Editor’s Pick

11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

JA Sports & Shooting Club: Dubai’s newest sports hub 

An exciting new chapter in Dubai’s sports landscape is unfolding with the upcoming launch of JA Sports & Shooting Club – a world-class sporting destination currently under development through an investment exceeding AED300 million (approximately US$81.67 million).  Scheduled to open in phases starting in late summer 2025, the expansive multi-sport complex will feature top-tier facilities designed to cater to athletes and enthusiasts alike. Highlights include international-standard football and cricket fields, a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, and integrated cycling and jogging tracks that connect seamlessly with the nearby JA The Resort, a five-star all-inclusive destination comprising three distinct properties: JA Lake View Hotel, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Palm Tree Court...

Read More

11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts

Sports resort in focus: Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus

Nestled along Cyprus's southwestern coast near Paphos, Aphrodite Hills is a luxury resort boasting world-class golf and a range of sport and leisure activities. Named after the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, the destination offers an escape for travellers seeking a comprehensive experience that combines relaxation, recreation, and cultural richness.  Accommodation options range from luxurious hotel rooms to spacious suites and private villas. The resort is also home to a wide selection of restaurants and bars.  Sporting facilities Aphrodite Hills is renowned for its world-class sporting amenities, making it a haven for sports enthusiasts and active travellers. At its heart lies the award-winning Aphrodite Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course designed b...

Read More

27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Golf in Ireland: major winners and world-class courses

After a dramatic final play-off, Rory McIlroy became the first golfer from the island of Ireland to win The Masters – and only the sixth ever in the history of the game to win the Grand Slam of all four men’s majors (The Masters, US PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship). For a small island on the edge of Europe, Ireland is a powerhouse when it comes to golf, with McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry all recent major winners.  With world-class courses in some of the most spectacular locations on the planet, it’s not surprising that Northern Ireland is where McIlroy first honed his skills. McIlroy first joined Holywood Golf Club at the age of seven, becoming the club’s youngest ever member. Set high in the Holywood Hills of County...

Read More

27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts

Cycling holidays inspired by Europe’s Grand Tours

With the first of cycling’s Grand Tours starting in May this year – the Giro d'Italia – and the news Great Britain will host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Départs in 2027, there’s never been a better time to sample some of greatest road cycling destinations in Britain and Europe.  Independent cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has a range of road cycling holidays in the UK and Europe inspired by the Grand Tours and other iconic routes, including:  A guided road cycling holiday in the Scottish Highlands  An epic coast-to-coast adventure riding the entire length of the Pyrenees  A Tour de France-inspired road cycling holiday across the Southern Alps – from Mont Ventoux to Alpe d'Huez  Tour d’Ecosse guided road cycling holiday in the Scottish H...

Read More

13Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Expedia Group study: women’s sport the ‘real growth story’ of sports tourism

New research released by Expedia Group has revealed how sports tourism is transforming how people are travelling and the sector is creating massive opportunities for the travel industry. In a blog post titled "how to win big with sports tourism", Expedia Group’s chief commercial officer Greg Schulze said that sports tourism presents “significant economic opportunity” for travel providers and is creating “high-demand periods” for transportation and lodging companies and “boosts host cities' economies”.  According to UN Tourism, sports travel now accounts for 10% of global tourism spending, while Skift reported that the sports tourism sector is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.  Expedia Group’s data suggests sports trips are about "more than just the event" – they're a chan...

Read More

12Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Paris 2024 Olympics legacy: an ‘exceptional’ year for French tourism 

The Atout France - France Tourism Development Agency has revealed how the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games contributed to one of the most memorable years for France’s travel industry. The games provided a unique opportunity to showcase France's rich heritage and strengthened its image as a must-visit destination. In total, 12 million tickets were sold for the games while nearly five billion viewers worldwide tuned in. Overall in 2024, France welcomed more than 100 million international tourists, generating €71 billion in revenue.  Nathalie Delattre, France's minister of tourism, said: "2024 will remain engraved in history as an exceptional year for France. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the reopening of N...

