Sports fans are a fun bunch. They're prepared to travel the world for their favourite team or a player. This is nothing new, as the passion of these people is through the roof. While a hardcore fan is prepared to go far and beyond for his team or favourite player, even us casuals could do the same, but for certain sports events. Certain events are bigger than life, have unique and interesting locations, and can offer an opportunity to do a bit of tourism in addition to enjoying sports. So, if you're in the mood to enjoy top sports competition and do a bit of travelling while you're at it, here are the top sports events to plan your trip around.
The Olympics
Of course we're going to start with the Olympics. The mother of all sports events. Every true sports fan should visit the Olympics at least once in life if opportunity arises. It is an event that is on schedule every four years which leaves plenty of time for planning your trip. The Olympics are always tied to a major city, so travelling is a must in terms of sightseeing and experiencing a new culture and a different society. Last time around the Olympics were held in Paris, France. A fabulous city to experience. The next time when the Olympics come around they will be held in Los Angeles, USA. Experiencing Malibu, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood is a great side quest in addition to the Olympics. Before that they were in Tokyo, London, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro. All of these cities, and countries such as Brazil, Japan, England, and China are more than worth exploring. Doing it during an Olympic year will certainly add a few different flavours to your trip.
Super Bowl
The NFL is utterly an American sport, but its popularity stems far beyond the borders of the USA. It is a crucial part of American culture, and when the last game of the season is on schedule the country almost stops for a few days. The Super Bowl week is a series of festivities across the USA, but mostly in the city where the culmination of every NFL season is held. This year in February, the Super Bowl was held at New Orleans, Louisiana, and it was a one sided encounter between the Eagles and Chiefs. In addition to the SB, exploring New Orleans as one of the top cities for nightlife, wining and dining in the USA is an experience you owe to yourself at least once during your lifetime. An even better Super Bowl location was chosen for the 2024 SB and it was no other city than Las Vegas. The gambling Mecca offers plenty of things to do for a casual visitor, and while sports fans were mostly focused on using outlets such as Stake and betting on the game itself, plenty decided to spend the nights leading to the SuperBowl in one of the numerous casinos. The next year game will be held at Levi's stadium in San Francisco, and for a casual NFL fan with tickets for the big game, visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, the Alcatraz Island, Pier 39, Golden Gate Park, and other sightseeing locations in SF is a great way to spend your vacation on the West Coast.
World Cup
World Cup is a renowned soccer competition held every four years where top national teams compete for a trophy popularly called the Golden Goddess, and a chance to become world champions in soccer. Each four years a different location is selected, making the tourism part of the World Cup rather appealing. If you love the sport, it is amazing, but if it happens that the competition is held in a country you want to visit it is a double win. Last time, the competition was held in Qatar, making the golf country the first one in the region to hold this honour. The best part is that competition doesn't only change countries but also continents. This time around it was in the Middle East. In 2026 the WC will be held between Mexico, Canada, and the USA in numerous cities making it ideal for tourists who want to travel. When the World Cup is on, soccer can be in the shadow of tourism as one could have an opportunity to be at games in Montreal, New York, and Mexico City when the USA, Mexico, and Canada are hosts.
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most unique races on the F1 calendar. It is a race that is engraved deep in the history of the F1 caravan, considering that it's been on schedule since 1929. Together with the Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it constitutes the Triple Crown of Motorsport. Another factor making it unique is that it is the only race shorter than the FIAs mandated circuit length of 190 miles. The race is an annual event in the world of Formula 1 and the city stops during its organization as it is held at the streets of Monaco. As far as racing goes, it is a race that brims with glamour and prestige and it all comes down to its one of a kind location. While the race itself is a speedy event, and with all preparations, qualifications, and training for the drivers, it ends in a few days. Luckily, if you're in the city for the race, it offers plenty of more things to do in addition to watching the race and enjoy some F1 betting. Talking about betting the city is an European capital of gambling and it is a home to some of the most prestigious European casinos. A home to plenty of millionaires, Monte Carlo provides visitors with a chance to meet a celebrity or two. In addition to a perfect climate, unique architecture, and a cultural presence not felt anywhere else in Europe, Monte Carlo is the home to one of the most unique F1 races you can get to see in your lifetime. It is still not too late to book your tickets for this year's Monaco Grand Prix as it is on schedule on 25th May.
