Sports Business

8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games brings £223m economic impact, study shows

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games generated £223 million in economic activity across Scotland, including a £176 million boost for the Glasgow City Region, according to an independent impact evaluation of this summer’s event. The 11-day Games, delivered for less than £160 million under a new hosting model, also generated £117.3 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) across Scotland. The report highlights the economic, sporting, social and environmental benefits of hosting the Games using existing venues and infrastructure, offering a potential blueprint for future major sporting events. Glasgow 2026 attracted one million people to its ticketed competitions, live sites, King's Baton Relay and festival programme, while a global television audience of 510 million watched across 166 terr...

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8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Vietnam to open the world’s largest stadium in 2027 with 135,000 seats

Vietnam is preparing to open what is planned to be the world’s largest stadium, with the 135,000-seat VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium in Hanoi scheduled to welcome its first events on 31 July 2027. Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has announced a strategic partnership with international venue management company Legends Global to oversee the management and operation of the new stadium, which aims to become a major destination for international sporting, cultural and entertainment events. The agreement will see Legends Global work alongside Vingroup to attract major international events, manage facilities and coordinate on-site services. The company currently manages a global network of more than 450 venues, hosting over 20,000 events and welcoming more than 165 million guests annually...

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8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Event Calendars, Industry Events & Conferences

Sports business events 2026-2027: industry conferences, summits and exhibitions

In this month-by-month calendar, we take a look at the sports business events, conferences and awards that are taking place in 2026. The global sports business calendar is rich with opportunities for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Sports business events are critical to the growth and evolution of the sports tourism sector, acting as platforms for networking, innovation, and strategic collaboration.  These events, such as conferences, summits, and trade expos, bring together key stakeholders, including league executives, sponsors, broadcasters, and technology innovators. They provide a forum for addressing current challenges, exploring emerging trends, and shaping the future of sports. This page will be updated as schedules are announced. Events and dates ...

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8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Event Calendars, Industry Events & Conferences

Travel industry events 2026-2027: major tourism trade shows and conferences

In this month-by-month calendar, we take a look at the upcoming travel and tourism industry events and conferences for 2026. Travel trade events play a vital role in shaping the future of global tourism. These gatherings bring together key stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and technology providers, to network, share insights, and discuss emerging trends.  Major events like World Travel Market (WTM) in London, ITB Berlin in Germany and Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai are prime examples of platforms where professionals can forge partnerships, explore new markets, and showcase products. These conferences often set the stage for important agreements, such as destination marketing initiatives and technological solutions to enhance travel exp...

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8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Middle East & Gulf, Other sports, Sports Business

EuroLeague Final Four basketball to return to Abu Dhabi in 2027 and 2029

The EuroLeague Final Four will return to the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi in 2027 and 2029, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Euroleague Basketball have confirmed.  Abu Dhabi previously hosted the tournament in 2025, and in 2027 Etihad Arena on Yas Island will see the four best teams in European club basketball compete for the championship on 28 and 30 May. On Friday 28 May, the season’s top four teams will contest the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the Championship Game. The weekend concludes on Sunday 30 May with the adidas NextGen EuroLeague Final, showcasing the brightest young talent in European basketball, followed by the EuroLeague Championship Game to crown the season’s champion. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for ...

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8Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Europe, Golf, Sports Business

Portugal named world’s best golf destination at World Golf Awards 2026

Portugal has been named the ‘World’s Best Golf Destination’ at the World Golf Awards 2026, reinforcing its reputation as one of the leading destinations for golf tourism. The country celebrated a double success at the awards, with Portugal’s Silver Coast also claiming the title of ‘World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination’.  Now in its 13th year, the World Golf Awards recognise excellence across the global golf tourism industry, including destinations, resorts, courses, hotels and tour operators. The 2026 winners were announced at a gala ceremony hosted at Madinaty Golf Club in Egypt, marking the first time the awards have been held in Africa. Winners included Mission Hills Haikou, China, which was voted ‘World’s Best Golf Hotel’ while Scotland also made a strong showing. Trump In...

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31Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Running & Athletics, Sports Business

World Athletics launches new department to grow global running and mass participation

World Athletics has launched a new Running & Mass Participation department as it looks to strengthen its role in the global running industry and support the continued growth of mass participation events. The international governing body for athletics says the standalone department will bring greater focus to its work across the running ecosystem, including road races, marathons, cross country, mountain and trail running. The department will be led by Jakob Larsen, who has 25 years of experience in international sports administration and event development. His previous work includes the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen in 2014, the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus in 2019 and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest in September 202...

