Sports and activity-based holidays are definitely becoming more popular. Travellers are seeking new ways to enjoy themselves on holiday and themed trips are increasing in popularity. If you’re a sports fan, a sports-focused vacation might be just up your street!
No matter what sport you’re into, there’s something of interest out there for everyone. What I will say is that these types of holidays definitely need to be well-planned. This way you can ensure you have a good balance of sports and anything else you’d like to do too.
Choosing your destination
First things first, where to go? This largely depends on your interests. If you’re a fan of football, the UK and Europe are ideal destinations. If basketball is your thing, the US would offer more, while cricket fans can explore further afield such as Australia or India.
One of the most important things to consider is aligning your destination with the preferred sport. Here are some ideas to get you started:
UK destinations
Fans of the English Premier League could spend several weeks visiting the key destinations for top-tier teams like Manchester (striking off Manchester United and Manchester City), Liverpool (for Liverpool and Everton), London (Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Brentford), the Midlands (Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Birmingham, Wolverhampton Wanderers), Newcastle (Newcastle United) or the South Coast (Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton and Hove Albion). Let’s not forget Ipswich Town out on its own.
European destinations
For those who want to travel outside of the UK, Europe offers plenty of top football destinations too. These include the following high-profile football stadiums:
- Allianz Arena: Home of Bayern Munich in Munich, Germany with a capacity of 75,000
- Camp Nou: Barcelona, Spain with a capacity of 81,000
- Santiago Bernabéu: Madrid, Spain
- San Siro: Milan, Italy
- Olympic Stadium: Athens, Greece
North American destinations
Fans of basketball could head to Los Angeles, California, which is home to the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers. The iconic Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center, is a must-see for all NBA fans. LA is full of history when it comes to basketball with players like Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant hailing from here.
Basketball fans will also enjoy New York City and visiting Madison Square Garden, which is home to the New York Knicks and the “Mecca of Basketball”. There’s also Chicago, Illinois with Michael Jordan’s legacy and the Chicago Bulls’ United Center.
If baseball’s your thing, New York (Yankees and Mets), Boston (Red Sox and Fenway Park) and Chicago (White Sox) are top destinations too.
Finally, ice hockey fans would certainly enjoy a tour of Toronto, Montreal and Detroit, which is known as “Hockeytown” and is home to the Detroit Red Wings.
Timing is key
When you go is almost as important as where you go. Trips off-season have their own merits but nothing can beat visiting during the peak excitement of the sport. For example, a trip to Wimbledon during Wimbledon offers much more. Being in the heart of the action is a fantastic experience. This means you’ll need to plan well in advance — especially if you want to secure tickets. Research is needed, especially as accommodation can be more expensive during these times too.
If you’d rather avoid peak times, there are lots of off-season tours at iconic places like Camp Nou. Many of the top EPL teams also have behind-the-scenes experiences so you can take tours inside the grounds and even in the locker rooms.
Build your itinerary
When you’re planning a sports-focused trip, it’s important to plan your itinerary carefully. If you’re going to a large city, you’ll need to consider things like transport between destinations so you don’t book visits too close together. You’ll also need to consider downtime as you want the trip to be relaxing! Why not look for sports-themed restaurants or pubs with game screenings so you can still have a sports focus during your downtime?
If you’re travelling abroad, it’s also important to take some time to explore the culture of the country. Then you appreciate where the sport fits into that and how, as public perception can differ for the sport. It can be very fulfilling to see just how much certain populations in India love their cricket, for instance, so don’t miss out on wider cultural experiences.
Enjoy a flutter or two
Sports betting has now become an important part of many sports fans’ experiences. It can add further excitement to the event and provided it’s done responsibly, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a flutter during your sports-themed trip. If you’re doing a tour of premier league stadiums mid-season, keeping track of Premier League relegation odds means you can bet on who you think might be relegated in the coming months.
For those who aren’t familiar with betting, it will be important to have a basic understanding of how to calculate odds so you know what you’re up against. However, if you’re not in the UK, you’ll have to check the laws and legislation around betting on sports. In the US and Canada, for instance, what is allowed varies by state or province with some permitting sports bets and some not at all.
Conclusion
A well-planned sports-focused vacation will be an unforgettable experience. By timing your trip to coincide with events, buying tickets and booking accommodation early, you can enjoy a holiday that you’ll never forget. For a truly fulfilling trip, ensure you enjoy some downtime, and if you’re in a new country, explore other cultural offerings and cultural experiences. Ready to make your dream sports vacation a reality? Start planning today for a perfect combination of sport, culture and adventure.
LL x
*This is a contributed post. As ever, all opinions are my own.
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