Read More

7Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick

Sports travel bucket list: find your inner ‘rebel’ and rocket along London’s River Thames

Ramy James Salameh enjoys rocket speed on the inaugural sailing of the 'Rocket Rebel', the newest (and fastest) speedboat to traverse the River Thames taking in some of London's most iconic landmarks from a very unique perspective.  Immediately below the majestic London Eye lurks a waterborne mechanical beast. It is 16-metres in length, bright red and tattooed with Union Jack graphics. Its sleek and piercing design is made of revolutionary lightweight aluminium, whilst its fuel-efficient twin 725hp jet-propelled engines makes it the largest, fastest and undoubtedly coolest sightseeing boat on the historic River Thames. The English capital has just welcomed to its famous waterway, the newly launched, ‘Rocket Rebel’, a speedboat which joins an existing fleet of five 12-seat, 12.5-metre...

Read More

6Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Guides

Munich: a sports travel city guide 

Munich, capital of the German state of Bavaria, will be the focus of the football world when the city hosts the Uefa Champions League final on Saturday 31 May 2025. The highlight of the European club football calendar returns to Bayern Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena stadium for the first time since 2012. Home to a thriving sports culture, tourist attractions such as Oktoberfest and set against the stunning backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Munich is one of the world's top sports cities and a bucket-list destination for any sports traveller.  Main image: The Allianz Arena and architectural sculpture Sunken Village in Munich (Image credit: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA, via WikiCommons) Major sports teams and clubs in Munich FC Bayern Munich: FC Bayern's fanbase, histor...

Read More

1Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Tour de France 2027 men’s and women’s races to start in the UK

The Grand Départs of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be hosted by the United Kingdom. This marks the first time that both the opening stages of the men’s and women’s events will take place in the same country, outside of France.  England, Scotland, and Wales are all set to host stages of this famous cycling event in 2027, making it the largest free sporting spectacle in British history with millions expected to line the streets for the return of the Tour de France, and to witness the first ever staging of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the UK.  The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, Scotland. Further route details for both the men’s and women’s 2027 Grand Départs will be announced, with the focus on maximising the opportunity...

Read More

26Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Kai Tak Sports Park: Hong Kong’s new $3.8bn sports complex 

The new Kai Tak Sports Park, situated on the site of Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex spanning 28 hectares. Aiming to position Hong Kong as a premier destination for international sports and entertainment events, the venue's main stadium will host the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 28-30 March. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has invested approximately HK$30 billion (approximately US$3.8 billion) in the development of the new complex. John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, said: “With the completion and opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong is now better positioned to actively attract large-scale international events, drawing more visitors and investments, and injecting new vitality int...

Read More

24Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Venues & Stadiums

Premier League Summer Series 2025 to be held in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta

Four top-flight English football clubs – AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United and West Ham United – will travel to the United States for this year’s Premier League Summer Series.  Taking place from 26 July to 3 August 2025, the Premier League Summer Series will see each team play a total of three matches across stadiums in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta.  The fixtures kick off on Saturday 26 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Everton taking on Bournemouth and Man Utd facing West Ham. On Wednesday 30 July, Soldier Field in Chicago will host West Ham vs. Everton and Man Utd vs. Bournemouth. The final round of games on Sunday 3 August will then see Bournemouth vs. West Ham and Man Utd vs. Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans only need to buy o...

Read More

11Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Man Utd’s new stadium will ‘transform’ the fan experience 

English Premier League football club Manchester United have announced plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of a major regeneration project for the Old Trafford area of the city.  Costing a “ballpark [figure] of £2bn”, the BBC reported, the new stadium, and wider regeneration project, have the potential to deliver an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy which brings large-scale social and economic benefits to the community and wider region, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as driving an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.  Conceptual images and scaled models of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look like were unveiled by Foster + Partners, the architecture group appointe...

Read More

4Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Guides

Madrid: a sports travel city guide 

Madrid is one of the world's top sports cities. With a rich sporting history, world-class stadiums, and elite events all year round, Spain’s vibrant capital offers an unparalleled sports travel experience. Whether you're attending a La Liga football match, exploring historic sites, or enjoying the local cuisine, Madrid offers a dynamic and enriching experience for every sports traveller. Major sports teams in Madrid Real Madrid CF: established in 1902, Real Madrid are one of the most successful football clubs globally, boasting a record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles (15). They play their home games at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Atlético de Madrid: founded in 1903, Atlético Madrid are another top-tier football club in the city. They have secured multiple ...

