Sports Business

9Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Elevate Golf: Northern Ireland to host golf tourism event in 2026 

Golf tourism’s newest B2B event Elevate Golf is to be held in Northern Ireland for the first time in 2026. Taking place from 25-30 October, Elevate Golf 2026 will see the finest golf courses, resorts and accommodation providers connect with high-class international tour operators during tailor-made appointments, and in more casual surroundings on the golf course and at evening receptions. Elevate Golf – which will be in its third edition in 2026 – is held in two stages, with the first half of the six-day event in Northern Ireland. Here, a carefully selected pool of the best golf tour operators from across the globe will be hosted at the luxurious Galgorm Resort in County Antrim, experiencing the hotel's premium hospitality. Leanne Thorpe, director of Elevate Golf, said: “At Elevate G...

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5Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Trends

2025 Global F1 Fan Survey: women, Gen Z and US fans power new era 

Formula 1 fandom is evolving – and it’s younger, more diverse, and more plugged-in than ever. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, released by Formula 1 and Motorsport Network, the sport is in the midst of a generational and cultural shift, with women, Gen Z, and US fans emerging as powerful forces shaping the future of the grid. Conducted every four years, the survey gathered insights from more than 100,000 self-identified F1 fans across 186 countries. The results confirm what has been building over recent seasons: Formula 1 is no longer just a motorsport, it’s a cultural phenomenon. Women are leading the next wave of fandom, with female fans making up three in four of all new fans in the survey. Among Gen Z respondents, nearly half identify as female – highlighting the sport...

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2Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Playtomic Global Padel Report 2025: ‘the global sport of the future’

With games being played on the beaches of Dubai to the parks of California, there’s no doubting that padel is now the world’s fastest-growing sport. The newly released Playtomic Global Padel Report 2025, published in partnership with PwC’s Strategy&, paints a dynamic picture of a sport on the rise – powered by technology, community, and unprecedented international interest. A court-building boom Padel’s growth is nothing short of explosive. In 2024 alone, more than 3,282 new clubs and 7,000 courts sprang up worldwide – that’s about nine clubs opening every day. The global court count has now soared past 50,000, with a projected 81,555 expected by 2027. What was once a niche European pastime is now played in over 90 countries, with hot spots emerging in the UAE, Mexico, the UK, Po...

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27Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Business

Active ‘coolcations’: Heidi launches summer mountain holidays

The “coolcation” trend of choosing milder holiday destinations looks set to continue in 2025, after first gaining momentum last year following record-breaking high temperatures across popular Mediterranean hot spots. According to the Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel 2025 Report published by the European Travel Commission 15% of travellers are now actively seeking out milder climates, and 14% are avoiding destinations with extreme heat. In response to the growing “coolcation” trend, ski holiday operator Heidi has expanded its portfolio of travel itineraries to now include summer mountain holidays. In a survey of 900 UK skiers conducted on behalf of Heidi, 50% chose “summer mountain holidays” when asked: “What type of holiday are you planning to book - or have booked - in th...

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16Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

‘Seat Unique Ultimate Experience’: Everton’s new stadium to feature cinema-style seating

English Premier League football club Everton have announced ticketing and hospitality platform Seat Unique as a founding partner of their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.  The agreement will see Seat Unique become Everton’s official premium experiences platform, providing premium match-by-match and event sales for the bars, restaurants and experiences at the club’s new iconic home on Liverpool’s waterfront. The 52,888-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium, which opens in August 2025, will become a world-class destination for sport, music, entertainment and cultural events. As part of “The Seat Unique Ultimate Experience”, and for the first time in UK football, fans will be able to buy match-by-match access to cinematic "loge" seating – enclosures with four reclining cinema-style seats and priva...

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18May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Seat Unique continues partnership growth with three-year Polo in the Park deal

It’s been a very busy few months for Seat Unique, an online platform that offers official hospitality packages and premium tickets for live events. Founded in 2018 by Robin Sherry and Phillipa Hicks, Seat Unique has secured partnerships with a range of major UK venues, clubs, and promoters, including London’s Wembley Stadium and the Co-op Live in Manchester, as well as the Welsh Rugby Union and Jacksonville Jaguars UK. Backed by high-profile investors and ambassadors, including British Lions and Wales Rugby captain Sam Warburton OBE, England cricketers Stuart Broad and Lauren Bell, and rugby legends Sir Clive Woodward and Matt Dawson, Seat Unique also announced in March 2025 that England men’s football captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane had become a shareholder in the firm.&nb...

