Sport travel guides and sports events news

Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus unveils its new Racket Club

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus unveils its new Racket Club

Aphrodite Hills Resort has strengthened its reputation as one of Europe's leading sports tourism destinations with the opening of its new Racket Club, part of a wider investment programme across the luxury Cyprus resort. Officially unveiled in May 2026, the fully renovated facility features upgraded tennis and padel courts, contemporary changing rooms, a dedicated retail space and a new Healthy Bar serving wellness-focused food and drinks. The development forms part of a broader enhancement strategy that also includes an upgraded gym, new dining concepts and continued investment in the resort's golf facilities. Nestled along Cyprus's southwestern coast near Paphos, Aphrodite Hills is a luxury integrated resort combining world-class sport, wellness, accommodation and leisure exp...

Peru’s Punta Rocas to host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Peru’s Punta Rocas to host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has confirmed that Peru will host the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games (WSG), one of the first qualifiers for surfing for the LA28 Olympic Games. The event will be held from 6-15 November at the iconic Punta Rocas. ISA president Fernando Aguerre said: “It’s incredible to look back at how challenging was the journey to Olympic inclusion starting almost 30 years ago. Here we are, after an extraordinary showcase in Tahiti, looking ahead with great excitement to what LA28 and Lower Trestles will bring. “Punta Rocas is a perfect stage for performance surfing, much like Lower Trestles will be at the Olympic Games. A great place to start surfing’s third Olympic cycle. The team qualification slots awarded at the World Surfing Games will mak...

Sports resort in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports resort in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

As one of Europe's most established sports resorts, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa offers far more than a traditional golf getaway. Set within the expansive La Manga Club resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the property combines luxury accommodation, wellness facilities and an impressive range of sports infrastructure, making it a standout destination for active travellers, training camps and sports-focused family holidays. The hotel made headlines as the first Grand Hyatt property in Spain when it opened following an extensive refurbishment. Today, it serves as the centrepiece of a resort that attracts golfers, tennis players, football teams, cricketers and wellness travellers from across Europe. Rooms and suites The hotel features 192 guest rooms, including seven si...

From Melbourne to Mexico: record nine NFL international games in 2026

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

From Melbourne to Mexico: record nine NFL international games in 2026

The NFL will stage a record nine regular-season games outside the United States in 2026, taking American football to four continents and seven countries in what is set to be the league’s most ambitious international programme to date. The expanded schedule will see games played in Australia, Brazil, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Mexico, with first-ever regular-season contests in Melbourne, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. The move underlines the NFL’s long-term strategy to grow its global fanbase and follows years of successful international events in London, Germany and Mexico. For sports tourism destinations, the games represent a major opportunity to attract international visitors, generate hotel demand and showcase host cities to a global television audience. London ...

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

2026 global sports events calendar

The 2026 global sports calendar is packed with exciting events that promise unforgettable moments for fans worldwide. The year’s marquee line-up begins with the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano-Cortina, showcasing elite winter sports competition in February. Following the winter sports showcase, the stage is then set for one of the biggest events of the year: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July, which will feature an expanded 48-team field and captivate billions worldwide. Seasonal staples also return: the NFL Super Bowl, Uefa Champions League final, golf's Masters, the Wimbledon tennis grand slam, the Tour de France cycling race and more, ensuring continuous elite competition from January through December. ...

2026 sports business events and conferences calendar

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Sports Business

2026 sports business events and conferences calendar

In this month-by-month calendar, we take a look at the sports business events, conferences and awards that are taking place in 2026. The global sports business calendar is rich with opportunities for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Sports business events are critical to the growth and evolution of the sports tourism sector, acting as platforms for networking, innovation, and strategic collaboration. These events, such as conferences, summits, and trade expos, bring together key stakeholders, including league executives, sponsors, broadcasters, and technology innovators. They provide a forum for addressing current challenges, exploring emerging trends, and shaping the future of sports. This page will be updated as schedules are announced. Events and dates ...

2026 travel trade events and conferences calendar

6Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

2026 travel trade events and conferences calendar

In this month-by-month calendar, we take a look at the upcoming travel and tourism industry events and conferences for 2026. Travel trade events play a vital role in shaping the future of global tourism. These gatherings bring together key stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and technology providers, to network, share insights, and discuss emerging trends. Major events like World Travel Market (WTM) in London, ITB Berlin in Germany and Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai are prime examples of platforms where professionals can forge partnerships, explore new markets, and showcase products. These conferences often set the stage for important agreements, such as destination marketing initiatives and technological solutions to enhance travel exp...

