Events

10Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Sport propels Europe’s event-driven tourism growth in 2025

Europe’s event-driven tourism sector grew by 7% in 2025, with sport emerging as a central engine of growth, driving significant economic impact for destinations and local communities across the continent. According to a comprehensive analysis by Mabrian and Data Appeal, both Almawave Group companies, the sports category accounted for the largest share of event-related tourism expenditure, highlighting professional matches and major competitions as major tourism magnets. Across the 12 European markets studied – including Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Greece, the UK, Germany, and France – sports accounted for 41.4% of all event-driven tourism spending, outpacing other event types. Markets such as Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Greece stand out for their heavy reliance on sports events, where the...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Golf 2026 events calendar: majors and biggest tournaments

Golf fans around the world can look forward to a packed international calendar in 2026. At the heart of the season are the four men’s majors and five women’s majors, each offering its own legacy and challenge. On the men’s major schedule the Masters Tournament returns to Augusta National in April, followed by the PGA Championship in May, the US Open in June, and The Open Championship in July, where golf’s oldest major will again draw massive global attention.  The women’s game takes centre stage across five majors, reflecting its rapid international growth. The Chevron Championship tees off the major season, while the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, US Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and the AIG Women’s Open continue to elevate the global reach of elite women’s golf, att...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Rugby union 2026 calendar: international Tests and club finals

The 2026 international rugby union calendar promises a packed year of elite competition, major tournaments, and high-stakes Test matches across both hemispheres. With World Cup cycles resetting and new formats emerging, the global game will showcase rising nations, historic rivalries and expanded international windows designed to grow rugby’s reach. The year begins with the traditional northern hemisphere showpiece, the Six Nations Championship (February-March 2026). England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy will battle across five intense rounds, with France and Ireland expected to continue their rivalry at the top of European rugby. Running parallel in Asia and the Americas are key regional championships and qualification fixtures as unions prepare for the next Rugby World C...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Football 2026 events calendar: major tournaments and finals

Football in 2026 is set for a landmark year shaped by the biggest tournament in the sport: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, staged across Canada, the United States and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. Featuring 48 teams for the first time, the expanded format brings more matches, more host cities, and an unprecedented festival of global football. From the opening game in Mexico City to the final in New York/New Jersey, the World Cup will dominate the sporting calendar, driving massive worldwide attention and a surge in sports tourism. At club level, European men's football reaches its usual crescendo in May 2026, when the continent's top competitions crown their champions. The UEFA Champions League final, one of the most-watched annual events on the planet, will headline the month, followed by t...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Formula 1 2026 race calendar: grand prix dates and circuits

The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship features an expansive, 24-race calendar that runs from early March through early December, spanning five continents and blending classic venues with fresh additions. The season officially kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (6-8 March), followed closely by China in Shanghai and Japan at Suzuka in March, establishing a thrilling early-season rhythm.  Across the spring and summer, the grid races at traditional European highlights including Monaco, Barcelona-Catalunya, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Zandvoort, with fans also treated to stops in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Montreal.  One of the biggest talking points of 2026 is the introduction of a second Spanish round in Madrid, hosted on the new Madring stree...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Snooker 2026 events calendar – biggest UK tournaments

Snooker in 2026 promises another outstanding year, with its major tournaments continuing to anchor the global calendar. At the heart of the season is the 2026 World Snooker Championship, returning once again to the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Since 1977, the Crucible has been synonymous with snooker’s greatest moments, and in 2026 it will again host 17 days of high-pressure drama as the world’s best players battle through its marathon format to be crowned world champion. With its intimate arena, intense atmosphere and history of unforgettable matches, the Crucible remains the sport’s most prestigious stage. The 2026 UK Championship, held at the Barbican Centre in York, will provide another highlight in the Triple Crown Series. As one of snooker’s oldest and most respected tour...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Horse racing 2026 calendar: biggest global races and festivals

The 2026 horse racing calendar promises an exhilarating year of world-class competition, bringing together the sport’s finest thoroughbreds, jockeys, and trainers across an array of prestigious global events. From historic flat races to demanding steeplechases, fans can look forward to a captivating blend of tradition, athleticism, and high-stakes drama as the season unfolds. In the United Kingdom, the racing calendar remains one of the most celebrated and diverse in the world. The year begins with anticipation around the five English Classics – 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, The Derby, The Oaks, and the St Leger – each steeped in heritage and offering pivotal moments in the season. These cornerstone fixtures are complemented by iconic jump racing events, including the Grand National at...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Darts in 2026: events calendar and biggest tournaments

