Barriers exist between most countries; culture, language, politics, and other blockages create walls that are challenging to climb. But one universal element every nation has in common is sports – and sports break those barriers. Whether participating or watching, sport is a language in itself that appeals to the social, competitive side of humans – and it’s an excellent way to understand, get to know, and enjoy the company of anyone from any country around the world.
Sports becomes an incredible experience when combined with a love of traveling; many people explore other lands and cultures through their passion for their game. With that in mind, these destinations with penchants for sports are perfect itinerary items for sporting fanatics.
United Kingdom
England is famed worldwide for its soccer scene. Across the land, local, national, and even international matches take place like regular clockwork. Plus, the crowds are phenomenal; it’s not uncommon for stadiums to sell out, with fans showing up for games in numbers over 40,000.
Furthermore, cricket is another contender that English folks across the pond go nuts for, as is tennis, especially in the season when London becomes the center of the world’s attention each June – when the iconic Wimbledon championship starts. Among other unmissable sporting events in the UK are Epsom Downs and Ascot horse races (along with the Grand National, too), which turn into highly sophisticated formalwear events and sporting shows. However, when it comes to getting rough and dirty, the rugby league is unmissable – especially when Wales is playing; the team’s camaraderie is second to none.
North America
North America is famed globally for many things – but a robust roster of sports is probably one of the biggest. Some destinations are renowned for one or two particular sports (like the UK and its buzzing soccer culture). All across the United States and Canada, though, all sports are rife – right from kids in elementary school taking part in extra-curricular clubs to college sports teams – and, of course, the major leagues at the professional level.
People go wild in the US and Canada for football, basketball, ice hockey, baseball, and even crazier and more dangerous sports like NASCAR. In fact, many Americans and Canadians make their sport of choice their entire reason for a vacation. Take ice hockey, for example; fans often book tailored NHL travel packages designed to get them in on the hockey action, attend matches, and enjoy a trip away. Many travel operators also offer the same services for fans of other sports and leagues, from the NBA to the NFL.
Japan
Think “baseball”, and the USA immediately springs to mind. Granted, the game was birthed in New York – but the Japanese seem to be the biggest baseball fans in the world. In big cities like Tokyo, tourists can enjoy a unique blend of western and Japanese sporting culture, with sumo wrestling and martial arts representing one flavor and the country’s passion for baseball another.
Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil
Brazil is the ultimate place for soccer lovers who can’t get enough gorgeous beaches and sports culture simultaneously. Specifically, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are two top spots for soccer fans; the latter’s home team draws in crowds of over 70,000 at the Macaranã stadium – an atmosphere discerning soccer enthusiasts do not want to miss.
If that’s a little too exciting, sampling the fun street soccer with the locals in Sao Paulo affords an authentic insight into Brazil’s soccer culture at the grassroots level.
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