Events

2Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023

The Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival returns from 7-15 October 2023, featuring some old favourites and new unique routes. This popular event makes the most of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve that encompasses the entire island.  The majority of walks are led by local volunteers, keen to share their knowledge of a subject, or to just “show-off” their favourite walk on the Isle of Wight – and with limited spaces, booking is recommended. The festival’s website is now updated with the latest walks and booking information.  Images: visitisleofwight.co.uk Charitable and historic walks New for the 2023 autumn edition is a fundraiser for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA). The 5k “Dash in the Dark” aims to bring together attendees and supporters of the HIOWAA to r...

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30Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village

Parisian landmark Place de la Concorde will host a village dedicated to rugby throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from 8 September to 28 October. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, unveiled the "Paris Rugby Village" programme and the city’s accessibility and eco-responsibility commitments. The Paris Rugby Village will include a rugby entertainment and promotional area, plus two giant screens to broadcast RWC matches. And the number of screens will increase to four for the opening match on 8 September between France and New Zealand. Visitors can enjoy entertainment and discovery areas, photo booths, the official France 2023 shop, exhibitions, and a central stage that will host the ope...

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18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Sebastian Vettel is confirmed for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event

A decade after his inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix triumph at the Nürburgring in his car dubbed "Hungry Heidi", four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will return to the legendary circuit on 9 September for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event.  Joining the ranks of high-calibre racers like GP winner and Red Bull Racing test driver Daniel Ricciardo, Vettel is set to navigate the formidable Nordschleife in his championship car, the RB7, now refitted to run on synthetic, carbon-neutral e-fuel. This September, the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring will feature motorsport legends and an expected crowd of 30,000 spectators amidst the Eifel’s scenic vistas. One of the event’s highlights will be Vettel's demonstration run, symbolising his commitment to the sport and it...

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15Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2023 WRC Guanajuato Rally México generates €35.6m economic impact 

The Guanajuato Rally México, round three of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, had a significant economic impact for the host state. According to Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Guanajuato’s secretary of tourism, the event from 16-19 March 2023 directly and indirectly contributed 695m pesos (€35.6m) to the region, specifically to the three cities of León, Guanajuato and Silao, around which the Guanajuato Rally México was based.  Close to 600,000 fans enjoyed the WRC’s first return to North America since the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a 61% hotel occupancy in the state. Guanajuato Rally México offered six major spectator venues, starting with the spectacular rally-opening Guanajuato Street Stage on Thursday evening, where fans packed into every viewing vantage point possible inside the...

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9Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

‘Rumble in the Jungle Rematch’ experience to launch in London in September

Boxing fans in the UK will get the chance to relive an all-time classic fight when Rematch’s second immersive experience, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, launches in London in September 2023. Fusing theatre, sport and technology, the event will see guests step back in time to 1974 to see legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman go head-to-head in Zaire. Arriving in central London’s Dock X on 14 September, Rumble in the Jungle will be brought to life by a live cast of actors, with live music, food and drink that will create authentic smells and tastes of the time. From Ali’s pre-match trash talking to the step-by-step play-out of the fight where his famous rope-a-dope was performed, Rumble in the Jungle will take audiences on a journey to discover The Greatest Sporting Event ...

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31May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

100 days to go until the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France

Celebrations are taking place throughout France to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023. With a little under three months to go until the 20 nations arrive in France, final preparations are underway for rugby union’s 200th birthday party. There will be 48 matches taking place across ten host destinations: Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Hosts France will face New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at the 80,698-capacity Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday 8 September. The Rugby World Cup final will be played on Saturday 28 October 2023, also at the Stade de France. On Tuesday 30 May, the Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Paris on an Emirates A380 with bespoke Rugby World Cup 2023 ...

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26May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Event in focus: 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary

The French department of Sarthe is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which takes place from 10-11 June 2023 (4pm to 4pm) at the Circuit de la Sarthe.  First run in 1923, the endurance race is part of the “triple crown” of motor sport – alongside the Indianapolis 500 and F1 Monaco Grand Prix. Expect an epic battle between Toyota, Ferrari (back in the top-tier category after a 40-year hiatus), Porsche (record holder for the most Le Mans wins), Peugeot and Cadillac.  To mark the centenary, the 24 Hours Museum on the circuit is hosting a special exhibition (1 June-2 July) of 86 cars that have either won the race or left a mark on its history.  Event organisers have also announced that after record sales, all ticket...

