Events

27Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

PDC Unibet Premier League darts: 2021 opening dates and 2022 schedule confirmed

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has issued an update on the delayed 2021 Unibet Premier League season.  Traditionally, the ten-player tournament takes place at some of the UK’s biggest arenas and in 2021 it was also planned to visit Dublin, Rotterdam and Berlin on a 17-night tour. However, due to the pandemic and restrictions for indoor events, the PDC has confirmed that the opening phase this year will now be held behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes. In a statement the PDC said: “The first half of the season will see the ten players face each other once across nine nights from 5-9 April and 19-22 April, before the bottom two players in the league table are eliminated following Judgement Night.  “A further seven league nights will then ...

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20Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Ocean Race Europe: Genoa, Italy, will host event finale in June

Organisers of The Ocean Race Europe have confirmed that the inaugural edition of the sailing event will finish in Genoa in June this year.  The historic Italian maritime city (Genova in Italian) is already the home of The Grand Finale - the finish of the next edition of the round-the-world race in 2022-23. Now, Genoa will also host The Ocean Race Europe.  Richard Brisius, race chairman, said: “In The Ocean Race Europe we are realising a dream of many - a race between European cities with engaged fans and athletes achieving the extraordinary while driving change for a healthier planet.  “We understand the importance of teamwork, and collectively we back the EU work for Green Transition, digitalisation and unity. Our friends and partners in Genova also really understand the val...

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18Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: iconic surfing event cancelled for 2021 – will return in 2022

World Surf League (WSL) has announced that the 2021 edition of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach has been cancelled for 2021 but will return in 2022 after a new three-year deal was agreed with partners Rip Curl and the Victorian Government in Australia.  The WSL was unable to secure a pre-approved bubble in Victoria ahead of the event, leaving significant risk attached to sudden public health measures in reaction to Covid-19 such as lockdowns, state border restrictions, and event cancellations. The WSL respects and understands the decision of the Victorian Government in this challenging time. Andrew Stark, WSL Asia Pacific general manager, said: “It was an extremely difficult decision to cancel one of the most iconic events on the Championship Tour.  “However, we are genuinely exc...

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18Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Women’s cricket in England prepares for a ‘truly memorable summer’

Women’s cricket in England is set for a “new era” this summer with the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy returning to the schedule alongside the new Women’s Regional T20 tournament.  The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the fixtures for the summer and there will be 56 matches played across both tournaments.  The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy will begin on 29 May with each of the eight teams to play each other once in the group stage. The final is to be held on 25 September. The Women’s Regional T20 will start on 26 June with the eight teams split into two groups of four. Each team will play three home and three away matches during the group stage before Finals Day on 5 September.  Clare Connor, ECB managing director of women’s cricket, said: “This promises to be a truly...

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15Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

#ILOVEUNITED: Man Utd to host global live virtual fan event for Chelsea clash

#ILOVEUNITED, Manchester United’s live virtual fan event, is going global for the Premier League fixture against Chelsea on 28 February and it will have a huge focus on the USA.  The latest edition of the event - which will be streamed worldwide across United’s website, app, MUTV channel, Facebook and YouTube platforms - will feature bespoke content aimed at the club’s fanbase in the US and include exclusive behind-the-scenes access and insight into the first team. The 90-minute pre-match programme will be hosted by MUTV presenter Mark Sullivan, who will be joined at Old Trafford by co-host and NFL legend Osi Umenyiora, and live from Los Angeles by Lord of The Rings actor Dominic Monaghan. Both lifelong fans of the club, they will be sharing their best United memories and pre-match a...

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14Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

Sailing: 17 events in 2021 World Match Racing Tour season

Seventeen events in 11 countries have been confirmed for sailing’s World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) 2021 world championship. The season will start in Szczecin, Poland, at the end of April and finish with the inaugural WMRT Final in Shenzhen, China, in December.  James Pleasance, WMRT executive director, said: “Last year was challenging for all international sports. We were very fortunate to be able to award the WMRT championship in Bermuda in October due to the fantastic efforts of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. We are very hopeful 2021 will allow for a full tour season however, understandably, organisers and sailors are cautious of ongoing restrictions, which is why we have set the tour schedule not to start before the end of April.” As with last year, the 2021 WMRT season will...

