Sports travel in 2026 is shaping up to be bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever. As global sporting calendars accelerate and a new wave of fan culture rises, travellers are no longer content with simply attending events – they’re seeking experiences that blend sport, wellness, culture, and community.
The result is a fast-evolving landscape where elite tournaments collide with bucket-list destinations, grassroots movements sit alongside global mega-events, and technology is transforming the way fans engage on the road. In this round-up, we look at the biggest trends and predictions for sports travel and adventure travel in 2026.
Main image: Premier League football club Arsenal play at the Emirates Stadium in London (Picture credit: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler.com / CC-BY-SA-3.0)
Tennis and golf: ‘the new power players’
When it comes to travel, tennis and golf are “stealing the spotlight”, SmartFlyer said in its 2026 Travel Trends Report. The luxury travel experiences company has “seen a rise in requests” for tennis- and golf-centric holiday, which are “often anchored by marquee events like Wimbledon or The Masters and extending into multi-day stays”. Tennis and golf are “fuelling a new wave” of destination-driven itineraries, where “access to world-class courts and courses is just as important as the view from your suite”. Read more at smartflyer.com
Six Nations and Fifa World Cup fuel travel interest
With the Fifa World Cup and the Six Nations rugby championship just around the corner, 2026 is set to be one of the hottest years for sports tourism. New data from eDreams ODIGEO reveals a surge in global travel interest tied to major sporting events. eDream’s latest Year in Travel report reveals some striking insights for sport travel: Six Nations host cities in England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales saw searches up 14% ahead of the February tournament, while the Fifa World Cup 26, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is already driving travel interest, with searches to Mexico up +15% and Canada +14%. With flexible booking options and AI-powered travel tools now mainstream, travellers are more empowered than ever to follow their teams across borders. This spike in sports-related travel reflects a growing trend, fans are planning entire holidays around live events, blending their love for the game with exploration and relaxation. Read more at edreamsodigeo.com
‘Fan voyage’ is a big trend for a big year of sport
International sport is set for a huge year in 2026 and there’s a “new wave of fanaticism all about immersive, local experiences”, Expedia Group said in its Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel™ annual global report. Backed by first-party data and insights from 24,000 global travellers, Expedia’s Fan Voyage trend reveals “a surge in uniquely regional sporting experiences”, with 57% saying they’re likely to attend one while on a trip. From sumo wrestling in Japan to Muay Thai in Thailand, travellers – particularly Gen Z and Millennial travellers (68%) – are “seeking front-row seats to learn about timeless traditions”. The report added: “Fan Voyage shows it’s not just about the game – it’s about community, culture, and feeling like a local.” The 2026 hottest Fan Voyage tickets include: Sumo Wrestling (Japan) Banana Ball (USA), Muay Thai (Thailand), Capoeira (Brazil), Curling (Canada), Lucha Libre (Mexico), Baseball (South Korea), Hurling (Ireland), Australian Rules Football (Australia), and Caber Tossing (Scotland). Read more at expedia.com/unpack26
A Premier League ‘best in travel’ experience
Lonely Planet has unveiled its top 25 destinations and 25 experiences for the coming year with the release of its Best in Travel 2026 edition. Attending a Premier League football game in England was picked as a top experience for 2026 with Lonely Planet saying that “a pilgrimage to a Premier League match at one of England’s football cathedrals is the ultimate sporting experience”. Going to an English top-flight fixture is “not just visiting a stadium”, however, it also “opens a window into the country’s passions and character that you’d struggle to see doing anything else”. Read more at lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel
Sport and adventure ‘passion pursuits’
According to Marriott Bonvoy’s EMEA Ticket to Travel Report, a growing influence of passion-led travel has been identified as a key driver for 2026. Conducted by Mortar, the industry research of more than 22,000 adults across 11 key travel markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa found that 47% would travel to watch or participate in a sport, while 39% would explore or do something adventurous – such as a safari or a trek. The younger generation are fully embracing passion pursuits, with 82% of Gen Z saying they have been on a passion pursuit holiday, 77% for millennials and 63% for Gen X in the last year alone. Read more at marriott.com
An ‘altitude shift’ for mountain tourism
Mountain tourism is “peaking interest”, Skyscanner has said in its Travel Trends 2026 report. International travellers are “heading to higher ground”, not just for the ski slopes, “but for serenity too”. From the Dolomites and Annapurna to the Canadian Rockies, alpine escapes worldwide are “luring people year-round for off-peak peace”. According to Skyscanner data, 92% of travellers are considering or planning a mountain escape for summer or autumn 2026, while hotel bookings using its “room with a mountain view” filter are up 103% globally YoY. Read more at skyscanner.com/travel-trends
Trending destinations for adventure travel
Adventure tour operator Wild Frontiers has revealed its predicted top trending destinations for 2026. Analysing booking data and external travel trends, Wild Frontiers’ experts have picked out 16 adventure destinations “that are set to capture our hearts”. The list includes: Kyrgyzstan; Iraq; Tanzania; South Korea; Egypt; Sri Lanka; Turkey; Japan; Oman; South America (Chile, Argentina and Patagonia); Kashmir, India; Georgia; Saudi Arabia; Algeria; Pakistan; and Ecuador. Clare Tobin, CEO at Wild Frontiers, said: “Overtourism remains one of the biggest challenges facing the travel industry, so it’s encouraging to see more travellers looking beyond the obvious. We’re seeing growing curiosity for destinations that were once considered off-limits, from Iraq to South Korea, as people seek richer, more authentic experiences.” Read more at wildfrontierstravel.com