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24May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

49ers’ Levi’s Stadium to host NFL Super Bowl LX in 2026 

Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, will host Super Bowl LX in 2026, the NFL has confirmed. Located in Santa Clara, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the stadium opened in 2014 and previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.  According to an independent study, Super Bowl 50 generated almost $250m for the Bay Area economy and the NFL is “thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back”, said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.” Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers, added: “We are honoured to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting even...

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21May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

F1 FanZone added to 2023 Silverstone Festival line-up

An all-new F1 FanZone will a major highlight at this summer’s Silverstone Festival. This year marks the 75th anniversary of motorsport at the circuit in England, and celebrations over the 25-27 August bank holiday weekend will be enhanced by the addition of this exciting feature which builds on the highly popular modern Formula 1 content that was introduced for the first time at the event last year. Reliving all the excitement of the British Grand Prix that takes place from 7-9 July, the F1 FanZone at Silverstone Festival will provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close to see a grid of current grand prix cars. Formula 1 teams already confirmed for the showcase include Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant, BWT Alpine, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Willia...

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21May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Sports event in focus: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024

Founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.  This epic biennial sailing event sees more than 700 crew race over 40,000 nautical miles around the world on 70-foot ocean racing yachts, travelling across six continents over a span of 11 months.  The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, and many have no previous sailing experience before signing up for the intensive four levels of training prior to racing. Led by a professional skipper and first mate, race crew can complete the full 11-month circumnavigation or choose to test themselves on one or multipl...

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18May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Southampton to host start and finish of Ocean Globe Race 2023

From the Mayflower to the Titanic, the Blue Riband liners to the Whitbread Round the World races, Southampton is synonymous with the start of some of history’s most famous sea voyages. This September, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, the maritime city on England’s south coast will host its latest sailing challenge – the Ocean Globe Race 2023.  On 10 September, more than 160 sailors will depart the Southampton Ocean Village onboard 15 yachts to complete the four-leg, 27,000-mile race around the world via the three great capes – Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Australia’s Cape Leeuwin, and South America’s notorious Cape Horn.   To celebrate the momentous event, there will be a party atmosphere in the city, with the race village at Ocean Village Mar...

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12May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides

NFL 2023-2024 season schedule: Super Bowl LVIII, international games, key dates

The NFL has confirmed the full schedule for the 2023-2024 season. Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets will play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on 3 August. Then on 7 September the NFL Kick-off Game will see defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium. There will be five international games in 2023 – three in London and two in Frankfurt. Super Bowl LVIII will be on Sunday 11 February 2024 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 2023-2024 NFL schedule will see each of the 32 teams play 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks. The 17th game will feature teams from opposing conferences that finished in the same standing within their respective divisions the previous season. The AFC will be the home conference for the 17th g...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

EFL 2023-2024 season: key dates for leagues, cups and play-off finals

Key dates for supporter’s diaries have been released by the English Football League (EFL) ahead of the 2023-2024 season. Fixture release day kicks things off on Thursday 22 June, with all 72 EFL clubs releasing their 2023-2024 schedules from 9am (BST). The opening round of league fixtures will take place across the opening weekend of 4-6 August with round one of the Carabao Cup following shortly after, week commencing 7 August. Wembley Stadium will play host to the 2024 Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 25 February, in what will be the first of five showpiece finals in the EFL calendar, with the 2024 EFL Trophy Final taking place on Sunday 7 April. The season-ending Sky Bet EFL play-offs will once again be staged at Wembley, this time across two weekends in May 2024. The League One ...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

2023 NFL International Games: teams confirmed for London and Frankfurt

The National Football League has announced the teams, dates and locations for the five International Games to be played in London, UK, and Frankfurt, Germany. The Jacksonville Jaguars will kick off the 2023 NFL International Games on Sunday 1 October against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium, in what will be their landmark tenth regular season home game in London. The London focus then shifts to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the Buffalo Bills take on the Jaguars on Sunday 8 October. This game for Jacksonville means they will play two regular season games outside of the US – a first for the NFL. The following weekend, Sunday 15 October, the Tennessee Titans will play the Baltimore Ravens, also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the only purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the ...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

