Tag: England

18Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Swim England and SwimTrek partner to promote open water swimming experiences 

Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, has partnered with SwimTrek to help more people discover swimming through the growing appeal of open water experiences.  This new collaboration with the adventure swimming holiday company is part of Swim England's broader mission to get more people swimming more often – by making the sport more accessible, inclusive, and connected to real-life experiences. With outdoor swimming continuing to grow in popularity, teaming up with SwimTrek enables Swim England to reach new audiences and inspire people who may not have engaged with traditional swimming environments.  Andy Salmon, CEO of Swim England, said: “We want to show that swimming isn't limited to pools. By working with SwimTrek, we can open up exciting new path...

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22Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Event in focus: 2025 Tug of War World Championships, Nottingham

The charmingly unorthodox spectacle that is the World Outdoor Tug of War Championships is returning to England this autumn – this time on the lush turf of Nottingham’s University of Nottingham Highfields Sports Complex from 4-7 September 2025.  What may look like a simple backyard game is, in fact, a high-stakes, meticulously organised test of team strength, strategy, and stamina. And what better way to embrace the quirky and communal spirit of this ancient contest than to gather around a giant rope, cheering as nations and clubs alike battle it out? History and heritage Tug of war isn’t just kids playing in their backyard – it boasts a serious pedigree. With roots stretching back to ancient Egypt (over 2500 BCE), ancient China and Greece, the sport was practiced both ceremonially...

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13Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: cycling the Northumberland Coast in England

Cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has shared details of its self-guided family cycling tour of the Northumberland Coast in north east England. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful coastlines in the UK, the Northumberland coast is the perfect introduction to the county’s award-winning beaches, stunning landscapes, and centuries of history.  Starting in the market town of Alnwick, there’s a chance to test out the family’s broomstick skills before jumping on the bikes. Alnwick Castle – famous as a filming location for two of the Harry Potter movies – hosts regular broomstick training lessons in the Outer Bailey for aspiring witches and wizards. There’s also nearby Alnwick Garden, which is home to Lilidorei – the world’s largest play structure.  Transferring to ...

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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...

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Rugby league: Super League Magic Weekend 2025 Newcastle

Super League's “Magic Weekend” in 2025 will be held at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne. Scheduled for the early May bank holiday – 3-4 May 2025 – the festival of rugby league will see the famous stadium host six Betfred Super League matches across two days. It will be the 10th anniversary of Super League's first Magic Weekend in Newcastle in 2015, and the eighth time in the subsequent decade that rugby league has staged its unique event at the home of Premier League football club Newcastle United. “I am delighted that the Magic Weekend is once again taking place in our city in 2025, marking the tenth anniversary since we first hosted it,” said Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council. “It will be wonderful to welcome thousands of rugby league fans back to Newcastle which...

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Cricket: The Ashes 2025-2026 fixtures – Australia vs. England

The Ashes 2025-2026 series between Australia and England promises another thrilling chapter in cricket's biggest rivalry. Hosted by Australia, who are the current holders of the Ashes having retained them with a draw in 2023, the series will feature five Test matches at iconic venues, beginning with the opener at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November 2025. Known for its fast and bouncy pitch, Perth will set the tone for the series. The action then moves to The Gabba in Brisbane for a day/night Test from 4-8 December 2025, adding the challenge of the pink ball under lights. The festive season brings the Christmas Test at Adelaide Oval (17-21 December 2025), renowned for its picturesque setting and competitive history. The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (26-30 December 2025) will a...

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21Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides

The Ashes 2025-2026: Australia vs. England Test dates and venues 

The Ashes, cricket's most storied rivalry, traces its origins to a match played at The Oval in 1882 when Australia secured their first-ever Test win on English soil. A satirical obituary in The Sporting Times lamented the "death of English cricket", sparking the creation of the symbolic urn that represents Ashes supremacy. Since then, this biennial series between England and Australia has become a showcase of cricketing excellence and fierce competition. The Ashes 2025-2026 series between Australia and England promises another thrilling chapter in this saga. Hosted by Australia, who are the current holders of the Ashes having retained them with a draw in 2023, the series will feature five Test matches at iconic venues, beginning with the opener at Perth Stadium from 21-25 November 2025....

