Sports travel isn’t niche anymore. It’s mainstream.

What we are seeing

Sports travel continues to be a powerful motivator for a growing segment of travelers. MMGY Travel Intelligence’s Sports Travel Outlook found that 68% of sports travelers who are likely to travel for a major sporting event in the next two years are planning to attend a professional finals event. With the FIFA World Cup now underway across North America, that demand is already translating into trips.

Why it matters

Fans aren’t just spending on tickets. World Cup travelers expect to spend an average of $3,652 per trip, and only 25% of that budget goes toward the event itself. The rest flows into hotels, restaurants, transportation, entertainment and shopping.

What travel brands should do next

Think beyond the game. Fans may travel for the match, but destinations win when they package the full experience around it. Value-driven offers that combine accommodations, dining and local experiences are positioned to capture the largest share of visitor spending.

For a more in-depth overview, our exclusive webinar explores how travelers are shifting their behavior and priorities around event-driven travel – from the World Cup and beyond.

The Sports Travel Outlook Intel Brief is available to view in EurekA!, MMGY’s searchable, AI-powered platform.