Sunday, November 1Sports. Travel. Events. Play.

Events

Qatar targets sports travellers with packed 2026-2027 events calendar
Event Calendars, Middle East & Gulf

Qatar targets sports travellers with packed 2026-2027 events calendar

Qatar is building on its reputation as a major international sports destination with a packed programme of events during its 2026-2027 season. Formula 1, international football, tennis and padel are among the sports set to attract athletes and travelling fans, forming a key part of Qatar’s wider calendar of more than 560 events. A major highlight in 2027 will then see the FIBA Basketball World Cup take place in August and September. Formula 1 will return to Lusail International Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix, while the FIFA U-17 World Cup will bring international football back to the country. Major tennis and padel tournaments will also feature on the calendar. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, chief executive officer of Visit Qatar, said: “Qatar’s strength as a leading tourism destinat...
F1 2027 calendar: 24-race schedule confirmed as Portugal and Türkiye return
Event Calendars, F1 & Motorsport

F1 2027 calendar: 24-race schedule confirmed as Portugal and Türkiye return

Formula 1 has confirmed its 2027 race calendar, with 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and a record 10 Sprint events scheduled for the new season. Approved by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the championship will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix from 12-14 March and conclude at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit from 10-12 December. Pre-season testing will also take place in Bahrain from 24-27 February.  Among the major additions for travelling F1 fans will be the return of Portugal and Türkiye. Portimão will stage the Portuguese Grand Prix from 18-20 June, its first F1 race since 2021, while Istanbul Park returns from 1-3 October. Portugal has a two-year agreement covering 2027 and 2028, while Türkiye has secured a five-year deal through 2031.  The calendar spans five ...
After return to London, tennis’ Laver Cup will head to Los Angeles in 2027
Events, Tennis & Padel, The Americas

After return to London, tennis’ Laver Cup will head to Los Angeles in 2027

Los Angeles has been confirmed as host city for the 10th edition of the Laver Cup, with the three-day men's team tennis competition set to take place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood from 24-26 September 2027. The tournament will arrive in California a year after the Laver Cup returns to London, where The O2 will host the 2026 edition from 25-27 September. For travelling tennis fans, Los Angeles promises a very different setting for the competition – and another opportunity to combine world-class sport with a city break in one of the world's biggest entertainment destinations. It will also form part of an extraordinary period for sports tourism in Los Angeles. After hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city will also host Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the Olympic and Paralympi...
London Aquatics Centre to host International Swimming League 2026 All-Star Match
Editor's Pick, Europe, Events, Other sports, Sports Business

London Aquatics Centre to host International Swimming League 2026 All-Star Match

The 2026 International Swimming League (ISL) All-Star Match will be held at the London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 19 December 2026. A one-night team competition featuring some of the world’s best swimmers, the All-Star Match marks the start of the ISL’s next chapter as it plans for its full return. The match will bring the sport’s biggest names back to the pool for a single unmissable evening, staged in front of a live London crowd and a global broadcast audience. Also, the total prize pool for the All-Star Match will be the largest ever offered for a single night of competitive swimming. London was chosen as the host city for its world-class venue and its standing as one of the great international swimming cities. The London Aquatics Centre, built fo...
Glasgow’s OVO Hydro to host EIHL Ice Hockey for first time with Scottish festive double header
Europe, Events, Other sports, Sports Business

Glasgow’s OVO Hydro to host EIHL Ice Hockey for first time with Scottish festive double header

The OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, will host professional ice hockey for the first time in December 2026, as Glasgow Clan, Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers bring the Motorpoint Elite League to the arena for a special double header of matches. The event will see all three of Scotland’s professional ice hockey teams feature at the OVO Hydro, giving fans the opportunity to watch the fast-growing sport at the country’s largest purpose-built events arena. The games will form part of a two-day festival of EIHL action at the OVO Hydro. First on Wednesday 30 December, Dundee Stars will take on Fife Flyers at 3pm, before Glasgow Clan face reigning Motorpoint Elite League champions Belfast Giants at 7.30pm on 30 December. Then, the following day – on Hogmanay, Thursday 31 December – at 3pm,...
F1 Spanish GP in Madrid to generate €467m economic impact and support 8,850 jobs
Events, F1 & Motorsport, Sports Business

F1 Spanish GP in Madrid to generate €467m economic impact and support 8,850 jobs

A new study on the economic impact of the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix has raised estimates of the event’s contribution to Madrid to €467 million and 8,850 jobs, a figure equivalent to 5.7% of the direct gross value added generated by the Region’s recreational activities sector.  The report, produced by PwC using real sales and investment data linked to preparations for the event, also indicates that it will generate nearly €83 million in tax revenues and social security contributions. These figures reflect the huge expectation surrounding the 2026 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, which Madrid will host from 11-13 September, and which has already resulted in the sale of more than 120,000 grandstand and hospitality tickets. Analysis of ticket purchaser data shows that more than 80,0...
World Golf Awards 2026 to be held at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt
Africa, Editor's Pick, Events, Golf, Sports Business

