Sunday, July 26Sports. Travel. Events. Play

Latest news and events

Formula 1 to put on a show at The O2 for 2025 season launch
Editor's Pick, Events

Formula 1 to put on a show at The O2 for 2025 season launch

For the first time in Formula 1 history, all 10 teams – Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Haas, Kick Sauber, McLaren, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Red Bull, and Williams – their drivers and team principals will come together with fans for a special night to launch the new season, reveal their 2025 liveries, and mark the start of the sport’s 75th anniversary year. This unprecedented world premiere event will take place on 18 February 2025 between 8pm and 10pm at The O2 in London, England, and is being brought to life by creative visionary Brian Burke of BrianBurkeCreative, Stufish Entertainment Architects, DX7 Design, and production company 1826. BrianBurkeCreative and this world-renowned team delivered the groundbreaking opening and closing ceremonies for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. Bur...
On Location and NFL extend global hospitality partnership
Sports Business

On Location and NFL extend global hospitality partnership

The NFL and On Location have announced a multi-year extension of their global hospitality partnership. This extension will solidify On Location’s standing as official hospitality provider of the NFL through to 2036.    With the extension, premium experiences, hospitality and travel company On Location will continue to offer unrivaled access to all premier NFL events, providing fans with unforgettable experiences at the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pro Bowl Games and Scouting Combine. Additionally, On Location’s rights to sell and market International Series Games has been expanded to include all international markets. Official packages feature premium seating, in-venue and out-of-venue hospitality, player meet and greets, unique behind-the-scenes activities and more...
Explora Journeys opens F1 Paddock Club bookings for 2025 Monaco GP
Holidays & Trips

Explora Journeys opens F1 Paddock Club bookings for 2025 Monaco GP

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has announced that access to the exclusive Formula 1 Paddock Club is now available to book for guests staying in Ocean Residences and Penthouses on board EXPLORA II during the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2025, taking place from 22-25 May 2025. This exclusive access will enable guests to experience one of the most prestigious events in motorsports from a truly unique vantage point. EXPLORA II, the latest luxury ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, will be docked in the heart of Monaco’s iconic Port Hercule, placing guests just steps from the electrifying action of the Formula 1 racetrack. Explora Journeys will be the only luxury ocean travel brand with a ship docked in Monaco during race days. From this prime l...
HSBC SVNS 2025 calendar: from Dubai to Singapore and LA
Calendars, Events

HSBC SVNS 2025 calendar: from Dubai to Singapore and LA

After the record-breaking Olympic Games in Paris, the stars of rugby sevens are set to make a thrilling return to HSBC SVNS 2025. Featuring seven iconic global destinations and culminating with the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles, following the penultimate round in Singapore where the SVNS league winners will be crowned. The tens of millions of fans around the globe who were captivated by the sensational rugby sevens competitions at the Olympic Games can now get set to see the world’s best 12 men’s and women’s teams as they showcase their incredible speed, astounding skills and indomitable strength once again in the HSBC SVNS 2025. Singapore and Los Angeles have been added to the five previously confirmed destinations, meaning SVNS 2025 will feature seven rounds played across ...
FIA World Rally Championship: Croatia returns in 2026 and 2027
Events

FIA World Rally Championship: Croatia returns in 2026 and 2027

Croatia will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2026 and 2027, following the signing of a three-year agreement that will also see the country host an FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) round in 2025.  The agreement reaffirms the commitment that started when Croatia first joined the WRC in 2021 and underscores the country's ongoing role as a key destination for world-class motorsport events.  The contract was announced by Simon Larkin, senior director of events for WRC Promoter GmbH, and Daniel Šaškin, president of the Croatia Rally Organising Committee, in the presence of Croatia’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism State Secretary, Josip Pavić, and Croatian Automobile and Karting Federation president, Robert Markt.  Since debuting in the WRC in 2021, Croa...
Padel breaks in London: intensive padel weeks at Rocks Lane
Holidays & Trips

Padel breaks in London: intensive padel weeks at Rocks Lane

Each month padel players from around the world come together at Rocks Lane Padel Academy in Chiswick, west London, for a week of padel training and cultural exploration.  Whether you’re just starting your padel journey or looking to improve your competitive edge, the week-long intensive training programme at Rocks Lane is designed for players of all levels. At its venue in Chiswick, you will find the biggest padel tennis facility in London – with 12 padel courts, including four covered courts, a clubhouse with cafe, changing rooms, soft play and social areas. Under the expert guidance of Álex Grilo, a former World Padel Tour (WPT) player and one of the UK’s most respected coaches, you’ll receive personalised coaching to help elevate your game. The sessions focus on technique, strateg...
Global sports tourism market to hit $2.4 trillion by 2030 – report
Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Global sports tourism market to hit $2.4 trillion by 2030 – report

