Sports Business

6Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

World Travel Awards 2024: world’s leading sports tourism destination nominees

World Travel Awards has announced the 20 nominees shortlisted for the World's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2024 award – with voting is now open ahead of November’s gala ceremony.  In 2023, Qatar’s capital city Doha was the winner of the award, ending Abu Dhabi’s winning run from 2013 to 2022. Dubai (2012) and South Africa (2011) have also previously won the title.  Five nominees have also been announced for the World’s Leading Sports Academy 2024 award. The nominees are Aspire Academy in Qatar, Cascade Wellness Resort in Portugal, Forte Village Resort in Italy, Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort in the USA, and La Manga Club in Spain. Voting is now open until 20 October 2024 for both categories, with the winners revealed at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala C...

Read More

6Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: ticket sales launched at Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps

On Tuesday 1 October ticket sales for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 international women's football tournament were launched at a special event held at the iconic Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. Located 3,454m above sea level, the magnificent Aletsch glacier set the stage for a match between two teams of football legends and future stars. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 will be held from 2-27 July 2025 in eight host cities across Switzerland, including Basel (opening game and final), Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Thun and Sion. In total, around 720,000 tickets have been made available for the tournament with sales for the general public now open via womenseuro.com/tickets. With this first ticket release, more than 250,000 tickets for all 31 matches of the tournament...

Read More

15Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Snomad Ski Resort Awards 2024: Lech Zürs named best overall ski resort

Lech Zürs, located in Austria's Arlberg region, has been named the best overall ski resort in the inaugural Snomad Ski Resort Awards. Launched during the 2023-2024 winter season, ski resort comparison website Snomad currently has 1,204 ski resorts listed on its website, with more than 78,800 community-led ratings built up over one winter season. Using data from its website, Snomad created 20 award categories with the top three ski resorts in each, then awarded gold to the resort with the highest rating. This meant the awards were “truly impartial”, according to the company.  One of the primary aims of Snomad is to create an engaged community of skiers and snowboarders supporting each other to find resorts and hidden gems, based on the factors that are important to them, with data acr...

Read More

14Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Video: Roger Federer promotes Switzerland’s autumn in new tourism campaign

Tennis legend Roger Federer has teamed up with Switzerland Tourism (ST) to promote the beauty of the Swiss autumn season. In a video shot outdoors amid the majestic scenery of the Swiss mountains, Federer stars alongside acclaimed Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.  Inspired by Mikkelsen and the vibrant autumn landscapes, Federer showcases a playful side of himself like never before. The teaming up of Federer and Mikkelsen is part of the largest autumn campaign in the history of the tourism board. Precisely targeting the European markets – France, Germany, Italy, BeNeLux, the UK and the Nordics – the new campaign video shows Federer and Mikkelsen humorously attempting to produce an advertising spot designed to showcase the many facets of the Swiss autumn. "I love autumn and all its co...

Read More

14Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Enjoy Illinois becomes destination partner of Crystal Palace FC

The Illinois Office of Tourism has signed a partnership with Crystal Palace, which sees Enjoy Illinois become the official destination partner of the English Premier League club.  Enjoy Illinois will be displayed on the LED boards at the club’s Selhurst Park stadium in London, as well as interview backdrops and in-stadia televisions. Enjoy Illinois will also sponsor the halftime challenge at Selhurst Park and will run competitions throughout the season where fans can win prizes. The Eagles visited Chicago, Illinois, in 2023 during their pre-season tour and returned to the United States earlier this summer for the second successive year, playing in the Stateside Cup. Crystal Palace will also be returning to Illinois for the next Premier League Mornings Live, taking place in Chica...

Read More

1Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Japan Airlines Lounge opens at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Liverpool Football Club held the grand opening of the Japan Airlines Lounge at Anfield Stadium on 25 August. The new hospitality venue marks a key milestone in the multi-year partnership announced in June, which saw JAL become the Premier League club’s official airline partner.  Located in the Main Stand at Anfield, and accessible through purchased hospitality packages, the Japan Airlines Lounge offers a vibrant space with a three-course menu and exceptional matchday service. Occupying the former 1892 hospitality space, the lounge will be open during Liverpool’s home matches.  Unveiled ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Brentford, which the Reds won 2-0, the new lounge design offers a fresh and unique experience that blends Japanese hospit...

Read More

10Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Cycling & Biking, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Venues & Stadiums

Video: BikePark Wales and NRW to transform 400 acres of mountainside

UK mountain bike venue BikePark Wales, located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have announced plans to transform 400 acres of Welsh mountainside. NRW, which manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, has worked closely with BikePark Wales since its first breaking trail in 2013, but a new lease has now been signed to rewild the mountain, add trails and accommodation.  As part of the new 33-year lease, revenue from visiting mountain bikers will be invested in a “Future Forest Vision” that will see the vast majority of BikePark Wales’s mountain return to its natural state. The rewilding plan will see the site change in the coming decades from classic commercial forestry management to a regime that promotes biodiversity gains, improves the resilience...