Darts has evolved from a traditional pub pastime into a global sporting phenomenon, captivating millions with its combination of precision, drama, and high-energy entertainment. What was once a quiet game played in local bars is now a stadium-filling spectacle, thanks largely to the transformative influence of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The PDC has reshaped the sport with booming walk-on music, electric crowds, and star-driven narratives that rival any major sport. With English teenager Luke Littler leading the way, and winning back-to-back world championships, his victory has not only captivated global audiences but also inspired a new generation of players and significantly boosted international interest in darts. The UK remains the heartland of the sport, hosting ...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

World’s best half marathons in 2026

Running a half marathon, a 13.1-mile (21.1km) race, has become one of the most popular goals for runners seeking a manageable yet highly rewarding challenge. It strikes the perfect balance between shorter distances such as 5km races and the full marathon, offering a substantial test of endurance without requiring the extensive time commitment demanded by marathon training.  For many, the half marathon represents an achievable step into the world of long-distance running, providing both the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of reaching a meaningful milestone. Training for a half marathon typically spans eight to 12 weeks and follows a structured plan designed to build endurance, strength, and confidence. Weekly schedules usually include a combination of long runs, speed or tempo...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

World’s best marathons and running festivals in 2026

Running a marathon is a monumental achievement that demands months of disciplined preparation, strategic training, and unwavering mental resilience. Covering the classic distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), the marathon is widely regarded as one of the most challenging endurance events in sport, testing an athlete’s physical capability, mental strength, and capacity to push through fatigue. Preparing for such a demanding race typically follows a structured training plan that gradually increases weekly mileage, incorporates interval and tempo workouts to build speed and stamina, and features regular long runs to develop endurance. Equally important is proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery, all of which play vital roles in optimising performance and reducing the risk of injury...

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14Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

‘Enormous potential’ for new Triathlon World Tour launching in 2027

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and World Triathlon (TRI) have announced they are to build on their successful T100 partnership with the unveiling of the new Triathlon World Tour. Launching in 2027, the Triathlon World Tour will combine the existing T100 Triathlon World Tour, a rebranded World Triathlon Championship Series and World Triathlon Cups.  The T100 Tour will be rebranded as the T100 World Championship Series. The World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) will be rebranded the T50 World Championship Series and a newly-formed feeder series will be branded a ‘Challenger’ series. Combined across the different distances and two competition levels – World Championship and Challenger – the Triathlon World Tour will grow to approximately 100 events per year from 2027,...

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4Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to drive €5.3bn economic impact in Italy

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are set to become one of the most powerful tourism and economic catalysts in Italy’s modern history, with new analysis revealing that the Games will generate €5.3 billion in value for the Italian economy. The findings, published by Banca Ifis, highlight a three-tier economic surge driven by tourism, visitor spending and major infrastructure legacy. The bank forecasts €1.1bn in direct expenditure during the Games period, including hospitality, food and beverage, retail, transport and on-site visitor services. A further €1.2bn is expected to flow into Italy within 12-18 months after the Closing Ceremony as travellers return or extend their trips, signalling long-tail tourism growth well beyond the competition fortnight. Most impactful of all is t...

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3Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

153rd Open at Royal Portrush: a £280m economic impact for Northern Ireland

Golf's Open Championship has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s most powerful drivers of sports tourism, with the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush generating £89.2 million in total economic impact for Northern Ireland, according to a study by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Industry Research Centre. Causeway Coast and Glens alone benefited by £43.7 million, underscoring the Championship’s transformative effect on host destinations.  Beyond visitor spending, the global visibility of the golf major delivered a further £191 million in destination marketing value, driven by worldwide broadcast coverage, digital platforms and extensive online media reach, as reported by YouGov.  The Open’s spectacular return to the iconic Causeway Coast drew a record-breaking 278,000 specta...

