Cricket -- In summer, attention turns to cricket, played either at Lord's, St. John's Wood Road, NW8 (tel. 020/432-1000; Tube: Jubilee Line to St. John's Wood), in north London, or at the somewhat less prestigious Oval Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kensington, London SE11 (tel. 020/7582-6660; Tube: Northern Line to The Oval or Vauxhall), in south London. During the international test matches between Britain and Australia, the West Indies, India, or New Zealand (as important as the World Series in the United States), Britons go into a collective trance, with everyone glued to the nearest radio or TV.

Football (Soccer) -- The season runs from August to April and attracts fiercely loyal fans. Games usually start at 3pm and are great to watch, but the stands can get very rowdy, so think about reserving seats. Centrally located premier division football clubs include Arsenal, Emirates Stadium, Ashburton Grove, N7 (tel. 020/7704-4000, box office 020/7704-4040); Tottenham Hotspur, 748 High Rd., N17 (tel. 020/8365-5000, box office 0870/420-5000); and Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, SW6 (tel. 020/7915-2951, box office 0870/300-2322). Tickets cost £20 to £110 ($38-$209).

Horse Racing -- Within reach of central London are horse-racing tracks at Kempton Park, Sandown Park, and the most famous, Epsom, where the Derby is the main event of early June. Contact United Racecourses Ltd. (tel. 01372/470047) for information on the next race at one of these tracks.

Tennis -- Fans from around the world focus on Wimbledon (Tube: District Line to Wimbledon). At Wimbledon's All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, you'll see some of the world's best tennis players. The famous annual championship spans roughly the last week in June to the first week in July, with matches lasting from about 2pm until dark. (The gates open at 10:30am.) Tickets usually range in price from £20 to £85 ($38-$162). Coveted center-court seats are sold by lottery. A limited number of tickets for the outside courts are available at the gate. For recorded ticket information, call tel. 020/8946-2244, or visit the official Wimbledon website, or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, P.O. Box 98, London, SW19 5AE.