2026 FIFA World Cup guide: day-by-day fixtures and host cities

5Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

2026 FIFA World Cup guide: day-by-day fixtures and host cities

The FIFA World Cup 2026 brings together 48 nations across three host countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico – from 11 June to 19 July. Expanded from 32 teams to 48 for the first time, the tournament will feature a record 104 matches played in 16 host cities before ending with the final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on 19 July. The competition begins with 12 groups of four teams, with 32 nations progressing to the knockout rounds as the race to become world champions unfolds across North America. Host cities US: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey Canada: Toronto, Vancouver The groups and team...

Tennis travel: Mouratoglou Tennis Center opens at Mandarin Oriental Bodrum

5Jun

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Tennis travel: Mouratoglou Tennis Center opens at Mandarin Oriental Bodrum

Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum has unveiled the opening of the Mouratoglou Tennis Center at the resort. The inauguration was attended by Patrick Mouratoglou, founder of the globally renowned Mouratoglou brand and one of the most influential figures in professional tennis. Following an opening ceremony, a full programme of high-energy tennis and padel matches created a vibrant atmosphere. Turkish tennis icon İpek Soylu was among the guests, with figures such as Zeynep Tuğçe Bayat, Anıl Altan, Ece Sükan and Cansel Elçin, all coming together to share in the excitement of this event. And as the sun set over the Aegean Sea, the celebrations culminated in an exclusive gala dinner. The Mouratoglou Tennis Center selected Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum to be its sole and long-term location ...

Qatar’s Lusail City secures T100 Triathlon World Championship Final return in 2026

5Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Qatar’s Lusail City secures T100 Triathlon World Championship Final return in 2026

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Visit Qatar have announced the 2026 Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final will take place at Lusail City for the second year running, on 10-12 December 2026. Qatar’s waterfront city is preparing to host the climax to this season’s T100 Race To Qatar on the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Tour. The event sees the world’s best professional triathletes race head-to-head in locations around the globe, starting on the Gold Coast in March and taking in iconic venues such as Singapore, San Francisco and London, before finishing with an end-of-season showdown at the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final. "We’re looking forward to returning to Lusail City later this year,” said Sam Renouf, PTO CEO. “Its waterfront pr...

‘Sportification’ of travel: how sports events have reshaped luxury tourism

5Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

‘Sportification’ of travel: how sports events have reshaped luxury tourism

A blockbuster calendar of global sporting events is set to fuel unprecedented travel demand in 2026 and beyond. From the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl in February to the FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Formula 1’s highly anticipated debut in Madrid, major sporting spectacles will draw fans across continents. As sport and luxury travel become increasingly intertwined, travellers are looking beyond the action on the field, court and track, seeking exclusive access, premium hospitality and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that transform major events into unforgettable journeys. According to luxury travel network Virtuoso, nearly one in seven travellers now cite sporting events as a key motivator for their travels, with a growing ap...

Bucket-list marathons: The world’s most in-demand marathons for 2026

5Jun

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Events

Bucket-list marathons: The world’s most in-demand marathons for 2026

For runners planning their 2026 race calendar, securing a place at some of the world’s most sought-after marathons may prove as challenging as completing the events themselves. A study from SportsShoes.com has revealed the marathons generating the highest demand relative to the number of places available, highlighting a growing trend in sports tourism as runners travel the globe in search of unique race experiences. The research, published as part of the company’s latest Running Report, analysed global Google search volumes over the past 12 months and compared them with official finisher numbers from each event’s most recent edition. By measuring the number of searches per finisher, the study identified which races attract the greatest level of interest compared to their participant ...

Boston takes centre stage for the UK’s home nations in FIFA World Cup

17May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides

Boston takes centre stage for the UK’s home nations in FIFA World Cup

It’s getting mightily close and excitement is building for the greatest football festival on earth, so here at Sports Tourism News we thought we would wet the appetite with a FIFA fan’s guide to Boston. Boston is gearing up to steal the show as one of the lead host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the city will be pulsing with football from June 13 to July 9. Seven matches land in the region, including two Scotland group games, an England group game, and a quarterfinal, all at the iconic Boston Stadium in Foxborough. But the party won’t be confined to the pitch. Boston City Hall Plaza will transform into the Official FIFA Fan Festival™: 16 days of free, public celebrations showcasing the city’s creativity and community. Expect live match screenings, appearances by FIFA legends,...

Austria’s Ötztal Valley is filled with surprises to peak your interest

4May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Austria’s Ötztal Valley is filled with surprises to peak your interest

The Ötztal Valley connects Hannibal, James Bond and high-altitude ski challenges, peaking the interest of Ramy James Salameh who returned back to a landscape that also covets around 250 peaks over 3,000m. At the entrance to the Ötztal Valley you will find a sign pointing towards ‘AREA47’, an eye-catching name and one that could easily be mistaken for a military training base for secret agents! It is, in fact, Austria’s largest outdoor adventure park; a thrill-seekers haven maybe even heaven, most definitely a training ground for adventurists and the odd professional 'cliff diver' courtesy of a 27m high dive-board, the centre-piece of a 20,000sqm swimming lake within Austria’s. Area47 is the introduction to one of Austria’s most exhilarating valleys. One that is surrounded by about 25...