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17May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Emirates Sports Arena: new ice sports venue to open in Dubai

A new ice and winter sports venue, the Emirates Sports Arena, is set to open in Dubai in 2025. Owned and operated by Emirates Sports Group, the facility will be the only multi-functional professional ice rink in the Middle East region. Located in Dubai Sports City, the Emirates Sports Arena will be next to the Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments. The opening of this technologically advanced sports facility will represent a step forward in the development of winter sports in the Middle East, including ice hockey, figure skating, and other disciplines. Alongside the launch of the ice arena, a Winter Sports Academy for GCC countries will also be introduced.  Vladimir Burdun, CEO of Emirates Sports Group, said: "We look forward to the opening of Emirates Sports Arena as a grand event fe...

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17May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

US tennis ace Jessica Pegula named World of Hyatt ambassador

Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s World of Hyatt loyalty program has welcomed American tennis star Jessica Pegula as its newest ambassador, bringing her passion for excellence and travel to the World of Hyatt portfolio.  Through this collaboration, Pegula will offer exclusive insights into elite tennis travel, showcase Park Hyatt hotels around the world, and provide World of Hyatt members with unique opportunities to engage with the sport at the highest level. Pegula said: "I'm thrilled to join World of Hyatt as its newest ambassador. When you're on the road for nearly 10 months a year, finding a place that feels like a true home-away-from-home makes all the difference. The spacious accommodations at Park Hyatt hotels give me the freedom to keep up with my workouts and even enjoy a spa...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Trends

Rise of ‘mara-cations’: Generator sees marathon weekend booking surge

Following the TCS London Marathon in April, boutique accommodation brand Generator has recorded an increase in guests looking to combine their love of running with travel – opting for a hybrid of a holiday and a marathon, affectionately coined the “mara-cation”.  With a surge in bookings across its global portfolio, Generator’s properties in key marathon locations have seen increased demand during event weekends, highlighting that guests now more than ever are seeking  a blend of wellness, intense self-optimisation and a desire to see the world through a new lens.  Of the locations that are seeing the biggest increase, New York leads the way, with a 67% increase in bookings at Paramount Times Square - a Generator Hotel during the NYC marathon weekend 2025 (2 November). Berlin co...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Valencia CF and Legends partner on hospitality concepts at Nou Mestalla

Valencia CF have reached an agreement with Legends, a global premium experiences company, to support the Spanish LaLiga football club's strategic growth through the sales and revenue optimisation of the hospitality areas at the Nou Mestalla stadium. Following the consultancy process carried out over the last year, the club now incorporates Legends, a leader in delivering exceptional fan experiences and driving commercial revenue for sports and entertainment venues, as a strategic partner. Thus, establishing the first major agreement for the new stadium, which, upon its inauguration in the summer of 2027, will become a fundamental pillar for the club's economic and sporting growth in the coming decades. With more than 6,500 hospitality seats (more than 9% of the stadium’s total capaci...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

JA Sports & Shooting Club: Dubai’s newest sports hub 

An exciting new chapter in Dubai’s sports landscape is unfolding with the upcoming launch of JA Sports & Shooting Club – a world-class sporting destination currently under development through an investment exceeding AED300 million (approximately US$81.67 million).  Scheduled to open in phases starting in late summer 2025, the expansive multi-sport complex will feature top-tier facilities designed to cater to athletes and enthusiasts alike. Highlights include international-standard football and cricket fields, a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, and integrated cycling and jogging tracks that connect seamlessly with the nearby JA The Resort, a five-star all-inclusive destination comprising three distinct properties: JA Lake View Hotel, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Palm Tree Court...

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27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Video: Malaysia Airlines unveils Manchester United aircraft livery

Malaysia Airlines has unveiled its latest co-branded aircraft livery in partnership with English Premier League football club Manchester United.  Now featured on the airline's flagship A330-300, the bespoke livery includes dynamic red lines flowing from the Malaysia flag into the club's iconic red. Former United players Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidić, and Luís Nani attended the unveiling in Malaysia.  In March 2024, Manchester United and Malaysia Airlines announced a multi-year partnership which saw the airline become the club’s official commercial airline.  At the time of the announcement, a club spokesperson said: “Manchester United has a long-standing and proud connection with Malaysia, with a history of passionate support from across the country. We have three official M...

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26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Cambodia wins IAGTO’s Asia Pacific golf destination of the year award

At the 25th annual IAGTO Asia Pacific Awards in Danang, Cambodia was announced as the winner of the Asia Pacific Golf Destination of the Year award, while Sri Lanka picked up the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year award for the Asia Pacific region.  The golf tourism industry’s celebrated IAGTO Awards are voted for by IAGTO’s (the International Association of Golf Tour Operators) 700-plus golf tour operators in 69 countries who nominate destinations, golf resorts and golf courses that delivered the best possible experience for their golf travelling clients in the past 12 months at the time of voting.  Golf Course of the Year Awards were presented to the golf course receiving the most votes in each of five South-East Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand ...

