There has never been a better reason to book a trip than a great sporting event. According to UN Tourism, sports tourism already accounts for about 10 percent of all tourism spending worldwide. And that number is expected to climb to 17.5 percent between 2023 and 2030.
The beauty of planning a trip around a sporting event is that you usually get two experiences in one. The event itself is the reason you go. But the city hosting it becomes part of the adventure too. Here are nine events in 2026 worth putting on your calendar.
Wimbledon — London, England (June 29 through July 12)
If there is one sporting event that feels like a genuine occasion, it is Wimbledon. You can queue for hours for a chance at a match ticket, or book through a hospitality partner for something more comfortable. Either way, once you are on the grounds, do not skip the two great traditions: strawberries and cream and a Pimm’s Cup, which is a gin-based liqueur served with lemonade and fruit.
Wimbledon is also known for celebrity sightings, especially near the Royal Box, where VIPs and sometimes members of the British Royal Family watch the matches.
Where to stay: The Stafford London sits right in the heart of the city, within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and the West End. It has a Michelin-starred restaurant called MICHAEL CAINES at The Stafford, and rooms with cozy interiors and marble bathrooms.
FIFA World Cup — Houston, Texas (June 11 through July 19)
Houston will host seven FIFA World Cup matches this summer, plus one of the longest FIFA Fan Festivals in the country. The festival runs for 39 days straight. Matches will take place at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans. Soccer fans will also have a chance to watch Cristiano Ronaldo lead Portugal in two games.
Where to stay: The Marriott Marquis Houston has a rooftop Texas-shaped lazy river and an infinity pool. Rooms run about 355 square feet. It is a family-friendly option with plenty of amenities to enjoy between matches.
Biltmore Championship — Asheville, North Carolina (September 17 through 20)
For the first time since 1942, professional golf is returning to Asheville. The brand-new Biltmore Championship is part of the FedEx Cup and will be played at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. More than 100 professional golfers are expected to compete.
Where to stay: Blind Tiger Asheville has just 14 rooms and blends the warmth of a bed-and-breakfast with boutique hotel charm. The property keeps an open pantry stocked with local snacks available throughout the day.
Roseland Polo — Keswick, Virginia (Sundays, Memorial Day through October)
If you love horses and wide-open countryside, this one is special. Keswick Hall has partnered with King Family Vineyards to offer the Suite Sunday Polo experience every Sunday from Memorial Day through October. The package includes chauffeured transport to King Family Vineyards, shaded seating in the Keswick Hall tent, wine and canapés, and hands-on match experiences like player interaction and divot stomping.
Where to stay: To book the polo experience, you must stay in a suite at Keswick Hall. The property has welcomed guests to the Blue Ridge Mountains since 1912. It features a Pete Dye-designed golf course, a full-service spa, European red clay tennis courts, and a restaurant focused on locally-sourced cuisine.
Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix — Monaco (June 5 through June 7)
The Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix De Monaco 2026 is as glamorous as sporting events get. Practice sessions begin Friday, June 5. The Grand Prix itself takes place Sunday, June 7. The cars race through the streets of one of the world’s richest cities, and you can catch glimpses from street-level views.
For a truly memorable experience, consider watching from a cruise ship. Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand owned by MSC Cruises, will dock its ship EXPLORA I right at Port Hercule, near the F1 Paddock entrance and Paddock Club. Add-on options include grandstand seating along Monaco Harbor or Paddock Club access. After the racing wraps each day, the ship offers cocktails, dining, and live music.
French Open — Paris, France (May 18 through June 7)
Paris at the end of spring is already wonderful. Add the French Open, and it becomes something you will talk about for years. The iconic clay courts at Roland-Garros create a very different atmosphere from grass-court tennis. Tickets have been on sale for a while, but an official Roland-Garros resale site exists for those still looking.
If match tickets are sold out, the Tribune Concorde fan festival returns to Place de la Concorde from June 3 through 7. You can watch the men’s and women’s quarter-finals, semi-finals, and both final matches there with other fans.
Where to stay: The Shangri-La Paris overlooks the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. The five-star hotel was once the residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte and is both a palace and a historic monument. It is about 15 minutes from Roland-Garros and has a spa, two restaurants, and a bar on site.
Tour de France — Spain and France (July 4 through July 26)
The Tour de France kicks off this year in Barcelona, Spain, and finishes in Paris, France. Riders will cover more than 3,300 kilometers of road over nearly a month. The grand finale takes place on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the most beautiful stretches in the world for watching anything at all.
Where to stay: The Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées is the only hotel directly on the famous avenue, making it the best possible spot to watch the final stage. Some rooms look out toward both the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. The hotel also offers a Parisian-inspired tea service worth booking one afternoon.
Formula 1 British Grand Prix — Northamptonshire, England (July 3 through July 5)
This is a great option if Formula 1 interests you, but the Monaco price tag does not. General Admission tickets start at about $70 and give you the freedom to walk the grounds, soak up the atmosphere, and watch from multiple viewing areas around the circuit. General Admission also includes access to all entertainment and concerts, the F1 Fanzone, and the Silverstone Museum. To see the cars at top speed, try to find a spot near Hangar Straight.
At the other end of the spectrum, a three-day Gordon Ramsay at F1 Garage package starts at $36,000. It includes access to the F1 Garage hospitality space near Pit Lane, premium dining curated by Ramsay, a three-day F1 Paddock Pass, a Pit Lane walk, and a guided track tour.
Where to stay: NOVA Glamping at Silverstone puts you inside the circuit itself, near the Formula 1 Paddock. Mornings start with a roaming Bloody Mary trolley, breakfast, and on-site dining just steps from your tent.
NBA Draft — Brooklyn, New York (June 23 through June 24)
The NBA Draft comes to Brooklyn this summer, and it is more of an experience than you might expect. The Legend Package at $3,000 includes access to the DoorDash Lounge by NBA Experiences, an NBA Headquarters tour, and red carpet access at the draft. For a more general fan experience, tickets go on sale May 18, with pre-sales starting May 11.
Where to stay: The Ace Hotel Brooklyn is about a 10-minute walk from the Barclays Center. Rooms include free WiFi and rainfall showers. The hotel is also known for pop-up shows by independent artists and themed parties throughout the year.
Whether you are dreaming of strawberries and cream at Wimbledon or a front-row view of the Tour de France finish line, 2026 has something worth planning around. The hardest part might just be choosing which one to do first.