Sports Business

18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Trends

GCC sports tourism to surge as PwC highlights growth opportunities

Forecast to surpass $2 trillion by 2030, the sports tourism sector is being propelled by mega-events, high-spending fans, active lifestyle movements and the rise of immersive, experience-led travel. But nowhere is this transformation more visible – or more strategically leveraged – than in the countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). According to “Game on for the GCC: Turning sporting ambition into lasting tourism impact”, a new report by PwC Middle East, the region has shifted beyond merely hosting world-class sporting events. It is now developing an integrated sports tourism economy – one that spans infrastructure investment, destination branding, digital innovation and year-round community engagement.  From Saudi Arabia’s record-breaking Esports World Cup, Qatar’...

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18Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

All eyes on Ireland as golf’s Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in 2027

With Europe clinching a dramatic Ryder Cup victory over the USA at Bethpage Black, all eyes now turn to Ireland as the countdown begins for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, where golf’s greatest team event will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Team Europe stars Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy played pivotal roles in New York, with Lowry delivering the decisive half point that ensured Europe retained the coveted trophy in front of packed galleries. Ireland’s Ryder Cup roots run strong, with Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke among recent captains, having also provided unforgettable moments such as McGinley holing the winning putt in 2002 and Clarke’s performance at the K Club in 2006, when Ireland last hosted the event. The Island of Ireland is no stranger to hostin...

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12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Seat Unique completes acquisition of Circuit Hospitality

Premium ticketing platform Seat Unique has completed the acquisition of Bristol-based business Circuit Hospitality in a move that reflects the rapid growth of the UK’s premium experience economy and rising demand for live experiences. By bringing Seat Unique and Circuit Hospitality together, fans will now have greater access to premium experiences across some of the UK’s most iconic events and venues, including Manchester United Football Club, Wembley Stadium, and Everton Football Club. The acquisition significantly expands Seat Unique’s network of rights holder partnerships, creating more choice, more availability and more ways for fans to enjoy unforgettable live moments. It also enables rights holders to reach new audiences, unlock additional revenue, and deliver an enhanced premium ...

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5Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates to open in Dubai in 2030

Hotel group Mandarin Oriental has announced that its first dedicated golf resort – Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates – will be located in Dubai, UAE. Opening in 2030 and featuring branded residences, the luxury golf and wellness resort will be the group’s third property in the city and uniquely positioned within Jumeirah Golf Estates’s next phase of development.  When it opens its doors, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai will comprise 121 spacious rooms and suites. In addition, there will be 97 branded residences ranging from three- to six-bedroom villas, each with its own amenities and private access to a lounge, meeting space, pool and fitness areas. A highlight of the resort will be The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, presenting an extensive range of the group’s...

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5Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Sustainable Sports Tourism Awards launched by UN Tourism and FIA

UN Tourism and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) have launched the UN Tourism Awards for Excellence in Sustainable Sports Tourism powered by FIA. Featuring four categories, the awards are designed to recognise initiatives that drive sustainability, innovation, social impact, and successful examples of public-private partnership within the sports tourism sector, while promoting and encouraging responsible practices that align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Most Sustainable Sport Event Community Impact in Sports Tourism Innovation in Sports Tourism Development Outstanding Public-Private Partnerships in Sports Tourism The launch of these Awards builds on the strategic partnership established between the two Organizations in Septem...

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2Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Five Iron Golf UAE to open new venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Five Iron Golf’s UAE franchisee, which already operates the flagship indoor golf and entertainment venue at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, has confirmed two new venue openings as part of its regional expansion. A lease has been signed for a location at Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, along with a third site at DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts in Business Bay, Dubai. Both venues are scheduled to open in Q1 2026, with further plans to expand into key markets across Asia, Europe and Africa. To support this growth, the group has closed a new financing round led by Powerhouse Capital, with participation from NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr., recent PGA Tour winner Kurt Kitayama, LPGA star Alison Lee and Managing Partner of Sharp Alpha Lloyd Danzig. The UAE fran...

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28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Paris ranked world’s top sport city of 2025 ahead of LA and NYC

Paris has once again been named as the world’s top sports city, according to Burson’s 2025 Ranking of Sport Cities. The French capital topped the ranking for the third consecutive year with Los Angeles maintaining second place and New York City securing third. London remains in fourth position, while Madrid completes the top five.  The annual ranking identifies the top 100 cities from around the world with the strongest association with sport. 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. For the first time, this year's edition also includes PR metrics derived from comprehensive media tracking. The 202...