The global market for sports tourism was estimated at $1.1 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to the Sports Tourism - Global Strategic Business Report published by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The growth in the sports tourism market is driven by several factors, including the rising popularity of international sports events and competitions, technological advancements in travel planning, booking platforms, and customer experience, and the increasing focus on promoting adventure sports, ecotourism, and experiential travel. The need to provide unique, engaging, and culturally enriching sports tourism experiences for diverse traveller demographics is driving the demand for sports...
Sport hotels: F1 race weekend at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Sport hotels: F1 race weekend at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

Formula 1 fans can watch the 2024 season finale in style at W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, the five-star hotel located within the Yas Marina Circuit. Taking place from 5-8 December 2024, the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could see the world championship go down to the wire and the hotel has several packages available to witness the events on the track.  W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island promises a weekend filled with unparalleled excitement. With seven high-octane venues pulsing with energy, guests can look forward to a mega line-up of entertainment, featuring world-class artists and Yas Island's most thrilling parties and brunches.  Those staying at the hotel during race weekend or attending the brunch will enjoy complimentary access to Yasalam's after-race concert of the day showca...
ASM Global and PDC expand Premier League Darts partnership to 2027
Venues & Stadiums

ASM Global and PDC expand Premier League Darts partnership to 2027

Following record-breaking ticket sales for the 2025 BetMGM Premier League Darts season, venue management company ASM Global and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) have announced a major new partnership.  Five of the UK’s most iconic venues – AO Arena Manchester, Utilita Arena Newcastle, First Direct Arena Leeds, Utilita Arena Sheffield, and P&J Live Aberdeen – will continue to host Premier League Darts until at least 2027. These arenas are renowned for their unique atmosphere and remain firm favourites with fans. Aberdeen first hosted Premier League Darts in 2006, with the new P&J Live venue introduced in 2020. Newcastle and Sheffield joined the circuit in 2007, followed by Manchester in 2008. Leeds made its debut in 2014, setting a record attendance of 11,000 fans. ...
The Ocean Race 2027 to finish on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia 
Events

The Ocean Race 2027 to finish on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia 

AMAALA, a new sport and wellness destination located in the northern part of the Red Sea on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, will host the finish of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race in the summer of 2027. The Ocean Race – the mixed-crewed, offshore sailing race around the world first contested in 1973 – is known as the toughest test of a team in sport and for its award-winning ocean health initiatives.  In the build-up to the 2027 race finish, The Ocean Race and Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer of AMAALA and the regenerative project partner of The Ocean Race since 2022, will collaborate on ocean science and ocean health initiatives as well as ocean literacy and education programmes aimed at youth in the region, in line with the UN Ocean Decade Challenge of restoring society’s r...
Video: Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Editor's Pick, Events

Video: Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has confirmed that the Scottish city of Glasgow will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow has stepped as host of the 23rd edition after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out. The event in Glasgow will be held from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.  Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme concentrated across four venues within an eight-mile corridor, ensuring an action-packed broadcast schedule across each day of competition and making the event accessible and appealing to spectators looking to enjoy the multi-sport environment and festival feel. With more than 500,000 tickets to be made available at a future date, there will be around 3,00...
Courmayeur Mont Blanc set for 2024-2025 ski season 
Guides

Courmayeur Mont Blanc set for 2024-2025 ski season 

Courmayeur Mont Blanc, nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, will launch its eagerly awaited 2024-2025 ski season on 5 December 2024.  A charming ski resort boasting a rich calendar of events set against a backdrop of breathtaking snow-capped mountains, Courmayeur is an ideal destination for sports travellers in search of adventure and outdoor experiences. Activities in Courmayeur include heliskiing, off-piste and cross-country skiing, ice skating, fat biking in the scenic Val Ferret, hiking, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and climbing. The Italian ski resort is conveniently accessible from major international airports in Geneva, Turin, and Milan. With more than 43km of pistes and elevations approaching 2,800 metres, it features enticing ski packages from top tour operators like Mome...
Wildfitness Retreat 2025 at Forte San Giorgio in Italy
Holidays & Trips

Wildfitness Retreat 2025 at Forte San Giorgio in Italy

Forte San Giorgio, a private fort situated on the Italian island of Capraia, will host a Wildfitness Retreat in 2025. This secluded island escape, set in the Tuscan archipelago, sleeps 20 people, with Mediterranean views and an authentic local cultural scene, and can be booked as part of a retreat or for private group hire.  Wildfitness is a UK-based retreat experience that runs courses in Somerset, Menorca and Capraia, based on three core principles: respecting the body's natural rhythms, healthy eating and a holistic approach to movement, using the local environment as a natural gym. The team runs several retreats over the year, staying at the fort and taking full advantage of the island's unique natural character.  How to book  In 2025, two seven-day courses will take plac...
Portes du Soleil: a winter sports travel guide
Guides

