Sport travel guides and sports events news

Simone Biles named Mandarin Oriental’s first global wellness ambassador

28Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Simone Biles named Mandarin Oriental’s first global wellness ambassador

Mandarin Oriental has made a golden appointment in its wellness team. The hospitality giant has announced Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, as its first-ever global wellness ambassador. Regarded as one of the defining athletes of her generation, in her new role Biles will collaborate with Mandarin Oriental's wellness board, sharing her insights and perspectives with the group's recognised specialists in lifestyle performance, meditation, movement, nutrition and sleep to help shape future programmes and experiences. She will support and participate in global storytelling, campaign activations and the development of innovative wellness initiatives aligned with Mandarin Oriental's evolved wellness strategy, integrating mental, emotional, and physical bala...

Sports travel bucket list: Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Alps weekend hiking adventures

28Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Alps weekend hiking adventures

Walking tour operator Ramble Worldwide has expanded its portfolio of “Weekend Adventures” – a range of UK and European short breaks for experienced walkers which were launched in 2025. A further four high-impact escapes in spectacular mountain settings across Mont Blanc and the Alps have been released. A choice of 17 Weekend Adventures are now available. Here we take a look at the new weekend options… Matterhorn Weekend: Alpine Hiking in the Swiss Alps (Grade 7) Set amongst the iconic backdrop of the Matterhorn, this unforgettable trip is designed for walkers seeking breathtaking scenery and exhilarating mountain trails. With expert Ramble leaders guiding the way, travellers follow rugged paths through glacier-polished valleys dotted with wildflowers and panoramic...

How ‘darecations’ are set to become a defining sports travel trend

28Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

How ‘darecations’ are set to become a defining sports travel trend

The era of the “fly and flop” holiday may be losing ground as a new breed of experience-led travel takes off. According to data from sports travel insurance provider SportsCover Direct, so-called “darecations” – trips centred around adrenaline, challenge and personal achievement – are rapidly reshaping the global sports tourism landscape. The company reports a 182% increase in travellers purchasing sports travel insurance policies over the past two years, signalling a sharp rise in demand for active, risk-involving holidays. The trend is being mirrored across the wider travel sector, with Pinterest naming “darecations” as one of its top trends for 2026, alongside a 75% surge in searches for adventure tourism. This shift aligns with the continued expansion of spor...

Surfing, cycling, climbing: Much Better Adventures sees 200% surge in ‘skillcation’ bookings

28Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Surfing, cycling, climbing: Much Better Adventures sees 200% surge in ‘skillcation’ bookings

Upskilling holidays – or ‘skillcations’ – are set to become one of 2026’s biggest travel trends with people using their annual leave to develop new skills. Adventure travel company Much Better Adventures has reported a 200% increase in bookings for certain skills-based trips over the past year, including winter mountaineering, surf schools and off-road cycling adventures, highlighting a growing appetite for more purposeful travel. A ‘skillcation’ is an emerging travel trend where holidays are centred around learning something new, from cooking and foraging to mastering hands-on outdoor skills. Blending travel with personal growth, curiosity and shared experiences, these trips offer a deeper and more rewarding alternative to traditional holidays. Sam Bruce, co-founder of Much Bette...

Messinia Challenge 2026

Set against the scenic backdrop of Costa Navarino and the wider Messinia region in Greece, the Messinia Challenge returns from 8-10 May 2026 with a refreshed programme built around wellness, inclusion and lifestyle. Featuring more than 70 activities, the three-day multisport event invites participants of all ages and abilities to take part in a non-competitive celebration that blends sport, culture and gastronomy under its core message: “Sports Unites People”. The 2026 edition expands its endurance and outdoor offering with a series of trail races, including a half marathon, a 10km route and a 5km run through Messinia’s olive groves. These are complemented by a variety of inclusive events such as a 1km “Run For All” and family-friendly children’s races, reinforcing the event’s focus on a...

The Killers to headline 2026 Champions League final kick off show in Budapest

28Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Killers to headline 2026 Champions League final kick off show in Budapest

The Killers will headline the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show presented by Pepsi on 30 May 2026 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Pepsi and UC3 will once again mark the final with its eagerly anticipated curtain raiser, with the event set to be an unforgettable experience just minutes ahead of the match. Since arriving on the world stage in 2004, the American rock band have sold more than 35 million albums, including multi-platinum hits like 'Mr. Brightside', 'When You Were Young' and 'Human'. Eugene Willemsen, CEO, International Beverages at PepsiCo, said: "Pepsi has a proud history of bringing big cultural moments in sports and music to fans around the world, and this year is no different. Through Pepsi Football Nation, our fan platform celebrating the cultur...

