Sports Business

13Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

On Location and NFL extend global hospitality partnership

The NFL and On Location have announced a multi-year extension of their global hospitality partnership. This extension will solidify On Location’s standing as official hospitality provider of the NFL through to 2036.    With the extension, premium experiences, hospitality and travel company On Location will continue to offer unrivaled access to all premier NFL events, providing fans with unforgettable experiences at the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pro Bowl Games and Scouting Combine. Additionally, On Location’s rights to sell and market International Series Games has been expanded to include all international markets. Official packages feature premium seating, in-venue and out-of-venue hospitality, player meet and greets, unique behind-the-scenes activities and mor...

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13Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

World Ski Awards 2024: Val Thorens, LAAX and W Verbier the big winners

The World Ski Awards has revealed the winners of its 12th annual edition. Winners include Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens, which was named the ‘World’s Best Ski Resort’, in recognition of setting the global standard for lift infrastructure, resort facilities and slopeside accommodation. Switzerland’s reputation as a hospitality world-leader was reinforced with victories in two key categories: W Verbier captured ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel’ and Chalet Zermatt Peak claimed ‘World’s Best Ski Chalet’. In the newcomer categories, Japan’s MUWA NISEKO fought off entrants in Aspen and St. Moritz to take the title for ‘World's Best New Ski Hotel’. Méribel’s Chalet Harmony – offering a rare blend of luxury, privacy and proximity to the slopes and resort centre – was named ‘World’s Best N...

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2Nov By Sports Tourism News1 Comment

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Global sports tourism market to hit $2.4 trillion by 2030 – report

The global market for sports tourism was estimated at $1.1 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to the Sports Tourism - Global Strategic Business Report published by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The growth in the sports tourism market is driven by several factors, including the rising popularity of international sports events and competitions, technological advancements in travel planning, booking platforms, and customer experience, and the increasing focus on promoting adventure sports, ecotourism, and experiential travel. The need to provide unique, engaging, and culturally enriching sports tourism experiences for diverse traveller demographics is driving the demand for sport...

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2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

2024-2025 sports business events and travel industry events

The global calendar for sports business events and travel trade conferences in 2024 and 2025 is rich with opportunities for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect, innovate, and drive growth. With the sports and travel sectors becoming increasingly intertwined, these conferences play a vital role in shaping the future of fan engagement, sports tourism, and sustainable travel.  Together, these events are essential for networking, discovering new technologies, and exploring global trends that shape the sports and travel landscapes, as well as for understanding the consumer demands and market forces that will drive the industries forward. This page will be updated as schedules are announced. Events and dates may be subject to change. Main image: Lead...

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20Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

3rd World Sports Tourism Congress to be hosted by Real Madrid in November

UN Tourism, the specialised agency for tourism within the United Nations, has announced that Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress from 28-29 November 2024.  Jointly organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, this year’s congress will be held under the theme of “Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations”.  Bringing together stakeholders from across the sectors, the event in Spain’s capital city will focus on best practices in sports tourism, including its economic impact, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strategies for effectively promoting destinations through sports events and sponsorships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHJaqsnmK00&t=1s ...

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13Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Visit Anaheim showcased with Anaheim Ducks away jersey sponsorship

The Anaheim Ducks and Visit Anaheim have announced a new partnership agreement, beginning with the 2024-2025 National Hockey League (NHL) season, that sees the tourism organisation’s logo feature on the team’s away jerseys.  Visit Anaheim, the official sales and marketing organisation for the Californian city, will be the first ever partner to have its logo featured on a Ducks away shirt. As the Ducks travel during the 2024-2025 season, Visit Anaheim will be showcased to hockey fans across North America. This partnership represents a commitment to promoting Anaheim as a world-class travel destination, driving continued tourism growth.  Mike Waterman, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, said: “It’s an honour to be the first away jersey sponsor of the Anaheim Ducks, marking a sig...

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12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Scotland, Sports Business

Cairngorms National Park tourism brands launch winter travel campaign

More than 370 tourism organisations in the Cairngorms, Scotland, have joined forces to promote the UK's largest National Park as the ultimate winter travel destination for 2024.  Led by Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP), the Cairngorms National Park Where Winter Comes to Life! campaign is showcasing more than 1,700 square miles of Highland winter wonderland filled with seasonal magic, including the UK's only free ranging reindeer herd at Glenmore, Balmoral Castle & Estate at Crathie, Aviemore Ice Rink, Tomintoul & Glenlivet Dark Sky Park, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Carrbridge, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre at Kincraig and the Highland Wildlife Park. The CBP is working with tourism businesses across the region to help extend the season and bring b...

