Events

23Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Pictures: Qatar Airways unveils first aircraft with Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 livery

To mark the two-year countdown to the kick-off of football’s biggest tournament Qatar Airways has revealed a specially-branded Boeing 777 aircraft painted in Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 livery.  Qatar Airways is the official partner and official airline of world football’s governing body Fifa and its Boeing 777-300ER has entered service operating flights QR095 and QR096 between Doha and Zurich.  Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said: “We are tremendously excited to celebrate our partnership with Fifa and Qatar’s status as host of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 by introducing this unique aircraft to our fleet. We can feel the excitement building with two years to go until we will welcome the world to our beautiful country.” Fifa director of marketing, Jea...

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13Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

2020 sports calendar: major UK and global sporting events

The impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has seen many major sporting events cancelled or postponed this year. However, many events and tournaments are now back on the 2020 sports schedule, with most being held behind closed doors. Here we look at the monthly schedule for sport in 2020. Also, check out the sports events calendar for 2021 here...    Sport + Travel Magazine: sign up for the free monthly digital publication December 2020 2020 Betway UK Championship Snooker When: Saturday 28 November to Sunday 6 December 2020 Where: York Barbican, York Rugby Union: Autumn Nations Cup finals weekend 5 December: Georgia vs. Fiji (Murrayfield) 5 December: Ireland v Scotland (Aviva Stadium) 5 December: Wales v Italy (Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli) 6 December: England v Franc...

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6Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

F1 Saudi Arabian GP will be ‘biggest sports event in country’s history’

Formula 1 will be heading to Saudi Arabia after it was confirmed that Jeddah will host a grand prix in November 2021.  The city on the Red Sea will be home to the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and take place at night on a street circuit on Jeddah’s corniche. Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said: “Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.  “The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic loc...

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21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

‘Events. Reimagined’: business events campaign launched by VisitBritain

VisitBritain is urging event organisers to innovate and “reimagine the future” as the sector looks to recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK’s £84bn events and MICE industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the coronavirus, with many venues still closed and conferences and exhibitions postponed or cancelled.  As part of its international hosted buyer partnership with The Meetings Show, the VisitBritain tourism agency has launched a new business events campaign - "Events. Reimagined". The aim of the campaign is to “reboot, refresh and reimagine” future events in the UK.     In a statement, VisitBritain said: “With such enormous upheaval recently, the events industry will see innovation and change unlike ever before. The new ‘Reimagine’ campaign is to h...

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21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

British & Irish Lions to play at ‘home’ for the first time since 2005

It’s been announced that the British & Irish Lions rugby union team will face Japan in Scotland on 26 June 2021.  The clash against the Brave Blossoms at BT Murrayfield in Scotland’s capital Edinburgh will be the first time since 2005 that the Lions have played a “home” fixture. The Lions’s last game in Britain was against Argentina in Cardiff, Wales. Warren Gatland’s side will travel to South Africa in 2021 and the Japan game will be used as a warm-up for the summer tour, which features three Tests against the world champions.  Lions head coach Gatland said: “We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win. They are a talented side who play high-tempo rugby, so it’ll be a good challenge for us ahead...

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13Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Stadiums & Venues

F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race

Motorsport fans could witness history at the next Formula 1 grand prix when it descends on the beautiful southern shoreline of the Algarve later this month.  Having equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 F1 victories by winning the Eifel GP at the Nürburgring, Lewis Hamilton could go one better with a win in Portugal and write a new chapter in the sport.  For that reason motorsport fans will be even more eager to say “I was there” if indeed Hamilton takes the checkered flag on 25 October.   This year the 2020 Portuguese GP takes place over 66 laps of the 4.684-kilometre Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.  João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, said: “Formula 1 has been absent from Portugal for 24 years and it is a prestigious int...

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11Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Business

Racing League: 2021 meeting dates and how it works

Championship Horse Racing has confirmed that the inaugural season of the Racing League will begin in July 2021. Held over six consecutive Thursday evenings, the new flat racing competition will be contested at four of the UK’s leading racecourses - Doncaster, Lingfield Park, Newcastle and Royal Windsor. Racing League 2021 race days  Race Day 1: Newcastle – 29 July Race Day 2: Doncaster – 5 August Race Day 3: Lingfield Park – 12 August Race Day 4: Royal Windsor – 19 August Race Day 5: Lingfield Park – 26 August Race Day 6: Newcastle – 2 September Race Distances Each meeting will have six races over the following distances: 5 furlongs 6 furlongs 7 furlongs 8 furlongs – 1-mile race 10 furlongs – 1 and ¼ mile race 12 furlongs – 1 and ½ mile race The format will...