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30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035: a potential UK sports tourism blockbuster

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have formally launched a joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035, positioning the tournament as the biggest single-sport event ever staged on UK soil – and a potential blockbuster for sports tourism across all four nations.  Under the “All Together” bid banner, the four football associations are proposing 22 stadiums across 16 host cities, with FIFA expected to trim that list to around 14-16 venues should the bid be successful. The tournament – expanded to 48 teams – would feature 104 matches over 39 days, with organisers targeting 4.5 million ticket sales and a global TV audience of 3.5 billion. It would also be the UK’s first World Cup since 1966, giving a new generation of fans the chance to experience a global finals on home tu...

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30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Amdavad in India to host Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030

The Indian city of Amdavad, also known as Ahmedabad, has been formally named as the host city of the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030. The decision confirms that the world’s most populous nation will stage the landmark edition of the Games, after delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow. India presented a compelling vision for the 2030 Games, centred in the Gujarat city of Amdavad, which will build on foundations laid by Glasgow 2026.  Jaismine Lamboria, world champion boxer from India, said: “It truly is a proud moment to see India become the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad will give athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity...

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22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

HSBC SVNS 2026 calendar revealed with New York making series debut 

World Rugby and USA Rugby, in partnership with TEG Rugby Live, have confirmed New York City as the host for the US leg of the HSBC SVNS Series from 14-15 March 2026 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Featuring the top eight men’s and women’s rugby sevens nations, the new-look HSBC SVNS will host its season opener in Dubai (29-30 November 2025) before heading to iconic global cities including Cape Town, South Africa (6-7 December 2025); Singapore (31 January-1 February 2026); Perth, Australia (7-8 February 2026); Vancouver, Canada (7-8 March 2026) and New York, USA (14-15 March). The SVNS World Championships will then have three events, in Hong Kong (17-19 April 2026); Valladolid, Spain (29-31 May 2026); and Bordeaux, France (5-7 June 2026). New York’s vibrant culture, renowned skyline, a...

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22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years with blockbuster tour

As one of the most recognisable teams on the planet marks its centenary, the Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of sporting showmanship with a blockbuster world tour. The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour begins with a special event on Sunday 14 December at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the full tour launching with games in Boston and Pittsburgh on Friday 26 December. The tour will continue on to more than 200 domestic markets in the US and more than 125 markets internationally, including France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia.  “There are very few brands in any business, let alone sports, that cannot just withstand but grow over the course of 100 years, and the Harlem Globetrotters are...

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22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries

Sydney’s status as a world-class sports tourism destination continues to accelerate, with the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS attracting unprecedented global interest for its 2026 edition.  The iconic event, now part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), has become a magnet for travelling runners, drawing tens of thousands of international visitors eager to combine a bucket-list marathon with a trip to one of the world’s most spectacular sports cities. The 2026 edition, taking place on Sunday 30 August 2026, will have an increased capacity targeting 40,000 finishers.  Record-shattering demand for the TCS Sydney Marathon is cementing the Harbour City’s position as one of the world’s premier sports tourism hotspots. The event’s latest ballot drew more than 123,00...

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21Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal to host the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards

The luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is ready to roll out the red carpet and celebrate the best in world football as host venue for the 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards. Taking place on Sunday 28 December 2025, this star-studded event will feature around 15 award categories on the night, including nine categories that are open to a worldwide public vote. The first round of voting is open until 27 November, followed by second round of voting to decide each winner from 3-11 December. Final winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the GLOBE SOCCER Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo. Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of GLOBE SOCCER, said: “We ...

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16Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Globe Soccer Awards extends partnership with title sponsors BEYOND Developments

The Globe Soccer Awards has extended its strategic partnership with BEYOND Developments, confirming the Dubai-born real estate brand as title partner for the 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments Globe Soccer Awards for a second successive year. Marking another milestone in the evolution of the Globe Soccer Awards, the renewed collaboration reinforces Dubai’s growing influence in the global sporting landscape and underscores a shared commitment to excellence.  Tommaso Bendoni, Founder and CEO of Globe Soccer, said: “BEYOND Developments has been an exceptional partner and we are delighted to continue this journey. Their dedication to innovation and high-quality experiences perfectly aligns with the spirit of Globe Soccer. This ongoing collaboration will continue to enhance the BEYON...

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