Editor’s Pick

6Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Guides

Munich: a sports travel city guide 

Munich, capital of the German state of Bavaria, will be the focus of the football world when the city hosts the Uefa Champions League final on Saturday 31 May 2025. The highlight of the European club football calendar returns to Bayern Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena stadium for the first time since 2012. Home to a thriving sports culture, tourist attractions such as Oktoberfest and set against the stunning backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Munich is one of the world's top sports cities and a bucket-list destination for any sports traveller.  Main image: The Allianz Arena and architectural sculpture Sunken Village in Munich (Image credit: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA, via WikiCommons) Major sports teams and clubs in Munich FC Bayern Munich: FC Bayern's fanbase, histo...

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1Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Sports Business

Tour de France 2027 men’s and women’s races to start in the UK

The Grand Départs of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be hosted by the United Kingdom. This marks the first time that both the opening stages of the men’s and women’s events will take place in the same country, outside of France.  England, Scotland, and Wales are all set to host stages of this famous cycling event in 2027, making it the largest free sporting spectacle in British history with millions expected to line the streets for the return of the Tour de France, and to witness the first ever staging of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the UK.  The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, Scotland. Further route details for both the men’s and women’s 2027 Grand Départs will be announced, with the focus on maximising the opportunit...

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26Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Kai Tak Sports Park: Hong Kong’s new $3.8bn sports complex 

The new Kai Tak Sports Park, situated on the site of Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex spanning 28 hectares. Aiming to position Hong Kong as a premier destination for international sports and entertainment events, the venue's main stadium will host the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens from 28-30 March. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has invested approximately HK$30 billion (approximately US$3.8 billion) in the development of the new complex. John Sharkey, CEO of Kai Tak Sports Park, said: “With the completion and opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong is now better positioned to actively attract large-scale international events, drawing more visitors and investments, and injecting new vitality in...

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24Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events, Venues & Stadiums

Premier League Summer Series 2025 to be held in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta

Four top-flight English football clubs – AFC Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester United and West Ham United – will travel to the United States for this year’s Premier League Summer Series.  Taking place from 26 July to 3 August 2025, the Premier League Summer Series will see each team play a total of three matches across stadiums in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta.  The fixtures kick off on Saturday 26 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Everton taking on Bournemouth and Man Utd facing West Ham. On Wednesday 30 July, Soldier Field in Chicago will host West Ham vs. Everton and Man Utd vs. Bournemouth. The final round of games on Sunday 3 August will then see Bournemouth vs. West Ham and Man Utd vs. Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans only need to buy ...

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11Mar By Sports Tourism News1 Comment

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Man Utd’s new stadium will ‘transform’ the fan experience 

English Premier League football club Manchester United have announced plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium as the centrepiece of a major regeneration project for the Old Trafford area of the city.  Costing a “ballpark [figure] of £2bn”, the BBC reported, the new stadium, and wider regeneration project, have the potential to deliver an additional £7.3bn per year to the UK economy which brings large-scale social and economic benefits to the community and wider region, including the possible creation of 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes as well as driving an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.  Conceptual images and scaled models of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look like were unveiled by Foster + Partners, the architecture group appoint...

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4Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Guides

Madrid: a sports travel city guide 

Madrid is one of the world's top sports cities. With a rich sporting history, world-class stadiums, and elite events all year round, Spain’s vibrant capital offers an unparalleled sports travel experience. Whether you're attending a La Liga football match, exploring historic sites, or enjoying the local cuisine, Madrid offers a dynamic and enriching experience for every sports traveller. Major sports teams in Madrid Real Madrid CF: established in 1902, Real Madrid are one of the most successful football clubs globally, boasting a record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles (15). They play their home games at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Atlético de Madrid: founded in 1903, Atlético Madrid are another top-tier football club in the city. They have secured multiple...

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2Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Hotels & Resorts

Sports travel bucket list: play tennis at Kalimera Kriti resort in Greece

The Kalimera Kriti Hotel & Village Resort, a five-star property on the island of Crete, is a world-class sports resort that’s home to the largest tennis and padel centre in Greece. Located on the island’s northeastern coast and offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, Kalimera Kriti boasts a selection of rooms and bungalows, sandy beaches, swimming pools, health and wellbeing facilities, plus restaurants and bars.   For sports travellers, the main highlight is the tennis and padel centre, which was upgraded in 2023. Together with Patricio Travel – a specialised tour operator for tennis, padel and fitness travel – and other partners such as Wilson, the Patricio World-Class Tennis Center Crete has 20 real clay courts, six artificial grass courts, five padel courts, and a Wil...