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29Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Golf’s European Tour heads to Scotland and England as part of second UK swing

The 2020 European Tour golf season heads into the final straight with seven tournaments and a major championship left to play on the schedule. There was no Open Championship this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Tour’s reworked schedule has included four more events in the UK.  After July and August tournaments in England and Wales, September’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, saw the start of the Tour’s second UK swing in 2020.  The next two events on the schedule - the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and BMW PGA Championship - are part of the Rolex Series, while the Scottish Championship is one of three new tournaments this year.  Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes p...

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28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

Rugby League World Cup 2021: England’s tourism industry urged to be a part of history

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is being described as a “breakthrough moment” for the sport with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments all taking place at the same time.  Starting on 23 October and finishing on 27 November 2021, there will be a total of 61 matches played in six weeks at different venues across England. The men’s Rugby League World Cup begins on 23 October with host nation England taking on Samoa at St James’ Park in Newcastle. And the women’s competition begins on 9 November with a double-header - England vs. Brazil and Papua New Guinea vs. Canada - at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.  There will also be a double-header for the start of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup with Spain vs. Norway and England vs. Australia at The Copper Box Ar...

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27Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

‘Proud’ moment for Bristol: rugby’s Heineken Champions Cup final to be played at Ashton Gate

Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol has been selected to host the final of rugby union’s Heineken Champions Cup.  The stadium, which is home to Bristol City Football Club and Premiership rugby’s Bristol Bears, has never held a major sporting final.  But that will change on Saturday 17 October when Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 go head-to-head for European club rugby’s biggest prize. The final will be held behind closed doors.   This year’s European rugby union finals were originally meant to be played in Marseille, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the French city will now host in 2021. Describing it as a “proud” moment for the city, Ashton Gate Stadium’s managing director Mark Kelly said: “It’s a great honour for our venue to host the Champions Cup final and we look forward to w...

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26Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

UK horse racing in 2020: major races, events and festivals

Horse racing - flat and jumps - is a huge sporting tradition in the UK.  Featuring the English Classics and Grand Nationals to the Gold Cups and the Derby, the UK racing calendar is action-packed throughout the year.  From Ayr to Ascot, we look at the major UK horse races and events taking place in 2020. Newsletter: sign up for the latest updates from Sports Tourism Media 2020 sports calendar: UK and global major sporting events and ticket details Major UK horse races and festivals in 2020 Editor's note: events and dates are subject to change because of the Covid-19 pandemic Sprint Cup Festival What: the Group 1 Sprint Cup is the feature race of the Flat season at Haydock Park When: 3-5 September 2020 Where: Haydock Park Website: The Jockey Club St Leger Festival Doncaster ...

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25Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

F1 2020 GP calendar: 17 race dates and circuits are confirmed

Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed the dates and circuits for the 17-race 2020 season.  Turkey returns to the F1 schedule with a grand prix in Istanbul on 15 November and there’s a double header in Bahrain before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.  A statement from Formula 1 said: “We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain [hosting two races], and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.  “Sadly, we will not be racing in China this season and want to thank our partner Juss Sports for their support and engagement in recent months and hugely look forward to returning to Shanghai next year.” The shorter season also sees grands pri...

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17Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Sailing: next edition of The Ocean Race to start in Alicante in October 2022

The Ocean Race organisers have confirmed that the next edition of the event will start from Alicante, Spain, in October 2022 and finish in Genova, Italy, in the summer of 2023.  For the first time in its history, further event dates have also been confirmed through the next 10 years and a feasibility study is currently underway for a European race to take place in the summer of 2021.  The change to the start date for the next edition of the round the world race follows a strategic planning process and consultations with stakeholders to determine the best path forward in a sporting landscape impacted by Covid-19.  Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Richard Brisius, race chairman, said: “Since 1973, The Ocean Race has been one of the toughest challenges in sport. Win...

