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Sport in France in 2024: major events and sporting highlights
Events

Sport in France in 2024: major events and sporting highlights

France is getting ready for a bumper year of tourism and sport in 2024 with a number of new and exciting openings, exhibitions, sustainable tourism initiatives, and major anniversaries on the calendar. The country is also in the final preparation stages of hosting its biggest ever event, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here we take a look at the sporting highlights in France in 2024.  SPOT24: new urban sport and culture hub with Olympic exhibition  Paris, Île-de-France: until 31 December 2024 Paris je t'aime (the Paris Tourist Office) has set up a new hybrid venue showcasing urban sport, culture and Olympism. Serving as a tourist information point, Olympics ticket office and official shop, alongside a café dedicated to Parisian products, SPOT24 also com...
‘The Messi Experience’ to kick off world tour in Miami
Events

‘The Messi Experience’ to kick off world tour in Miami

Lionel Messi’s glittering footballing career will be the subject of a first-of-its-kind interactive multimedia experience launching in April 2024. Kicking off its world tour in Miami, Florida, “The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True” will take football fans on a journey starting with his early years in Rosario, Argentina, his arrival and career at FC Barcelona in Spain, to lifting the 2022 Fifa World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.  Created by Primo Entertainment and Moment Factory, “The Messi Experience” will transform The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami's Coconut Grove into an interactive fan attraction. Visitors will be immersed in ten physical and digital experiences right alongside the football legend like never before, both on and off the field.  The 2023 ...
The Formula 1 Exhibition: Vienna to host show from February 2024
Events

The Formula 1 Exhibition: Vienna to host show from February 2024

The Formula 1 Exhibition and Formula 1 have announced that Austria’s capital Vienna will be the next city to host the show. Set to open on 2 February 2024 and run until late spring at the METAStadt Vienna, the exhibition features spectacular immersive and interactive audio-visual design, never-before-seen films and images, educational and interactive exhibits, iconic artefacts and F1 cars from different eras. The exhibition’s move to Vienna follows a critically acclaimed run in Madrid, where it quickly became Spain’s biggest temporary show in 2023.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBxbKQgrswM About the exhibition Delivering a storytelling adventure across six specially designed rooms spread over 3,000m2 and in collaboration with award-winning curators, artists and filmm...
On Location releases new Paris 2024 Olympics hospitality experiences
Events

On Location releases new Paris 2024 Olympics hospitality experiences

On Location, the official hospitality provider for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, has unveiled a new collection of experiences for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. The latest offerings include exclusive packages for track and field, sailing, and dining in the iconic Eiffel Tower. From seats close to the finish line of track and field competitions to taking in the sailing races from a boat on the water, these offerings are the first of their kind, and the closest fans will get to the sporting events without actually competing. The premium dining access offered at the famous Gustave Eiffel Lounge, allows guests to soak up Parisian culture while enjoying the stunning skyline. Will Whiston, executive vice president of Olympic and Paralympic Games for On Location, said: “We are excite...
‘NFL Experience London’ fan event to be held at Battersea Power Station
Events, Sports Travel

‘NFL Experience London’ fan event to be held at Battersea Power Station

American football returns to London in October with three regular-season NFL fixtures being held in the English capital. And to mark the 2023 NFL London Games, a one-day fan event will take place at Battersea Power Station on Saturday 7 October, from 10am to 6pm.  The free-to-attend “NFL Experience London” event will feature a Quarterback Challenge, Broad Jump and Vertical Jump, Wide Receiver, and Field Goal Kick activities. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will also have fan activations and photo opportunities at the venue. Merchandise and vintage memorabilia from all 32 NFL teams will be available to buy, plus a New Era cap personalisation station and vending machine, with a Fanatics container shop that will dispense NFL products. Giant ...
Birmingham to host the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit
Events, Sports Business

Birmingham to host the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit

The English city of Birmingham, which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has landed another big event: the 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit. Taking place at the International Convention Centre from 7-11 April 2024, the 18th edition of the sports business event will welcome more than 1,500 global sports leaders to “Brum”, including sport-related associations and companies, members from the International Olympic Committee, all the International Federations, and organisers of future Olympic and Paralympic Games and major events. The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit will be held in the UK for the second time in its history after London hosted the summit in 2011. In an announcement, SportAccord said that Birmingham and the West Midlands secured its host...
Sport in Scotland: events, activities and things to do
Events, Guides, Holidays & Trips