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12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

IAGTO launches three global golf tourism conventions for 2025

IAGTO – the International Association of Golf Tour Operators – has announced Danang in Vietnam, Gran Canaria in Spain, and Alabama in the US as the host destinations for its three global golf tourism conventions taking place in 2025. Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry with more than 2,200 member companies in 92 countries, including 662 golf tour operators in 68 countries, responsible for more than 90% of all golf vacation packages sold worldwide.   The three conventions confirmed for 2025 are:  11th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Danang, Vietnam, from 2-4 April 2025  3rd IAGTO European Convention (IEC) in Gran Canaria, Spain, from 19-21 May  2025  16th North America Golf Tourism Con...

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6Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

World Travel Awards 2024: world’s leading sports tourism destination nominees

World Travel Awards has announced the 20 nominees shortlisted for the World's Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2024 award – with voting is now open ahead of November’s gala ceremony.  In 2023, Qatar’s capital city Doha was the winner of the award, ending Abu Dhabi’s winning run from 2013 to 2022. Dubai (2012) and South Africa (2011) have also previously won the title.  Five nominees have also been announced for the World’s Leading Sports Academy 2024 award. The nominees are Aspire Academy in Qatar, Cascade Wellness Resort in Portugal, Forte Village Resort in Italy, Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort in the USA, and La Manga Club in Spain. Voting is now open until 20 October 2024 for both categories, with the winners revealed at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala ...

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6Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: ticket sales launched at Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps

On Tuesday 1 October ticket sales for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 international women's football tournament were launched at a special event held at the iconic Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. Located 3,454m above sea level, the magnificent Aletsch glacier set the stage for a match between two teams of football legends and future stars. The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 will be held from 2-27 July 2025 in eight host cities across Switzerland, including Basel (opening game and final), Bern, Geneva, Zurich, St. Gallen, Lucerne, Thun and Sion. In total, around 720,000 tickets have been made available for the tournament with sales for the general public now open via womenseuro.com/tickets. With this first ticket release, more than 250,000 tickets for all 31 matches of the tournamen...

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15Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Snomad Ski Resort Awards 2024: Lech Zürs named best overall ski resort

Lech Zürs, located in Austria's Arlberg region, has been named the best overall ski resort in the inaugural Snomad Ski Resort Awards. Launched during the 2023-2024 winter season, ski resort comparison website Snomad currently has 1,204 ski resorts listed on its website, with more than 78,800 community-led ratings built up over one winter season. Using data from its website, Snomad created 20 award categories with the top three ski resorts in each, then awarded gold to the resort with the highest rating. This meant the awards were “truly impartial”, according to the company.  One of the primary aims of Snomad is to create an engaged community of skiers and snowboarders supporting each other to find resorts and hidden gems, based on the factors that are important to them, with data ac...

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14Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Video: Roger Federer promotes Switzerland’s autumn in new tourism campaign

Tennis legend Roger Federer has teamed up with Switzerland Tourism (ST) to promote the beauty of the Swiss autumn season. In a video shot outdoors amid the majestic scenery of the Swiss mountains, Federer stars alongside acclaimed Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.  Inspired by Mikkelsen and the vibrant autumn landscapes, Federer showcases a playful side of himself like never before. The teaming up of Federer and Mikkelsen is part of the largest autumn campaign in the history of the tourism board. Precisely targeting the European markets – France, Germany, Italy, BeNeLux, the UK and the Nordics – the new campaign video shows Federer and Mikkelsen humorously attempting to produce an advertising spot designed to showcase the many facets of the Swiss autumn. "I love autumn and all its c...

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14Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Enjoy Illinois becomes destination partner of Crystal Palace FC

The Illinois Office of Tourism has signed a partnership with Crystal Palace, which sees Enjoy Illinois become the official destination partner of the English Premier League club.  Enjoy Illinois will be displayed on the LED boards at the club’s Selhurst Park stadium in London, as well as interview backdrops and in-stadia televisions. Enjoy Illinois will also sponsor the halftime challenge at Selhurst Park and will run competitions throughout the season where fans can win prizes. The Eagles visited Chicago, Illinois, in 2023 during their pre-season tour and returned to the United States earlier this summer for the second successive year, playing in the Stateside Cup. Crystal Palace will also be returning to Illinois for the next Premier League Mornings Live, taking place in Chic...