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28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Mallorca pledges to leverage sport in responsible tourism push  

The Spanish island of Mallorca has established itself as a leading international sports tourism destination thanks to its year-round calendar of events and activities which attract both amateurs and professionals from across the globe, driving the local economy and enriching its tourism offering.  High-profile events such as the Mallorca Championships not only put the island firmly on the global sporting map, but also serve as a key platform to promote the Pledge – the Manifesto for Responsible Tourism adopted by Mallorca as a guide toward a more conscious, fair, and sustainable model of tourism. The Pledge lays out a roadmap to transform the way Mallorca manages its tourism. It calls for a model rooted in mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the protection of the island’s...

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28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Destination Sport Group named official local partner of Man City FC

Premier League football club Manchester City have announced an official local partnership with sports travel specialists, Destination Sport Group. For a number of years, Destination Sport Group has provided the club with expert team travel support, youth development tours, fan travel packages and curated travel experiences through its subsidiary brands – Destination Sport Travel, Inspiresport, SportsBreaks and Sportsworld.  The new local partnership agreement will see Destination Sport Group continue providing team travel services to Man City, whilst also creating experiences for fans and groups as part of an integrated local partnership. This includes trips for schools and youth clubs involving world-class coaching at the City Football Academy via inspiresport, ticket and hotel breaks ...

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14Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Property+Padel: redefining corporate networking through sport

What happens when you mix the world’s fastest-growing sport with the dynamic energy of global business? The answer is Property+Padel, a fresh, high-energy corporate networking platform that’s bringing together professionals from real estate, finance, private equity, fintech, insurance, legal, media and sport. At its core, the concept is simple yet effective. Corporate teams step onto the padel court to battle it out for the ‘Corporate Padel Cup’. But the real game extends far beyond the glass walls. Off court, competitors and cross-industry leaders gather to connect, collaborate and spark new business opportunities in a uniquely social setting. Behind this fast-rising platform are co-founders Rohit Grewal and Ben Nichols, who fused their backgrounds in real estate and international s...

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7Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Cristiano Ronaldo stars in Saudi tourism’s new events campaign

“Saudi, Welcome to Arabia”, the consumer-facing brand of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), has unveiled its latest campaign starring football icon Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7). Launching across key markets in Europe, India and China, the “I Came for Football, I Stayed For More” campaign heralds the start of Saudi’s extended season of sport, entertainment, as well as film, fashion and cultural events.  Launched across TV, social, digital, and OTA, the film starring CR7 highlights Saudi’s diverse, year-round sports and entertainment events held across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla. Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Esports Olympics Games 2027 and Asian Winter Games 2029, while its regular calendar includes large-scale international events such as ...

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25Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Explora Journeys names Jannik Sinner as brand ambassador 

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced a partnership with four-time tennis grand slam champion Jannik Sinner, who becomes the brand's new ambassador. At the heart of this collaboration is The Ocean State of Mind, Explora Journeys' guiding ethos – a philosophy inspired by the sea and its ability to create calm, clarity, and connection. For Italian star Sinner, 24, these values are essential to his performance: balance to navigate high-pressure moments, resilience to recover, and the ability to remain grounded in the constant pursuit of improvement. This alignment reflects a shared understanding that excellence is not only about results, but also about process, authenticity, and wellbeing.  "I'm honoured to join Explora Journeys as the...

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18Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Swim England and SwimTrek partner to promote open water swimming experiences 

Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, has partnered with SwimTrek to help more people discover swimming through the growing appeal of open water experiences.  This new collaboration with the adventure swimming holiday company is part of Swim England's broader mission to get more people swimming more often – by making the sport more accessible, inclusive, and connected to real-life experiences. With outdoor swimming continuing to grow in popularity, teaming up with SwimTrek enables Swim England to reach new audiences and inspire people who may not have engaged with traditional swimming environments.  Andy Salmon, CEO of Swim England, said: “We want to show that swimming isn't limited to pools. By working with SwimTrek, we can open up exciting new path...

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18Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

The Chedi Niseko: new hotel in Japan’s alpine ski region set for 2029 opening

Chedi Hospitality has announced its long-anticipated entry into the Japanese market with The Chedi Niseko – an exclusive alpine development of a boutique hotel in the heart of Hirafu, Niseko. Set for completion in June 2029, this milestone marks the brand's re-entry into Asia and cements its growing authority in the world's most exceptional alpine destinations.  Positioned within one of Japan's most celebrated ski and nature regions, The Chedi Niseko will offer seamless access to world-class slopes, vibrant culinary offerings, and year-round outdoor pursuits. The development responds to increasing international demand for elevated, experience-led stays in Japan and reflects Chedi Hospitality's signature approach to crafting design-led, culturally attuned destinations.  Step...