Sport in Scotland: events, activities and things to do

It may be the land of whisky, Munros, the Highland Games and football's Old Firm, but for many people across the world Scotland is the home of one thing… golf. With some of the best courses in the world - Gleneagles, St Andrews Old Course and Carnoustie to name just three - Scotland is the place that every amateur and professional golfer wants to experience.  It’s not just golf that sports travellers should visit Scotland for though. With its magnificent terrains, lochs and mountains, the country is a haven for winter sports and outdoor activities.  Related articles Scottish golf bucket list ‘Water wellness’ in Scotland Book: ‘Blue Scotland’ by Mollie Hughes Best beaches in Scotland Major sporting events in Scotland Highland GamesEvents usually take place across Scotland throughout the ...
Villa La Massa Excellence: Tuscany hotel launches new supercar event
Events, Hotels & Resorts

Villa La Massa Excellence: Tuscany hotel launches new supercar event

Villa La Massa, a stunning Medicean villa on the banks of the Arno River in Italy’s Tuscany region, will host its first ever supercar event: Villa La Massa Excellence. Taking place from 13-15 October 2023 in collaboration with Italian agency Canossa Events, the three-day event will be dedicated to iconic collectors’ supercars from the 1980s to 2000 and the finest hospitality. The schedule for Villa La Massa Excellence features a culinary celebration on 13 October, a full-day car show on 14 October (open to the public), and a morning drive through the rolling hills of the Chianti region on 15 October with a visit to a local winery. Visiting guests will also be able to explore the historical and cultural wonders of Florence, which is only 15 minutes away by shuttle from th...
A guide to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India
Events

A guide to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India

The 13th ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will take place in India between 5 October and 19 November 2023. Featuring ten nations, the 50-over one-day international (ODI) tournament will be held across 46 days in 10 host cities. Venues and host cities The 10 stadiums and host cities: Arun Jaitley Stadium, DelhiBharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai Ekana Cricket Stadium, LucknowEden Gardens, KolkataHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaChinnaswamy Stadium, BengaluruMA Chidambaram, ChennaiMaharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, PuneNarendra Modi Stadium, AhmedabadRajiv Gandhi International Stadium, HyderabadWankhede Stadium, Mumbai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msc6xy6a7e8 Teams  The ten countries that will compete for the trophy are:  India (...
UCI Cycling World Championships attracts record crowds in Scotland
Events, Sports Business

UCI Cycling World Championships attracts record crowds in Scotland

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland have taken the sport to “new heights”, according to UCI president David Lappartient. It’s estimated that one million spectators turned out to watch the 11-day festival of cycling, while millions more tuned in around the world. The final event of the programme, the Women Elite Road Race, brought the curtain down on the inaugural event that has seen 13 UCI world championships combined into one mega event for the first time ever. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky claimed the top spot following a thrilling finish to the race that saw tens of thousands line the route between Balloch and Glasgow. It was the first time the women’s elite road race has closed a UCI World Championship, with 207 riders (including women under-23) tak...
Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023
Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023

The Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival returns from 7-15 October 2023, featuring some old favourites and new unique routes. This popular event makes the most of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve that encompasses the entire island.  The majority of walks are led by local volunteers, keen to share their knowledge of a subject, or to just “show-off” their favourite walk on the Isle of Wight – and with limited spaces, booking is recommended. The festival’s website is now updated with the latest walks and booking information.  Images: visitisleofwight.co.uk Charitable and historic walks New for the 2023 autumn edition is a fundraiser for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA). The 5k “Dash in the Dark” aims to bring together attendees and supporters of the HIOWAA to r...
Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village
Events, Sports Travel

Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village

Parisian landmark Place de la Concorde will host a village dedicated to rugby throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from 8 September to 28 October. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, unveiled the "Paris Rugby Village" programme and the city’s accessibility and eco-responsibility commitments. The Paris Rugby Village will include a rugby entertainment and promotional area, plus two giant screens to broadcast RWC matches. And the number of screens will increase to four for the opening match on 8 September between France and New Zealand. Visitors can enjoy entertainment and discovery areas, photo booths, the official France 2023 shop, exhibitions, and a central stage that will host the ope...
Sebastian Vettel is confirmed for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event
Events, Sports Travel

Sebastian Vettel is confirmed for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event

A decade after his inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix triumph at the Nürburgring in his car dubbed "Hungry Heidi", four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will return to the legendary circuit on 9 September for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event.  Joining the ranks of high-calibre racers like GP winner and Red Bull Racing test driver Daniel Ricciardo, Vettel is set to navigate the formidable Nordschleife in his championship car, the RB7, now refitted to run on synthetic, carbon-neutral e-fuel. This September, the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring will feature motorsport legends and an expected crowd of 30,000 spectators amidst the Eifel’s scenic vistas. One of the event’s highlights will be Vettel's demonstration run, symbolising his commitment to the sport and it...
2023 WRC Guanajuato Rally México generates €35.6m economic impact 
Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2023 WRC Guanajuato Rally México generates €35.6m economic impact 

