By Sports Tourism Media co-editor Mike Starling
The coronavirus has seen any plans for 2020 put on hold, but sports travellers will still be dreaming of visiting a new destination or event.
Sports Tourism News & Events co-editor Mike Starling picks out some of the the sporting events and destinations he would like to visit.
Sport travel bucket list
Watch Messi play for Barca at the Camp Nou
With hundreds of goals and a cabinet full of personal and team trophies, Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best ever footballers. Turning 33-years-old in June, the brilliant Barcelona forward won’t be playing football forever, so watching him in action at the iconic Camp Nou is definitely on my sporting bucket list for the new year.
See the Olympic sights in Tokyo
I haven’t made plans to attend the Olympics or Paralympics in 2021, so maybe the best time to travel to Tokyo will be in the autumn months after the events are finished. October and November are regarded as two of the best months to visit Tokyo, so maybe that’s what I will do…
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Sit with Max’s Orange Army at the F1 Dutch GP
The 2020 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix was postponed due to the virus so we’ll probably have to wait until 2021 for its return. Witnessing Max Verstappen’s Orange Army pack the stands at Circuit Zandvoort will make the F1 Dutch GP a must-see event.
French Open tennis at Roland Garros
I have ticked off Wimbledon and the US Open grand slams from my sporting bucket list in recent years so the next tennis item for me will be to attend the French Open at Roland Garros. The opportunity to see the “King of Clay” Rafael Nadal in Paris is one too good to miss.
Watch the Falcons play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The NFL is one sport that I have really got into in the last few years. I have attended a number of NFL London Games at Wembley and at Tottenham and in November 2019 I also saw the New York Jets beat the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. However, the Atlanta Falcons are my NFL team and they happen to play in one of the best sporting venues in the world – the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Home to the NFL’s Falcons and Major League Soccer side Atlanta United, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been opened since 2017 and I still haven’t managed to get there… yet.
PDC darts at Ally Pally
The PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) in London is something of a cult event for sports fans to attend in the UK. Held every year in late December and finishing with the final on New Year’s Day, it’s definitely one party I will like to go to.
Join the Barmy Army on tour
Everywhere the England cricket team goes the “Barmy Army” follows. What could be better than watching Test cricket in an international setting while singing songs with the Army?