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18Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Quint launch exclusive travel programme

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) has launched a new travel package programme for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, in partnership with Quint Australia, a provider of official travel, hospitality and experience programmes. Known as Australian Grand Prix Corporation Travel, the exclusive travel programme will provide fans of Formula 1® and MotoGP™ with access to ticket, hotel, travel and experience packages, designed to enhance event attendance and create long lasting memories.  Launching for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix from 5-8 March 2026, the travel programme will aim to increase interstate and international travel to AGPC events, expanding on the tourism and economic benefits to Victoria.  Operating und...

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18Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

MENA Golf Tour relaunches with Keith Waters as chairman and commissioner

The MENA Golf Tour makes its anticipated return in 2025 with former DP World Tour chief operating officer and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board member Keith Waters appointed as chairman and commissioner. Waters’ extensive experience and strategic leadership are expected to significantly elevate the Tour’s status and influence.  Established in 2011, the MENA Golf Tour remains the only OWGR-recognised circuit headquartered in the Middle East, providing vital opportunities for professional golfers from the region and around the globe. The addition of Waters, who brings more than 40 years of expertise developing the DP World Tour and was instrumental in founding the OWGR in 2004, is set to be transformative.  “I’m delighted to be involved in the relaunch of the MENA Golf...

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4Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Golf Tourism South Africa launches to promote golf travel across the country

A new era for South African tourism has begun with the launch of Golf Tourism South Africa (GTSA), currently the only national platform solely focused on promoting golf tourism across the country. Registered as a Non-Profit Company (NPC), GTSA brings together the golf, travel, wine, hospitality, and lifestyle industries under one collaborative umbrella – with the mission of positioning South Africa as a world-class golf tourism destination. GSTA has been founded by Cuthbert Simphiwe Ncube, chair of the African Tourism Board, global tourism leader, and GTSA director; Charlene Thomson, founder of We Women Golf Magazine, golf tourism expert, and GTSA co-visionary; and Lynnqwinda Scott, founder of Visit Africa, digital marketing strategist with more than 20 years in tourism, branding, and ...

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4Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

Aphrodite Hills: Cyprus resort announces sports hub renovation plans

Aphrodite Hills – a five-star golf and leisure resort on the southwest coast of Cyprus – has unveiled plans for a major refurbishment to its sports hub. Easily accessible from the cities of Paphos and Limassol, the resort spans 234 hectares and includes a 290-room hotel, real estate options, a championship 18-hole golf course, tennis academy, award-winning spa facilities, dining and shopping, horse riding facilities and kids’ clubs.  Elevating the resort’s reputation among Europe’s premier sporting destinations, the project will see the venue’s racquet retail outlet renovated to feature a new style that blends country club ambience with sleek modern designs – serving as a one-stop shop for quality racquets, balls and apparel.  Also set for a major upgrade are the resort's changing...

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1Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Sports Business, Trends

2025’s biggest sports travel trends

Sports travel is booming in 2025, fuelled by a growing demand for immersive, active, and socially-conscious experiences. One of the standout trends is the rise of purpose-driven travel, with fans and athletes seeking trips that combine sport with sustainability, local culture, and wellness. From marathons in eco-conscious destinations to community-led surf retreats, travellers want to feel good about where they go and what their trip supports.  Adventure and endurance sports are also surging, with destinations offering multi-day cycling tours, trail running events, and triathlon camps to meet rising interest in personal achievement and outdoor escapism. Meanwhile, the growth of padel and pickleball is driving new regional events and sports holidays, especially in Europe and the Mid...

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28Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 England: fan zone locations confirmed 

England is set to host a nationwide celebration for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with fan zones unveiled in official host locations across the country. Running from 22 August to 27 September, and with more than 330,000 tickets already sold, the tournament will take place across eight venues throughout England, making it the biggest celebration of women’s rugby ever staged.    The fan zones, which will be free to enter, will be open on match-days and at various times throughout the six-week tournament, offering fans, residents and visitors a chance to enjoy the atmosphere and take part in the biggest celebration of women’s rugby.  At the heart of the action will be Battersea Power Station, which has been unveiled as the official tournament fan zone in London, in partnership with ...

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