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Sports tourism is emerging as a significant segment of experiential travel among Indian travellers, with holidays increasingly being planned around international sporting events, iconic venues and major tournaments. According to Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, demand is expanding beyond cricket to include football, Formula 1, tennis, golf, endurance sports and emerging racquet sports such as padel. Travellers are also extending sports-focused trips into longer holidays by combining live sporting events with sightseeing, local cuisine and cultural experiences. Destinations including Australia, the UK, Spain, Singapore, Japan, the UAE and New Zealand continue to attract Indian visitors seeking a blend of sporting experiences and tourism.
Sports tourism is witnessing steady growth among Indian travellers, with international sporting events increasingly influencing destination choices for leisure holidays. According to Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, travellers are no longer limiting overseas trips to traditional cricket tours, instead combining sporting events with cultural experiences, sightseeing, shopping and local cuisine to create longer, experience-driven itineraries.
The companies noted that interest has diversified across multiple sports, including football, Formula 1, tennis, golf and endurance events. Emerging racquet sports such as padel are also contributing to growing demand for sports-inspired travel among urban Indian consumers.
Australia remains one of the leading destinations for sports tourism, particularly Melbourne, which hosts the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Rules Football and international cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The city's sporting calendar, together with its food, arts and coastal attractions, continues to draw international visitors.
London also remains a preferred destination, offering access to Lord's Cricket Ground, Premier League football and Wimbledon, alongside established tourism attractions including museums, theatres and historic landmarks.
In the Middle East, Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to attract Indian travellers through international cricket fixtures, Formula 1 races, golf tournaments and horse racing events. Their relatively short flying time from India, combined with established hospitality infrastructure and leisure attractions, has strengthened their position in the sports tourism market.
Spain continues to appeal to football enthusiasts through Barcelona and Madrid. Barcelona attracts visitors to FC Barcelona matches and the Camp Nou, while Madrid combines football at the Santiago Bernabéu with international tennis through the Madrid Open.
Formula 1 continues to be a major driver of international travel, with Singapore's night race, Monaco's street circuit, Abu Dhabi's season-ending Grand Prix and Doha's expanding motorsport calendar featuring prominently among preferred destinations. These cities also offer a range of leisure, shopping and cultural attractions that complement sporting itineraries.
Tennis remains another significant attraction, with London hosting Wimbledon, Paris staging the French Open at Roland-Garros and Madrid organising one of the ATP Tour's leading clay-court tournaments.
Japan offers a different sporting experience through baseball, traditional sumo tournaments and Formula 1 events, while Switzerland and Austria continue to attract winter sports enthusiasts seeking skiing and snowboarding holidays in the Alps.
For cricket followers, South Africa and New Zealand remain important destinations. Cape Town combines international cricket with surfing, vineyards and nature tourism, while New Zealand offers cricket venues alongside adventure activities including bungee jumping, glacier hikes, jet boating and scenic road journeys.
According to Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, sports tourism has evolved beyond attending individual matches or tournaments. Travellers are increasingly seeking destination-based experiences that combine live sporting events with local culture, entertainment and hospitality. With an extensive international sporting calendar scheduled throughout 2026, the companies expect continued demand for sports-led holidays among Indian outbound travellers, particularly those looking to combine major sporting occasions with broader leisure experiences.
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