If you’re interested in sports and travelling, you have the incredible opportunity to be part of the audience for some of the most watched sports in the world. Watch Serena Williams serve for a match point at the US Open, cheer on your favourite British men’s football team at the FA Cup or watch Lewis Hamilton zoom around the Formula 1 track.
Take a look at some of the year’s highlights and plan your next trip around these upcoming sports events…
FA Cup, London
The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition in the world. It’s a tournament that sees men’s domestic English football teams compete in knockout rounds with one winner taking home the FA Cup trophy. Winning 13 titles, Arsenal are the most successful team to compete in the competition, although Chelsea are the most current winners. Any eligible football club is entitled to enter as long as they’re no lower than level 10 on the English football league system, meaning despite recurring favourites the championship is anyone’s game.
Football fever sweeps London from August as the competition starts, and reaches a particular high in April and May when the semi-final and final of the FA Cup take place. The final is usually held at Wembley Stadium. Throughout the competition many pubs broadcast the tournament on big screens and some outdoor locations even create pop-up spaces where fans can enjoy the game during the warmer months.
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Tour de France, Paris
Consisting of 21 day-long stages over the course of 23 days in July, the Tour de France is an annual men's multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in France, with the final weekend taking place in the French capital. The race has been an annual event since 1903 and while the route differs every year, the format of the race stays the same, as does the focus on time trials. Cyclists cover over 2,200 miles as they make their way through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps, and finish at the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Riders tend to go around the Paris circuit 8 times so pick a good spot along the route to watch the competitors ride by. As the race ends at the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, it’s usually quite crowded but the Jardin des Tuileries and Rue de Rivoli are also great spots to glimpse the teams and be a part of the action.
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Red Route, Stop: Champs-Elysées
US Open, New York
The US Open is a hard-court tennis tournament and the final Grand Slam of the year, following Wimbledon (which takes place in July in London). The US Open is made up of five primary championships: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament starts on the last Monday of August and continues for two weeks, with the middle weekend coinciding with the U.S. Labor Day holiday, making it a very popular time to travel to the states.
Flushing Meadows in Queens transforms into a tennis-lovers dream. The grounds of the Arthur Ashe Stadium are home to some of the finest food and drink dining experiences and it’s worth booking a table in advance for a bite to eat after a day of watching the various sets. Known to attract a plethora of A-list celebrities and royals, we recommend keeping your eyes peeled for the likes of Bradley Cooper, Will Smith and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
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Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi
First held in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated sports games and is an unmissable Formula One motor race that completes the season. Located on Yas Island, the Yas Marina Circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke and is the only race to take place during the night time. Arguably the biggest sporting event in the region, the four-day competition is a social and sporting occasion that attracts fans, celebrities and Formula One enthusiast from around the world.
Grand Prix ticket holders also have access to the various Yas Island Parks during the competition. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld & newly opened Warner Bros. World are all worth a visit. What’s more, after each race some of the biggest international artists take to the stage at Yasalam for a concert after the race. Lookout for after-hour parties that attract F1’s top stars too.
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Green Route, Stop: Yas Marina Circuit
With our guide to sports around the world, fans can still support their favourite athletes while on-the-go. Check out our nightlife articles and top picks for pubs and bars in each city too, they make for excellent locations to cheer on your team and mingle with local supporters. Win or lose, remember you can take in the sights of your holiday destination on board a Big Bus and hop off when you want to explore any of the world-famous cities we operate in.
