Sports and travel don’t always go hand in hand. But when you think about it, sports can be a great tool to use to see the world. Often enough, major events take advantage of beautiful or popular destinations, such that the setting is part of the allure, along with the action on the court or field of play. It still may be a stretch for people who just aren’t interested to seek out sporting events as incentive to travel. If you happen to like sports at all though, it can be a wonderful idea, and you may want to start with some of the events and destination that made our sports edition travel bucket list.

The Singapore Grand Prix

There might not be a sport more geared toward world travel than Formula 1 racing, simply because it moves around by nature. Every race (or grand prix) occupies a different city, and in many cases the race actually loops through the city, at least a bit. Reasonable arguments could be made for about 10 of the races as offering the best travel experiences, but within the selection it’s very hard to top Singapore. The circuit for the grand prix is gorgeous and lights up at night in full view of the spectacular city of Singapore. And beyond the event, this happens to be one of the hotter destinations on the planet, and a breathtaking place to spend a few days. Be sure to try the local street food and spend some time at Marina Bay Sands resort.

Monte-Carlo Masters

Tennis courts thrive on beautiful settings, and not just at the professional level. Architectural Digest has even written about beautiful courts around the world, showcasing some truly amazing options. Even on the private level or in the world of country clubs however, nothing comes close to the splendor of the Monte-Carlo Masters. The tournament’s signature orange clay courts are set up right against the Mediterranean Sea, such that fans see the sea one way, the city on both sides, and the mountainous backdrop in the opposite direction. And Monte-Carlo itself, while expensive, is a treat to explore. The beaches are lovely, and it’s worth splurging on a meal or two at the fancy restaurants.

El Clasico

El Clásico is actually two events, in a sense. This is the name given to the occasions when FC Barcelona plays Real Madrid in the Spanish soccer league. Naturally the two matches happen in Barcelona and Real Madrid, where there are two massive, famous stadiums, and where the incredibly enthusiastic supporter bases seem to compete about as hard as the teams themselves. These are unforgettable sporting experiences, and either match will give you the chance to explore a wonderful Spanish city.

The Masters

One way to understand just how special The Masters golf tournament is, destination-wise, is that it takes place at Augusta National in Georgia every single year. Other tournaments at the same level change courses each year to keep things fresh and challenging, but The Masters is essentially viewed as being perfect as is, and is thus not messed with. Augusta National is a serenely beautiful golf course, the event – while exclusive – is captivating, and Augusta in the spring simply invites you to relax and enjoy yourself.

Melbourne Cup

Many nations around the world have horse races they would deem to be the biggest or best in the world. Melbourne Cup is Australia’s version, and while we can’t comment on how it compares to other major horse racing occasions in terms of prestige, it takes place at an absolutely stunning racecourse, it’s a national holiday in Australia, and it gives you the perfect excuse to visit one of the most enjoyable cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Melbourne is a blast no matter what kind of travel experience you enjoy, and the Cup itself can turn you into a horse racing fan if you aren’t one already.

FA Cup Final

Numerous sporting events could bring you to London, including Wimbledon, which may be the city’s most famous sporting event. However, the FA Cup Final is special as well in that it exposes you to what some have called the world’s greatest stadium at Wembley. The final can be held between any two teams in a given year, but it’s the biggest prize in English football save the Premier League title, which means it’s always a festive occasion. While in London you’ll also get a chance to tour some of Europe’s best sights (such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London), embrace authentic English pub culture, and generally enjoy an unrivaled city.

So what sporting events and destination that made your sports edition travel bucket list? Have you been to any of the epic world sporting events before? Which one was your favorite? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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