The Best Sports Event Around the World to Travel To
Many sports fans won’t just remain within their own country and attend sports events there. Sport unites the world, so instead, they’ll visit some of the most significant, most interesting sports events when they’re in other countries as well. If an event is happening conveniently on their doorstep, that’s fine, too! Below is a look at some of the best sporting events to head out into the wider world or call friends together, jump in the car, and go on a road trip.
The Olympics
The Olympics can be held anywhere in the world. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sees fit and gives you an excellent excuse to travel to the world’s finest destinations. Possibly even some further-flung ones, too. The competitions in this magical event are some of the most prestigious in the world. Not a sportsperson alive wouldn’t like to compete and experience the feeling of an Olympic medal around their neck.
The Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles in July 2028 next summer. Sports climbing, surfing, and skateboarding have all received approval for the event. If winter sports are more your thing, you have a tremendous excuse to travel to Italy, which will host the Winter Olympics in February 2026.
World Cup
The World Cup, considered the greatest tournament on Earth, is another global event that allows you to book flights to faraway places. Argentina is the current world champion, but that could all change at the 2026 tournament, which three different countries — the USA, Mexico, and Canada — will host.
This will be an extra special tournament for Canada, whose cities Toronto and Vancouver will provide the host venues for the Canadian tournament. It’s the first time Canada has ever hosted a World Cup. The Canadian team has, however, played once before in a World Cup, back in 1986, which co-hosts Mexico hosted.
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the biggest event in the US sporting calendar, and even fans who don’t usually wager will study the NFL lines and lay down money on the game’s outcome. The buzz and excitement in a Super Bowl host city during the week of the game are unparalleled. There’s as much anticipation about the halftime show as the game itself.
The current champions are the Kansas City Chiefs, often big Super Bowl favorites, which could be a different story after Super Bowl LIX. The showdown occurs on Sunday, February 9, at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana. The battle is still on for those two essential places in the game. Kendrick Lamar will be providing the halftime entertainment, though. That’s for sure!
Sumo Grand Tournament (s)
Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport. The objective of each matchup is for each contestant to force their opponent to either touch the inside of the ring with any body part or step outside of it.
There are six Grand Tournaments throughout the year, all held in Japan, so why not book some tickets and head over there on a possible lifetime trip? The Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo is the flagship venue for sumo wrestling, but events start pretty early in the morning, at around 8.00 am. These begin with the lowest-ranked wrestler and progress through the day to high-level matchups.
Highland Games
The Highland Games are one-day events featuring traditional Highland sports, and although they started in the Highlands, they take place across Scotland. Highland games season begins in May, starting with the Gourock Highland Games, peaks in July and August, and closes towards the end of September.
Games you can see at events include the caber toss, the tug of war, and the hammer throw. Of course, you’ll also see Highland dancing and plenty of food stalls and crafts. There are also livestock events and even best-dressed pet ones. At some Highland games, the entertainment will continue into the night with dancing, ceilidhs and discos.
Wimbledon
Wimbledon is the home of tennis, and the famous tournament is one of the four major grand slams in the sport (the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open are the others). The tournament competes at the All England Club in the posh suburb of Wimbledon, London, and is the only grand slam played on a grass court.
At Wimbledon 2024, Carlos Alcaraz defended his title successfully against tennis titan Novak Djokovic in the men’s tournament. Over in the ladies’, Barbora Krejcikova won her second grand slam title in a hard-fought Wimbledon battle with Jasmine Paolini.
Around the world and in your home country, some fantastic tournaments invite you to attend and explore the host location. Other significant events worth traveling to include the Rugby World Cup, the Tour de France cycling race, and, in the USA, the Kentucky Derby horse race.
