4 Sporting Events Worth Traveling For
Traveling to see a sporting event might be one of the best reasons for taking a trip. Wherever you’re traveling to, you’ll almost always have time to take in the local sights and sounds while you’re there. However, you also get to partake in a once-in-a-lifetime sporting event. No two are ever the same, which adds a special touch to your expedition.
While there are countless sporting events that would be worth the trip, our top four have to be; The Masters Tournament, Wimbledon, The Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and The UEFA Champions League Final.
THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT
Whether you play for business, leisure or both, there’s no denying that golf is a great sport. So, why not pack up your clubs and head over to Augusta, Georgia, USA, home to one of the most prestigious (and exclusive) golf courses in the world; the Augusta National Golf Club. Whilst you may not be able to play on this member’s only course (unless you’re lucky enough to get invited to, that is) you can enjoy watching the Masters Tournament held every year in April.
Since 1934, the Augusta National Club has played host to the annual tournament, one of the four major championships in professional golf, and the only major played each year at the same course. Considered one of the best (and prettiest) in America, the course was formerly a plant nursery and so each hole is named after the tree or shrub with which it has become associated. Did we mention the scenery is absolutely stunning as well?
WIMBLEDON
You don’t have to be a huge tennis fan to know that Wimbledon is the greatest stage this game is played on. This sporting event has been crowning the world’s best tennis players since 1877. It’s the only major still held on a grass court and players must wear all-white or nearly all-white attire. The male and female players are also referred to as “gentlemen” and “ladies.”
The formalities continue in a number of other ways, as well. Cheering is not allowed when the ball is in play and, if you are lucky enough to attend a championship match, you’ll most likely be joined by actual British royalty (some members may show up for non-championship matches, too).
While the event inside the arena is a fun recall to the days of the British Empire, there is also plenty of modern fun to be had all around during the two weeks this tournament is held.
THE MONACO FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX
Like Wimbledon, the Monaco GP is another cultural event that extends far beyond the actual field – or in this case, street – of play. First held in 1929, people all over the world come to the Monaco GP, not just to see the amazing race but to be seen themselves, in their expensive sports cars and yachts.
Located on the French Riviera, the beautiful city of Monaco uses its very streets as the course for this adrenaline-pumping race. Tight corners, changes in elevation and tunnels all make the Monaco GP one of the most demanding in all of Formula One racing.
While the track itself is only about two miles long, it must be lapped 78 times. This means that the relatively short track of the Monaco GP can still produce a fairly lengthy race, usually around an hour and 20 minutes.
THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
All over the world, the most popular sport is football, so it should come as no surprise that we heartily recommend the UEFA Champions League. Founded in 1955, it has become the most prestigious club tournament in all of European football.
Every year, hundreds of millions of people will tune in to watch the UEFA Champions League, even if their favorite team isn’t playing.
32 teams – often with two or more coming from the same country – compete in a round robin fashion. This means the entire tournament lasts from September to December, so you should have no problem planning your trip to ensure you can attend at least a few matches.
Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, these spectacles must be seen to be believed. As we mentioned at the beginning, they’re also worth the trip just so you can take in the other local attractions surrounding their venues.