Tips for Enjoying the Ultimate Sporting Vacation

For sports fans, taking in a game while on vacation can complete the perfect trip. Be it watching the Premier League in England, rugby in New Zealand or the NFL in the United States, experience live sport is an exhilarating thrill like no other. Viewing action inside the stadium can be a great way to experience local culture on holiday.

People love seeing the sights when travelling and iconic sporting arenas are among the top tourists spots around the globe. If you are a keen follower of sport, this article will provide tips and guidance on how you can incorporate your favorite pastime when exploring a new place.

Watch a Live Game

There is nothing like being inside the stadium and watching the action up close. From the stunning atmosphere of the crowd to the excitement and anticipation in the stands ahead of each play, it’s an exhilarating experience.

For visitors coming from afar and abroad, it is best to plan ahead and purchase your baseball tickets, for example, as soon as possible to ensure you will definitely get in before the game sells out. Knowing you have a place in the stadium means you can plan ahead, won’t have to waste time queueing on the day of the game and takes away the chance of the disappointment of missing out.

Seeing star names play is thrilling in itself but taking in the surroundings of a new place and seeing first-hand the passion they have for their sport can make for a memorable trip and plenty of anecdotes to share with friends and family on your return.

Go on a Guided Tour

It’s crazy how watching on television can give you a really clear picture of a sports arena. From Shea Stadium in New York to Camp Nou in Barcelona, the tennis courts at Wimbledon and the Silverstone racetrack, they are famous venues which have hosted some of the most incredible moments in sport history. And yet many fans will have no real sense of what goes on behind-the-scenes or even the layout of the locker room and player entrance.

However, this is where vacationing in the home of your favorite sport teams can change things. Many clubs and sports venues offer guided tours, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the inner-workings and even stand and sit in the same place as your heroes before they head to the field of play. While enjoying the city, heading to different stadia and locations to get a real look of what they are like beyond the pitch can make for a great day out and offer you a new perspective next time your watching from further afield.

Hang out with Local Fans

The best way to truly learn about a sports club is to mix with the local support who attend games weekly. For instance, if you ventured to Liverpool in England for an Everton game at Goodison Park, supporters gather at the stadium hours before kick-off. Here, followers of the team enjoy time at the pubs and food outlets next to the arena and gather to discuss pre-match thoughts as the excitement outside the ground builds. By attending early, you can sample the culture, be part of the atmosphere and see how soccer fans in the UK watch the game, both before and during the big match.

When checking out the locality of the stadium, you can also purchase club merchandise and fan pieces as a memento from the sporting aspect of your trip. Jerseys, scarves, hats and pendants are great to purchase and will remind you of the vacation when you saw your heroes live for years to come.

Attend Legends Evening

During your vacation, check out if there are any opportunities to meet sporting icons. Many players from past eras are held in high regard by supporters long after they stop playing and remain closely connected to the team. In some instances, legends will take part in an evening of regaling locker room stories, sharing memories and meeting fans.

What’s more, there is also the opportunity for a photograph and signature while many events feature a Q&A session too meaning you can directly ask what you have always wondered about a particular incident or moment on the field.

Explore Historic Sites

Visiting famous landmarks is the staple of a good sightseeing trip and as a sports fan, there are thousands of locations around the world to check out. With sports being an integral part of different communities for more than 100 years, the turn of the century has seen a number of institutions relocate.

Take Arsenal in the Premier League, for example, who departed the legendary Highbury in 2006 and moved to the Emirates Stadium. For fans into history, the exterior of the famous former ground remains and is a stunning sight to witness in person. It’s also possible to visit the areas where superstars learned their trade before making it in the game.

Summing Up

While your entire holiday doesn’t have to solely resolve around sport, taking in a game or stadium tour can enhance your experience and also help you better understand the culture and fandom of different areas across the globe. Such pursuits, be it watching or playing, are a key part of life in the 21st century and offer great entertainment and excitement all year around.