World Golf Awards 2026 to be held at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt

Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt has been named as the official host venue of the 13th annual World Golf Awards, taking place from 5-7 November 2026.  Marking the first World Golf Awards to take place in Africa, the Gala Ceremony will be held on the evening of 7 November, forming the climax of an exclusive golfing itinerary that will include the World Golf Awards Classic to be played on the 18-hole Championship Course (par 71, 6,900 yards), designed by the acclaimed Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course hosted the 2022 Asian Tour International Series.  The weekend will also include a welcome reception at the official accommodation partner The St. Regis New Capital, Cairo.  Owned by TMG Golf and managed by Troon, Madinaty Golf Club is a full-service, premier golf destination set w...
Sports travel bucket list: Olympics hospitality at LA28
Bucket List, Events, Other sports, The Americas

Sports travel bucket list: Olympics hospitality at LA28

On Location, the official hospitality provider of the Los Angeles Olympic Games, has launched a wave of new ticket-inclusive hospitality packages for the summer games in 2028. Hospitality packages for Equestrian and Diving are now available, alongside newly released package types for Athletics (Track & Field), Beach Volleyball, and Golf, expanding the range of options for fans planning to attend LA28. Leisure-level hospitality packages now also include access to dedicated Hospitality Pavilions. Purchase details are outlined below. A brand-new package concept called “Follow My Team” has also launched, giving fans guaranteed hospitality access to their country’s men’s and women’s basketball matches without worrying about schedule announcements, draws, or purchasing individual event...
Steven Gerrard heads to Singapore for Beyond the Pitch event at Resorts World Sentosa
Asia & Oceania, Events, Football, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Trips & Experiences

Steven Gerrard heads to Singapore for Beyond the Pitch event at Resorts World Sentosa

Former Liverpool and England football captain Steven Gerrard will be in Singapore this October for the inaugural Beyond the Pitch event at Resorts World Sentosa. Scheduled for 4-5 October 2026, he will take part in an interactive football clinic, share stories and lessons from his career, and join members of Singapore's football community in a conversation about leadership, football development and the future of the game. Created by World Football Legends, Beyond the Pitch is a new series designed to bring audiences closer to the people behind some of football's most celebrated careers, not only through what they achieved on the field but through the experiences, challenges, leadership lessons and defining moments that shaped them. "Beyond the Pitch is about bringing people closer...
Sports travel bucket list: ‘Run for the Rainforest’ 2026 Odzala Marathon
Africa, Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Events, Running & Athletics

Sports travel bucket list: ‘Run for the Rainforest’ 2026 Odzala Marathon

On 3 October 2026, Kamba Africa will offer a bucket list challenge for endurance runners and adventure seekers: the annual “Run for the Rainforest”.  Situated in the Republic of the Congo (ROC), the Run for the Rainforest event raises vital funds for African Parks to continue their protection of the world’s second largest rainforest, by allowing participants to fundraise among their network, while experiencing one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kamba Africa is the only private operator granted concessions in the ROC's Odzala-Kokoua National Park, offering guests intimate luxury lodges and adventurous rainforest expeditions.  The races and packages The day features three distinct race categories to...
Ski mountaineering confirmed for Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games
Europe, Events, Winter Sports

Ski mountaineering confirmed for Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games

Ski mountaineering has been officially included as an additional sport on the programme for the Alpes 2030 Olympic Winter Games. The decision was taken by the 146th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Lausanne. This decision by the session follows a recommendation from the IOC Executive Board, based on a proposal submitted by the French Alps 2030 Organising Committee (OCOG) and reviewed by the IOC’s Olympic Programme Working Group (OPWG). OPWG Chair Karl Stoss said: "We recognised the sport's potential to add meaningful value to the programme, supported by its strong presence in Alpine regions, and its ability to enhance diversity, authenticity and appeal, while building on its growing Olympic momentum. “The emphasis for the French Alps [OCOG] is on the individual dis...
Cape Town Marathon to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major in 2027
Africa, Events, Running & Athletics, Sports Business

Cape Town Marathon to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major in 2027

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has officially been confirmed as the eighth member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) from 2027. The announcement marks a landmark moment not only for the race itself but for African sport and tourism, with Cape Town becoming the first city on the continent to host an Abbott World Marathon Major. The 2027 edition, scheduled for 23 May, will join an elite calendar that includes the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS Sydney Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. The decision follows Cape Town’s successful completion of the AbbottWMM candidacy process, including a second evaluation at the 2026 race. The assessment examined every aspect of the event, from athlete ...
Las Vegas’s F1 GP hosting deal extended for another 10 years until 2037
Events, F1 & Motorsport, Sports Business, The Americas