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1Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

London Marathon experiences at The Westin London City

As the English capital gears up for the highly anticipated TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025, The Westin London City hotel has unveiled a series of marathon experiences designed for both runners and their supporters.  Situated along the historic River Thames, the five-star property has 226 guest rooms, suites and residences, plus F&B options including all-day dining restaurant Mosaic and riverside wine bar Hithe + Seek. The hotel is also popular for guests seeking wellness and recreation during their stay in central London. Dedicated to promoting wellbeing, The Westin London City is home to the Heavenly Spa by Westin, which has an indoor swimming pool, and the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio. In terms of events, the hotel hosts yoga classes and “Rise & Run” sess...

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14Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

The Lensbury tennis retreat review: game, set and relax in London

Ramy James Salameh headed to The Lensbury, a premier sports resort situated beside the River Thames in south west London, to enjoy a two-day tennis retreat alongside plenty of R&R. Framed and signed squad shirts, silver glinting trophy cabinets and a champions honours board are just some of the sporting memorabilia adorning the walls of The Lensbury Hotel, located on the banks of the River Thames in Teddington. It all reflects more than a century of sporting excellence, ever since its formation as a sports and social club in 1920. Today, its 25-acres of manicured lawns play host to some of the world’s best teams and sportspeople, who come to prepare and train ahead of major competitions. When England's Lionesses became European women's football champions in 2022, they used The L...

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9Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events

NFL expands international series with games in Dublin and Melbourne

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the National Football League (NFL) has announced a major expansion of its international series with regular-season games set to be played for the first time in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025, and in Melbourne, Australia in 2026. The expansion not only accelerates the NFL’s global ambitions, but will boost the economies of both cities through international visitation and showcasing the tourism and sporting highlights of each destination. Held in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council, the 2025 NFL Dublin game will take place at Croke Park, the largest sporting arena in Ireland and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The Pittsburgh Steelers will play as the designated team for the historic first regular-seas...

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2Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

2025 sports travel trends and tourism industry expert predictions

Sports tourism was one of the “hottest trends” of 2024, according to eDreams ODIGEO's Year in Travel Report. It was responsible for 10% of global tourism and one of the travel industry's fastest growing sectors. In 2025, searches for destinations with major sports events are “already spiking”. The Women's Rugby World Cup in the UK has encouraged global searches for travel to tournament cities to rise by +74.3% year-on-year, while searches for travel to Harbin, China, during the Asian Winter Games have risen by +245.5% year-on-year. Some of the reported trends that are set to drive the sports travel industry in 2025 include: Sustainable sports tourism: eco-friendly stadiums, carbon-neutral events, and green transportation options are reshaping sports travel.  AI-powered per...

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2Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

39 Hours to Kohima: a historic trek through India’s Naga Hills

If you want to mix a long-distance walking trip while retracing the footsteps of history, then read on. Organised by Sampan Travel, “39 Hours to Kohima” is a unique 10-day endurance trek through the Naga Hills in north east India which follows the historic route of the Assam soldiers in 1944.  Taking place in 2025 from 27 March to 5 April, the trek will go from the village of Jessami on the India-Myanmar border to Kohima, the capital of the north east Indian state of Nagaland. A maximum of 12 "trailwalkers" will cover more than 100 kilometres through the dramatic landscape of the Naga Hills. The history At midnight on 1-2 April 1944, a band of soldiers raced over the Naga Hills of north east India. Dodging Japanese gunfire, they succeeded in making it back to the small garrison a...

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15Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Editor's Pick, Events

World’s best marathons and running festivals in 2025

Running a marathon is a monumental achievement, requiring months of preparation, discipline, and mental resilience. Covering a distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), it tests both physical endurance and mental strength. Marathon training typically involves a structured plan of gradual mileage build-up, interval training, long runs, and proper nutrition to optimise performance and minimize injury risks. For runners seeking the ultimate challenge, the world’s most prestigious marathons offer unforgettable experiences. The seven biggest marathons in the world – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney – form the Abbott World Marathon Majors series and there’s also hundreds of other running events to choose from on any given month throughout the year.  ...

