Tag: Football

11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Valencia CF and Legends partner on hospitality concepts at Nou Mestalla

Valencia CF have reached an agreement with Legends, a global premium experiences company, to support the Spanish LaLiga football club's strategic growth through the sales and revenue optimisation of the hospitality areas at the Nou Mestalla stadium. Following the consultancy process carried out over the last year, the club now incorporates Legends, a leader in delivering exceptional fan experiences and driving commercial revenue for sports and entertainment venues, as a strategic partner. Thus, establishing the first major agreement for the new stadium, which, upon its inauguration in the summer of 2027, will become a fundamental pillar for the club's economic and sporting growth in the coming decades. With more than 6,500 hospitality seats (more than 9% of the stadium’s total capac...

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27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Video: Malaysia Airlines unveils Manchester United aircraft livery

Malaysia Airlines has unveiled its latest co-branded aircraft livery in partnership with English Premier League football club Manchester United.  Now featured on the airline's flagship A330-300, the bespoke livery includes dynamic red lines flowing from the Malaysia flag into the club's iconic red. Former United players Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Vidić, and Luís Nani attended the unveiling in Malaysia.  In March 2024, Manchester United and Malaysia Airlines announced a multi-year partnership which saw the airline become the club’s official commercial airline.  At the time of the announcement, a club spokesperson said: “Manchester United has a long-standing and proud connection with Malaysia, with a history of passionate support from across the country. We have three official ...

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12Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: playing football on Kuramathi Maldives’s stunning pitch

We’ve seen some beautiful football venues on our travels, but the pitch at Kuramathi Maldives may just be one of the most stunning of the lot.  Located in the Rasdhoo Atoll, 56 kilometres west from Male’ International Airport, Kuramathi Maldives is a 1.8km-long island resort that’s home to 12 different room categories, 12 restaurants, six bars, a spa, a dive school, and a kids’ club. Kuramathi also has its own sports centre with facilities such as three swimming pools located around the island, a gymnasium, floodlit tennis court, and of course the stunning football pitch. For accommodation at the family-friendly resort, guests can choose from one-bedroom Beach Villas, opt for the two-bedroom Beach House or an iconic over-water villa. Bageecha, Kuramathi’s kids' club, is complim...

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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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22Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

Cycas Hospitality to manage Oxford United FC’s new stadium hotel

Pan-European hospitality management company Cycas Hospitality has been appointed to manage the new-build Radisson hotel that will be located at Oxford United Football Club’s upcoming new stadium. Marking Cycas Hospitality's first UK-based property under management, the new hotel within the 16,000-seat, all-electric stadium near Kidlington, five miles north of Oxford, will feature a range of construction and operational measures to ensure the highest standard of environmental sustainability.  The development, which aims to secure a permanent, sustainable home for the football club alongside long-lasting community benefits, comprises a stadium, conference and exhibition centre for more than 1,000 delegates and purpose-built hotel servicing both visitors and local corporate client...

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11Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips

Ex-England star Teddy Sheringham to host football camp at Amilla Maldives

Former England and Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham will once again team up with Amilla Maldives to host an exclusive football camp at the five-star resort. Taking place from 2-8 April 2025, the camp will see younger guests get the chance to train with the ex-Premier League star during an unforgettable sporting week.   With a professional career spanning nearly 25 years, including a trophy-laden period at Manchester United and 51 caps for the England national team, Sheringham will help inspire younger footballers with a series of coaching sessions. Commencing with an opening ceremony on 2 April, the week-long academy will see children aged four and above polish their footballing skills. The experience culminates on 7 April with a friendly match between guests and the Amilla t...

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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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7Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business

The Medlock: Man City and Radisson Hotel Group to open new Etihad Campus hotel

Manchester City and the Radisson Hotel Group have announced a collaboration that will see a new hotel, The Medlock, open on the English Premier League football club’s Etihad Campus in late 2026.    Operating all year round, the 401-room hotel will provide convenient and comfortable accommodation for music and sport fans who are attending events at the Etihad Stadium, visitors to the UK’s largest indoor arena, Co-op Live, as well as guests exploring the wider entertainment destination and Manchester itself.  The Medlock will offer guests a choice of suites, deluxe and standard rooms, in addition to a luxury penthouse suite. Upon completion, guests will also have access to a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a roof walk and museum experience and commercial office space in the ex...