Sports travel bucket list: Rocco Forte Hotels’ grand European golf tour

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Sports travel bucket list: Rocco Forte Hotels’ grand European golf tour

Here’s one for the golfers… hospitality group Rocco Forte Hotels has introduced “The Grand European Golf Tour”, a curated collection of golf experiences across its European destinations, created in partnership with Golf Travel Centre. Guests can combine stays at Rocco Forte's celebrated hotels with play at Europe's most prestigious courses, all within easy reach of the properties. From historic championship layouts in Scotland to the award-winning fairways of Verdura Resort in Sicily, each experience is designed for discerning golfers seeking world-class sport complemented by culture, cuisine, and renowned hospitality. The hotels and destinations The Balmoral, Edinburgh: Standing at the east end of Princes Street, The Balmoral combines Scottish heritage with contemporary fiv...

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Sports travel bucket list: the new Porto Carras Athlos event in Halkidiki

The Porto Carras Athlos is a new three-day international sports tourism and wellness event that will be held for the first time in northern Greece, at the highly acclaimed Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki. Located alongside a nine-kilometre sandy coastline, the resort is surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness centre, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages. About the Porto Carras Athlos The event...

Sports travel bucket list: run the ‘world’s most remote marathon’ in St Helena in 2027

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Events

Sports travel bucket list: run the ‘world’s most remote marathon’ in St Helena in 2027

Runners and adventure travellers can now sign up for the “world’s most remote marathon”, taking place for the first time in St Helena on 28 February 2027, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in one of the most extraordinary races on Earth. Set in the heart of the South Atlantic, this marathon is far removed from the crowds and noise of city races. Instead, participants will experience a subtropical paradise with dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush green highlands and sweeping ocean views, all while testing their endurance in one of the world’s most isolated destinations. About the event Runners can choose between a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km or 5km distance, all starting in the grounds of Plantation House, the residence of the island’s G...

Luxury wellness tourism: Marriott International and Lefay confirm joint venture

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Trends

Luxury wellness tourism: Marriott International and Lefay confirm joint venture

Marriott International and the Leali family, founders of Lefay, have announced their plans to enter into a joint venture to bring the highly awarded luxury wellness hospitality brand Lefay into the Marriott portfolio. This collaboration combines Lefay’s approach to holistic wellbeing with Marriott’s global scale, and the power of its award-winning Marriott Bonvoy loyalty platform. Lefay will be the first brand in Marriott’s portfolio dedicated exclusively to luxury wellness. Founded in Italy in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, Lefay is known for its immersive resorts in natural settings and its proprietary Lefay SPA Method, which blends scientific research with holistic wellness traditions. The brand’s philosophy centers on space, serenity, and sustainability and aims...

Las Vegas announced as host city for the NFL Super Bowl LXIII in 2029

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Las Vegas announced as host city for the NFL Super Bowl LXIII in 2029

The Super Bowl will touch down in Las Vegas once again, with the National Football League (NFL) confirming that the Nevada city will host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 at Allegiant Stadium. The 65,000-capacity, climate-controlled venue will play host to one the world's biggest annual sporting events, promising an incredible night of sporting thrills with that extra injection of classic Vegas showmanship. The announcement marks yet another jewel in Las Vegas’s crown, hot off the heels of hosting another successful Formula 1 Grand Prix and Rugby League game all within the last six months. A press conference in Las Vegas took place after the announcement, featuring remarks from LVCVA Board Member and Chair of the Clark County Commission, Michael Naft, and Las Vegas Raiders Senior...

Five Iron Golf: Dubai’s best sports bar to watch live sport in 2026

3May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Five Iron Golf: Dubai’s best sports bar to watch live sport in 2026

Five Iron Golf has established itself as one of the city’s top venues to watch live sport. From football, golf and Formula 1 to UFC, rugby and major international tournaments, fans can expect unbeatable views of the action thanks to 50 high-definition screens spread across the venue, a buzzing atmosphere, and premium F&B options that elevate every matchday. Located at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, the flagship venue spans more than 32,000 square feet, making it the largest Five Iron Golf in the world. Its scale and design allow fans to enjoy live sport from every angle – whether relaxing in Five Iron's modern gastropub, the revamped Dirty Birdie Sports Bar & Social, or booking a private simulator for an upgraded viewing experience. Groups can take ...