Four countries welcoming sports fans

Regarding passion and power of spending, few groups compete with sports fans. Whether through trips on the road, tournaments or international events, these loyal travelers pass adults – and destinations take note.

According to United Nations TourismSports tourism already represents around 10% of world tourist spending and is expected to increase by 17.5% by 2030. In the United States, it generated around $ 114 billion in 2024, bringing more than 100 million fans to places across the country.

“It is difficult to coordinate a trip with many friends, but when you have the game to plan, it makes the task a lot,” said Kimberly Decarrera, who drives his motorhome for Georgia Tech College football matches through the United States with his friends, and also traveled to Ireland to see the team play. “Travel on the way are often more fun than home matches, seeing new cities and campuses, making memories and stories with friends. Sports facilitate the goal of the trip.”

According to Expedia Group, almost 44% of world sports fans travel internationally for events, going 56% among the 16 to 34 year olds Sports tourism study. Travel expenses generally exceed $ 1,500 per person, with three out of five fans staying outside the host city – offering a wider economic impact.

From Olympic Games to F1 races, the Super Bowl in football, sports are becoming more and more destinations. Here are four countries that actively court the fans in the hope of scoring big.

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on the calendar, the United States bet on world sports and the attraction of international trips – although stricter border application of the Trump administration wondering If the participation rate will be affected.

As the first American city to welcome Olympic Games since 1996, the infrastructure of Los Angeles is already taking shape. The new Lax transit center / metro I just opened, connecting the airport to two main metro -lines via a shuttle, with a mover of automated people to follow in 2026. The city will also host the 2025 American women’s golf tournament, eight FIFA World Cup games (including the American opening match) and Super Bowl LXI in 2027.

Meanwhile, Las Vegas also made substantial investments in sports – going from professional sports teams from the major league a decade ago to a team from the National Hockey League, a team from the National Football League (NFL) and a future Baseball team of the major league. The city also organized its first F1 Grand Prix in 2023 and will continue the annual tradition until 2027. Nearly 175,000 visitors from outside the city came for the race in 2024, generating an economic impact estimated at $ 934 million.

Many of these visitors are beginners. “We hear people who tell us that they would never have planned to visit Las Vegas without a sporting event,” said Brian Yost, head of the exploitation of the Authority of the convention and visitors to Las Vegas. While the average visitor in Las Vegas spends $ 1,290 per trip, sports tourists spend $ 1,980. “Part of this is the cost of the sports event ticket they paid, but the rest is a higher propensity to spend in categories such as food and drinks, entertainment, games and hotels,” said Yost.

On the east coast, Miami invests in football. After signing Lionel Messi in 2023, Inter Miami CF built 25,000 seats Miami Freedom ParkReady to open in 2026. The 131 acres park, with retail and parking and space sales areas, should generate $ 40 million in tax revenue per year. The city will host seven games from the 2026 World Cup, including the bronze final, with one million visitors expected and an economic impact of $ 1 billion.

With more than 60% of citizens identifying themselves as sports fans (in particular football), Spain has some of the best sports facilities in the world and an international presence that continues to draw fans. Its sports tourism market should reach more than 13% from 2024 to $ 64 million, according to World of travel and tour.

“I saw how massive football tourism is. I may not plan for trips around matches, but many travelers,” said Vega Lopez Romero, from Spain and blogger to His Asian adventures. “Some steal just for El Clásico (The twice annual match between the Rivaux FC Barcelona and Real Madrid), others build entire holidays around a game to Camp Nou Or Santiago Bernabéu. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have fully adopted it, with stadium visits, club museums and fans areas that make fútbol Feel like a cultural event. Even if you’re not there for the match, the energy is everywhere. “”

Valence, the third largest city in Spain, also adopted the trend, launching a sports tourism program dedicated in 2019 and investing more than 1.4 million euros in marketing and training for local businesses.

“Valence has become a reference in sports tourism thanks to the dedication and attention that we offer to sports and asset visitors,” said Paula Llobet, city minister of the city. “(It is) distinguish us as a destination that understands and really meets their expectations.”

Two major places are under construction: Roig Arenawhich will be the largest basketball arena in Spain when it opened at the end of 2025; And Nou MestallaA new stadium of 70,000 seats for Valencia Cf. Valencia will also host a Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2025 and the 2026 gay gamesAn inclusive event of 38 sports.

As an host of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Australia launched its ambitious campaign “Decade of Green & Gold”, named after the country’s official colors and aimed to consolidate the destination as an essential visit to sports fans.

“In the past three years, we have shown travelers why Australia is one of the best destinations for sports tourism, spirit, sites to see and incredible people,” said Andrew Boxall, Australia tourismRegional Managing Director. “Just this month, we are starting to see 40,000 British fans arriving for this year British and Irish Lions. “”

“With the Los Angeles Rams as a designated home team, the next NFL match is about to define a new record for the highest participation in an international series match,” said Brendan McClements, CEO Visit Victoria. “Sport is part of the DNA of Melbourne and Victoria – it unites our communities, energizes our cities and plays a vital role in the conduct of our visitors economy.”

In New South Wales, Sydney Annual marathon was recently upgraded to the major status of Abbott World Marathon, joining the ranks of New York, London and Tokyo. The city is waiting for more than 35,000 runners in August. “Images of world class athletes flowing on the bridge of Sydney Harbor and through the finish line of the Sydney Opera will be striking around the world,” said Steve Kamper, Minister of Tourism of NSW.

The mild climate, the coast and the sporting heritage of South Africa have made it a rising star of world sports tourism. The sector generated nearly $ 4 billion in 2024 and could reach $ 10 billion by 2034, according to Future market information.

The South African Cricket team, the Proteas, recently won the World Test ChampionshipWith the excitement rising while the country is preparing to host the Cricket World Cup in 2027. The nation also remains a popular destination for golf, with 400 events across the country and the main ones as the Nedbank golf challengeKnown as “Major Africa”.

“South Africa sports culture does not only concern figures or games; it is our people,” said Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting director of South African Tourism, In a recent article. “I see sports tourism as a conduit for social transformation, economic growth and international unity. It has the power to transcend borders and resonate with people from all walks of life.”