Venues & Stadiums

16Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

URWLD to make Middle East debut with new sports-lifestyle venue in Riyadh 

Indoor adventure and sports-lifestyle destination company URWLD (‘Your World’) has confirmed that its first Middle East venue will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made at the inaugural TOURISE Summit held in Saudi’s capital city from 11-13 November 2025. Boasting more than a dozen adventure sports and experiences in one indoor facility, URWLD combines elevated hospitality with lifestyle-inspired food and drink experiences, appealing to both adventure-seeking participants and non-participants alike. For the past two years URWLD has been working closely with key government stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, including, among others, the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). Set to open ahead of 2030, Riyadh marks the first step in URWLD...

Read More

24Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Venues & Stadiums

Elevate your sporting experience in Paris

Seine-Saint-Denis was the beating heart of Paris 2024 and a major reason why the French capital has been ranked the world’s top sports city in 2025. Ramy James Salameh discovered the reinvention of the northern Parisian suburbs accelerated by the Olympics. Let me set the scene. I was swimming in France’s highest pool, some 140 metres above the ground beneath a neon sign declaring ‘head in the clouds’ and beside floor-to-ceiling windows looking out upon the gleaming venues of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. I’d checked into the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort in Seine-Saint-Denis a part of northern Paris which encompasses a collection of suburbs beyond the Périphérique, now boosted by the Olympics and evolving into a symbol of creative energy, cultural renewal and sporting legacy...

Read More

13Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

CR7 Life Museum: Cristiano Ronaldo attraction opens in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has strengthened its position as a global sports tourism destination with the launch of the CR7 Life Museum, the first of its kind in Asia dedicated to football legend Cristiano Ronaldo.  Located within the K11 Art & Cultural Centre, this immersive, state-of-the-art attraction offers visitors a unique window into the career and life of one of the greatest players in football history. Elevating Hong Kong’s sports tourism portfolio, the museum features Ronaldo’s most iconic memorabilia, from match-worn kits and golden boots to his impressive trophy collection, alongside immersive storytelling and interactive exhibits. Visitors can trace Ronaldo’s journey from his early days in Madeira to his global superstardom – a powerful narrative that appeals to both sports enthusia...

Read More

22Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: Lost Shore Surf Resort, Scotland

Lost Shore Surf Resort, in the village of Ratho near Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh, deserves a spot on any sports traveller’s bucket list. As Europe's biggest inland surf resort, it delivers guaranteed, world‑class surfing for all levels – from first‑timers to seasoned pros – in the heart of Scotland.  The resort features a state‑of‑the‑art Wavegarden-powered surf lagoon, which creates perfect, customisable waves every time, making it a unique experience regardless of weather or tides. Beyond surfing, Lost Shore offers surfskate training, a spa and sauna for recovery, and access to Edinburgh’s rich culture and nearby sights.  Opened in 2024 and costing £60 million, this is Scotland’s largest sports and leisure investment since the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It's anticipat...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

26Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Kai Tak Sports Park: Hong Kong’s new $3.8bn sports complex 

The new Kai Tak Sports Park, situated on the site of Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex spanning 28 hectares. Aiming to position Hong Kong as a premier destination for international sports and entertainment events, the venue's main stadium will host the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 28-30 March. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has invested approximately HK$30 billion (approximately US$3.8 billion) in the development of the new complex. John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, said: “With the completion and opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong is now better positioned to actively attract large-scale international events, drawing more visitors and investments, and injecting new vitality int...

Read More

24Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Venues & Stadiums

Premier League Summer Series 2025 to be held in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta

Four top-flight English football clubs – AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United and West Ham United – will travel to the United States for this year’s Premier League Summer Series.  Taking place from 26 July to 3 August 2025, the Premier League Summer Series will see each team play a total of three matches across stadiums in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta.  The fixtures kick off on Saturday 26 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Everton taking on Bournemouth and Man Utd facing West Ham. On Wednesday 30 July, Soldier Field in Chicago will host West Ham vs. Everton and Man Utd vs. Bournemouth. The final round of games on Sunday 3 August will then see Bournemouth vs. West Ham and Man Utd vs. Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans only need to buy o...

Read More

22Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Cycas Hospitality to manage Oxford United FC’s new stadium hotel

Pan-European hospitality management company Cycas Hospitality has been appointed to manage the new-build Radisson hotel that will be located at Oxford United Football Club’s upcoming new stadium. Marking Cycas Hospitality's first UK-based property under management, the new hotel within the 16,000-seat, all-electric stadium near Kidlington, five miles north of Oxford, will feature a range of construction and operational measures to ensure the highest standard of environmental sustainability.  The development, which aims to secure a permanent, sustainable home for the football club alongside long-lasting community benefits, comprises a stadium, conference and exhibition centre for more than 1,000 delegates and purpose-built hotel servicing both visitors and local corporate clients...

Read More

16Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Venues & Stadiums

Leading Courses ranks Costa Navarino as Europe’s best golf resort for 2025

Leading Courses has unveiled the ninth edition of its "Europe’s Best Golf Resorts" ranking and Costa Navarino in Greece has taken the top spot.  Based on traveller reviews, the ranking is compiled using scores composed of 50% ratings from leadingcourses.com and 50% hotel and resort reviews from Booking.com. Resorts not listed on Booking.com are ineligible for the ranking, even if they might be considered among the best.  Additionally, bonus points are awarded to resorts with multiple golf courses – more holes mean more golfing enjoyment. In the case of a tie, the golf course rating determines the final ranking. If everything is still equal, the position is shared. For many golf travellers, a resort with multiple golf courses is a major advantage. It offers the ultimate luxury: a...

