World’s Best Cities for Sports-Tripping in 2026 Revealed

A new study by luggage storage network Stasher has crowned the world’s best cities for sports-tripping in 2026, with London taking the top spot.

Researchers from the company, which connects travellers with hotels and stores to keep their luggage safe while sightseeing in a city, found that nearly 30 percent of people have or would consider travelling abroad for a major sport event. It coincides with another report by UN Tourism, which reported that sports tourism now accounts for ten percent of global tourism spending, with projections from Skift that the market could reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.

Cities were judged on a range of sports and tourism factors, such as their sports bar scene sport-related tourist experiences (and whether they are worth the money), affordable food, drink and local transport options, equality and crime levels, how many major international sports events they host, and how many world-class teams call them home.

The study reveals London has the best all-round experience for sports tourists, scoring 7.6 out of ten.

It is the city with the highest density of world-class sports teams (20) across the ‘big five’ – football, rugby union, basketball, baseball and cricket. London is a major sports hub and home to some of the UK’s most successful elite teams, from Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Harlequins, Saracens and London Irish to the London Lions competing in the British Basketball League.

London’s Sports Events in 2025 and 2026

London also scores top points for the number of major international sports events it hosted in 2025 and is due to host in 2026 (22 in total), including the Wimbledon Championships, the Six Nations and Women’s Rugby World Cup, the World Athletics Diamond League and the London E-Prix.

The city’s sports bar scene includes 169 venues and an offering of 60 sport-related attractions for tourists to enjoy, both with an average review rating of 4.3 stars out of five. This is important for sports-trippers, as two thirds of people say a city’s wider sports tourism offering matters a great deal or somewhat when booking a trip.

Meanwhile, Wembley, Emirates, Stamford Bridge, the historic Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and the legacy of the Olympic Park, home of the London 2012 Olympic Games, offer unique stadium tour experiences for sports fans in the capital.

However, London scores poorly for affordability, especially for food, drink and public transport costs. On average, a meal in a mid-range restaurant costs £20 per person, while a one-way ticket for public transport costs around £3.50.

Sports spectatorship is up 27 percent over the past decade and rebounding strongly after the pandemic slump which saw tournaments cancelled or played behind closed doors.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

In second place is Dubai, UAE, scoring seven out of 10 and beating many cities that are world-renowned for their sports history and heritage.

The UAE is one of many in the Gulf States, alongside Qatar and Saudi Arabia, that are fast becoming global sporting superpowers, investing billions into growing its sports tourism industry. They now host some of the world’s largest sporting events like Formula One and golf’s European Tour, and are building state-of-the-art mega stadiums.

For those without an event ticket, the city has 212 sports bars to soak up the shared fan experience. They are highly rated too, with an average review of 4.5 stars out of five. Dubai is also a safe city for tourists who abide by local laws according to the data, scoring 8.4 and 8.9 out of ten for its safety and low crime levels, respectively.

However, the downside for some could be that Dubai does not have many sport-related tourist attractions, just 17. Given two thirds of sport-trippers say a city’s wider sporting history, reputation and tourist experiences greatly or somewhat influence their decision to book, this factor could hold the city back from achieving the top spot.

Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, features in the top 15 with an overall score of five out of ten, positioning it in joint 12th place with Rotterdam, Netherlands. By comparison, the UAE outperformed its neighbours Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, with Riyadh (19th), Manama (21st) and Jeddah (23rd) featuring at the bottom of the table.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan comes in at third place in the study, with an overall sports tourism score of 6.5 out of ten.

The city regularly hosts a wide range of top-flight international sport, with a particular draw for motorsport fans. In 2025, Tokyo hosted the Motorcycle Grand Prix, Formula 1 and Formula E races, as well as the World Athletics Championships. And 2026 looks to be another action-packed year with the BWF Badminton World Tour, Judo Grand Slam and the World Baseball Classic confirmed when Japan will be playing to defend its title.

The capital city can draw on the highest number of sport-related attractions and experiences (62), according to booking platforms, with an average review rating of four out of five stars. However, Tokyo does not have many professional sports teams playing locally (only five recorded). Its football clubs include FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy, both of which play at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu, along with The Giants baseball team – Japan’s oldest professional sports team.

Affordability also makes Tokyo an appealing destination for sports-trippers, with some of the cheapest average prices for meals (under £6 per person), local draft beer (£1.50) and public transport (just over £1 for a one-way ticket).

Closely following Tokyo are Melbourne, Australia in fourth place (6.3 out of ten) and Dublin, Ireland (6.2 out of ten).

CEO Reaction

“It has been fascinating to study the world’s best destinations for sports-tripping as supporters travel further, for longer to be part of the action,” said Jacob Wedderburn-Day, co-founder and CEO at Stasher. “It’s great to see London, our home city, at the top of the table, building on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics and the capital’s rich sporting history and heritage.

“The study has also made clear how diverse sport offerings are in each city, making for an unforgettable trip. It’s also promising to see the number of elite women’s competitions drawing international crowds and the growing influence this is having on sports travel.

“And as the Gulf States continue to invest in their sports tourism offerings, we can expect to see them rise in the sports-tripping rankings. But with sports tourists wanting more beyond the stadium walls, their success may be limited. Let’s see!”