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14Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Venues & Stadiums

Sports travel bucket list: Ontake Distillery in Japan fuses whisky with golf

If you’re anything like us – and have a passion for whisky and golf – then you’ll just love Ontake Distillery. Located in Japan’s Kagoshima Mountains, Ontake is the first distillery in the world to feature an on-site 18-hole golf course that is exclusively for cask owners, combining whisky and golf in a way that has never been seen before.  Taking its name from Sakurajima’s three majestic peaks – Kitadake, Nakadake, and Minamidake – Ontake Distillery is perched 400 metres above sea level in the serene mountains of the Satsuma Peninsula.  The golf course  This state-of-the-art distillery not only crafts exceptional award-winning single malt whiskies but also delivers an unparalleled experience for its exclusive cask owners. Ontake has a world-first offering: a private 18-hole...

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8Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

UN Tourism: sports tourism can create a ‘lasting legacy’ for destinations

Sports tourism can “play a key role in helping tourism destinations and businesses diversify”, UN Tourism said after the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) in Madrid from 28-29 November 2024. To achieve this, “public and private cooperation will be essential for the future of this growing sector”.  The 3rd WSTC gathered worldwide experts and leaders of sports and tourism at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Co-organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, with support of Visit Nayarit and Turkish Airlines, the Congress highlighted the transformative potential of sports tourism as a driver of economic growth, social development, and sustainability.  UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This Congress, as well as the whol...

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8Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Snowsport Scotland & England sign partnership with the High Tatras & Liptov regions of Slovakia

Snowsport Scotland and Snowsport England have announced a new partnership with the High Tatras & Liptov regions of Slovakia for the forthcoming winter season, which will bring the destination into focus for UK clubs, athletes and the recreational snow sports community, offering an exciting and affordable opportunity for winter holidays and training camps. The Slovak Tatra mountains are a relatively unexplored area for Brits, however they offer several world-class ski resorts, exceptional value for money and the very latest technology in lift infrastructure. The region hosts the Alpine World Cup and boasts a season that can run right through to May. Flights with WizzAir and Ryanair, from UK airports start from as little as £15 with transfer times from the nearest a...

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2Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Novak Djokovic serves up global partnership with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has announced a new partnership with Novak Djokovic that will see the tennis icon become the airline’s global brand ambassador and wellness advisor.  A multi-year collaboration that positions Qatar Airways as the official airline partner of Djokovic, the partnership was unveiled at the Altitude Wellness Centre at Al Maha Qatar Airways Crew Accommodation Building. Djokovic stands as one of the greatest athletes in history, with 24 grand slam titles and a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He said: "It is my great pleasure and honour to partner with Qatar Airways, a company I admire for many years not just for its impeccable service to its customers and employees, but also because it recognises the importance of wellbeing and longevity which is a passion of min...

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24Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

World Golf Awards 2024: Portugal named world’s best golf destination

It was a big night for Portugal at the 11th annual World Golf Awards held in Madeira on 22 November. The sun-blessed European nation was named the world's best golf destination for 2024 while Terras da Comporta, on the Alentejo Coast, claimed the world’s best golf course award.  The 2024 edition of the World Golf Awards marked a global gathering of golf industry leaders, with pioneers and key figures travelling from across the world to attend. The prize-giving ceremony at Savoy Palace, marked the climax of a two-day golf itinerary sampling the best of Madeira’s golf courses. Madeira’s growing status as a golf hub was reinforced with the title for world’s best emerging golf destination. Palheiro Golf collected the world’s best panoramic clubhouse award and Club de Golfe Santo Da Serr...

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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 Aug...

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17Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events

Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major

Abbott World Marathon Majors has confirmed that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will join the series in 2025 to become the seventh event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. The TCS Sydney Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 31 August 2025, joins six races including the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the TCS London Marathon, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon as part of the global marathon series. The Sydney Marathon is the largest marathon in Oceania and saw a record 20,272 finishers during its 2024 race, allowing it to pass its second consecutive assessment and become an Abbott World Marathon Major. Dawna Stone, CEO of AbbottWMM, said: “I am thrilled that Syd...

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