Read More

11Mar By Sports Tourism News1 Comment

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Man Utd’s new stadium will ‘transform’ the fan experience 

English Premier League football club Manchester United have announced plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of a major regeneration project for the Old Trafford area of the city.  Costing a “ballpark [figure] of £2bn”, the BBC reported, the new stadium, and wider regeneration project, have the potential to deliver an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy which brings large-scale social and economic benefits to the community and wider region, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as driving an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.  Conceptual images and scaled models of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look like were unveiled by Foster + Partners, the architecture group appointe...

Read More

10Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Olympic Museums Network grows to 37 members with Australia and Rio additions

The Australian Sports Museum and the Rio Olympic Museum have been elected as the newest members of the Olympic Museums Network (OMN), bringing the network’s global membership to 37 institutions. Both museums were elected during the OMN’s 19th General Assembly, held at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in February 2025. The Australian Olympic Museum becomes the first OMN member in Oceania, while the Rio Olympic Museum, a legacy project of the Olympic Games Rio 2016, becomes the third member from South America.  Angelita Teo, director of the IOC’s Olympic Museum and Chair of the OMN, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Australian Sports Museum as the first member from Oceania, further expanding our global reach and enhancing the dive...

Read More

9Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: Moncayo’s new exclusive golf club in Puerto Rico

Exclusive experiences are an obvious addition to any bucket list, especially for sports travel, and the upcoming golf offering at Moncayo in Puerto Rico may just be the most exclusive we’ve seen yet. Moncayo, a luxury private residential community on Puerto Rico’s eastern seacoast, has unveiled details of its new golf club designed in collaboration with UK-based golf course architecture firm, Mackenzie & Ebert. Moncayo’s golf club is so exclusive that it will be limited to just 400 memberships, which are reserved for resident members and their guests. The club will feature an 18-hole championship course, spanning more than 7,200 yards with six sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all levels of play, and boast several holes offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Additionally...

Read More

2Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: LEGENDS The Home of Football in Madrid 

Located in the heart of Madrid at Carrera de San Jerónimo, 2, near the iconic Puerta del Sol, LEGENDS: The Home of Football stands as a premier destination for football enthusiasts. This seven-story museum offers an immersive journey through the rich history of the sport, showcasing a vast collection of memorabilia and interactive experiences. Exhibits and collections LEGENDS boasts more than 4,000 historical football artifacts, making it one of the most comprehensive collections globally. Visitors can admire match-worn shirts from iconic players, including those from the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as shirts from legends like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane and Andrés Iniesta. The museum also displays trophies from major tournaments such as the FIFA Wo...

Read More

2Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: ‘The Yard’ at Chicago Cubs’s Wrigley Field

Major League Baseball (MLB) team the Chicago Cubs have announced details of a new fan experience at the iconic Wrigley Field stadium.  Called “The Yard”, the outdoor area features five new semi-private rental spaces designed to help fans enjoy the excitement of the Budweiser Bleachers “as if they were in their own backyard”, a release said. The Yard offers a more “intimate vibe” with high-top seating, fully stocked coolers and a smaller premier experience not previously available at the ballpark.  Cale Vennum, Senior Vice President of Ticketing at the Chicago Cubs, said: “Fans often tell us that Wrigley Field is their summer home, so we wanted to create a space that feels like their own backyard. The Yard not only offers a cozy and intimate setting, but also addresses feedback we've ...

Read More

19Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: The Wave Bristol surfing and glamping

The Wave, which opened in 2019 just outside Bristol in England, is an inland surfing destination that has become a hotspot for wave enthusiasts and beginners alike. With surfing, glamping, F&B and events on offer, The Wave is definitely one place to add to your sports travel bucket list. The centrepiece of The Wave is its 180m-long lake, powered by Wavegarden Cove technology. This state-of-the-art system generates consistent, high-quality waves suitable for all skill levels. Waves are designed to cater to various abilities, with sections for beginners, intermediate surfers, and advanced riders. Beginners can enjoy smaller, gentler waves ideal for learning, while seasoned surfers can challenge themselves with powerful barreling waves reaching up to two metres in height. The Wave’s...

Read More

14Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: Ontake Distillery in Japan fuses whisky with golf

If you’re anything like us – and have a passion for whisky and golf – then you’ll just love Ontake Distillery. Located in Japan’s Kagoshima Mountains, Ontake is the first distillery in the world to feature an on-site 18-hole golf course that is exclusively for cask owners, combining whisky and golf in a way that has never been seen before.  Taking its name from Sakurajima’s three majestic peaks – Kitadake, Nakadake, and Minamidake – Ontake Distillery is perched 400 metres above sea level in the serene mountains of the Satsuma Peninsula.  The golf course  This state-of-the-art distillery not only crafts exceptional award-winning single malt whiskies but also delivers an unparalleled experience for its exclusive cask owners. Ontake has a world-first offering: a private 18-hole ...

Read More