Anglo American Padel Cup heads to South Florida for Ryder Cup-style return

26Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Venues & Stadiums

Anglo American Padel Cup heads to South Florida for Ryder Cup-style return

Can Great Britain avenge the inaugural Anglo American Padel Cup defeat by Team USA, in Padel’s version of the Ryder-Cup? To find our fans will have to wait until 4-6 February 2027 for the reigniting of rivalries, which will take place on US soil in Palm Beach County, South Florida. The aptly named "Replay Club" will host the tournament’s second edition after a thrilling London debut in October 2025, when Team USA edged out GB in a down-to-the-wire finish. If you’re a padel fan, there’s a lot to be excited about. Organisers are expanding the Cup significantly: the Open, 40s, 50s and 60s categories will each add an extra pair per nation, pushing the total field to more than 100 players. That means deeper draws, more matches (players can expect to play four times over the weekend) and s...

Sports travel bucket list: a guide to winter in the Tatra Mountains

1Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick

Sports travel bucket list: a guide to winter in the Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains’ growing appeal as one of Europe’s best winter sports destinations is gaining momentum year-on-year. Inviting thrill-seekers and families to experience resorts like Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Pleso, which are ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers, to the family-friendly slopes of Stary Smokovec rated as easy-to-moderate and all connected via the Tatra Electric Railway line and Jasna, one of central Europe’s best and largest ski resorts, catering for all levels of skier. However, this bucket-list guide to winter in the Tatra Mountains will give a different perspective of this spectacular region, one which will inspire, educate, explore and ultimately encourage you to add these life experiences to your memory banks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--0mH...

Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya secures Formula 1 future through to 2032

18Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Circuit De Barcelona-Catalunya secures Formula 1 future through to 2032

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has confirmed its continuity on the Formula 1 calendar. The renewal, signed between Circuits de Catalunya and Formula One World Championship Limited (FOWC), will see a grand prix hosted in Barcelona in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032. The races in Barcelona will be in rotation with the grand prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which will take place in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031. A significant evolution for the event is its rebranding. Starting with the race held from 12-14 June 2026, the event will be officially known as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. This change marks a new era under the management of Fira Circuit, a partnership designed to diversify the track's usage and transform the infrastructure into a multi-purpose venue for large-scal...

Milano Cortina 2026: the power of the Olympic House

16Feb

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Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Milano Cortina 2026: the power of the Olympic House

Ramy James Salameh feels the emotions and understands the many benefits of Austria's Olympic House in Cortina d'Ampezzo. A place of celebration, promotion and dialogue during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Imagine having representatives of your embassy, departments of culture, media and sport, as well as national sporting federations, Olympic committee members, key corporate stakeholders, VIPs and athletes all under one roof, during one of the world’s great sporting festivals. Welcome to the Austrian Olympic House at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. These venues are hubs for dialogue between business and industry, tourism and sports, politics and media. They are also platforms to showcase national pride, culture and promotion in-between the thrilling spectacl...

2026 sports travel trends: predictions, experiences and destinations

14Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Trends

2026 sports travel trends: predictions, experiences and destinations

Sports travel in 2026 is shaping up to be bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever. As global sporting calendars accelerate and a new wave of fan culture rises, travellers are no longer content with simply attending events – they’re seeking experiences that blend sport, wellness, culture, and community. The result is a fast-evolving landscape where elite tournaments collide with bucket-list destinations, grassroots movements sit alongside global mega-events, and technology is transforming the way fans engage on the road. In this round-up, we look at the biggest trends and predictions for sports travel and adventure travel in 2026. Main image: Premier League football club Arsenal play at the Emirates Stadium in London (Picture credit: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler...

Limassol Greens: Cyprus’ newest golf travel destination

14Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Hotels & Resorts

Limassol Greens: Cyprus’ newest golf travel destination

Limassol has strengthened its position as a rising Mediterranean sports tourism hub with the official opening of the 18-hole championship golf course at Limassol Greens – a landmark development that blends urban accessibility, winter sun appeal and five-star hospitality. Set within one of Cyprus’ most ambitious lifestyle-led real estate projects, the par-71 course has been designed by renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson, whose portfolio includes some of Europe’s most respected layouts. Spanning 6,304 metres of carefully contoured terrain, the course combines flowing fairways, immaculate greens and strategically placed bunkers to deliver both challenge and playability. Course design: strategy shaped by the elements Limassol Greens has been carefully crafted to offer chan...

Golf: Turkish Airlines Open 2026

The countdown has begun for one of the most significant events on the 2026 DP World Tour calendar, with the Turkish Airlines Open set to return to Antalya from 30 April to 3 May at the prestigious National Golf Club. Owned by Regnum Hotels, National Golf Club will host the tournament for the first time, welcoming the world’s elite golfers, international broadcasters and travelling fans to Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. The event carries a total prize fund of $2.75 million and will serve as the fifth and final tournament of the Asian Swing. Since its opening in 1994, National Golf Club has played a pioneering role in positioning Antalya – and particularly the Belek region – as a leading hub for golf tourism. Purpose-built fairways set against pine forests and the Taurus Mountains ha...