Wimbledon
Tennis has a congested calendar throughout the year. In addition to four Grand Slams there's plenty of Masters and other even minor tournaments to keep the fans of the sport entertained. While we do not want to single out one event, we simply have to. Fair play to all the other Slams, but Wimbledon is a one of a kind event in more ways than one. The green English grass gives it an aura of prestige, and seeing all the players wearing exclusively white, it brims with an Royal aura so typical of the Brits. It is often visited by members of the Royal family, sports celebrities such as David Beckham, Hollywood actors such as Brad Pitt, and many other celebrities from different spheres of life. There are worse ways to spend your summer compared to being at Wimbledon, eating Kent strawberries, and enjoying London. The tennis experience at Wimbledon can't be compared to anything else, but the England capital adds to the whole experience and this sports event is definitely worth planning your vacation around a single sports event.
Kentucky Derby
In the world of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby just might be the top race out there. Of course, plenty of this appeal comes from the fact that Americans know how to advertise their appeal, but we're going to be fair. While we're suggesting the Kentucky Derby, you will not be in the wrong by planning your vacation around the Melbourne Cup, dubbed as the race that stops the nation, or the Epsom Derby. Yet, we singled out the race at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. The history of horse racing runs deep in the states, and the Kentucky Derby is its pinnacle on the US soil. Even if you're not a fan of racing itself it is a glamorous festivity that lasts quite a few days, and it is a chance for fashion trends to start, for some casual betting to occur, and for celebrities to mingle among the crowd in an event that has horses in its centre. Louisville is a great place to explore on foot, try the local dishes, and explore the south-eastern US culture. It is good to know, before visiting, that the festivities surrounding the Kentucky Derby start two weeks prior to the race which is usually on the schedule during the first week of May. Trust us when we say it, visiting Louisville during the Kentucky Derby and at any other time is not the same.
UEFA Champions League Final
The Champions League final is the culmination of the long CL season where the two best teams of that year battle for the crown. The trophy is the most prestigious in the world of football in addition to the World Cup. This year's edition will feature PSG and Inter while the final venue is Munich, Germany. For plenty of folks visiting Munich is best during the Oktoberfest, but a CL Final might just be an ideal opportunity to watch two top tier teams battling it out for the trophy while enjoying some Bavarian beers, foods, and culture. Each year, the Final has a different venue. Last year, it was Wembley, London. Before that it was Stade de France, Paris, Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul and so on. It is a great opportunity every year to visit a new country, watch some great football, meet football fans, while enjoying a city in its own right without the football connection.
Tour de France
We probably should have pinned this one near the top. As far as cycling races go, the Tour de France is the biggest one there is. It is a prestigious sports event. What adds to its prestige is the fact that it is held through some of the most beautiful scenery you will see in your lifetime. France during the summer is the most beautiful place in the world. The best part about the Tour de France is that it is a three week event with 21 stages. You can be there for any stage, and get your fair share of cycling and France alike. This year's race starts on July 5th in Lille. It runs through some of the more memorable locations in France including Dunkerque, Boulogne, Amine, Caen, Laval, Chateauroux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Valence, and it of course wraps up in Paris. Depending on your plans for the France vacation tied to the Tour de France, you can visit the north end of the country, east, south, and central France alike. As far as sports and tourism go, we might argue that the Tour de France has the most to offer. From some of the most scenic nature in Europe, to the top architecture of some of its smaller and bigger cities, and an unparalleled taste in wines, cheese, and cuisine in general.
Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament
Let's wrap it up with quite a peculiar sports competition. The Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament is an annual event held each November in Tokyo. Unlike many of the sports events we listed above, this one is tied solely to Japanese culture, and sumo is not too popular outside of Japan. So if you're in for some unique sports experience, while experiencing the culture and society of the far east, Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament just might be your cup of tea. The event itself features high end sumo wrestling, and if you're even remotely into this sport you ought to know that this tournament is the pinnacle of this sport. Considering that Tokyo is the only venue, it provides an ideal chance to explore the city which is one of the biggest in the world offering plenty of unique content.
So, sports fans of the world with a pinch of love for travel added, these are your sports events you ought to plan your next trip around. Some are annual, some are held every four years. Either way it leaves you plenty of time for planning.