Read More

2Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts

Sports travel bucket list: play tennis at Kalimera Kriti resort in Greece

The Kalimera Kriti Hotel & Village Resort, a five-star property on the island of Crete, is a world-class sports resort that’s home to the largest tennis and padel centre in Greece. Located on the island’s northeastern coast and offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, Kalimera Kriti boasts a selection of rooms and bungalows, sandy beaches, swimming pools, health and wellbeing facilities, plus restaurants and bars.   For sports travellers, the main highlight is the tennis and padel centre, which was upgraded in 2023. Together with Patricio Travel – a specialised tour operator for tennis, padel and fitness travel – and other partners such as Wilson, the Patricio World-Class Tennis Center Crete has 20 real clay courts, six artificial grass courts, five padel courts, and a Wils...

Read More

1Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

London Marathon experiences at The Westin London City

As the English capital gears up for the highly anticipated TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025, The Westin London City hotel has unveiled a series of marathon experiences designed for both runners and their supporters.  Situated along the historic River Thames, the five-star property has 226 guest rooms, suites and residences, plus F&B options including all-day dining restaurant Mosaic and riverside wine bar Hithe + Seek. The hotel is also popular for guests seeking wellness and recreation during their stay in central London. Dedicated to promoting wellbeing, The Westin London City is home to the Heavenly Spa by Westin, which has an indoor swimming pool, and the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio. In terms of events, the hotel hosts yoga classes and “Rise & Run” sessi...

Read More

14Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

The Lensbury tennis retreat review: game, set and relax in London

Ramy James Salameh headed to The Lensbury, a premier sports resort situated beside the River Thames in south west London, to enjoy a two-day tennis retreat alongside plenty of R&R. Framed and signed squad shirts, silver glinting trophy cabinets and a champions honours board are just some of the sporting memorabilia adorning the walls of The Lensbury Hotel, located on the banks of the River Thames in Teddington. It all reflects more than a century of sporting excellence, ever since its formation as a sports and social club in 1920. Today, its 25-acres of manicured lawns play host to some of the world’s best teams and sportspeople, who come to prepare and train ahead of major competitions. When England's Lionesses became European women's football champions in 2022, they used The Le...

Read More

9Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events

NFL expands international series with games in Dublin and Melbourne

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the National Football League (NFL) has announced a major expansion of its international series with regular-season games set to be played for the first time in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025, and in Melbourne, Australia in 2026. The expansion not only accelerates the NFL’s global ambitions, but will boost the economies of both cities through international visitation and showcasing the tourism and sporting highlights of each destination. Held in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council, the 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park, the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first regular-seaso...

Read More

2Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

39 Hours to Kohima: a historic trek through India’s Naga Hills

If you want to mix a long-distance walking trip while retracing the footsteps of history, then read on. Organised by Sampan Travel, “39 Hours to Kohima” is a unique 10-day endurance trek through the Naga Hills in north east India which follows the historic route of the Assam soldiers in 1944.  Taking place in 2025 from 27 March to 5 April, the trek will go from the village of Jessami on the India-Myanmar border to Kohima, the capital of the north east Indian state of Nagaland. A maximum of 12 "trailwalkers" will cover more than 100 kilometres through the dramatic landscape of the Naga Hills. The history At midnight on 1-2 April 1944, a band of soldiers raced over the Naga Hills of north east India. Dodging Japanese gunfire, they succeeded in making it back to the small garrison at...

Read More

14Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: Ontake Distillery in Japan fuses whisky with golf

If you’re anything like us – and have a passion for whisky and golf – then you’ll just love Ontake Distillery. Located in Japan’s Kagoshima Mountains, Ontake is the first distillery in the world to feature an on-site 18-hole golf course that is exclusively for cask owners, combining whisky and golf in a way that has never been seen before.  Taking its name from Sakurajima’s three majestic peaks – Kitadake, Nakadake, and Minamidake – Ontake Distillery is perched 400 metres above sea level in the serene mountains of the Satsuma Peninsula.  The golf course  This state-of-the-art distillery not only crafts exceptional award-winning single malt whiskies but also delivers an unparalleled experience for its exclusive cask owners. Ontake has a world-first offering: a private 18-hole ...

Read More

8Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

UN Tourism: sports tourism can create a ‘lasting legacy’ for destinations

Sports tourism can “play a key role in helping tourism destinations and businesses diversify”, UN Tourism said after the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) in Madrid from 28-29 November 2024. To achieve this, “public and private cooperation will be essential for the future of this growing sector”.  The 3rd WSTC gathered worldwide experts and leaders of sports and tourism at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Co-organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, with support of Visit Nayarit and Turkish Airlines, the Congress highlighted the transformative potential of sports tourism as a driver of economic growth, social development, and sustainability.  UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This Congress, as well as the whole...

Read More