Whether you’re a sports fanatic looking to enjoy the first-hand experience of the most popular sports or you’re craving the delight of the cultures of sport-centric locations, we’ve collated the most thrilling bucket list of destinations to explore.
1. England
England, the very origin of football, is a place to behold for all football fans. The country has one of the most famous stadiums in the world, Wembley Stadium, originally known as the ‘Home of Football’. Another highlight is the chance to explore the iconic stadiums that are home to the most prestigious football teams, the big five of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
And if football doesn’t interest you much, there are more sports attractions to explore in England. You can take a trip to Wimbledon for the classic Wimbledon tennis experience, watch live horse racing at the Cheltenham Festival or join the electrifying moments at the World Darts Championship, held each year at London’s Alexandra Palace.
2. Japan
If you’re a martial arts fan, Japan should be on your bucket list! The country features sumo wrestling as the national sport, spurring wrestlers to battle it out in the ring for the Yokozuna grandmaster position. The best time to get a premium sumo experience is at the basho tournaments, which take place six times a year in Japan in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November.
Japan also has other exciting martial arts such as judo, kendo and karate, with popular site attractions like the Kodokan Judo Institute (Tokyo), the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium (Osaka) and the Ninja Museum (Iga). Japan is also well known for other sports beyond the martial arts – the country’s most popular sport is baseball, featuring the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) games, which you can watch exclusively at top stadiums like the Tokyo Dome and Koshien Stadium.
3. France
As the proud host of the 2024 Olympic Games, France solidified its position as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts. The locations for the Olympic Games included some of the most iconic places in France, like the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Stade de France and the Grand Palais.
What better way to explore France as a sports lover than to visit the iconic sports museums? A trip to the French Football Federation Museum (Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines) will reveal the numerous trophies and medals won by the French national team throughout the years, memorabilia such as jerseys, balls and equipment, and the iconic training facilities. Other sports-centric tourist attractions in France include the Tennis Museum (Roland-Garros) and the newly opened Olympic Museum in Paris.
4. Greece
Speaking of the Olympics, they originated in Greece, the foundation of Western civilisation. From well-preserved sports museums to modern state-of-the-art facilities, Greece is a bucket-list destination for many sports fanatics.
You can’t afford to miss seeing the Ancient Olympia, the original site for the Olympic Games. Olympia is situated in the Peloponnese, the same area where the Temple of Zeus is found and where the first Olympic flame was lit.
For athletes and superfans of athletic games, another must-visit destination in Greece is the town of Marathon, after which the marathon run was named. The historic town is situated on the land where the iconic battle of Marathon and the legendary run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens took place. You can also visit the Marathon Museum, and if you’re up to it, participate in the annual Athens Marathon.
5. United States
From the Super Bowl and NBA All Stars events to the Las Vegas nightlife, the United States offers a wide variety of attractions for sports and games fans. If the US makes it onto your bucket list, you shouldn’t miss a visit to Chase Stadium (formerly DRV PNK Stadium), home to Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi’s football team.
New York City also holds many attractions, including the Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden, the world-famous arena and the site of the greatest fight in the boxing world, the 1971 Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier fight. Another sweet spot in the United States for sports enthusiasts is the LA Coliseum, known as the greatest stadium in the world and a memorial to all who served in the US Armed Forces during World War I.
What’s time in the US without a glimpse of Las Vegas? Be amazed by the raw acrobatic talent at the Cirque du Soleil, take the fun to the next level at the Las Vegas motor speedway and try your luck at a mega win at the MGM Grand Sportsbook. Some sportsbooks have no-deposit bonus offers, while others require a deposit before you play.
6. Brazil
Home to some of the greatest football players of all time, Brazil is a top-tier destination to add to your bucket list. Get acquainted with the origins of football’s super players such as Ronaldo, Pelé, Ronaldinho, Neymar Jr., Gabriel Jesus and Thiago Silva.
Brazil boasts the largest stadium in South America, the Maracanã Stadium (Rio de Janeiro), one of the top sports tourist attractions. The iconic Interlagos car racing circuit (São Paulo) and the beautiful, crescent-shaped Copacabana Beach (Rio de Janeiro), where many of Brazil’s beach sports are hosted, are also thrilling spots to explore.
7. Spain
Spain has it all; legendary stadiums, motorsports arenas, famous tennis courts and other grand locations. Football fans will enjoy a visit to FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou or Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu for a first-hand La Liga experience.
The Valencia Street Circuit for motorsport racing, Las Ventas Bullring for the country’s famous bullfighting games, and Caja Mágica, the iconic stadium for tennis tournaments, are more reasons why Spain should take a spot on your bucket list.
You’ll also get a chance to watch the La Vuelta a España race, which pushes the best professional cyclists to race through the most legendary and challenging routes. If you prefer a more refined atmosphere, a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, Jerez, will afford you a premium view of Spain’s equestrian traditions.
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