LONDON, UK, 2026-Feb-02 — /Travel PR News/ — A new study by Stasher, the luggage storage network, has crowned the world’s best cities for sports-tripping in 2026, with London taking the top spot.
The researchers found nearly 30% of people have or would consider travelling abroad for a major sport event. And it’s no wonder why.
Sports tourism combines two of life’s greatest things: the thrill of spectator sport and wanderlust, the strong desire to explore the world. It now accounts for 10% of global tourism spending according to UN Tourism, with projections the market could reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.
But where will fans get the best all-round experience, soaking up the atmosphere and diving into local sporting history, whether they have a ticket to an event or not?
Cities were judged on a range of sports and tourism factors*, like 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 10.
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 and Tottenham Hotspur, Harlequins, Saracens and London Irish, to the London Lions competing in the British Basketball League.
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 quintessentially British Wimbledon, the action-packed Six Nations and Women’s Rugby World Cup, the awe-inspiring World Athletics Diamond League, and the adrenaline-filled London E-Prix.
The city boasts a vibrant sports bar scene (169 venues) and a wide offering of 60 sport-related attractions for tourists to enjoy, both with an average review rating of 4.3 stars out of 5. 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.
London’s best experiences for sports fans centre on iconic stadium tours: Wembley, Emirates, Stamford Bridge, the historic Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and the legacy of the Olympic Park, home of the London 2012 Olympics Games.
However, London is on the expensive side for affordability, scoring poorly 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 riding high in the UK, up 27% over the past decade and rebounding strongly after the pandemic slump which saw tournaments cancelled or played behind closed doors.
In second place is Dubai, UAE, scoring an impressive 7 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 Saudia Arabia, that are fast becoming global sporting superpowers, investing billions into growing its sports tourism industry. They now host some of the world’s biggest 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 a staggering 212 sports bars to soak up the shared fan experience. They’re highly rated too, with an average review of 4.5 stars out of 5. Dubai is also an incredibly safe city for tourists who abide by local laws, scoring 8.4 and 8.9 out of 10 for its safety and low crime levels, respectively.
However, the downside for some could be that Dubai doesn’t 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 5 out of 10, 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 comes in third place in the study, with an overall sports tourism score of 6.5 out of 10.
The city regularly hosts a wide range of topflight 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 boasts the highest number of sport-related attractions and experiences (62), according to booking platforms, with an average review rating of 4 out of 5 stars. However, Tokyo doesn’t 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 (6.3/10) and Dublin, Ireland (6.2/10).
Jacob Wedderburn-Day, Co-Founder and CEO at Stasher commented on the findings:
“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. 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!”
Stasher names the world’s best cities for sports-tripping in 2026
