Sports Business

12May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Lord’s Cricket Ground: plans approved for Tavern and Allen stands redevelopment

Redevelopment plans for Lord’s Cricket Ground's Tavern and Allen stands have been approved by members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and Westminster City Council's Planning Committee.  The £61.8m project, which was put to the MCC’s 18,000-strong membership at its AGM, will provide improved catering, hospitality and accessibility, as well as increasing the overall ground capacity by an additional 1,100 seats. MCC Members’ approval comes after Westminster City Council’s Planning Committee unanimously resolved to grant planning consent to the Tavern and Allen project at a meeting on 16 April.  MCC is now ready to enter the construction phase of the redevelopment, due to begin in late September, at the end of the cricket season. The Tavern and Allen stand project follows ...

Read More

12May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Chalet specialist OVO Network partners with bike rental company Bcyclet 

With demand for cycling in France up 31% according to the latest figures from France Vélo Tourisme, chalet rental specialist OVO Network has teamed up with bike rental company Bcyclet to offer guests a 5% discount on bike hire and accessories from big brands such as Scott and Apidura.  Bcyclet offers delivery of the rental bikes directly to more than 200 OVO Network chalets across the French and Swiss Alps as well as providing a range of services including private cycle guides, van support and airport transfers.  Chris Thompson, director of OVO Network, said: “Every year our owners welcome more guests who want to spend at least part of their holiday cycling. Some bring their own bikes, but for most bike rental is the easiest, most convenient option and Bcyclet delivers this...

Read More

11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Marathon Tours & Travel named co-title sponsor of AbbottWMM Age Group programme

Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) has announced Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) as the new co-title sponsor of its Age Group World Rankings and Championship programme.  The new sponsorship will see the programme renamed the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Rankings for the 2024 season that began on 1 January. MTT will also assume sponsorship of the forthcoming 2024 Age Group World Championship event. The fourth annual championship race will take place within the 2024 Sydney Marathon and feature more than 1,800 of the world’s best age group competitors, who qualified from more than 350 races worldwide during the previous 2023 season. MTT will offer special VIP Packages specifically for Age Group World Championship athletes to inclu...

Read More

14Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Trends

Amex Travel report: sports tourism is one of 2024’s top global travel trends

Sports tourism has been picked out as one of the top global travel trends for 2024, in a new report published by American Express Travel. Under the headline “for the love of the game”, the report reveals how sports fans, both internationally and domestically in the US, are “logging serious miles to witness their favourite sporting events first-hand”. The 2024 Global Travel Trends Report uncovers the “driving forces behind why people are travelling right now”, and “one thing remains clear”, they “intend to make the most of their trips this year”. In regards to the sports travel trend, it’s not just about “rooting for the home team”, the report said. A poll conducted by American Express Travel found that nearly three-quarters of global respondents are into sports, with 71% considering ...

Read More

14Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Croatian tourist boards become destination partners of EHF Champions League

The Croatian National Tourist Board and Istria Tourist Board have signed an agreement to become the official destination partners of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League – Europe’s premium club handball competition. The deal, brokered by the European Handball Federation’s marketing arm, EHF Marketing GmbH, starts with immediate effect and also includes the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons.  The tourist boards will benefit from a range of visible rights in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League, ensuring significant exposure at all matches as well as digital presence on eurohandball.com and EHFTV, the European Handball Federation’s OTT platform. David Szlezak, EHF marketing managing director, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Croatian National and Istrian Tourist Board to our fla...

Read More

14Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Destination Guides, Venues & Stadiums

A guide to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Park in London

London's Wembley Stadium is one of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the world. As well as being the home of English football, the stadium also hosts NFL London Games, major finals and big music concerts.  In 2023 Wembley celebrated 100 years since the original stadium opened and in 2024 the venue will host the Uefa Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. The district around the stadium, Wembley Park, has seen huge redevelopment in the past few years. There’s now plenty of places to eat and drink, popular attractions and many new residential buildings.  Here we take a look at Wembley Stadium and the Wembley Park neighbourhood. Key details  Official name: Wembley Stadium connected by EE Website: wembleystadium.com ...

