Sports Travel

18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sports venue in focus: new £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre opens in London 

Lee Valley Ice Centre – a new world-class sports venue in Leyton, east London – has opened its doors to the public. Costing £30m to build, it features two Olympic-sized ice rinks plus a gym, dance studios, community spaces and café.  With two ice rinks, it means the centre can remain open while providing professional athletes, synchronised skating teams and ice hockey clubs a place to train. One of the rinks has a spectator viewing area, disco lighting and sound system, while the other will be used for ice events and includes a spectator seating area, digital scoreboards and screens. A welcome addition to sport and leisure facilities in the southeast region of the UK, the new Lee Valley Ice Centre is expected to boost the local economy by as much as £1.5m annually and attract half a...

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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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7Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Tennis holidays in Greece and Turkey with Mark Warner in 2023

From intensive tennis weeks to private one-on-one coaching, independent activity holiday company Mark Warner has been serving up tennis holidays for nearly 50 years. Each of its five properties in Greece and Turkey have a choice of courts, and with a team of expert coaching staff on hand, there are options for all ages and levels.   Guests all enjoy complimentary access to the courts and equipment, with social tennis sessions included in their stay and drills sessions also available. Additional activities which can be booked and paid for either in advance or locally range from serve clinics and group tennis coaching sessions, to one-on-one tuition and private tennis lessons as well as LTA courses and mini and junior LTA courses for children.  Padel and pickleball Alongs...

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5Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Video: Rafa Nadal visits his tennis centre at Sani Resort in Greece 

Spanish tennis icon Rafa Nadal, who holds the joint-record of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, has been in Greece to visit the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort in Halkidiki.  A collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca and the Sani/Ikos Group, the tennis centre features eight clay courts and since 2018 has held tennis training programs for players of all ages and all levels. During his visit to the five-star Sani Resort, Nadal revealed that he has been impressed by the “spectacular” facilities.  “The truth is that I was really looking forward to finally come to Greece, but my schedule and Covid had had made it impossible,” he said. “Toni [Nadal], Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa and the whole team had told me wonderful things about the ...

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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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25May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel

Football attractions: Tottenham Experience Dare Skywalk

The award-winning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London offers one of the finest spectator experiences in the world of sport and entertainment. Home to English Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, it incorporates a fully-retractable football pitch, becoming the first purpose-built ground for the NFL in Europe. With a capacity of 62,850, the stadium has created a major landmark for both Tottenham and London featuring visitor attractions including the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour, Dare Skywalk and Dare Skywalk Edge. A star-studded line-up of summer acts – including Beyoncé, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Wizkid – are set to perform at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in summer 2023. This year there will be two NFL London Games held at Tottenham. Buffalo Bills face the Jacksonvil...

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23May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Untamed Borders: ski tourism returns to Afghanistan

Ski tourists have returned to Afghanistan for the first time under the new Taliban government. According to adventure travel company Untamed Borders, which was the first company to lead ski excursions to Afghanistan back in 2011, skiing in the country is at the sharp end of a growing trend that sees people taking to the slopes in destinations not famous for ski tourism. Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are other destinations which Untamed Borders also operates in.  Over the spring the annual Afghan Peaks Ski Race took place, a backcountry ski race in the country’s Bamian Province. It was the first opportunity for visitors to take to the Afghan slopes since the nation returned to Taliban rule. An international group flew out to the area for the competition w...

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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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17May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports hotel in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa – the first Grand Hyatt hotel to open in Spain and the fourth operating under the luxury brand in Europe.  To capitalise on the hotel’s prime position within the prestigious La Manga Club Resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the property has undergone extensive refurbishment. As well as golf and a spa, the hotel’s extensive world-class sports facilities offer a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. “Every Grand Hyatt hotel is carefully designed as a destination within a destination and the newly opened Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa sets the bar high when it comes to delivering a luxury travel experience with an abundance of options for our discerning guests,” sai...

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16May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Best Served Scandinavia’s summer holidays: adventures, lakes, forests and glaciers

With stunning landscapes offering the perfect setting for a host of outdoor activities and adventures, a summer holiday in Scandinavia is a refreshing alternative to the traditional Mediterranean beach break.  Specialist tour operator Best Served Scandinavia has a selection of holidays for those looking to make the most of this fabulous region in the summer months. Adventures include lake swimming in the beauty of Finnish Lakeland, immersive nature hikes in Sweden’s cultural heartland Dalarna, Iceland’s natural glaciers and volcanoes, and off-the-beaten-track adventures beneath the glow of the Midnight Sun in Svalbard. Explore Dalarna: the essence of Sweden  Dalarna is pure Sweden – rich in nature and culture. Best Served Scandinavia is opening up the destination to UK custo...

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16May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Portes du Soleil: a summer sports travel guide

Portes du Soleil is a ski and biking region of the Alps that covers the neighbouring French Chablais and Swiss Valais. The region features 12 resorts – including Avoriaz, Champéry, Les Gets and Morzine – and offers a range of summer activities such as mountain biking, cycling, hiking, trail running and yoga. Portes du Soleil is a popular destination for a sporty summer holiday, we take a look at the highlights.  Portes du Soleil’s 12 resorts The 12 French and Swiss resorts in the Portes du Soleil region are located between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva:  France: Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Montriond, La Chapelle-d’Abondance, Abondance, Saint-Jean-d'Aulps Switzerland: Champéry, Val-d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin, Torgon, Morgins Mountain biking An inter...

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14May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel, Stadiums & Venues

Wrexham to welcome new Football Museum for Wales in 2026

Football fans in Wrexham have been celebrating the team’s promotion back to the Football League – and soon they will be celebrating a major new football attraction in the north Wales city. Currently in its development stage and scheduled to open in 2026, the Football Museum for Wales (Amgueddfa Bêl-droed Cymru in the Welsh language) will be located in Wrexham and will “celebrate Welsh football, past and present, in all its diversity”, said VisitWales.com. From grassroots clubs to the national teams, it will also highlight Wrexham’s “historic achievements in the sport”.  ‘Museum of Two Halves’ Nicknamed the “Museum of Two Halves”, the project won’t just see the development of the Football Museum for Wales, but also a new Wrexham Museum in the current museum building on Regent...

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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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10May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports hotel in focus: Hotel Football, Manchester 

If you’re a fan of the beautiful game, especially one who supports Manchester United, then a stay at Hotel Football should be on your Manchester sports travel bucket list.  Located next to Man Utd’s Old Trafford stadium at 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, the hotel was opened in 2015 by United legends and “Class of 92” icons Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.  Described by The Telegraph as a “United fan’s dream venue”, Hotel Football offers some of the best views of the “Theatre of Dreams”. This might just be the most unique football hotel in the world right now.  Rooms and suites  Part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, Hotel Football offers a total of 133 rooms with options including king rooms, stadium view rooms, squad rooms, and Class of 92...

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9May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

South Africa: best adventure activities in the Rainbow Nation 

South Africa may be known for its stunning safaris, world-class golf and outstanding wine regions, but for many it’s one of the world’s ultimate adventure travel destinations. Home to national parks, sweeping savannahs and picture perfect beaches, the Rainbow Nation also boasts a great climate and offers value for money for visitors. In this guide we look at the top adventure activities to enjoy in South Africa.   Graskop Gorge Lift Company https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2r1t6Yj9Xw Visitors looking for a leisurely experience should head to Graskop Gorge Lift Company, whose viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the indigenous forest of western South Africa. More adventurous guests can also experience the suspension bridge, zipline and the bi...

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