Great “Spectations” (Spectator Vacations): Minor Hotels Brings Fans Closer to the Action as Sports Tourism Takes Center Stage in 2026

February 12, 2026: As February’s 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games kick off a packed global sports calendar and record-breaking travel demand, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for sports tourism. Travelers are increasingly planning trips around marquee competitions, blending live spectator experiences with culture, cuisine, and design-forward stays.

According to a 2025 Expedia Group study, nearly half of sports fans reported traveling specifically to attend live sporting events. Industry analysts echo this momentum, with Expert Market Research projecting the global sports tourism market to grow at approximately 16.7% annually from 2026 through 2035.

With a portfolio spanning more than 50 countries and brands including Anantara, Avani, NH Collection, nhow, and Tivoli, Minor Hotels is well positioned to meet this surge, placing travelers near iconic venues, host cities, and global competitions. From the Winter Olympics in northern Italy to Formula 1, football finals, and grand slams, Minor Hotels offers winning accommodations from which to enjoy the best sporting moments of 2026. 

As the Winter Olympics shine a global spotlight on Northern Italy, Milan, known for fashion, design, and gastronomy, offers world-class urban culture and an ideal hub for those inspired to explore the surrounding Alps after viewing this year’s Olympic Games. Minor Hotels boasts plenty of world-class stays, including:

• Tivoli President Milano - The newly-opened flagship offers a refined base in the heart of Milan blending contemporary Italian design with easy access to transport hubs, cultural landmarks and dining.
• NH Collection Milano CityLife – Located in one of Milan’s most modern neighborhoods, this design-forward hotel located in a deconsecrated former cathedral offers spacious rooms and seamless connections across the city.
• Avani Palazzo Moscova Milan – A lively lifestyle hotel near Milan’s historic center, ideal for travelers seeking a balance of style, comfort, and value.

• NH Collection Alagna Mirtillo Rosso – Set in the Italian Alps, this contemporary alpine retreat offers a peaceful mountain escape, perfect for pairing Olympic energy with fresh air and scenic views.

Budapest becomes Europe’s football (soccer) capital as fans descend on the city for one of the world’s most watched sporting events. The destination will welcome travelers from across Europe and beyond, drawn not only by the match itself but by the city’s striking architecture, historic riverfront, and vibrant nightlife. Taking place in late spring, the Final offers ideal conditions for exploring Budapest’s thermal baths, café culture, and iconic landmarks along the Danube.

• Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel - An iconic landmark pairing grand architecture with modern luxury (including the New York Café, largely considered one of the most beautiful cafés in the world), this hotel anchors Minor Hotels’ presence in the Hungarian capital, offering a memorable stay near Budapest’s cultural and riverfront highlights. 
• NH Collection Budapest City Center – A contemporary, centrally-located hotel ideal for fans looking to stay close to the city’s attractions while enjoying modern comfort and convenience.

The French Open at Roland-Garros remains one of the most iconic events on the global tennis calendar, drawing international fans to Paris during one of the city’s most beautiful and vibrant seasons. Late spring and early summer bring long days, café-lined streets, and peak cultural programming, making the tournament an ideal anchor for a Parisian escape. Beyond the matches, visitors are drawn to the city’s museums, fashion districts, and culinary scene, blending world-class sport with unmistakable French style.

• NH Collection Paris Ponthieu Champs-Élysées - The brand’s first Paris property, opened in late 2025, offers elegant accommodations just steps from the Champs-Élysées. A refined base for tennis fans inspired to experience Paris during the height of the season, it provides seamless access to Roland-Garros alongside the capital’s most celebrated neighborhoods.

Cycling’s most legendary race transforms France into a multi-stage spectator journey, beginning this year in Barcelona, Spain and culminating in Paris. Each stage offers a different lens on Spain and France, from alpine climbs and coastal roads to vineyard-lined countryside, making the race as much a celebration of place as of sport. July brings peak summer energy, long daylight hours, and a festive atmosphere that invites fans to turn race viewing into a multi-stop travel experience. 