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26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Business

Marathon Tours & Travel unveils Shanghai Marathon partnership and packages

Marathon Tours & Travel has been confirmed as the official international tour operator for the 2025 Shanghai Marathon, taking place on Sunday 30 November 2025. The partnership will see Marathon Tours & Travel work in tandem with international travel companies to offer a range of travel options for international runners who have already secured their entry in this year’s Shanghai Marathon.  The partnership comes as the Shanghai Marathon embarks on its debut year as an Abbott World Marathon Major candidacy race. Marathon Tours & Travel will market travel packages directly to participants as well as help them, along with their friends, family and supporters, source seamless travel options to Shanghai from around the world ahead of marathon day, along with accommodation opt...

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26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Saint Lucia becomes 117th International Surfing Association member

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has confirmed Saint Lucia as its 117th national federation member. The island nation becomes the 11th ISA member from the Caribbean region, reflecting the continued global expansion of surfing.  Situated on an island that features 158km of pristine coastline, the Saint Lucia Surfing Association (SLSA) is dedicated to developing skilled surfers, promoting competitive excellence, and advocating for sustainable practices to protect its coastal resources. With the support of the ISA, the SLSA aims to establish itself as a leading surf team in the Caribbean, by fostering talent, promoting environmental stewardship, and creating opportunities for surfers of all ages.  Fernando Aguerre, ISA president, said: “It is so exciting to welcome ...

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13Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Expedia Group study: women’s sport the ‘real growth story’ of sports tourism

New research released by Expedia Group has revealed how sports tourism is transforming how people are travelling and the sector is creating massive opportunities for the travel industry. In a blog post titled "how to win big with sports tourism", Expedia Group’s chief commercial officer Greg Schulze said that sports tourism presents “significant economic opportunity” for travel providers and is creating “high-demand periods” for transportation and lodging companies and “boosts host cities' economies”.  According to UN Tourism, sports travel now accounts for 10% of global tourism spending, while Skift reported that the sports tourism sector is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.  Expedia Group’s data suggests sports trips are about "more than just the event" – they're a chan...

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12Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Paris 2024 Olympics legacy: an ‘exceptional’ year for French tourism 

The Atout France - France Tourism Development Agency has revealed how the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games contributed to one of the most memorable years for France’s travel industry. The games provided a unique opportunity to showcase France's rich heritage and strengthened its image as a must-visit destination. In total, 12 million tickets were sold for the games while nearly five billion viewers worldwide tuned in. Overall in 2024, France welcomed more than 100 million international tourists, generating €71 billion in revenue.  Nathalie Delattre, France's minister of tourism, said: "2024 will remain engraved in history as an exceptional year for France. The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the reopening of N...

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12Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

IAGTO’s three global golf tourism conventions fully booked for 2025

IAGTO, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, has announced that its three global conventions in 2025 – the 11th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Danang, the 3rd IAGTO European Convention (IEC) in Gran Canaria and the 16th North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) in Birmingham, Alabama – are now sold out, having attracted approximately 650 golf resorts, golf courses, hotels, inbound operators and tourism boards as exhibitors.  IAGTO is still taking registrations for buyers (golf tour operators) for the IEC and NAC events, and the capacity for both has been increased in order to accommodate even more hosted buyers. AGTC 2025 in Danang, Vietnam concluded on 5 April and attracted a record 450 delegates, 100 more than any of the previous 10 editions.  Peter Walton...

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5Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

RWC Experiences unveils Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 hospitality packages

RWC Experiences, a joint venture between World Rugby and Sports Travel & Hospitality (STH), has unveiled the hospitality packages for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Hosted across eight venues in England from 22 August to 27 September 2025, the tournament is set to break attendance and global viewership records. From private suites and fine dining to karaoke and vibrant dancefloors, fans will get the chance to experience Rugby World Cup matches like never before. The fusion of world-class rugby and captivating entertainment has been designed with fans at its core, offering packages that fully immerse supporters in the tournament’s atmosphere.  Pitch Perfect – The Ultimate Karaoke Experience: The Pitch Perfect Karaoke Experience invites fans to kick off their matchday in a...

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1Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Las Vegas Grand Prix Plaza: new F1 fan attractions to open in May 2025

The world’s largest Formula 1 attraction, the Grand Prix Plaza, will open its doors in Las Vegas on 2 May 2025. Home to the Las Vegas Grand Prix Pit Building, the 39-acre Grand Prix Plaza features more than 100,000 square feet of entertainment across three ticketed F1 attractions.  The venue will close for the season in late summer to prepare for November's Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix, with a future reopening date to be announced. Attractions within the Grand Prix Plaza include: F1® X: experience a Formula 1 event like no other with F1® X at the Grand Prix Plaza, where classic engineering meets cutting edge high-tech. Guests will step into Becoming F1, a holographic experience immersing guests in the lives of the F1 crew behind the sport. Afterwards, guests can take a jo...

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