Portes du Soleil: a winter sports travel guide

The 2024-2025 winter sports season marks a monumental milestone for the Portes du Soleil, as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. Nestled between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, just an hour from Geneva, the Portes du Soleil remains one of the largest and most celebrated ski areas in the world. Spanning the Franco-Swiss border, the ski paradise boasts 12 resorts, offering skiers and snowboarders the unique opportunity to glide seamlessly between France and Switzerland.  All 12 resorts in the Portes du Soleil can be easily accessed from Geneva Airport. A six-day lift pass for the Portes du Soleil area is priced from €336 for adults, €252 for children and €302 for seniors (web prices, until 28 March 2025). See more at portesdusoleil.com   Portes du Soleil: the 12 resorts  Avoriaz (Franc...
Surf City El Salvador: a world-class surfing destination
Editor's Pick, Guides

Surf City El Salvador: a world-class surfing destination

Nestled along the pristine Pacific coastline, El Salvador’s “Surf City” offers a paradise for surfers and adventure seekers. With consistent waves, warm waters, and a laid-back atmosphere, this destination is gaining global recognition and regularly hosts major events on the International Surfing Association (ISA) and World Surf League calendars. Surf City El Salvador is fast becoming one of the top destinations for surfers worldwide, and whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to catch your first wave, it has something for everyone. Best surfing spots Punta Roca: Known as the crown jewel of El Salvador's surf scene, Punta Roca is a world-class right-hand point break. The waves are fast and powerful, making it ideal for experienced surfers. The rocky coastline enhances th...

3rd World Sports Tourism Congress, Madrid, Spain

UN Tourism, the specialised agency for tourism within the United Nations, and the Government of the Region of Madrid will jointly organise the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress. Taking place from 28-29 November 2024 at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, the congress will be held under the theme of “Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations”.  Bringing together stakeholders from across the sectors, the event in Spain’s capital city will focus on best practices in sports tourism, including its economic impact, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strategies for effectively promoting destinations through sports events and sponsorships. Agenda topics include: Sports tourism on government agendas  Partnership mode...
3rd World Sports Tourism Congress to be hosted by Real Madrid in November
Sports Business

3rd World Sports Tourism Congress to be hosted by Real Madrid in November

UN Tourism, the specialised agency for tourism within the United Nations, has announced that Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress from 28-29 November 2024.  Jointly organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, this year’s congress will be held under the theme of “Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations”.  Bringing together stakeholders from across the sectors, the event in Spain’s capital city will focus on best practices in sports tourism, including its economic impact, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strategies for effectively promoting destinations through sports events and sponsorships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHJaqsnmK00&t=1s ...
Legends El Clásico: Qatar Airways offers unique holiday packages for Doha fixture
Holidays & Trips

Legends El Clásico: Qatar Airways offers unique holiday packages for Doha fixture

Qatar Airways, in partnership with Qatar Tourism, has announced unique travel packages for football fans to witness a special Legends El Clásico match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on 28 November 2024 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. The packages are inclusive of return flights, accommodation and match tickets, seamlessly allowing global fans to travel to Doha and watch the legends from various eras of Spain’s biggest sports rivalry. To book flight plus hotel packages to Doha with match tickets for the Legends El Clásico see qatarairways.com/elclasico The legends match will take place during an action-packed week of sport for Qatar, which also stages the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix from 29 November to 1 December 2024. Steven Reynolds, Qatar Airways H...

Tennis: Laver Cup 2025 San Francisco

The Laver Cup is an annual men’s tennis team competition that brings together top players from Europe and the rest of the world for a thrilling three-day event. Founded in 2017, the tournament is named in honour of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, who won two calendar-year grand slams.  A unique blend of intense competition and camaraderie, the now-annual event is held in late September, after the US Open grand slam, alternating between cities in Europe and other parts of the world. In 2025, the Laver Cup will be played at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, from 19-21 September.  The format features two teams: Team Europe and Team World. Each team consists of six players, including the top three ranked players from their respective regions and three captain's picks. Te...

Men’s golf: DP World Tour Championship 2025 Dubai

The DP World Tour Championship is a premier golf tournament held annually in Dubai, marking the grand finale of the European Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai. Played on the spectacular Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, this prestigious event gathers the top players on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), offering fans an opportunity to witness world-class golfing in one of the most luxurious settings in the world. The 2025 edition will take place from 13-16 November.  The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, designed by Greg Norman, is a challenging and picturesque venue known for its wide fairways, strategic water hazards, and immaculate condition. Its signature 18th hole, a dramatic par-five surrounded by water, is one of the most thrilling finishes in golf. Dubai it...