Read More

11Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

SEICon 2024: Las Vegas to host new sports, entertainment and innovation conference

The inaugural edition of SEICon – a first-of-its-kind sports, entertainment and innovation conference – will be held at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas from 15-17 July 2024. Organised by UNLV Sports Innovation and Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, in collaboration with the Las Vegas-based guest experience agency Circle, the event will include exhibitor pods, innovation labs, daily keynotes, seminars/sessions, roundtables, and daily wrap parties with music entertainment.  “There has been momentum building in the area of professional sports throughout Southern Nevada in recent years, and the economic growth that comes along with it is undeniable,” Keith E. Whitfield, president of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). “Through business and workforce...

Read More

6Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

2024 Olympics to boost tourism spending in Paris by up to €4bn

An extra three million people are expected in Paris for the Olympic Games in 2024 increasing tourism spending by up to €4bn, according to Euromonitor International.  The successful Rugby World Cup, which has just played out in Paris and across France, served as a dress rehearsal for next summer’s games which will bring many opportunities, but also challenges for the French tourism industry. With a forecasted four billion global television audience, the country will be front and centre in the worldwide spotlight.  A well-executed Paris 2024 could skyrocket the profile of France, already at the top of Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index for 2022, as a destination from 2025.  Alexander Göransson, senior consultant at Euromonitor International, said in his repo...

Read More

6Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

World Golf Awards 2023: Portugal named world’s best golf destination

The World Golf Awards has announced the big winners for 2023 at its tenth annual gala ceremony, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Portugal enjoyed a strong showing and was named the world’s best golf destination, and The Algarve’s Quinta do Lago – South Course (pictured) claimed the best golf course in Europe award. Dunas Golf Course, Terras da Comporta collected two best newcomer categories: Europe’s best new golf course and world’s best new golf course.  Serapong Course at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club emerged victorious by taking the coveted title of world’s best golf course and Australian golfing legend-turned-designer Greg Norman was named golf course designer of the year.  Apes Hills Barbados, with its lush tropical setting and stunning coastal views, was voted the world’s best eco-...

Read More

10Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Premier League football club stadium tours, museums and experiences

The 2023-2024 English Premier League season is nearing its conclusion, with teams battling for the title and European spots or trying to avoid relegation. Once again, Manchester City came into a campaign as the reigning champions, while Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town were promoted up from the Championship.   In this guide we highlight the fan experiences, stadium tours, museums and days out that football supporters can enjoy at Premier League clubs across England. At the end of the article we also look at stadium helicopter tours across the UK, plus what to see and do at the "home of English football", Wembley Stadium in London.  Editor’s note: Sports Tourism News works with a number of affiliate partners, including Red Letter Days, Buy A Gift, and Headout. Products ar...

Read More

31Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Events, Sports Business

Birmingham to host the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit

The English city of Birmingham, which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has landed another big event: the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit. Taking place at the International Convention Centre from 7-11 April 2024, the 18th edition of the sports business event will welcome more than 1,500 global sports leaders to “Brum”, including sport-related associations and companies, members from the International Olympic Committee, all the International Federations, and organisers of future Olympic and Paralympic Games and major events. The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit will be held in the UK for the second time in its history after London hosted the summit in 2011. In an announcement, SportAccord said that Birmingham and the West Midlands secured its host ...

Read More

29Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Football, The Americas, Venues & Stadiums

Inter Miami and Messi’s new home: Miami Freedom Park stadium to open in 2025 

There’s big things happening on and off the pitch at Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Inter Miami CF. As well as star signing Lionel Messi banging in the goals and the team winning the 2023 MLS Leagues Cup, the MLS club co-owned by David Beckham has announced that construction has now started on its new 25,000-seater stadium.  The Miami Freedom Park & Soccer Village, located near Miami International Airport, will be a 131-acre mixed-use development featuring the football-specific stadium, a public park and entertainment district. Scheduled to open in 2025, the timeline “aligns with the last year” of Messi’s current Inter Miami contract, which he signed in mid-July, MLS.com said.  Alongside football and athletic fields and a 58-acre public park, which will be the larg...

Read More

14Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

UCI Cycling World Championships attracts record crowds in Scotland

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland have taken the sport to “new heights”, according to UCI president David Lappartient. It’s estimated that one million spectators turned out to watch the 11-day festival of cycling, while millions more tuned in around the world. The final event of the programme, the Women Elite Road Race, brought the curtain down on the inaugural event that has seen 13 UCI world championships combined into one mega event for the first time ever. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky claimed the top spot following a thrilling finish to the race that saw tens of thousands line the route between Balloch and Glasgow. It was the first time the women’s elite road race has closed a UCI World Championship, with 207 riders (including women under-23) taki...

