Sports travel: soccer, Olympics, emotions and logistics

Sporting events aren’t just competitions—they’re an atmosphere of thrill, unity with fans, and unforgettable emotions. And when your trip is centered around a landmark match or the Olympics, the experience is doubled, creating memories for a lifetime.

Active travelers continue to seek out iconic sporting events—not only for the spectacular shows they offer but also as a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the host country’s culture.

2026 is set to be a landmark year on the sports calendar:

🔹 FIFA World Cup 2026
June 11 – July 19, USA, Canada, Mexico
— The first tournament in history to feature 48 teams. Matches will be held in 16 cities across three countries, including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Mexico City, and more.

🔹 Summer Olympic Games
Expected bid: Brisbane, Australia
— The official dates have yet to be announced (the IOC will make its final decision in 2025), but the Games are expected to take place in July–August 2032, which means there won’t be any in 2026. Instead, the focus will shift to the next Olympic cycle: the Winter Games have already been held in 2026.

🔹 Winter Olympic Games
February 6–22, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
— The first Olympics to be split between two cities with different climates and infrastructures. The skiing events will take place in the mountain areas of Cortina, while the city and ice sports will be held in Milan.

🔹 UEFA Champions League Final
May 30, Budapest, Hungary (Puskás Aréna)
— Europe’s premier club match in the City of the Danube.

🔹 UEFA Europa League Final
May 20, Bilbao, Spain (San Mamés Stadium)

🔹 UEFA Conference League Final
May 27, Łódź, Poland (Stadion “Widzew”)

🔹 IIHF World Championship (Hockey)
May 9–25, Cologne (Germany) and Zurich/Bern (Switzerland)
— The tournament is once again being held in two countries, following the model used in 2020–2024.

🔹 UEFA Women’s Euro
July 2–27, Switzerland
— The second Women’s European Championship under UEFA following the record surge in the popularity of women’s football in 2022–2025.

🔹 FIBA Basketball World Cup
August 28 – September 13, Qatar
— The first Basketball World Cup to be held in a Gulf country—a key part of a global strategy to grow the sport in Asia and the Middle East.

🔹 Tour de France
July 4–26, starting in Italy (Florence) and finishing on the Champs-Élysées, Paris

🔹 US Open (Tennis)
August 24 – September 7, New York, USA

🔹 NHL Stanley Cup Final
Tentatively — June 2026, with the venue determined by the finalists

These grand sporting events not only offer you a unique chance to witness top-tier athletic battles but also immerse you in an atmosphere of excitement and team unity. Of course, you want to be part of this unforgettable experience! However, making it a reality requires taking care of many details—from booking your flight and choosing conveniently located hotels near the venues to arranging transfers and even securing your visa.

Our experts can help organize your stay during the trip for the 2026 World Cup and the Olympics in Italy, including hotel bookings, air tickets, transfers and even curated tours of the must-see locations. Our professional managers have extensive experience in visa processing for sporting events, and we’re ready to take care of the entire process for you. Just remember to start planning your visa for events in Europe well in advance—don’t leave it to the last minute if you want to be sure to catch this landmark event!

Our goal is to make your sports travel experience as comfortable and memorable as possible.

So don’t miss your chance to dive into the world of sports and create unforgettable memories. Get in touch with us now, and we’ll do everything we can to make your trip truly remarkable!