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5Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

Football 2025 events calendar: major tournaments and finals 

The 2025 football calendar is packed with excitement, featuring landmark events that promise to captivate fans worldwide. Among the highlights is the Uefa Women’s Euro 2025, hosted by Switzerland in July. As women’s football continues its meteoric rise, the tournament will showcase Europe’s top talent in picturesque Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel. Powerhouses such as England, Germany, and France will battle it out, while emerging nations aim to leave their mark on the continental stage. The competition also highlights Switzerland's natural beauty and rich culture, drawing fans and tourists alike.  Adding to the excitement is the debut of the new-look Fifa Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States in June and July. This expanded tournament will feature 32 ...

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8Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: fixtures and venues confirmed for 63-match tournament

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to be a groundbreaking edition of the tournament, expanding to include 32 of the world’s best club teams. Scheduled to take place in the United States from Saturday 14 June to Sunday 13 July 2025, this expanded format mirrors the FIFA World Cup structure.  For the first time, clubs from across all confederations will compete in a group stage followed by a knockout phase, elevating the tournament’s competitiveness and global appeal. Powerhouses like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich will headline the competition, joined by South American giants like Flamengo and Boca Juniors, as well as representatives from Asia, Africa, and CONCACAF.  A total of 63 matches will feature in the tournament, with venues including the MetLife St...

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13Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips

Legends El Clásico: Qatar Airways offers unique holiday packages for Doha fixture

Qatar Airways, in partnership with Qatar Tourism, has announced unique travel packages for football fans to witness a special Legends El Clásico match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on 28 November 2024 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. The packages are inclusive of return flights, accommodation and match tickets, seamlessly allowing global fans to travel to Doha and watch the legends from various eras of Spain’s biggest sports rivalry. To book flight plus hotel packages to Doha with match tickets for the Legends El Clásico see qatarairways.com/elclasico The legends match will take place during an action-packed week of sport for Qatar, which also stages the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix from 29 November to 1 December 2024. Steven Reynolds, Qatar Airways ...

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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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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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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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25Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events

‘The Messi Experience’ to kick off world tour in Miami

Lionel Messi’s glittering footballing career will be the subject of a first-of-its-kind interactive multimedia experience launching in April 2024. Kicking off its world tour in Miami, Florida, “The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True” will take football fans on a journey starting with his early years in Rosario, Argentina, his arrival and career at FC Barcelona in Spain, to lifting the 2022 Fifa World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.  Created by Primo Entertainment and Moment Factory, “The Messi Experience” will transform The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami's Coconut Grove into an interactive fan attraction. Visitors will be immersed in ten physical and digital experiences right alongside the football legend like never before, both on and off the field.  The 2023 ...

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10Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Premier League football club stadium tours, museums and experiences

The 2023-2024 English Premier League season is nearing its conclusion, with teams battling for the title and European spots or trying to avoid relegation. Once again, Manchester City came into a campaign as the reigning champions, while Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town were promoted up from the Championship.   In this guide we highlight the fan experiences, stadium tours, museums and days out that football supporters can enjoy at Premier League clubs across England. At the end of the article we also look at stadium helicopter tours across the UK, plus what to see and do at the "home of English football", Wembley Stadium in London.  Editor’s note: Sports Tourism News works with a number of affiliate partners, including Red Letter Days, Buy A Gift, and Headout. Products a...

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29Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

Inter Miami and Messi’s new home: Miami Freedom Park stadium to open in 2025 

There’s big things happening on and off the pitch at Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Inter Miami CF. As well as star signing Lionel Messi banging in the goals and the team winning the 2023 MLS Leagues Cup, the MLS club co-owned by David Beckham has announced that construction has now started on its new 25,000-seater stadium.  The Miami Freedom Park & Soccer Village, located near Miami International Airport, will be a 131-acre mixed-use development featuring the football-specific stadium, a public park and entertainment district. Scheduled to open in 2025, the timeline “aligns with the last year” of Messi’s current Inter Miami contract, which he signed in mid-July, MLS.com said.  Alongside football and athletic fields and a 58-acre public park, which will be the lar...

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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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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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