Do you fancy taking in a big sporting event to go alongside your holiday travels in 2024? You do? Good, because in our 2024 unmissable sporting events calendar, travel isn’t just about the destination, but the sporting delights on offer too.
The year 2024 looks set to offer an unprecedented showcase of sporting competition the world over, from the Olympics to Wimbledon, F1 in Monaco, and Barcelona’s unmatched enthusiasm.
Six Nations Rugby
The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will welcome England on February 3rd, the opening weekend of the 2024 Six Nations tournament, with Scotland venturing to the Italian capital on March 9th.
Visiting Rome is like leafing through chapters of history and the ancient Romans hit the mark when they dubbed it the Eternal City.
They held the conviction that it would endure indefinitely, and the multitude of immaculate historical landmarks proves their point. The city teems with age-old edifices, interspersed with chic shops, sidewalk cafes and classic trattorias.
There are a wealth of match and city hospitality packages available for Six Nations, akin to those during the 2023 Olympics, for those who want to take in the sights, not just the action. Flights and hotels plus a match ticket can work out at as little as £250 per person.
Kentucky Derby
For those looking for a thrill, one of the biggest races in world horse racing, the Kentucky Derby, which was unmissable in 2023, takes place in Churchill Downs in Louisville, at the start of May.
Yet that’s just half the appeal of a location that boasts museums rich in history, vibrant nightlife, the beauty of the Ohio River, and a warmth of spirit and hospitality that ensures the event stands alone as one of the United States’ most sought-after sporting fixtures for visitors.
The Kentucky Derby is a huge spectacle in flat racing, with some of the highest-ranked equines in the world competing; even the 2023 champion was present at the festival of speed. With flights, hotel and racecourse entry, the thrilling experience may cost upwards of £1,000 per person, very similar to the F1 package in Monaco back in 2023.
Euro 2024
With England and Scotland virtually assured of being in Germany for the 2024 Euros, interest will be high from these shores. Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne and Leipzig are the venues, and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets, getting to Germany should be easy
Even without tickets, organisers cater for supporters arriving from every direction, with fan zones meaning the spirit of the world’s most popular sport, and everything that goes with it, can be enjoyed, with the Euros taking place between June 14th and July 14th.
Flight and hotel packages to the biggest sporting events will doubtless range from very reasonable to outlandishly expensive – how far will your loyalty stretch?!
Formula 1 Grand Prix
The summer months showcase the best of four-wheeled motorsport and two of the most exhilarating races on the calendar sit back-to-back in July, with the Hungaroring of Budapest, July 19th-21st, and Belgium’s Spa-Francorchamps racetrack, July 26th-28th, are ‘must visits’.
The Hungarian capital is a wonderful city in its own right; and while Spa may be one of the more expensive ventures in terms of ticket price, it can be done on a budget of £500 per person, with trackside camping available for the three days.
Beach Soccer World Cup
Finally, the United Arab Emirates will play host to the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2024, where the 2023 champion will make an appearance, with competition kicking off in the middle of February, so book soon if you’re keen!
You’ll witness some of the world’s most skilful, agile and technically gifted footballers, with skills accompanied by a samba beat and holiday vibe.
Five-time winners Brazil are often the ones to put on a show, though when they’re not doing their thing, Dubai itself steps in, with week-long packages enabling visitors to sample this incredible manmade conurbation, at around £1,200 per person. We hope you enjoyed our 2024 Unmissable Sporting Events Calendar.