Las Vegas’s F1 GP hosting deal extended for another 10 years until 2037

Formula 1 will continue racing in Las Vegas through to 2037, following a new 10-year extension. Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc, Clark County officials and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), have all committed to the long-term future of one of the standout events on both the US and global sporting calendar. Since debuting on the Formula 1 calendar in 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has delivered $3.2 billion in cumulative economic impact for Southern Nevada, with all three races from 2023 through 2025 selling out and helping position Las Vegas among the sport's marquee destinations worldwide.  In 2025 alone, the race generated $43 million in state and local tax revenue, including $15 million allocated to support local K-12 education. Beyond its economic impact,...
Nashville lands first Super Bowl as NFL awards 2030 showpiece to new Nissan Stadium
Events, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Nashville lands first Super Bowl as NFL awards 2030 showpiece to new Nissan Stadium

Nashville has secured one of the biggest prizes in global sport after the NFL confirmed that Super Bowl LXIV will be played at the new Nissan Stadium in February 2030, marking the first time the city has hosted the league’s championship game.  The announcement comes even before the Tennessee Titans’ new home has opened its doors. The state-of-the-art venue, currently under construction on Nashville’s riverfront, is scheduled to welcome fans for the 2027 NFL season before hosting the Super Bowl at the end of its third year of operation. NFL owners approved Nashville as the host city during the NFL Spring League Meeting in Orlando, with the city becoming the latest destination to leverage a new stadium to attract one of the world's most watched sporting events. For sports touri...
Peru’s Punta Rocas to host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games
Events, Sports Business

Peru’s Punta Rocas to host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has confirmed that Peru will host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games (WSG), one of the first qualifiers for surfing for the LA28 Olympic Games. The event will be held from 6-15 November at the iconic Punta Rocas.  ISA president Fernando Aguerre said: “It’s incredible to look back at how challenging was the journey to Olympic inclusion starting almost 30 years ago. Here we are, after an extraordinary showcase in Tahiti, looking ahead with great excitement to what LA28 and Lower Trestles will bring.  “Punta Rocas is a perfect stage for performance surfing, much like Lower Trestles will be at the Olympic Games. A great place to start surfing’s third Olympic cycle. The team qualification slots awarded at the World Surfing Games will mak...
From Melbourne to Mexico: record nine NFL international games in 2026
Events, Sports Business

From Melbourne to Mexico: record nine NFL international games in 2026

The NFL will stage a record nine regular-season games outside the United States in 2026, taking American football to four continents and seven countries in what is set to be the league’s most ambitious international programme to date. The expanded schedule will see games played in Australia, Brazil, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico, with first-ever regular-season contests in Melbourne, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The move underlines the NFL’s long-term strategy to grow its global fanbase and follows years of successful international events in London, Germany and Mexico.  For sports tourism destinations, the games represent a major opportunity to attract international visitors, generate hotel demand and showcase host cities to a global television audience.  London ...
Qatar’s Lusail City secures T100 Triathlon World Championship Final return in 2026
Events, Sports Business

Qatar’s Lusail City secures T100 Triathlon World Championship Final return in 2026

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Visit Qatar have announced the 2026 Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final will take place at Lusail City for the second year running, on 10-12 December 2026. Qatar’s waterfront city is preparing to host the climax to this season’s T100 Race To Qatar on the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Tour.  The event sees the world’s best professional triathletes race head-to-head in locations around the globe, starting on the Gold Coast in March and taking in iconic venues such as Singapore, San Francisco and London, before finishing with an end-of-season showdown at the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final.  "We’re looking forward to returning to Lusail City later this year,” said Sam Renouf, PTO CEO. “Its waterfront pr...
Bucket-list marathons: The world’s most in-demand marathons for 2026
Bucket List, Events

Bucket-list marathons: The world’s most in-demand marathons for 2026

For runners planning their 2026 race calendar, securing a place at some of the world’s most sought-after marathons may prove as challenging as completing the events themselves. A study from SportsShoes.com has revealed the marathons generating the highest demand relative to the number of places available, highlighting a growing trend in sports tourism as runners travel the globe in search of unique race experiences. The research, published as part of the company’s latest Running Report, analysed global Google search volumes over the past 12 months and compared them with official finisher numbers from each event’s most recent edition. By measuring the number of searches per finisher, the study identified which races attract the greatest level of interest compared to their participant ...
Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki
Bucket List, Events, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

The Porto Carras Athlos is a new three-day international sports tourism and wellness event that will be held for the first time in northern Greece, at the highly acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki.  Located alongside a nine-kilometre sandy coastline, the resort is surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton.  Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness centre, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages.  About the Porto Carras Athlos The event...
Sports travel bucket list: run the ‘world’s most remote marathon’ in St Helena in 2027
Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Events

Sports travel bucket list: run the ‘world’s most remote marathon’ in St Helena in 2027

Runners and adventure travellers can now sign up for the “world’s most remote marathon”, taking place for the first time in St Helena on 28 February 2027, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in one of the most extraordinary races on Earth. Set in the heart of the South Atlantic, this marathon is far removed from the crowds and noise of city races. Instead, participants will experience a subtropical paradise with dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush green highlands and sweeping ocean views, all while testing their endurance in one of the world’s most isolated destinations. About the event Runners can choose between a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km or 5km distance, all starting in the grounds of Plantation House, the residence of the island’s G...