Yes, travel opens your mind and broadens your cultural horizons. But for the sports fans among us, it’s also an opportunity to visit the sites where the most dramatic, heart-warming and tear-inducing moments in sporting history played out. Touring the place where it all happens shows just how much sport can break down cultural and geographical barriers.
Most major sporting attractions also house a museum, so once you’re done watching, you can learn more about some of the world’s most successful teams, like the New York Yankees or FC Barcelona. Maybe you’re more into athletics than team sports? Olympics fanatics simply must visit Switzerland to delve into the fascinating history of the Games. Motor racing enthusiasts, meanwhile, should start saving some dollars if they’re ever going to make the Indy 500.
Not sure where to start? Here are the Flexicover team's most unmissable attractions for sports fans.
Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain Each year, hordes of footie fans make the pilgrimage to Camp Nou: the home of FC Barcelona. It’s the biggest stadium in Europe and the third largest in capacity on the planet, hosting 99,354 seated spectators. Three-time winners of the FIFA Club World Cup, five-time winners of the UEFA Champions League, 26-time winners of La Liga, and record-smashing 30-time winners of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona are renowned for being very, very good at the Beautiful Game. As well as watching a match, take a Stadium Tour and visit the Barca Museum. There are a range of different tours, like the premium Players Experience Tour, which gets you onto the hallowed turf and into the changing rooms.
The Olympic Museum, Switzerland This is one for all those athletics fans out there. Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, The Olympic Museum was founded by the International Olympic Committee on the banks of Lake Geneva. Wander around the interactive exhibition to find out more about the ancient origin of the Olympic Games, as well as the competitions that have taken place over the years. The exhibition includes the Olympic torches and medals from all Olympic Games, as well as equipment used by the most famous athletes ever to compete. Highlights include one of the first Olympic flags from 1913 and a collection of the personal items of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee and father of the modern Olympic Games.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana, USA For fans of motor racing, a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-do. This iconic racing circuit is home to the Indy 500, the world’s oldest currently operational automobile race. This year it takes place on Sunday May 24, and will see 33 drivers race 500 miles for the glory of celebrating with the traditional bottle of cold milk. If you can’t make it for the Indy 500, there are other races scheduled. Visitors can also opt for the electrifying Indy Racing Experience Two-Seater. This gives visitors a chance to feel the speeds and g-force previously only available to elite drivers. Looking for a less hair-raising experience? A tour of the grounds covers its history over a 2.5-mile trip around the track.
Galle International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka Welcome to Galle International Cricket Stadium: the most picturesque cricket ground in the world. Beneath the iconic 16th-century clocktower looming over the ground, teams go head-to-head against the breath-taking colonial backdrop of Galle Fort, while the field is bordered on each side by the balmy Indian Ocean. Cricket fans sit on the walls of the fort for sweeping views of the action, making for a truly unique viewing experience. Over the years, the ground has been a happy hunting ground for the Sri Lankan team, who have won 19 and drawn six of their 33 Tests at the venue. Visit on a match day for an unforgettable sporting experience, then enjoy dinner in one of Galle Fort’s many historic restaurants.
Yankee Stadium, New York, USA The Yankees are one of the world’s most iconic sports teams – and they’re also responsible for one of the world’s most popular baseball caps. These titans of baseball play at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Sports fans who find themselves in the Big Apple will no doubt want to catch a game and take a tour of this iconic stadium. A Yankee Stadium classic guided tour is a chance to learn about the history of the 27-time World Series champions. You’ll get up close with historic baseball artefacts, learn about the most important events that have taken place at the stadium, and visit exclusive locations. Such is the popularity that tours typically take place every day of the week.
Wherever you plan on heading to this year it’s good to know that Flexicover is committed to providing you with the highest level of protection to ensure you are safe and secure 24 hours a day when away.