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1Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

Darts in 2020: PDC and BDO events, dates and venues

Darts has become cult viewing, especially in the UK. Supporters don their fancy dress, write their signs and head to venues across the country to watch the world’s best players throw some arrows.  So, if you like a bit of bully, check out the 2020 darts calendar below. Events are organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and British Darts Organisation (BDO).  Newsletter: sign up for monthly updates 2020 sports calendar: UK and global major sporting events and ticket details PDC darts events in 2020  2020 World Series of Darts Finals When: 18-20 September Where: Salzburgarena, Salzburg, Austria 2020 BoyleSports World Grand Prix When: 4-10 October Where: Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin, Ireland 2020 European Championship When: 29 October- 1 November West...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

Vendée Globe 2020: an epic sailing race with a wave of tourism opportunities

By Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh At 12.02pm GMT on 8 November 2020, 34 competitors of the Vendée Globe race will sail non-stop, unassisted, around the world via three capes and three oceans in an effort to complete one of the most demanding and prestigious events within the sailing and sporting calendar.  The procession of race boats will pass thousands of fans lining the legendary “Vendée Globe” channel in Les Sables-d’Olonne, western France, initiating the start of a gruelling race that will test the physical and mental endurance of those courageous and talented enough to take part. It is so demanding that over the last 30 years and eight editions of the race, 167 sailors have set off but only 89 have crossed the finish line. To further put this into perspective, ...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

The Sports Travel Blog: places and events on my sport bucket list

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 NouWith 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 TokyoI haven’t made plans to attend...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Sports Events Blog: can esports be the ‘virtual’ saviour for major sport?

The Sports Events Blog by co-editor Ramy Salameh The Covid-19 pandemic will reignite the many questions around the “risk vs. return-on-investment” when hosting major sporting events and whether destinations will be reticent to bid in the future. Tokyo’s Olympics and Paralympics have now announced a postponement until July 2021 and the economic implications for Japan are yet to be fully realised based on this deferment.  However, could the esports industry provide some form of safety net and a major new opportunity to help balance the books of major sporting festivals of the future? The discussion has been on the table for a few years now. So much so, that esports may well be on track to be included as a demonstration event, to run prior to and in conjunction with the 2024 Olympic Ga...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

The Sports Travel Blog: ‘Dear NFL, please bring the Atlanta Falcons to London in 2021’

by Sports Tourism Media co-editor Mike Starling | @mikejstarling The NFL has confirmed that the 2020 London games will not be going ahead. As a fan of the Atlanta Falcons this is really disappointing news.  The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged this year’s sporting schedule and the NFL’s popular UK events have become the latest to fall victim to Covid-19.  NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood said: "The NFL's London Games have become a major part of the NFL season and the UK sports calendar. But the uncertainty in the current sporting landscape and the tremendous amount of long-term travel and planning required to stage successful London games mean this is the sensible decision to make." Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Bitter blow for the FA, Spurs and ...

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7May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

UFC returns: Dana White on UFC 249, Fight Island and 23 May event in Las Vegas

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White had already confirmed three events for this month and now he has revealed plans for a fight night in Las Vegas on 23 May.  Due to the coronavirus measures the mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation was forced to suspend its calendar. However, UFC 249 is now rescheduled for this Saturday (9 May) while cards are also planned for 13 May and 16 May.  The three events will be held behind closed doors in Jacksonville, Florida.  In a pre-UFC 249 interview with Sports Illustrated, White also revealed plans for Vegas later this month.  He said: “While everybody was f------ lying out by the pool, hanging out and doing whatever the f--- they're doing in quarantine, we were in here f------ grinding, man. Fighting crazy wars every day to put ...

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6May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Business

UCI WorldTour 2020 calendar: what dates are the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour de France?

Cycling’s world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has revealed details of its revised 2020 calendars for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour. The 2020 season has been suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and major events such as the Tour de France have been rescheduled. In a news release the UCI has confirmed that the men’s cycling WorldTour will start with the Strade Bianche in Italy on 1 August and finish at the Vuelta a España on 8 November. The series will include 25 events.  The Tour de France is scheduled to take place from 29 August to 20 September while the two other grand tours - the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España - will overlap in October. The Giro d’Italia is scheduled for 3-25 October while the Vuelta a España is scheduled f...

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