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Athletics: Keely Klassic

Olympic 800m champion and newly crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner Keely Hodgkinson has revealed the launch of an exciting new athletics meeting, the Keely Klassic.  Taking place on Saturday 15 February 2025 at Utilita Arena Birmingham, the athletics event will bring together a host of Britain’s world-class track and field talent, culminating in a historic attempt on the longstanding world 800m short track record. The current world record of 1.55.82, set by Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia on 3 March 2002, the day that Hodgkinson was born, gives an added incentive for Hodgkinson to attempt the record.  "I’m beyond excited to announce the Keely Klassic, my first track race since becoming Olympic champion," Hodgkinson said. "This event is all about bringing energy, passion, an...

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2025 World Snooker Championship 

Taking place from 19 April to 5 May 2025, the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, is the pinnacle of professional snooker. Since 1977, the Crucible has been synonymous with this prestigious tournament, which crowns the sport’s world champion.  Organised by the World Snooker Tour, the event carries the highest ranking points and prize money, making it the most coveted title in the sport. The tournament spans 17 days and features a grueling format that tests the players' skill, endurance, and mental resilience. The event begins with 32 competitors – 16 seeded players and 16 qualifiers – engaging in a knockout format. Matches progressively increase in length, culminating in an epic best-of-35 frames final.  The Crucible’s intimate setting is integra...

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SailGP: Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix 

For the first time in two years, the SailGP global sailing league will take place on UK waters, with the brand-new venue of Portsmouth hosting the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on 19-20 July 2025. This exciting event promises to be a highlight of the British summer of sport, bringing the world’s most exciting race on water to Portsmouth's spectacular shoreline. With top athletes from around the globe competing to gain an edge in the SailGP championship, spectators can expect an unforgettable weekend of thrilling races.  For more details and tickets see sailgp.com SailGP is a premier global sailing championship known for high-speed racing in F50 foiling catamarans. The 2024-2025 season is shaping up to be the series’ most extensive yet, featuring 14 events across iconi...

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17Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Guides

Birmingham: a sports travel city guide 

The English city of Birmingham, located in the West Midlands region, has a proud sporting heritage that reflects its rich industrial past and vibrant cultural present. Affectionately nicknamed “Brum”, Birmingham is a hub of activity, boasting a diverse range of sports teams, iconic venues and major events. Whether you're into athletics, football, cricket or an adventurous traveller seeking new experiences, Birmingham offers something for everyone. Main image: Alexander Stadium in Birmingham (Credit: WikiCommons) The UK’s athletics capital in 2025 In 2025, Birmingham will host the UK’s two biggest athletics events of the year: the UK Athletics Indoor Championships at Utilita Arena from 22-23 February 2025 and the UK Athletics Outdoor Championships at Alexander Stadium from 2-3 Augu...

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UK Athletics Indoor Championships 2025 Birmingham

The 2025 UK Athletics Indoor Championships will be held at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 22-23 February 2025. Known for its intimate and high-energy setting, the event will see Britain’s best indoor athletes battle for national glory and qualification for the European Indoor Championships. As one of the most prestigious events on the British indoor athletics calendar, the championships are set to attract an impressive line-up of athletes across sprint, middle-distance, and field events. From the explosive 60m dashes to the tactical finesse of the 1,500m and the thrilling drama of the pole vault and long jump, the competition is expected to deliver edge-of-your-seat action. The compact layout of the Utilita Arena ensures fans are closer to the action than ever, creating an electrifying a...

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2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

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...

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The Championships Wimbledon 2025 – tennis grand slam

The Championships Wimbledon, held annually in London SW19, is the oldest and most prestigious of the four grand slam tennis tournaments. Played on its legendary grass courts, and with a history that dates back to its inception in 1877, Wimbledon takes place in 2025 from 30 June to 13 July at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. Steeped in tradition, Wimbledon maintains its charm through strict customs such as the all-white dress code for players, strawberries and cream for spectators, and the attendance of the British Royal Family.  The All England Club’s grass courts are the fastest surface in tennis, making it a haven for big servers and players who favour serve-and-volley tactics. The low bounce of the ball on grass creates a unique challenge, rewarding players with quick ...