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27Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Golf, Middle East & Gulf, Venues & Stadiums

Emaar South Golf Club: Dubai’s newest championship golf course

Dubai has added a new championship golf course to its sporting itinerary with the opening of Emaar South Golf Club on 5 October 2026. Located in Dubai South, it's the fourth golf club in Emaar Hospitality Group’s portfolio and features an 18-hole championship course designed by European Golf Design. With dedicated practice facilities and a contemporary clubhouse, Emaar South Golf Club caters to experienced players, beginners and families. Hakan Keskin, leader of hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “The opening of Emaar South Golf Club marks an important milestone for Emaar Hospitality Group and reflects our continued commitment to creating exceptional leisure and lifestyle destinations.  “This is more than a new golf course; it is a thoughtfully designed destinat...

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27Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Football, Industry Events & Conferences

World Football Summit to launch WFS London at Fulham FC in March 2027

World Football Summit (WFS) will host its debut event in the UK with WFS London taking place on 10-11 March 2027 at Fulham Pier, in Craven Cottage, home of Fulham FC. Hosted in partnership with AIX Capital, WFS London will gather senior executives from clubs, leagues and governing bodies across the football pyramid, in the men’s and women’s game and all four nations, together with brands, investors, agencies, tech platforms and media, and international companies from across the global football industry.  WFS London lands at a decisive moment for the UK game with the Independent Football Regulator’s first licensing window for the top five tiers of the English men’s game closing two weeks before the event.  The Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) are negot...

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18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Venues & Stadiums

South Korea opens new national sports museum in Seoul’s Olympic Park

Sports fans visiting Seoul have a new attraction to explore following the opening of the National Sports Museum of Korea, celebrating the country's sporting heritage, Olympic achievements and memorable moments. Located in Olympic Park in the Songpa district of South Korea's capital, the museum officially opened on 15 October 2026, becoming the country's first national museum dedicated to sport. Established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the museum aims to preserve Korea's sporting history through exhibitions, educational programmes and interactive experiences. What can visitors see at the National Sports Museum of Korea? The new museum houses approximately 70,000 sports-related items, including historic medals, equipmen...

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18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Africa, Editor's Pick, F1 & Motorsport, Sports Business

F1 returns to Africa: Rwanda to host African Grand Prix under landmark 10-year deal 

Rwanda is set to become a major destination for Formula 1 fans and international sports tourists after a landmark agreement was announced to bring Grand Prix racing back to Africa for the first time in more than three decades. Formula 1 has confirmed a 10-year partnership for the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, which is expected to join the championship calendar in the early 2030s. The agreement will see F1 return to the African continent for the first time since 1993, when the South African Grand Prix was held at the Kyalami Circuit. The project forms part of Rwanda's wider ambition to establish itself as an international hub for sport, tourism, business and major events. Where will the F1 African Grand Prix take place? A new purpose-built circuit w...

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18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Other sports, Sports Business

Fury vs Joshua hospitality packages range from £249 to £17,995

Seat Unique has been appointed official hospitality partner for the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua all-British heavyweight boxing fight scheduled to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday 11 December. The company will manage, sell and deliver the event’s premium experiences programme, acting as the sole platform for official premium access. The appointment builds on Seat Unique’s relationship with the Welsh Rugby Union and Principality Stadium, where it has been the official hospitality sales platform since 2021. Official hospitality packages are on sale for Fury vs Joshua, with additional experiences being developed for the fight. These include an exclusive VVIP offering, with further details to be announced once confirmed. Fury and Joshua have never faced each o...

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12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Industry Events & Conferences, Sports Travel, The Americas

Anguilla to host inaugural Caribbean sports tourism summit in 2027

Anguilla will host the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Sports Tourism Summit. Scheduled to take place from 12-14 August 2027, the summit will create a new regional platform focused on harnessing the growing intersection of sports, tourism and economic development.  The announcement was made during CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown, Guyana, where Caribbean tourism leaders met under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive”.  The Anguilla summit will bring together tourism and sports officials, event organisers, athletes, sports organisations, destination marketers, private-sector partners and other stakeholders to examine how Caribbean destinations can use sports to attract visitors, stimulate economic ...

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11Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Events, Venues & Stadiums

Porto to become global headquarters of The Ocean Race from 2028

Porto in Portugal is set to become the new global headquarters of The Ocean Race from 2028, with the Atlantic coastal city also hosting the start of three editions of the round-the-world sailing competition. The long-term partnership between The Ocean Race, the City of Porto, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal will see Porto host the start of the 2030, 2034 and 2038 editions, as well as a special sailing event in 2028. The agreement, which runs through 2040, will also bring at least six editions of The Ocean Race Europe to Portugal, alongside a wider programme of international sailing events, ocean science, education and sustainability initiatives. The partnership aims to strengthen Portugal's position as a destination for major international sporting eve...