Qatar Classic: MENA Golf Tour returns to Doha Golf Club with new event

13Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Qatar Classic: MENA Golf Tour returns to Doha Golf Club with new event

The MENA Golf Tour continues its expansion across the region with the announcement of the Qatar Classic, a new event to be held at the prestigious Doha Golf Club from 23-25 March 2026. The tournament marks the Tour's return to Qatar, where it previously staged an event at Doha Golf Club in 2013. It will serve as the penultimate event on the schedule, offering $100,000 in prize money and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points as players make their final push for Order of Merit positions ahead of the season finale. Doha Golf Club has a rich tournament heritage, having hosted the Qatar Masters on the DP World Tour for many years. The championship course has witnessed victories from some of the game's biggest names and provides a world-class test that will challenge the field. MENA...

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships unveil venue expansion plans

13Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships unveil venue expansion plans

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has unveiled plans for an extensive two-phase redevelopment that will transform the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and surrounding Aviation Club Tennis Complex. Initial enhancements will debut at the 2026 edition in February, with the full transformation completed ahead of the 2027 Championships. Designed to elevate the player experience and enhance fan engagement, the expansion marks the most significant upgrade to the Al Garhoud venue in its 30-year history. The redesign, which is being led by specialist stadium design consultancy BDP Pattern and with Turner & Townsend as project managers, positions the Championships as a tournament reflective of Dubai’s global reputation as a world-class host city for international sporting events. ...

London tops 2026 sports-tripping index ahead of Dubai and Tokyo

13Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

London tops 2026 sports-tripping index ahead of Dubai and Tokyo

London has been crowned the world’s best city for sports-tripping in 2026, according to a global study by luggage storage network Stasher. The research found that nearly 30% of people have travelled – or would consider travelling – abroad for a major sporting event, reflecting the continued rise of sports tourism as a mainstream travel driver. According to UN Tourism, sports tourism now accounts for around 10% of global tourism spending, with projections suggesting the sector could reach $1.3 trillion by 2032. Scoring 7.6 out of 10, London’s appeal lies in the sheer density of elite teams and global events across the so-called ‘big five’ sports – football, rugby union, basketball, baseball and cricket. The city is home to 20 world-class teams, including football heavyweights Arsenal...

Priority Pass report: sports and wellness drive experience-led journeys

13Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Trends

Priority Pass report: sports and wellness drive experience-led journeys

A fundamental shift is reshaping global travel, as travellers increasingly prioritise purpose, passion and personal wellbeing over traditional sightseeing. According to Priority Pass’ latest global research report – From Stadiums to Spas: Unlocking the Explosive Growth of Sports and Wellness Travel – sports and wellness are no longer niche motivations but central pillars of how people plan and experience trips. The report, based on a survey of more than 12,000 travellers across 20 international markets, highlights a clear move towards experience-led itineraries, where travel is shaped around activities that align with lifestyle, identity and self-improvement rather than destinations alone. Two of the fastest-growing forces behind this shift are sports tourism and wellness travel. Spo...

World of Hyatt named hospitality partner of new Audi Revolut F1 Team

25Jan

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

World of Hyatt named hospitality partner of new Audi Revolut F1 Team

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has confirmed World of Hyatt as the official hospitality partner of the newly launched Audi Revolut F1 Team. The partnership will see the global loyalty brand connect luxury travellers with the world of elite motorsport through a curated programme of premium hospitality and once-in-a-lifetime Formula 1 experiences. World of Hyatt members can enjoy access to the sport’s most iconic moments. From behind-the-scenes paddock tours and driver meet-and-greets to private hospitality lounges and luxury weekend itineraries, members will have the opportunity to experience the world of Formula 1 like never before. In addition, members will be able to earn and redeem points for bespoke travel experiences surrounding key Grand Prix events, blending high performance with high ...

PURE ONE Travel launches ‘Learn to Surf’ adventure packages

25Jan

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips

PURE ONE Travel launches ‘Learn to Surf’ adventure packages

PURE ONE Travel has launched its new “Learn to Surf” adventure packages, designed specifically for beginners and early-stage surfers who want to experience the thrill of riding waves in a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment. These expertly curated adventures focus on building confidence, having fun, and creating unforgettable memories from the very first wave. Participants are guided to stunning coastal destinations known for gentle, forgiving waves and welcoming surf communities, providing the perfect environment to learn and grow. “Learning to surf is about so much more than just catching waves,” said Wesley Baker, CEO of PURE ONE. “It's about embracing the surf lifestyle, connecting with others, and enjoying every moment, both on and off the board. We want ever...

Ramble Worldwide’s top 10 walking holidays for beginners in 2026

25Jan

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Guides, Holidays & Trips

Ramble Worldwide’s top 10 walking holidays for beginners in 2026

Ramble Worldwide has revealed its top 10 walking holidays for beginners – a curated selection of gentle to moderate breaks designed specifically for newcomers to walking adventures, and those wanting to explore at a gentler pace, including small group, guided tours of the UK, Greece and Portugal. Walking holidays have been widely recognised as a rapidly growing travel trend, increasingly being chosen by travellers of all ages, seeking meaningful experiences which support both physical and mental wellbeing. Gentle exercise in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, support cardiovascular health, and enhance overall fitness, making these trips ideal for those wanting a restorative break with a sense of achievement. Walking in small groups also fosters connection and communit...