Read More

10Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

2025 London Marathon: Marathon Tours & Travel confirmed as participant hotel provider

London Marathon Events has announced that Marathon Tours & Travel will be the official participant hotel provider of the 2025 TCS London Marathon, which next takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025. The one-year partnership will see Marathon Tours & Travel offer a variety of hotel accommodation options for UK or international runners who have already secured their entry into next year’s TCS London Marathon – the 45th edition.  Marathon Tours & Travel’s expert support teams, based in England, will help participants, along with their friends, family and supporters, find the right place to stay ahead of marathon day, with accommodation that allows for easy access to the start and finish of the TCS London Marathon.  Stays of one, two or more nights can be booked in carefully...

Read More

3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel, Venues & Stadiums

The Hook Club: £400,000 padel venue opens at Mottram Hall in England 

A new era of padel has arrived in north west England with the opening of The Hook Club at Mottram Hall in Cheshire. Set in the landscaped grounds of Mottram Hall Hotel, The Hook Club opened its courts on 25 July offering an unrivalled location to play padel and socialise. Developed and installed by UK Padel Courts, the £400,000 padel venue is set to be a landmark destination for padel players of all abilities. The Hook Club, which is named after the padel shot ‘El Gancho’, instantly adds quality and a new dimension to the UK’s padel scene. The venue is open to anyone with a passion and interest in padel, with bookings via the padel booking app Playtomic. The venue boasts three world-class Superpanoramic padel courts designed and manufactured by Spanish-based Padelgest, provid...

Read More

3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

New Vilamoura Equestrian Centre set to become the largest in Europe

Situated on Portugal’s Algarve coast, the vibrant resort town of Vilamoura has announced the development of the new Vilamoura Equestrian Centre, cementing the destination as a leading location for horse riding, showjumping, and activity-focused holidays. Benefiting from year-round sunshine and located in the heart of a stunning environmental park, the centre is set to become the largest and best-equipped equestrian facilities in Europe. The new Vilamoura Equestrian Centre will feature in the Winter Tour series organized by GRANDPRIX, a 20-week schedule from October to April of CSI3* and CSI4* and even 5* competitions, joining the likes of the Longines Deauville Classic, Chantilly Classic, Le Touquet Classic and Cabourg Classic, which attract some of the world’s leading showjumping perfo...

Read More

3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Qatar Airways partners with British & Irish Lions for Australia 2025 tour

Qatar Airways has been announced as the official title partner and official airline partner of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2025. The tour will see the Lions – a combined team of the best rugby union players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – take on the Wallabies in three Test matches as well as a number of games against Australian teams. Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host the first of three Tests on Saturday 19 July 2025. The second Test will be played on Saturday 26 July 2025 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and the final Test will be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 2 August 2025. In preparation for the first Test, the Lions will face a combined Australian and New Zealand team at the Adelaide Oval, whi...

Read More

21Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

On Location appointed FIFA World Cup 26 official hospitality provider

Football's world governing body FIFA has appointed On Location as the official hospitality provider of the FIFA World Cup 26™. Taking place across Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11 June to 19 July 2026, the global spectacle will be held in 16 host cities and feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Chosen following a thorough selection process, premium experiences, hospitality and travel provider On Location will help FIFA deliver its biggest-ever and most dynamic hospitality programme for the FIFA World Cup 26, offering ticket-inclusive fan experience packages for the world’s biggest single-sport event. From die-hard football fans to friends and families, and to companies hosting guests or employees, FIFA and On Location will provide options to suit all types of fans. The stadiums hosting...

Read More

21Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Almaty Marathon generated $1.8m economic impact in 2023

Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, will host the 13th edition of the Almaty Marathon on 29 September 2024 – the largest running event in Central Asia, which has become a catalyst for change in the region. The marathon has instilled a love of running in the people of Kazakhstan and has also had a tangible impact on the economy and the wider social sphere in Almaty and the entire region. In 2012, Kazakhstani entrepreneur Galimzhan Yessenov founded the "Courage to be First" corporate foundation. The foundation has now held more than 100 events attended by more than 200,000 people from all over the world. The flagship project of the foundation – the Almaty Marathon – has become an important driver of Almaty's economic development, attracting tourists to the city and stimulating the growth o...

