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Your 2026 sports travel bucket list, from Milan to Mexico
Sports travel offers a way to experience a place at its most immediate and alive. It’s also one of the fastest-growing segments of global tourism – a new Expedia report estimates sports-related travel now accounts for roughly 10 per cent of worldwide tourism spending, with the market projected to exceed $1.7 trillion globally (about £1.28 trillion) within the next decade. Major events increasingly motivate trips not just for attendance, but for the atmosphere they create – setting the rhythm of entire cities as they come through.
In 2026, that pull stretches across the globe, from the red clay courts of Paris and the manicured lawns of London to city streets transformed by marathons, alpine roads lined with cyclists, and waves that define the world’s most iconic surf breaks. These sports events temporarily reshape their surroundings as hotels swell, public spaces pulse with energy, and local traditions move to the forefront. Some competitions carry centuries of history; others reflect the evolving scale and spectacle of international sport.
You don’t have to love sports to love travelling for them. Trust me – I’ve never been athletic, nor have I cared much for stats or scores, but something shifts when you’re in a city – new or known – during a big game. The streets come alive, the buzz is palpable, and for a moment, everyone’s on the same team. (Or united against a common adversary – which is always fun, too.) For travellers, sports provide both focus and context – an opportunity to witness new or revisited cities and landscapes through the lens of performance, passion, and celebration. Whether a single championship anchors a journey or frames a larger itinerary, read on for a month-by-month calendar, highlighting where sport, place, and timing will intersect most memorably in 2026.
**Editor’s note: We will be updating this list throughout the year as host cities and more information are released. **
A month-by-month reference:
January 2026
Australian Open
When: January 18 – 31
Where: Melbourne, Australia
The Australian Open kicks off this year’s tennis calendar with sun-splashed courts, heart-racing rallies, and a global field of elite competitors vying for the season’s first Grand Slam. Melbourne’s unmistakable energy – from its famed café culture to its vibrant laneways and cutting-edge galleries – is woven into the event, making the city as much a protagonist as the sport itself. For travellers, this is a chance to combine world-class competition with one of Australia’s most livable cities.
Tickets for matches range from day sessions to premium packages; booking early is essential. Official tickets and travel packages are available through Tennis Australia’s licensed provider on the Australian Open’s official ticketing site.
Where to stay for the Australian Open:
When: January 19
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
The coronation game of the college football season, this championship draws fans from across the United States for one electrifying night of sport and spectacle. It’s a cultural moment as much as a competition – from pre-game tailgates to watch parties across Miami’s nightlife districts. Whether you bleed your school’s colours or just love great American pageantry, this game is a destination event.
Where to stay for the CFP National Championship:
2026 Winter X Games
When: January 21 – 24
Where: Aspen, Colorado, US
