Are you planning to combine some travel with a big sporting event in 2020? It promises to be a great year for sports fans, with some massive games taking places in exciting places. Which of the following sounds most tempting to you?
Melbourne, Australia – Australian Tennis Open
Arguably the first huge sporting event of 2020 will be the Australian Open. Played in the heat of the summer during January and the start of February, this is an eagerly anticipated competition that has been going since 1905.
It is sometimes called the biggest annual sporting event in the southern hemisphere. In 2019, Novak Djokovic won the men’s title and Naomi Osaka was crowned the women’s singles champion.
If you plan on visiting Melbourne for this event, then you will find a wonderfully cosmopolitan city with a thriving arts scene. From a road trip out on the sweeping Great Ocean Road to food and drink in the diverse range of restaurants, you won’t be short of things to do here.
Tokyo, Japan – Summer Olympics
The 2020 Summer Olympics will take place over a few action-packed weeks in 2020. This is going to be the highlight of the year for many sports lovers, as athletes from all over the planet gather in this city for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad.
Sports that have been added to the roster this time around include karate, surfing, and skateboarding. In total, there will be 33 sports carried out during the whole event. You won’t be able to see them all, so it makes sense to check out the itinerary and work out which sports most appeal to you.
Naturally, Tokyo is a thrilling destination in terms of sight-seeing, culture, and food. Whether you choose to visit Tokyo Tower, go shopping for the latest technology, or try some authentic sushi, this is the kind of city that will make a huge impression on you.
Lexington, Kentucky, USA – Breeders Cup
If you want to see one of the world’s most famous horse racing events, then Kentucky is the place to head to. The Breeders Cup classic returns to the Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, having made its debut there in 2015.
The two days of thoroughbred racing on offer at this event make it a great excuse for paying a visit to the city that is known as the Horse Capital of the World. You could spend time in the International Museum of the Horse, the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, and some of the many cultural attractions dotted around.
While you are in Kentucky, you will probably want to try some of the famous local foods. These include classics such as burgoo, hot brown, and the delicious sweet derby pie.
Istanbul, Turkey – Champions League Final
The city that straddles Asia and Europe will be the setting for the crowning event at the end of the European soccer season. Will an English team prevail again, or will the victor come from Spain, Germany, or elsewhere this time?
The match will be held in the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The last time a Champions League final was played here was back in 2005. This game became known as the Miracle of Istanbul, after Liverpool came back from 0-3 down to win on penalties.
In terms of tourism, this is one of the planet’s most historic and vibrant cities. Some of the main attractions include Hagia Sophia, the cavernous Grand Bazaar, and the iconic Golden Horn bridges.
No matter where you go in 2020, mixing sport with travel and good food remains one of the best ways to enjoy a memorable experience every time.