• NH Collection Barcelona Grand Hotel Calderon - Located on Rambla de Catalunya within easy walk of the city center’s major landmarks, such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, La Sagrada Familia, and shopping districts
• NH Collection Barcelona Pódium – lies in the heart of Barcelona, near the Plaza de Cataluña, the city’s main shopping and cultural district and Parc de la Ciudadela.
• NH Collection Barcelona Constanza – a calm and stylish retreat located in the heart of the city’s business district.
• NH Collection Paris Ponthieu Champs-Élysées – A sophisticated Parisian retreat for travelers attending the iconic final stage along the Champs-Élysées.
• Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel – A Belle Époque landmark overlooking the Mediterranean, offering Riviera elegance and prime access to southern stages of the race.  While not directly on the Tour de France route, it is the perfect place to relax by the beach post-tour.

The world’s most influential sporting event drives global travel across host cities in North America, with millions of fans planning multi-city itineraries that blend football with cultural exploration. From major metropolitan hubs to emerging host destinations, the World Cup offers fans the opportunity to experience diverse cities, cuisines, and communities united by the world’s most popular sport.

• NH Collection Guadalajara Providencia – Stylish urban hotels offering easy access to stadiums, historic districts, and the city’s renowned culinary scene.
• NH Collection Mexico City Centro Histórico, Reforma & Santa Fe – Centrally located properties catering to match-day travel while providing access to museums, dining, and business hubs.
• NH Collection New York Madison Avenue – A refined Midtown Manhattan hotel offering a polished base close to major transit links and iconic city attractions.

Formula 1 takes center stage in 2026 with major race weekends spanning Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, drawing international motorsport fans to three of the calendar’s most dynamic destinations. Madrid makes its highly anticipated Formula 1 debut, adding high-speed competition to the city’s late-summer cultural energy. Melbourne once again hosts the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, pairing world-class racing with spring-into-summer weather and a packed cultural calendar. The season culminates in Abu Dhabi, where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivers a high-profile finale set against the UAE’s luxury hospitality, waterfront attractions, and warm-weather appeal.

• NH Collection Madrid Abascal – A contemporary hotel in the financial district, offering sleek design and easy access to race events and the city center.

• NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía – Located on Madrid’s most iconic boulevard, ideal for travelers who want to pair the race weekend with shopping, dining, and nightlife.

• NH Collection Madrid Paseo del Prado – Set near the city’s Golden Triangle of museums, blending refined design with a prime cultural location.

• NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa – A historic former palace turned modern hotel, offering an elegant stay in the heart of Madrid.

• NH Collection Madrid Suecia – A design-forward hotel with rooftop views, popular for its lively atmosphere and central location.

• NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding – A flagship property known for spacious rooms, advanced amenities, and excellent connectivity across the city.

• Avani Melbourne Central Residences – Modern serviced residences in the heart of the CBD, offering space and flexibility close to Albert Park and cultural districts.
• Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences – Apartment-style accommodations ideal for longer stays, well connected to Melbourne’s transit network.
• Avani Melbourne Jazz Corner Residences – A jazz-inspired residence overlooking the city’s parklands, offering a relaxed retreat near the race circuit.

• Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat – An intimate, adults-only beachfront retreat inspired by Mediterranean design, offering a serene escape within reach of race weekend excitement.
• Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara – A dramatic desert sanctuary set among the rolling dunes of the Empty Quarter, ideal for extending a Grand Prix trip into a luxury desert experience.
• Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai – With the easiest of access to the highway to Abu Dhabi, this hotel is in the perfect location to travel to the Grand Prix and enjoy Dubai on your doorstep.
• Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai – Part of the Ibn Battuta complex on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel is surrounded by boutiques and restaurants and is within easy reach of both Dubai via the adjoining metro station and Abu Dhabi.
• Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort – A luxury beachfront resort featuring overwater villas and resort-style relaxation, offering a leisure-focused complement to the race experience.
• NH Collection Dubai The Palm – Located on the trunk of The Palm Jumeirah, the hotel is easily accessible to the city’s best spots, with Aquaventure Water Park, Nakheel Malll and Palm Fountain at The Pointe on the doorstep.
• Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel – A sleek urban hotel offering convenient access to Abu Dhabi via highway or transfer, ideal for travelers combining race weekend with Dubai exploration.

As sports continue to shape how and why people travel, Minor Hotels helps transform major sporting moments into immersive journeys—pairing prime locations with thoughtful hospitality across the world’s most exciting destinations.

To view and download high-resolution images for each property, please click here.

Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with over 640* hotels, resorts and branded residences across 59 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognizes its guests through one unified loyalty program, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

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*Property count includes operating properties as well as committed developments through ownership, joint ventures, signed leases and management agreements.