The Guanajuato Rally México, round three of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, had a significant economic impact for the host state. According to Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Guanajuato’s secretary of tourism, the event from 16-19 March 2023 directly and indirectly contributed 695m pesos (€35.6m) to the region, specifically to the three cities of León, Guanajuato and Silao, around which the Guanajuato Rally México was based.  Close to 600,000 fans enjoyed the WRC’s first return to North America since the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a 61% hotel occupancy in the state. Guanajuato Rally México offered six major spectator venues, starting with the spectacular rally-opening Guanajuato Street Stage on Thursday evening, where fans packed into every viewing vantage point possible inside the...
‘Rumble in the Jungle Rematch’ experience to launch in London in September
Events, Sports Travel

‘Rumble in the Jungle Rematch’ experience to launch in London in September

Boxing fans in the UK will get the chance to relive an all-time classic fight when Rematch’s second immersive experience, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, launches in London in September 2023. Fusing theatre, sport and technology, the event will see guests step back in time to 1974 to see legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman go head-to-head in Zaire. Arriving in central London’s Dock X on 14 September, Rumble in the Jungle will be brought to life by a live cast of actors, with live music, food and drink that will create authentic smells and tastes of the time. From Ali’s pre-match trash talking to the step-by-step play-out of the fight where his famous rope-a-dope was performed, Rumble in the Jungle will take audiences on a journey to discover The Greatest Sporting Event ...
100 days to go until the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France
Events, Sports Travel

100 days to go until the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France

Celebrations are taking place throughout France to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023. With a little under three months to go until the 20 nations arrive in France, final preparations are underway for rugby union’s 200th birthday party. There will be 48 matches taking place across ten host destinations: Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Hosts France will face New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at the 80,698-capacity Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday 8 September. The Rugby World Cup final will be played on Saturday 28 October 2023, also at the Stade de France. On Tuesday 30 May, the Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Paris on an Emirates A380 with bespoke Rugby World Cup 2023 ...
Event in focus: 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary
Events, Sports Travel

Event in focus: 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary

The French department of Sarthe is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which takes place from 10-11 June 2023 (4pm to 4pm) at the Circuit de la Sarthe.  First run in 1923, the endurance race is part of the “triple crown” of motor sport – alongside the Indianapolis 500 and F1 Monaco Grand Prix. Expect an epic battle between Toyota, Ferrari (back in the top-tier category after a 40-year hiatus), Porsche (record holder for the most Le Mans wins), Peugeot and Cadillac.  To mark the centenary, the 24 Hours Museum on the circuit is hosting a special exhibition (1 June-2 July) of 86 cars that have either won the race or left a mark on its history.  Event organisers have also announced that after record sales, all ticket...
49ers’ Levi’s Stadium to host NFL Super Bowl LX in 2026 
Events, Sports Business, Venues & Stadiums

49ers’ Levi’s Stadium to host NFL Super Bowl LX in 2026 

Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, will host Super Bowl LX in 2026, the NFL has confirmed. Located in Santa Clara, in the San Francisco Bay Area, the stadium opened in 2014 and previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.  According to an independent study, Super Bowl 50 generated almost $250m for the Bay Area economy and the NFL is “thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back”, said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.” Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers, added: “We are honoured to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting even...
F1 FanZone added to 2023 Silverstone Festival line-up
Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

F1 FanZone added to 2023 Silverstone Festival line-up

An all-new F1 FanZone will a major highlight at this summer’s Silverstone Festival. This year marks the 75th anniversary of motorsport at the circuit in England, and celebrations over the 25-27 August bank holiday weekend will be enhanced by the addition of this exciting feature which builds on the highly popular modern Formula 1 content that was introduced for the first time at the event last year. Reliving all the excitement of the British Grand Prix that takes place from 7-9 July, the F1 FanZone at Silverstone Festival will provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close to see a grid of current grand prix cars. Formula 1 teams already confirmed for the showcase include Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant, BWT Alpine, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Willia...
Sports event in focus: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024
Events, Sports Travel

Sports event in focus: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024

Founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.  This epic biennial sailing event sees more than 700 crew race over 40,000 nautical miles around the world on 70-foot ocean racing yachts, travelling across six continents over a span of 11 months.  The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, and many have no previous sailing experience before signing up for the intensive four levels of training prior to racing. Led by a professional skipper and first mate, race crew can complete the full 11-month circumnavigation or choose to test themselves on one or multipl...

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