Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, as our televisions get larger and clearer and the commenters are paid thousands to try to project that all important atmosphere into our living rooms, we still crave the buzz that can only be found by watching a sporting event in the flesh. There’s something intrinsically appealing about hearing the roar of the football crowd in person, rather than through speakers… cheering on ‘your’ horse and it gallops towards the finishing line… sensing the mounting tension ripple silently through the room as the snooker player lines up their all-important shot. There have been many attempts to recreate the intense, passionate atmosphere of a ‘big game’ for those people who can’t attend in person. Big cities such as Leeds and Manchester, for example, put up gigantic municipal screens and hold free showings for the general public, as demonstrated with 2010’s World Cup, held in South Africa, where thousands of locals came together to cheer on England without having to fork out £100s for a trip abroad. Similarly, cinemas are sometimes given over to showings of important matches and schools often host their own viewing events too. But nothing can beat the buzz of being there first-hand.
It makes sense, therefore, that a huge industry has grown around the business of sports event travel, with many companies now vying for business and each promising to make your journey simpler and cheaper. So what kinds of trips are available for those who like the idea of sports travel?
Well, one of those most popular types of sports event travel is, obviously, football. But it doesn’t have to be a bank breaking world cup tour… There are also more competitive options closer to home. In fact, most top clubs now offer ‘tourist packages’, which make the ideal gift for avid football fans who perhaps can’t afford the season ticket fees, or live too far away from their beloved club to make an annual pass viable.
These so-called ‘match breaks’ usually offer a match ticket, stadium tour, visit to the club museum, match day programme and overnight accommodation, but the packages vary from club to club. Other ‘extras’ might include signed memorabilia, or perhaps a meal in the club restaurant.
Some tour operators will also arrange trips a little further afield, so football fans who’ve always wanted to see top flight European football at its best, might be tempted by a trip to Madrid, or Barcelona.
And of course, it’s not just football. Tour operators now offer a range of travel packages for followers of a huge range of different sports. Fans of motor racing, for example, might fancy a trip to the Grand Prix and have a range of stunning locations to choose from: Spain; Monaco; Belgium or Italy. It could be the perfect way of combining a relaxing break, with a favourite pastime.