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153rd Open at Royal Portrush: a £280m economic impact for Northern Ireland
3Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

153rd Open at Royal Portrush: a £280m economic impact for Northern Ireland

Golf's Open Championship has reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s most powerful drivers of sports tourism, with the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush generating £89.2 million in total economic impact for Northern Ireland, according to a study by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Industry Research Centre. Causeway Coast and Glens alone benefited by £43.7 million, underscoring the Championship’s transformative effect on host destinations.  Beyond visitor spending, the global visibility of the golf major delivered a further £191 million in destination marketing value, driven by worldwide broadcast coverage, digital platforms and extensive online media reach, as reported by YouGov.  The Open’s spectacular return to the iconic Causeway Coast drew a record-breaking 278,000 specta...
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Sports travel bucket list: ultimate basketball fan experiences with NBATrips
30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: ultimate basketball fan experiences with NBATrips

For basketball lovers, few experiences compare to stepping onto an NBA hardwood, tightening your laces, and running a full 5-on-5 game just hours before the pros take the floor. Yet this is not an unrealistic bucket list item, it’s the signature experience delivered by luxury basketball travel company NBATrips. Over the past four years, NBATrips has rapidly evolved into a global leader in high-end NBA travel experiences. Drawing fans from more than 20 countries – including, for the first time this season, the United States – the company offers immersive, meticulously curated journeys built entirely around the world’s greatest basketball league. Each seven- to 10-day adventure caters to around 50 guests and centres on three to five NBA games in iconic hoops destinations such as Los Angel...
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FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035: a potential UK sports tourism blockbuster
30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035: a potential UK sports tourism blockbuster

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have formally launched a joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035, positioning the tournament as the biggest single-sport event ever staged on UK soil – and a potential blockbuster for sports tourism across all four nations.  Under the “All Together” bid banner, the four football associations are proposing 22 stadiums across 16 host cities, with FIFA expected to trim that list to around 14-16 venues should the bid be successful. The tournament – expanded to 48 teams – would feature 104 matches over 39 days, with organisers targeting 4.5 million ticket sales and a global TV audience of 3.5 billion. It would also be the UK’s first World Cup since 1966, giving a new generation of fans the chance to experience a global finals on home tu...
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Amdavad in India to host Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030
30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Amdavad in India to host Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030

The Indian city of Amdavad, also known as Ahmedabad, has been formally named as the host city of the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030. The decision confirms that the world’s most populous nation will stage the landmark edition of the Games, after delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow. India presented a compelling vision for the 2030 Games, centred in the Gujarat city of Amdavad, which will build on foundations laid by Glasgow 2026.  Jaismine Lamboria, world champion boxer from India, said: “It truly is a proud moment to see India become the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad will give athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity...
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World Rugby and Emirates extend record-breaking partnership to at least 2035
30Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business

World Rugby and Emirates extend record-breaking partnership to at least 2035

World Rugby and Emirates have announced a landmark multi-tournament partnership, the biggest, longest and most wide ranging in the history of rugby union’s global governing body. Strengthening a long-standing relationship that will run through to at least 2035, the renewal cements Dubai-based airline Emirates as a World Rugby Platinum Partner and Principal Partner of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups for the next decade.The expanded agreement covers every Rugby World Cup through 2035, including the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in Australia in 2027 and 2029, the 2031 and 2033 editions in the United States, and the men’s Rugby World Cup 2035, which is already attracting strong early interest from prospective hosts. The deal also includes all global qualifying events, embedding ...
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PGA Tour 2026 calendar marks 20th year of golf’s FedExCup
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Calendars

PGA Tour 2026 calendar marks 20th year of golf’s FedExCup

The 2026 PGA Tour men's golf season is set to deliver one of the most globally compelling and competitive calendars in recent memory, showcasing a seamless blend of tradition, innovation, and world-class destinations. The 2026 Tour marks the 20th edition of the FedExCup. Tee­ing off in January under the Hawaiian sun, the season charts a dynamic journey through iconic American courses, coastal classics, and major metropolitan stops – each offering its own drama as players battle for FedExCup points and season-defining moments. A highlight of the year once again comes from the sport’s four men’s majors, with the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship anchoring the heart of the season and drawing global attention from millions of fans and sports travellers.  ...
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HSBC SVNS 2026 calendar revealed with New York making series debut 
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Calendars, Events