The Ocean Race Europe 2025: cities invited to express hosting interest

As the current edition of The Ocean Race heads back into the northern hemisphere, race organisers are looking ahead to the next major event in the ten-year planning cycle – The Ocean Race Europe 2025. Following the success of the inaugural event in 2021, The Ocean Race Europe was among the first major international sporting events to resume following Covid lockdowns. Featuring ten teams racing across two classes, the event combined world-class sport with a purpose-driven agenda. The 2025 edition has even larger ambitions. Under the banner of “Connecting Europe: Racing to restore our ocean and waters” The Ocean Race Europe is scheduled to begin in the late summer of 2025, and will start in the Baltic Sea and finish in the Mediterranean, with up to five stops along the way. The IMO...

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5May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

WXV: the new international competition for elite women’s rugby

World Rugby has announced the first host locations and dates for WXV – the new international competition for elite women’s rugby. Starting in October 2023, WXV has a mission to raise the profile and competitiveness of women’s 15s by providing the global platform between Rugby World Cups to increase the reach, impact and value of the sport, growing the game as a whole. It will also double the number of annual international fixtures for most competing teams, combining with World Rugby’s “Accelerate” programme to raise standards at Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond. Host locations Fresh off the back of hosting a record-breaking Rugby World Cup where the Black Ferns were crowned champions, New Zealand will welcome the world’s best women's teams in the six-nation top level WXV 1 across...

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4May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2022 NFL Munich Game had €70.2m economic impact for the German city 

The National Football League’s (NFL) first-ever regular season international game in Germany was a success beyond the stadium in both economic and social impact. According to the 2022 NFL Munich Game Impact Assessment report, compiled by The Sports Consultancy Group, the event generated a total economic impact of €70.2m for the city of Munich, with €32.2m in direct spending. Played on 13 November 2022 at the Allianz Arena, home of German football giants FC Bayern Munich, the game saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-16. "The Munich game was a significant moment for the NFL in Germany and one that will live in the minds of those in the stadium and those who watched the game from around the world for many years to come,” said Dr. Alexander Steinforth, GM NFL Germany....

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29Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Guides, Sports Travel

Canary Islands: big sporting events in 2023   

With natural beauty, warm climate and a unique blend of activities, the Canary Islands are an ideal place to enjoy sport and adventure. In 2023, the islands will also play host to a number of big sporting events. Here we look at some of the sport event highlights coming up.  6 May: Bestial Race Fuerteventura The Bestial Race Fuerteventura will take place on 6 May, offering participants a new route through desert mountains and beaches with new obstacles. With two different routes to choose from, the race promises fun and excitement for everyone. 20 May: Lanzarote Ironman The 31st edition of the Lanzarote Ironman will take place on 20 May. Participants will tackle a challenging 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycle and 42.2km run. The event will also offer slots for the 2023 IRONMAN World C...

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28Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host EPCR rugby finals in 2024

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has confirmed that the 2024 Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup finals will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The 2024 EPCR Finals Weekend will take place on Friday 24 May and Saturday 25 May. Home to Premier League football club Spurs, the multi-purpose venue, which was opened in April 2019, has become a prime destination for a wide range of major events including NFL, boxing and music concerts. The stadium has previously hosted major rugby fixtures including two Saracens Gallagher Premiership ties and a Barbarian FC vs. All Blacks XV match.  Dominic McKay, EPCR chairman, said: “It is quite simply one of the most exciting venues in the world and an incredibly appropriate stage for next year’s showpiec...

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23Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

Bassmaster Classic fishing event nets $35.5m for Knoxville

The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic not only shattered attendance and viewership records, but it also generated an economic windfall of more than $35.5m for the local community, according to numbers released by the Visit Knoxville tourism board. Regarded as the “Super Bowl of bass fishing”, the Classic Week activities in Knoxville, Tennessee, attracted a huge crowd of 163,914.  “Knoxville as a destination is the perfect fit for events like the Bassmaster Classic,” said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “From natural resources like the Tennessee River and surrounding lakes to the multiple venues hosting various events throughout the weekend, fans from all over the world enjoy an experience like no other here in Knoxville.” Fans travelling from across the US ...

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