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11Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Seven nations in contention to host 2036 Olympic Games as IOC confirms selection timeline

The race to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games is taking shape, with seven countries currently in discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about staging the world's biggest sporting event. The IOC has published a new handbook outlining the selection process, including key deadlines, evaluation criteria and the timeline for choosing the successful host. The next two Summer Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles, United States, from 14 to 30 July 2028, and Brisbane, Australia, from 23 July to 8 August 2032. The Paralympic Games will follow in both cities. Which countries are in contention to host the 2036 Olympics? According to the IOC, seven countries are currently participating in its Continuous Dialogue process and have expressed an interest in ...

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27Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, The Americas

LA28 Olympics could generate $40bn and support 224,000 jobs, new study reveals

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games could generate more than $40billion in economic output and support as many as 224,000 jobs across Greater Los Angeles, according to a new report. Research by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) estimates that planning, preparing for and hosting LA28 could generate between $20.5bn and $40.6bn across the five-county Greater Los Angeles region. The Games could also support between 126,000 and 224,000 jobs, spanning sectors including hospitality, accommodation, construction, transportation, security and administrative services. Commissioned by LA28 and conducted by LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics, the study examines the economic and fiscal impact of the Games across the years leading up to and includ...

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20Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Football, Sports Business

Turkish Airlines to become Liverpool FC’s main shirt sponsor from 2027-28 season

Turkish Airlines will become Liverpool FC’s main partner from June 2027, with the carrier’s branding set to appear on the front of the club’s match shirts from the start of the 2027-28 season. The agreement will see Turkish Airlines replace Standard Chartered as Liverpool’s front-of-shirt sponsor, marking the first change to the Premier League club’s main partnership in 17 years. The Turkish flag carrier’s branding will feature on the men’s, women’s and academy match shirts. Standard Chartered, which has been Liverpool’s main club partner since 2010, will remain in place throughout the 2026-27 season before becoming a global partner from June 2027. Ahmet Olmuştur, Turkish Airlines CEO, said: “Liverpool Football Club is one of the world’s most recognised and respected football club...

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20Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, The Americas

US sporting events projected to generate $537m in visitor spending

Major sporting events across the United States were projected to generate more than $537 million in visitor spending this summer, according to new research from Expedia Group and PredictHQ. The study analysed 18 major basketball, baseball, tennis, golf and hockey events, alongside related championship celebrations, which were forecast to attract a combined attendance of more than four million people. Of the projected $537m in visitor spending, around $259m was expected to go towards accommodation and $233m on hospitality, highlighting the wider economic impact of hosting major sports events. New York emerged as the biggest beneficiary. Four events in the city attracted more than 3.1 million attendees and were projected to generate $304m in visitor spending. When the US Open Golf C...

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20Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

2026 Ranking of Sports Cities: New York takes top spot ahead of Paris and LA

New York has taken the top spot in Burson’s 2026 Ranking of Sports Cities, ahead of Paris, Los Angeles, London and Madrid. Paris moves to second place after topping the ranking for three consecutive years.  The annual ranking identifies the top 100 cities from around the world with the strongest  association with sport. Now in its 15th edition, it is based on both perception and in-depth  quantitative analysis, including feedback from international sports leaders, sports media  representatives and industry experts, as well as social media and media coverage analytics.  Together, these indicators provide a comprehensive view of how cities build visibility and influence  through sport.  The 2026 Ranking of Sports Cities identifies four key findings th...

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6Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Asia & Oceania, Running & Athletics, Sports Business

2026 Kangaroo Island Run Festival attracts hundreds of international visitors 

Held on Sunday 23 August, the 2026 Kangaroo Island Marathon, Half Marathon and Sealink 10K attracted runners from around the world to Flinders Chase National Park for one of Australia’s most remote and unique marathon events. A total of 279 runners took part in the Kangaroo Island Run Festival, out of 299 registered, and together they brought more than 500 additional guests to the island – more than 800 visitors in all, a strong boost for the local economy. Runners represented 20 different nationalities, reflecting the event's growing international appeal, up significantly from 221 registered runners and 187 participants in 2025.  Alongside a strong Australian contingent, the USA (39), Great Britain (11) and Canada (five) made up some of the largest overseas cohorts, with run...

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