Read More

7Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Olympiastadion Berlin: a guide to the Euro 2024 final host stadium

The Olympiastadion Berlin, a symbol of architectural grandeur and historical significance, stands as one of the most iconic sports venues in the world. Situated in the western part of Berlin, Germany, this stadium has witnessed numerous historic events since its inception. Olympiastadion Berlin serves as the home ground for German club Hertha BSC and will host the Uefa Euro 2024 final on Sunday 14 July 2024. The stadium was originally constructed for the 1936 Summer Olympics, an event overshadowed by the political climate of the time. Designed by architect Werner March, the stadium was a masterpiece of its era, showcasing the grandeur and ambition of the time. The opening ceremony, attended by Adolf Hitler, remains one of the most infamous moments in Olympic history. Despite the dark hi...

Read More

30Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

UK’s ‘experience economy’ contributes £134bn, report reveals

Modelling by Barclays and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed that the UK’s ‘Experience Economy’ – encompassing all businesses that provide consumers with unique and memorable experiences, such as sporting events, holidays and live entertainment – contributes an estimated £134bn to the broader UK economy, a figure greater than the GDP of Morocco. Between now and 2027, CEBR projects that the UK’s experience economy, which employs an estimated three million people, will grow by an average of 2.6%, surpassing the equivalent figure for the UK economy as a whole (1.6%), to reach an estimated contribution of £146bn. Much of this growth is fuelled by rising consumer appetite for experiences. Nine in 10 (90%) of the hospitality, leisure and retail businesses wh...

Read More

30Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Rugby World Cup 2023 generated €871m economic impact for France

South Africa were not the only winners of Rugby World Cup hosted in France in 2023. The 10th edition of the men’s flagship event generated €1.8 billion of spend and a net input of €871 million for the host country, according to an impact study commissioned by the French Ministry of Sport and produced by EY. Assessing the three main type of impacts (economic, social, environmental) with comparable methodology to other major international sporting events, the comprehensive report gives an in-depth analysis of Rugby World Cup’s clear hosting benefits to boost the host nation’s economy, drive positive social change and reduce the global carbon footprint inherent to international competitions. Report highlights: Rugby World Cup 2023 delivered a net input of €871 million for France’s e...

Read More

8Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Explora Journeys named global partner of the 37th America’s Cup

Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has been announced as a new global partner of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. The pinnacle of global yacht racing, the America’s Cup is the oldest competition in international sports, and will this year take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 22 August to 27 October.  The 37th America’s Cup will see teams from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, and France race in the prestigious Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series before the ultimate showdown as the triumphant challenger earns the right to face off against defending champion, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the illustrious Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Match. Since its inception in 1851, the America's Cup has symbolised sailing's pioneering spirit, f...

Read More

23May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

KE Adventure Travel acquires Freewheel Holidays and Wheel2Wheel Holidays

KE Adventure Travel, the specialist walking and cycling tour operator based in England’s Lake District, has acquired leisure cycling brands Freewheel Holidays and Wheel2Wheel Holidays from Manchester-based international running and cycling tour operator, Sports Tours International. The addition of these two established brands will greatly enhance KE's current cycle offering, with their focus on easier European cycling routes. Ashley Toft, CEO of KE Adventure Travel, said: “We are delighted to welcome Freewheel Holidays and Wheel2Wheel Holidays to KE and to the wider Voyageurs du Monde group. They are two brands with a loyal customer base and a strong online presence, and we look forward to developing both brands, and accelerating our growth in this buoyant leisure cycling market.” KE...

Read More

23May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Worcestershire’s cricket ground renamed ‘Visit Worcestershire New Road’

The Visit Worcestershire tourism board has signed a naming rights deal for Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s New Road home ground. Now officially called “Visit Worcestershire New Road”, the partnership will showcase the very best of Worcestershire around the world and encourage more visitors to the English county. The renaming of the ground marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to promote Worcestershire as a premier destination for tourism, culture, and sporting excellence. By aligning with Visit Worcestershire, the club is combining its rich heritage with the vibrant attractions and natural beauty that Worcestershire has to offer.  Ashley Giles, CEO of Worcestershire CCC, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Visit Worcestershire in renaming our historic g...

Read More

12May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Golf, Middle East & Gulf, Venues & Stadiums

Red Sea Global reveals designs for Shura Links golf course

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA in Saudi Arabia, has announced the name and designs of its golf course and clubhouse on Shura Island at The Red Sea. Set to open in 2025, Shura Links promises a one-of-a-kind golf experience, offering Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course with holes on the water, marina views and spectacular fairways framed by the Red Sea. Developed in partnership with world-leading environmental consultants, Shura Links is guided by the highest sustainability standards, addressing a number of areas in tandem such as water-use reduction and innovative re-use of irrigation for habitat development.  “Shura Links will provide an unparalleled golfing experience, offering a visually...

Read More