia is the highlight of the next 12 months, but the Winter Olympics and golf’s Ryder Cup can also be expected to thrill followers of sport across the globe.

Read on for our top four sporting events to watch in 2018.

The World Cup, Russia

Numerous nations are in with chance of lifting football’s ultimate prize, with holders Germany and five-time winners Brazil are amongst the favourites for the tournament.

France, Spain and Argentina are also well-fancied, but visit Lottoland Promotions to boost your bankroll before wagering on the World Cup.

32 nations will contest the tournament, although the absence of Italy and Netherlands is a major surprise.

Hosts Russia will play in the opening match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 14 against Saudi Arabia, while the final takes place in the same stadium on July 15.

Winter Olympics, South Korea

The 2018 Winter Olympics is scheduled to take place in PyeongChang from February 9-25. Competitions will be held at 13 venues, with ice hockey, figure skating, ski jumping and bobsleigh amongst the top sports on show.

There are four new events added by the International Olympic Committee for 2018 – big air snowboarding, freestyle skiing, mass start speed skating and mixed doubles curling.

The 2018 will be the 23rd Winter Olympics. The first event took place in Chamonix, France, back in 1924.

The Ryder Cup, France

The Ryder Cup will be held in Continental Europe for only the second time in its history during September 2018. Le Golf National in France will be hosting the biennial match on its spectacular L’Albatros course.

Team Europe will be eager to gain their revenge for a 17-11 defeat against Team USA at Hazeltine National Golf Club back in 2016.

Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy will lead Europe’s challenge, while Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth will be amongst the USA’s squad.

Champions League Final, Ukraine

The 63rd staging of Europe’s premier club football tournament will take place at Kiev’s Olympic Stadium on May 26, 2018.

Manchester City, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are amongst the favourites to win the tournament, but the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester United shouldn’t be ruled out.

Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Juventus in last year’s final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was the 14th time they have won Europe’s top club prize and they have successfully navigated the group stages this time around.