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14Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Beijing 2022: IOC marks one-year countdown to next Winter Olympics

To mark one year until the start of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has shone the spotlight on the athletes preparing for next year’s games.   Formally inviting the National Olympic Committees (NOC) and their winter sports athletes to participate in the 2022 mega-event, IOC president Thomas Bach said: “One year from now, Beijing will write history as the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. These games will connect the Chinese people with the world.  “Having seen how China is overcoming the coronavirus crisis, we are very confident that our Chinese hosts will ensure safe and secure Olympic Games in full cooperation with the IOC. “Every time that I have visited China, I am so impressed by the e...

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13Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Travel

European Tour golf 2021 schedule: tournaments, majors and big events

After a stop-start year in 2020, the European Tour is looking forward to an action-packed 2021 for men’s golf.  Announcing the 2021 calendar, the European Tour confirmed a minimum of 42 tournaments in 24 countries and 18 returning tournaments which were postponed or cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19.  As well as the regular Race to Dubai events, the 2021 season will also include four Rolex Series tournaments, the four majors, WGCs, Olympics and Ryder Cup. The 2021 campaign will conclude with the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai from 18-21 November. Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “There is no question that the challenge of reshaping our 2020 season in many ways informed our approach to 2021. One of the key learnings w...

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29Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

What is Europe’s oldest marathon?

I suspect the majority of even seasoned marathon runners would think London, Paris or Berlin to be the oldest marathon in Europe, making the answer even more intriguing. In fact Slovakia’s second largest city Kosice holds this accolade; so how did this come about? Ramy James Salameh finds out... In 2024 the Kosice Peace Marathon will celebrate its 100th anniversary, a milestone that Cassovians are extremely proud of. The marathon is the headline act for a city where sport is part of the very fabric and feeds into a truly diverse range of sporting experiences. The International Peace Marathon was inaugurated in 1924 and really is the torch bearer for sport in this fascinating city, and has given rise to many more sporting activities, clubs and titles. Kosice was awarded the status of ...

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26Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Travel

February 2021 sports events: what’s on the month’s sporting calendar?

The sporting year ramps up in February with many major sports events on the calendar. They don’t come much bigger than the NFL Super Bowl which takes place on Sunday 7 February at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. See an event guide to Super Bowl LV here. Other major sporting events in the second month of 2021 include the Australian Open tennis grand slam in Melbourne, the Fifa Club World Cup in Qatar and the opening three rounds of the Six Nations rugby union championship.  Here we look at the big sporting events taking place in February 2021. Main image credit: raymondjamesstadium.com Related articles 2021 UK and global major sports events: month-by-month calendar2021 sports business events and conferencesSix Nations 2021: fixtures, venues and times ...

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24Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

February 2021 sports business industry events and conferences

With the Covid-19 pandemic still affecting meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), virtually all sports business industry events in early 2021 will be held online.  February kicks off with the Golf Industry Show, Global Sports Week and ISPO Munich taking place in the first week of the month.  Other #SportsBiz events in February include the National Sports Forum Virtual Winter Summit, Women in Sport Digital Conference and fourth Japan Sports Week.  Related articles February 2021 sports events: what’s on the month’s sporting calendar?Sports business 2021 calendar: industry events and conferences2021 sports events calendar: month-by-month guideSport + Travel Magazine: sign up for the free monthly digital publication February 2021 sports business...

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15Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Travel

A guide to… NFL Super Bowl LV

A sports event guide to... NFL SUPER BOWL LV Tampa Bay in Florida will have the sporting world’s spotlight shining on it when the NFL’s showpiece event, the Super Bowl, is held at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday 7 February. Home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the stadium usually has a capacity of 65,890. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the attendance has been limited to only 22,000 spectators. Of the 22,000, the NFL says 7,500 will be vaccinated health care workers who are invited as guests to “thank and honour them for their continued extraordinary service during the pandemic”. After the completion of the NFC and AFC conference championship matches, it’s the Buccaneers and reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs who will play in Super Bowl LV. Tom Brady’s Bucs will be aiming to wi...

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1Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Travel

NFL 2020-2021 schedule: conference championship games and Super Bowl LV

The NFL’s 2020-2021 regular season is over and the playoffs are in full swing. After the completion of the Wild Card and divisional rounds, it's now time for the AFC and NFC conference championship games on Sunday 24 January. The winners of the championship games will then proceed to Super Bowl LV. This year's Super Bowl will be held on Sunday 7 February 2021 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. NFC Conference Championship  Who: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers When: Sunday 24 January 2021 Start time: 8.05pm (GMT) UK TV coverage: Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event AFC Conference Championship  Who: Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs When: Sunday 24 January 2021 Start time: 11.40pm (GMT) UK TV coverage: Sky Sports NF...