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1Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Japan Airlines Lounge opens at Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Liverpool Football Club held the grand opening of the Japan Airlines Lounge at Anfield Stadium on 25 August. The new hospitality venue marks a key milestone in the multi-year partnership announced in June, which saw JAL become the Premier League club’s official airline partner.  Located in the Main Stand at Anfield, and accessible through purchased hospitality packages, the Japan Airlines Lounge offers a vibrant space with a three-course menu and exceptional matchday service. Occupying the former 1892 hospitality space, the lounge will be open during Liverpool’s home matches.  Unveiled ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Brentford, which the Reds won 2-0, the new lounge design offers a fresh and unique experience that blends Japanese hospi...

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10Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

London, Sports Business

2025 London Marathon: Marathon Tours & Travel confirmed as participant hotel provider

London Marathon Events has announced that Marathon Tours & Travel will be the official participant hotel provider of the 2025 TCS London Marathon, which next takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025. The one-year partnership will see Marathon Tours & Travel offer a variety of hotel accommodation options for UK or international runners who have already secured their entry into next year’s TCS London Marathon – the 45th edition.  Marathon Tours & Travel’s expert support teams, based in England, will help participants, along with their friends, family and supporters, find the right place to stay ahead of marathon day, with accommodation that allows for easy access to the start and finish of the TCS London Marathon.  Stays of one, two or more nights can be booked in carefull...

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3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Qatar Airways partners with British & Irish Lions for Australia 2025 tour

Qatar Airways has been announced as the official title partner and official airline partner of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2025. The tour will see the Lions – a combined team of the best rugby union players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales – take on the Wallabies in three Test matches as well as a number of games against Australian teams. Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host the first of three Tests on Saturday 19 July 2025. The second Test will be played on Saturday 26 July 2025 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and the final Test will be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 2 August 2025. In preparation for the first Test, the Lions will face a combined Australian and New Zealand team at the Adelaide Oval, wh...

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21Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

On Location appointed FIFA World Cup 26 official hospitality provider

Football's world governing body FIFA has appointed On Location as the official hospitality provider of the FIFA World Cup 26™. Taking place across Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11 June to 19 July 2026, the global spectacle will be held in 16 host cities and feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Chosen following a thorough selection process, premium experiences, hospitality and travel provider On Location will help FIFA deliver its biggest-ever and most dynamic hospitality programme for the FIFA World Cup 26, offering ticket-inclusive fan experience packages for the world’s biggest single-sport event. From die-hard football fans to friends and families, and to companies hosting guests or employees, FIFA and On Location will provide options to suit all types of fans. The stadiums hostin...

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21Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Almaty Marathon generated $1.8m economic impact in 2023

Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, will host the 13th edition of the Almaty Marathon on 29 September 2024 – the largest running event in Central Asia, which has become a catalyst for change in the region. The marathon has instilled a love of running in the people of Kazakhstan and has also had a tangible impact on the economy and the wider social sphere in Almaty and the entire region. In 2012, Kazakhstani entrepreneur Galimzhan Yessenov founded the "Courage to be First" corporate foundation. The foundation has now held more than 100 events attended by more than 200,000 people from all over the world. The flagship project of the foundation – the Almaty Marathon – has become an important driver of Almaty's economic development, attracting tourists to the city and stimulating the growth ...

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30Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

UK’s ‘experience economy’ contributes £134bn, report reveals

Modelling by Barclays and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed that the UK’s ‘Experience Economy’ – encompassing all businesses that provide consumers with unique and memorable experiences, such as sporting events, holidays and live entertainment – contributes an estimated £134bn to the broader UK economy, a figure greater than the GDP of Morocco. Between now and 2027, CEBR projects that the UK’s experience economy, which employs an estimated three million people, will grow by an average of 2.6%, surpassing the equivalent figure for the UK economy as a whole (1.6%), to reach an estimated contribution of £146bn. Much of this growth is fuelled by rising consumer appetite for experiences. Nine in 10 (90%) of the hospitality, leisure and retail businesses w...

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30Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Rugby World Cup 2023 generated €871m economic impact for France

South Africa were not the only winners of Rugby World Cup hosted in France in 2023. The 10th edition of the men’s flagship event generated €1.8 billion of spend and a net input of €871 million for the host country, according to an impact study commissioned by the French Ministry of Sport and produced by EY. Assessing the three main type of impacts (economic, social, environmental) with comparable methodology to other major international sporting events, the comprehensive report gives an in-depth analysis of Rugby World Cup’s clear hosting benefits to boost the host nation’s economy, drive positive social change and reduce the global carbon footprint inherent to international competitions. Report highlights: Rugby World Cup 2023 delivered a net input of €871 million for France’s ...

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