Read More

31Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi teams up with South African Tourism

Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning captain, has been named as the new global brand ambassador for South African Tourism. The Springboks skipper, 32, is part of a new campaign that celebrates South Africans who are making waves on the global stage in their various fields including sports, arts and culture, and academia. “With the Rugby World Cup starting in September in France, and as the Springboks prepare for the upcoming tournament, Siya is the perfect person to partner with South African Tourism in our marketing and promotional efforts as we seek to attract more travellers to come to visit our country,” said Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting CEO of South African Tourism. “He is an exceptional South African whose story and journey inspire people from various parts of the ...

Read More

30Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

F1 Drive – London karting to launch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late 2023

Formula 1 and Tottenham Hotspur have announced the official name of their new immersive karting experience: F1 Drive - London. Part of a long-term partnership between F1 and the English Premier League football club, F1 Drive will be the world’s first in-stadium electric karting facility and London’s longest indoor karting track. The experience will open to the public in late 2023, while the track layout and e-karts will be revealed later this summer. A fully-electric karting experience, it will support Formula 1’s drive for greater access and opportunity to the lower levels of motorsport, and through the partnership both F1 and Tottenham will explore ways to promote diversity and inclusion within the motorsport industry.  The track  Thanks to the space afforded by the retract...

Read More

18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sports venue in focus: new £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre opens in London 

Lee Valley Ice Centre – a new world-class sports venue in Leyton, east London – has opened its doors to the public. Costing £30m to build, it features two Olympic-sized ice rinks plus a gym, dance studios, community spaces and café.  With two ice rinks, it means the centre can remain open while providing professional athletes, synchronised skating teams and ice hockey clubs a place to train. One of the rinks has a spectator viewing area, disco lighting and sound system, while the other will be used for ice events and includes a spectator seating area, digital scoreboards and screens. A welcome addition to sport and leisure facilities in the southeast region of the UK, the new Lee Valley Ice Centre is expected to boost the local economy by as much as £1.5m annually and attract half a ...

Read More

15Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2023 WRC Guanajuato Rally México generates €35.6m economic impact 

The Guanajuato Rally México, round three of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, had a significant economic impact for the host state. According to Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Guanajuato’s secretary of tourism, the event from 16-19 March 2023 directly and indirectly contributed 695m pesos (€35.6m) to the region, specifically to the three cities of León, Guanajuato and Silao, around which the Guanajuato Rally México was based.  Close to 600,000 fans enjoyed the WRC’s first return to North America since the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a 61% hotel occupancy in the state. Guanajuato Rally México offered six major spectator venues, starting with the spectacular rally-opening Guanajuato Street Stage on Thursday evening, where fans packed into every viewing vantage point possible inside the ...

Read More

5Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Video: Rafa Nadal visits his tennis centre at Sani Resort in Greece 

Spanish tennis icon Rafa Nadal, who holds the joint-record of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, has been in Greece to visit the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort in Halkidiki.  A collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca and the Sani/Ikos Group, the tennis centre features eight clay courts and since 2018 has held tennis training programs for players of all ages and all levels. During his visit to the five-star Sani Resort, Nadal revealed that he has been impressed by the “spectacular” facilities.  “The truth is that I was really looking forward to finally come to Greece, but my schedule and Covid had had made it impossible,” he said. “Toni [Nadal], Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa and the whole team had told me wonderful things about the c...

Read More

24May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

49ers’ Levi’s Stadium to host NFL Super Bowl LX in 2026 

Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, will host Super Bowl LX in 2026, the NFL has confirmed. Located in Santa Clara, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the stadium opened in 2014 and previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.  According to an independent study, Super Bowl 50 generated almost $250m for the Bay Area economy and the NFL is “thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back”, said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.” Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers, added: “We are honoured to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting event...

Read More

21May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

F1 FanZone added to 2023 Silverstone Festival line-up

An all-new F1 FanZone will a major highlight at this summer’s Silverstone Festival. This year marks the 75th anniversary of motorsport at the circuit in England, and celebrations over the 25-27 August bank holiday weekend will be enhanced by the addition of this exciting feature which builds on the highly popular modern Formula 1 content that was introduced for the first time at the event last year. Reliving all the excitement of the British Grand Prix that takes place from 7-9 July, the F1 FanZone at Silverstone Festival will provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close to see a grid of current grand prix cars. Formula 1 teams already confirmed for the showcase include Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant, BWT Alpine, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Oracle Red Bull Racing and William...

Read More