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20Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Holidays & Trips

Sport in Wales: events, activities and things to do

Wales is a passionate sporting nation - especially when it comes to rugby union. Cardiff's Principality Stadium is home to the Welsh national rugby team and every year it hosts games in the Six Nations championship.  While the capital Cardiff offers a big city vibe and many attractions, visitors are recommended to explore the rest of the country and enjoy Wales's outdoor activities. Trekkers, walkers and bikers should head to Snowdonia or the Brecon Beacons for their outdoor fix.  For golfers why not play one of Wales’s top coastal courses or tee it up at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor?  If you fancy something a bit different (or crazier) then the World Bog Snorkelling Championships, Man vs Mountain event or the Tenby Boxing Day Swim could be for you. Here we pick out some of th...

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25Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

Cricket: England to play home fixtures against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India in summer 2021

The England men's one-day and Test cricket teams are set for an action-packed summer in 2021 after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a provisional schedule of fixtures.  In June and July Sri Lanka will visit England to play three one-day internationals (ODIs). Also in July Pakistan are England’s opponents for three ODIs and three Twenty20 (IT20) games. Then in August and September five Test matches will be played against India.  After playing matches this year behind closed doors the ECB hope that fans will be able to enjoy the action in 2021.  Tom Harrison, ECB chief executive officer, said: “We had an amazing summer of international cricket this year with some memorable performances, and we know how much enjoyment it brought to people whilst stay...

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23Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Pictures: Qatar Airways unveils first aircraft with Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 livery

To mark the two-year countdown to the kick-off of football’s biggest tournament Qatar Airways has revealed a specially-branded Boeing 777 aircraft painted in Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 livery.  Qatar Airways is the official partner and official airline of world football’s governing body Fifa and its Boeing 777-300ER has entered service operating flights QR095 and QR096 between Doha and Zurich.  Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said: “We are tremendously excited to celebrate our partnership with Fifa and Qatar’s status as host of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 by introducing this unique aircraft to our fleet. We can feel the excitement building with two years to go until we will welcome the world to our beautiful country.” Fifa director of marketing, Jean...

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13Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

2020 sports calendar: major UK and global sporting events

The impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has seen many major sporting events cancelled or postponed this year. However, many events and tournaments are now back on the 2020 sports schedule, with most being held behind closed doors. Here we look at the monthly schedule for sport in 2020. Also, check out the sports events calendar for 2021 here...    Sport + Travel Magazine: sign up for the free monthly digital publication December 2020 2020 Betway UK Championship Snooker When: Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December 2020 Where: York Barbican, York Rugby Union: Autumn Nations Cup finals weekend 5 December: Georgia vs. Fiji (Murrayfield) 5 December: Ireland v Scotland (Aviva Stadium) 5 December: Wales v Italy (Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli) 6 December: England v Franc...

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6Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

F1 Saudi Arabian GP will be ‘biggest sports event in country’s history’

Formula 1 will be heading to Saudi Arabia after it was confirmed that Jeddah will host a grand prix in November 2021.  The city on the Red Sea will be home to the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and take place at night on a street circuit on Jeddah’s corniche. Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.  “The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic loca...

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21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

‘Events. Reimagined’: business events campaign launched by VisitBritain

VisitBritain is urging event organisers to innovate and “reimagine the future” as the sector looks to recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK’s £84bn events and MICE industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the coronavirus, with many venues still closed and conferences and exhibitions postponed or cancelled.  As part of its international hosted buyer partnership with The Meetings Show, the VisitBritain tourism agency has launched a new business events campaign - "Events. Reimagined". The aim of the campaign is to “reboot, refresh and reimagine” future events in the UK.     In a statement, VisitBritain said: “With such enormous upheaval recently, the events industry will see innovation and change unlike ever before. The new ‘Reimagine’ campaign is to he...

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21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

British & Irish Lions to play at ‘home’ for the first time since 2005

It’s been announced that the British & Irish Lions rugby union team will face Japan in Scotland on 26 June 2021.  The clash against the Brave Blossoms at BT Murrayfield in Scotland’s capital Edinburgh will be the first time since 2005 that the Lions have played a “home” fixture. The Lions’s last game in Britain was against Argentina in Cardiff, Wales. Warren Gatland’s side will travel to South Africa in 2021 and the Japan game will be used as a warm-up for the summer tour, which features three Tests against the world champions.  Lions head coach Gatland said: “We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win. They are a talented side who play high-tempo rugby, so it’ll be a good challenge for us ahead ...

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