18 Sport Events Worth Traveling for in 2026-World Cup, Olympics, and F1 Races Included

"We're calling it: 2026 is the year of sports tourism. Whether you're a new F1 watcher hoping to attend your first race or a dedicated soccer fan gearing up for the World Cup, there's never been a better time to plan a sports-centric vacation. "2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for sports tourism, driven by major global events and evolving travel trends," Expedia travel expert Melanie Fish shared with Travel + Leisure."

"the sports tourism trend has been gaining traction for a while, with Expedia finding that "57 percent of travelers say they're likely to attend a local sporting event while traveling," with even higher interest among Gen Z and Millennials, according to Fish. "Americans are willing to travel long distances if it means they can experience bucket-list sporting moments. Lodging searches for Milan, Belluno Province, and Sondrio Province skyrocketed by over 400 percent for this year's winter games," Fish continued."

2026 is expected to drive a major surge in sports tourism as global events like the Olympics and World Cup attract travelers. Fifty-seven percent of travelers indicate they are likely to attend local sporting events while traveling, with Gen Z and Millennials showing higher interest. Many Americans are willing to travel long distances for bucket-list sporting moments, and lodging searches for places like Milan, Belluno Province, and Sondrio Province jumped over 400 percent for winter games. Over 15 top events are highlighted for travel planning, including an energized F1 season, collegiate tournaments, Wimbledon, and The Masters.

Read at Travel + Leisure