HSBC SVNS 2026 calendar revealed with New York making series debut 

World Rugby and USA Rugby, in partnership with TEG Rugby Live, have confirmed New York City as the host for the US leg of the HSBC SVNS Series from 14-15 March 2026 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Featuring the top eight men’s and women’s rugby sevens nations, the new-look HSBC SVNS will host its season opener in Dubai (29-30 November 2025) before heading to iconic global cities including Cape Town, South Africa (6-7 December 2025); Singapore (31 January-1 February 2026); Perth, Australia (7-8 February 2026); Vancouver, Canada (7-8 March 2026) and New York, USA (14-15 March). The SVNS World Championships will then have three events, in Hong Kong (17-19 April 2026); Valladolid, Spain (29-31 May 2026); and Bordeaux, France (5-7 June 2026). New York’s vibrant culture, renowned skyline, a...
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Dubai unveils ambitious playbook to become the world’s top sporting city by 2033
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Dubai unveils ambitious playbook to become the world’s top sporting city by 2033

Dubai has set out a bold roadmap to become the world’s leading sporting city with the launch of the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033 – an ambitious framework aimed at boosting the emirate’s global standing in elite competition, community sport and the fast-growing sports tourism sector. Unveiled by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the strategy outlines a comprehensive vision centred on competitiveness and sustainable industry growth, all while significantly expanding Dubai’s position as a magnet for international sporting events and visitors. At a launch ceremony held at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, Mansoor bin Mohammed affirmed that the plan “enhances the sector’s competitiveness, creates new opportunities, nur...
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Sports travel bucket list: horse trekking into Mongolia’s untamed wilds
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: horse trekking into Mongolia’s untamed wilds

For travellers seeking a truly off-grid adventure, World Expeditions’ newest experience – the Central Mongolia Horse Trek Expedition – is one to add to your sports travel bucket list. Launching in June 2026, this remote expedition blends endurance travel, cultural immersion and wilderness exploration, offering an extraordinary chance to retrace the ancient riding trails of the Mongol Empire.  Spanning sweeping steppe, forested valleys and rugged mountain passes, the journey takes travellers deep into the Khentii Mountains, birthplace of Genghis Khan and heartland of Mongolia’s nomadic civilisation. This is a region where roads fade into rivers, where horizons seem endless, and where the horse remains central to daily life.  Across multiple days of point-to-point riding, guests p...
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Sports travel bucket list: a ski touring weekend in Norway’s Lofoten Islands
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: a ski touring weekend in Norway’s Lofoten Islands

With travellers already mapping out their 2026 ski escapes, Norway has emerged as one of the world’s trending luxury destinations – ranking third among the “on the rise” hotspots in the 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report.  As active travel continues to surge, a new ski touring weekend in the Lofoten Islands by high-end Norwegian travel brand Norrøna Adventure is the kind of bucket list experience drawing global attention. For sports travellers seeking pristine slopes, rugged landscapes and authentic Nordic culture, this four-day journey offers a rare chance to ski where mountains meet the sea. Set for 12-15 March 2026, the experience in northern Norway blends world-class ski touring with the storied charm of Henningsvær, a fishing village known for its colourful houses, artistic heritage and ...
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Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years with blockbuster tour
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events

Harlem Globetrotters celebrate 100 years with blockbuster tour

As one of the most recognisable teams on the planet marks its centenary, the Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of sporting showmanship with a blockbuster world tour. The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour begins with a special event on Sunday 14 December at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with the full tour launching with games in Boston and Pittsburgh on Friday 26 December. The tour will continue on to more than 200 domestic markets in the US and more than 125 markets internationally, including France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, and across Asia.  “There are very few brands in any business, let alone sports, that cannot just withstand but grow over the course of 100 years, and the Harlem Globetrotters are...
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TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries
22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries

Sydney’s status as a world-class sports tourism destination continues to accelerate, with the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS attracting unprecedented global interest for its 2026 edition.  The iconic event, now part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), has become a magnet for travelling runners, drawing tens of thousands of international visitors eager to combine a bucket-list marathon with a trip to one of the world’s most spectacular sports cities. The 2026 edition, taking place on Sunday 30 August 2026, will have an increased capacity targeting 40,000 finishers.  Record-shattering demand for the TCS Sydney Marathon is cementing the Harbour City’s position as one of the world’s premier sports tourism hotspots. The event’s latest ballot drew more than 123,00...
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Globe Soccer Awards 2025 Dubai

The 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards will take place on Sunday 28 December 2025 at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.  This star-studded event will feature around 15 award categories, with final winners determined by a combination of fan votes and the GLOBE SOCCER Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo. Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of GLOBE SOCCER, said: “We are delighted to welcome once again the world’s top football stars to Dubai for the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards, this time at Atlantis The Royal. Dubai has been the host city for our event for 16 years, and the vision and ambition of the emirate’s leadership means it always provides an incredib...
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Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal to host the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards
21Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal to host the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards

The luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is ready to roll out the red carpet and celebrate the best in world football as host venue for the 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments GLOBE SOCCER Awards. Taking place on Sunday 28 December 2025, this star-studded event will feature around 15 award categories on the night, including nine categories that are open to a worldwide public vote. The first round of voting is open until 27 November, followed by second round of voting to decide each winner from 3-11 December. Final winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the GLOBE SOCCER Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo. Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of GLOBE SOCCER, said: “We ...
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Val Thorens named world’s best ski resort in 2025 World Ski Awards
17Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Sports Business

Val Thorens named world’s best ski resort in 2025 World Ski Awards

The 13th annual World Ski Awards have been revealed and it’s Val Thorens, Europe’s highest resort, which was named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’ in recognition of setting the global standard for lift infrastructure, resort facilities and slopeside accommodation.  Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in Utah was voted ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’, and Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed the stellar title of ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’. Hôtel Le Pashmina took the title for ‘World’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel’ thanks to its exquisite facilities and ski-to-door access to Les Trois Vallées. In the newcomer categories, Japan’s Nikko Style Niseko HANAZONO, the first lifestyle brand of the historic Okura Nikko Hotel Group, fought off entrants from Val-d’Isère and the Austrian Tyrol to claim the title for ‘Wo...
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URWLD to make Middle East debut with new sports-lifestyle venue in Riyadh 
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...
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Maison Sport backs GB Snowsport stars ahead of Milano Cortina 2026
16Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business

Maison Sport backs GB Snowsport stars ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

Ski lesson booking platform Maison Sport has announced a new partnership as an official sponsor of GB Snowsport. This collaboration will support Britain's Alpine Men’s World Cup team – Dave Ryding, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor – as they prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Founded by former members of the British ski team, Maison Sport has a deep-rooted passion for British Snowsports. This partnership marks a significant step for the company to further its commitment to supporting the UK Snowsports community, from grassroots talent to the highest levels of international competition. Nick Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Maison Sport, said: “As a former member of the British Ski Team, I understand all too well the dedication and hard work required to compete at th...
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Globe Soccer Awards extends partnership with title sponsors BEYOND Developments
16Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

Globe Soccer Awards extends partnership with title sponsors BEYOND Developments

The Globe Soccer Awards has extended its strategic partnership with BEYOND Developments, confirming the Dubai-born real estate brand as title partner for the 16th edition of the BEYOND Developments Globe Soccer Awards for a second successive year. Marking another milestone in the evolution of the Globe Soccer Awards, the renewed collaboration reinforces Dubai’s growing influence in the global sporting landscape and underscores a shared commitment to excellence.  Tommaso Bendoni, Founder and CEO of Globe Soccer, said: “BEYOND Developments has been an exceptional partner and we are delighted to continue this journey. Their dedication to innovation and high-quality experiences perfectly aligns with the spirit of Globe Soccer. This ongoing collaboration will continue to enhance the BEYON...
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Apply for ‘The Coolest Job on Earth’ at the Antarctica Marathon
2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Apply for ‘The Coolest Job on Earth’ at the Antarctica Marathon

Forget the sports travel bucket list (for a minute), this is one for the life and career bucket lists. Marathon Tours & Travel is calling on runners, adventurers, storytellers, and content creators from across the world to apply for its most exciting campaign yet – “The Coolest Job on Earth”. This unique competition offers one lucky winner the chance to travel with the company to Antarctica in March 2026 and work behind the scenes at the world-famous Antarctica Marathon. The winner will travel to King George Island in March 2026, joining the Marathon Tours & Travel team in delivery of the Antarctica Marathon, which is held on 19 March 2026. They’ll be given the unique opportunity to experience one of the planet’s most extraordinary running events, and to connect with runners fr...
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Sports travel bucket list: a women’s padel-wellness retreat in Bali   
2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Bucket List, Holidays & Trips, Trends

Sports travel bucket list: a women’s padel-wellness retreat in Bali   

Padel and wellness, two of the fastest-growing trends in sport and active travel, are the focus of a new experience hosted by Goddess Retreats. The Padel Goddess Retreat in Seminyak, Bali, is the world’s first women-only padel, yoga, and wellness retreat – and one of the most exciting new additions to our global sports travel bucket list. Blending professional padel coaching with yoga, cultural rituals, unlimited spa treatments and boutique villa living, this seven-day, six-night all-inclusive retreat invites guests to play, connect and reset in a vibrant, supportive setting. Whether you're a curious beginner or a committed padel fan, this Bali getaway delivers movement, mindfulness and meaningful community in paradise. Why padel and wellness is the next big trend Padel’s rise isn...
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