Major Sporting Events in 2026 Worth Travelling For
Slow down to savour sport’s major moments
Some of 2026's biggest sporting events span marathons, Formula 1 race weekends and countryside rugby tournaments, turning sport into an increasingly powerful driver for travel.
“Sport draws people across borders in a way few other things can,” says Todd Hancock, chief commercial officer at Collinson International. “The energy that follows is very real: in airports, in cities and in the connections made along the way. At Priority Pass, we’re seeing travel becoming more purpose-led, with people placing greater value on experiences that matter to them.”
Whether you’re seeking endorphins, great rivalry or high-octane adventure, these highlights on our new, always-on Sports, Arts and Fashion calendar are bound to deliver.
Sydney: run, cheer, rest
The Sydney Marathon on 30 August is an endurance experience, whether you’re crossing the finish line yourself or cheering someone on through some of the world’s most impressive urban scenery.
If you’re running, your work is largely done by race day and your focus shifts to arriving well: hydrated, rested and ready. If you’re there to support, following the route around Sydney’s iconic sights and the city’s coastal stretches can be as physical as being on the course.
Thankfully, race-day recovery is where Sydney shines. Leave time for coastal meanders and revitalising ocean dips, stops for world-famous coffee and a long lunch at one of Surry Hills’ many eateries.
At Sydney Airport’s REX Lounge, recovery begins before your journey home: a calm space to rehydrate, refuel and let the emotion and exertion of the race experience settle.
South Africa: much more than rugby
Springboks vs All Blacks–rugby's greatest rivalry plays out across South Africa this year, with fixtures spread over a fortnight, from 22 August to 5 September.
If you’re making this bucket-list trip, plan to arrive a few days before the first game to recover from the journey. Then build an itinerary that moves between cities, while allowing the experiences between matches to become part of the adventure.
For a taste of slow luxury (and award-winning food) near Cape Town, head to the winelands towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Moving north, the Bushveld brings experiences – and a stillness – that cannot be replicated. Think sunrise game drives and afternoon naps followed by sundowners, starry skies and hearty food savoured around open fires.
If you’re catching the Springboks versus the All Blacks in Durban, R & R will be effortless thanks to the city’s languid coastal energy and the lure of Indian Ocean swims, even in winter.
Singapore: pace yourself through the spectacle
The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October is one of motorsport’s great theatrical events: a night circuit threading through the Marina Bay waterfront, the city lights catching the cars as they race around the track to the roar of the grandstand.
It’s also an exceptionally dense sensory experience. The heat, crowds, late nights and non-stop entertainment that race weekend brings means knowing when to step back is as important as knowing where to show up.
Build recovery and balance into your trip rather than treating it as an afterthought. Arrive early enough to sample Singapore’s renowned wellness experiences, or plan for a few hours at a rooftop retreat to refresh your energy.
The biggest sporting moments are worth chasing, but the journey matters as much as the event itself. With Priority Pass, every stage becomes part of the experience: the calm before, the recovery after and the moments in between that make a sporting adventure even more memorable.