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6Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Festival of Sport: tickets now on sale for 2025 event

Tickets are now on general sale for the Festival of Sport 2025 which will take place at Packington Estate in Warwickshire, England from 1-4 August 2025.   Co-founded by England international rugby stars Will Greenwood and Austin Healey, the Festival of Sport offers children the opportunity to try dozens of sports in a single weekend, to learn from the best and primarily to enjoy all of the benefits of sports participation with family and friends, old and new.  Sporting legends over the weekend include Olympians, Paralympians, world record-holders and international capped stars. They actively participate throughout the weekend, coaching and playing alongside youngsters – and making time to have fun with accompanying adults too.  The 2025 event kicks off at a new venu...

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3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

The Hook Club: £400,000 padel venue opens at Mottram Hall in England 

A new era of padel has arrived in north west England with the opening of The Hook Club at Mottram Hall in Cheshire. Set in the landscaped grounds of Mottram Hall Hotel, The Hook Club opened its courts on 25 July offering an unrivalled location to play padel and socialise. Developed and installed by UK Padel Courts, the £400,000 padel venue is set to be a landmark destination for padel players of all abilities. The Hook Club, which is named after the padel shot ‘El Gancho’, instantly adds quality and a new dimension to the UK’s padel scene. The venue is open to anyone with a passion and interest in padel, with bookings via the padel booking app Playtomic. The venue boasts three world-class Superpanoramic padel courts designed and manufactured by Spanish-based Padelgest, provid...

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7Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Cycling holidays: e-bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats

The rise in popularity of electric bikes has opened up the world of cycling – helping people ride further distances and explore more of the places they’re visiting. For anyone that’s ever dreamed of completing the iconic Land's End to O'Groats (LEJOG) cycle ride, but have been put off at the thought of tackling the 1,000-plus mile journey on a traditional bike, cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has the answer. The Newcastle-based independent company has launched a new hybrid e-bike version of its 22-day Land's End to John O'Groats cycling holiday. The new e-bike trips in 2025 provide some added power behind each pedal, meaning more people can enjoy the epic ride from the Cornish coast to the Scottish Highlands. Despite the extra boost provided by the e-bikes, this is still a chal...

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14Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Venues & Stadiums

A guide to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Park in London

London's Wembley Stadium is one of the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in the world. As well as being the home of English football, the stadium also hosts NFL London Games, major finals and big music concerts.  In 2023 Wembley celebrated 100 years since the original stadium opened and in 2024 the venue will host the Uefa Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. The district around the stadium, Wembley Park, has seen huge redevelopment in the past few years. There’s now plenty of places to eat and drink, popular attractions and many new residential buildings.  Here we take a look at Wembley Stadium and the Wembley Park neighbourhood. Key details  Official name: Wembley Stadium connected by EE Website: wembleystadium.com ...

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Cycling: 2023 Tour of Britain

The Tour of Britain returns for its 19th edition from 3-10 September 2023. Taking place over eight stages, the cycling event forms part of the UCI ProSeries and will visit England and Wales en route to crowning its next overall champion. The eight stages are:  Grand Depart – Sunday 3 September: Altrincham to Manchester  Stage two – Monday 4 September: Wrexham Stage three – Tuesday 5 September: The Howdens Stage Goole to Beverley Stage four – Wednesday 6 September: Sherwood Forest to Newark-on-Trent Stage five – Thursday 7 September: Felixstowe Stage six – Friday 8 September: Southend-on-Sea to Harlow Stage seven – Saturday 9 September: Tewkesbury to Gloucester Stage eight – Sunday 10 September: Margam Country Park to Caerphilly Fans can enhance their race day ...

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Ultra-marathon: 13 Valleys Ultra

A new ultra-marathon event, 13 Valleys Ultra, will be held in the stunning landscape of the Lake District National Park in England from 29 September to 1 October. Open to everyone, the event will feature three ultra distances – 60km, 100km, and 180km – as well as a 20km trail distance. The 13 Valleys distance (180km) is the pinnacle and will rank alongside some of the toughest tests of ultra running in the world. It represents an exceptional physical and mental challenge and is only open to experienced ultra runners.  This flagship event, in partnership with the Lake District National Park, will create the foundations of a year-round trail that links all 13 valleys of the Lake District National Park together for the first time. See more at 13valleysultra.com and visitlakedistrict.co...

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