Sports Travel 2026

Sports travel has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the global travel industry. The convergence of major international tournaments, improved flight connectivity, and the rise of experience-driven travel means more fans than ever are planning trips around live sporting events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first to feature 48 teams across three host nations — is set to be the single largest sports travel event in history, with an estimated 3.5 million international visitors travelling to the USA, Canada, and Mexico between June and July 2026.

But sports travel extends far beyond the World Cup. From Premier League weekends in London and Manchester, to Champions League nights in Barcelona, Munich, and Milan, to Formula 1 races, Grand Slam tennis, and the Olympics — there has never been a better time to combine your passion for sport with the joy of discovering new destinations. At TravelDealForge, we help you find the best flights, hotels, and transfers for every kind of sports trip.

Types of Sports Trips

Sports travel comes in many forms. Match-day trips are the classic format — fly in, watch the game, fly home. These work well for European fixtures where short-haul flights keep costs low. Tournament travel involves following a team across multiple cities over days or weeks, requiring careful multi-city flight planning and flexible hotel bookings. Stadium tourism appeals to fans who want behind-the-scenes stadium tours and museum visits even without a live match. And sports-plus-city-break combos blend a match with sightseeing — watch Barcelona play at Camp Nou, then explore Gaudí's architecture and the Gothic Quarter.

Planning for Major Events: World Cup 2026

The 2026 World Cup in the USA will host 78 matches across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Canada contributes Toronto and Vancouver, while Mexico brings the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City alongside Guadalajara and Monterrey. With 48 teams competing, every continent will be represented, and flight demand to North America will surge to unprecedented levels. Early booking is not just advisable — it's essential. Hotels near stadiums are already being reserved by corporate hospitality packages, so individual fans should lock in refundable rates as soon as possible.

Sports and City Break Combos

One of the smartest ways to travel for sport is to build a city break around the event. Heading to Miami for a World Cup match? Extend your trip to explore the Everglades and the Florida Keys — our Florida guide has all the details. Attending a match in Mexico City? Add a day trip to the Teotihuacán pyramids. Watching football in Colorado or Dallas? Explore the Rocky Mountains or the Tex-Mex food scene. Sports trips become infinitely more rewarding when you treat the match as the centrepiece of a broader travel experience rather than the entire itinerary.

Booking Strategy for Sports Travellers

The most important principle in sports travel booking is flexibility. Fixtures move, teams get eliminated, and weather can disrupt plans. Always book refundable hotel rates and flexible flight tickets where possible. Use our hotel comparison tools to find properties with free cancellation. For travel insurance, choose a policy that explicitly covers sports events and trip cancellation due to fixture changes. Consider buying an eSIM for affordable data abroad — you'll need it for live match updates, navigation, and rideshare apps. And don't forget pre-booked transfers from airports to hotels and stadiums to avoid surge pricing on match days.

Essential Travel Tools for Sports Fans

Whether you're planning a week-long World Cup odyssey or a quick weekend trip for a Premier League match, the right tools make all the difference. Compare flights across major airlines, find stadium-proximity hotels at the best rates, book reliable transfers, browse tours and experiences in host cities, and protect your trip with comprehensive travel insurance. Our tools aggregate deals from hundreds of providers so you can focus on the beautiful game.