02/04/00. Pebble Beach, CA. Clint Eastwood acknowledges the crowd in the third day of the AT&T ... [+]
The 2024 sporting calendar is out and opportunities for luxury tourism are everywhere, with various events waiting to whisk you around the world and back—and leave you with unforgettable memories along the way. Some sporting events (Wimbledon and Formula 1 come to mind) have a history of providing luxury hospitality year after year. Others might not have the same long history, but their novelty is too precious to pass up. Olympic breakdancing in Paris? Check. Major League Baseball games in Seoul? Yes, that too.
Presented in chronological order, here are five one-of-a-kind sporting events that are worth the time and distance required to travel, regardless of your starting point.
Actor Clint Eastwood plays a shot on the 18th hole during the 3M Celebrity Challenge prior to the ... [+]
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (February 1-4)
Golf has a reputation for stodginess. The annual Pebble Beach event, nestled against the central California coastline, is both the most relaxed event on the PGA calendar and the most aesthetically pleasing. If you’re not a big fan of golf, serene ocean views or perfect winter weather, the amateur half of the field is historically rife for celebrity stargazing during the tournament’s first two days (Thursday and Friday). Past participants include Justin Timberlake, Bill Murray and Clint Eastwood. Eastwood—among Monterey County’s most famous residents—lent his name to the best viewing spot along the course: Clint’s Saloon, a western-style shared hospitality venue overlooking the 15th hole. Can’t get enough of the Pacific Ocean? The tourist-friendly Carmel/Pacific Grove/Pebble Beach area is light on luxury hotels but teeming with luxury B&Bs (like Eastwood’s Mission Ranch) and vacation rentals, plenty of which overlook the Pacific.
The first regular-season games ever in South Korea are sure to capture the soul of Seoul—and the ... [+]
MLB Seoul Series (March 20-21)
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres kick off the Major League Baseball season with the first regular-season games ever in South Korea. The “Seoul Series” actually begins with exhibition games in which the Dodgers and Padres will play local teams before their two head-to-head games. Tickets and hospitality packages are expected to go on sale later in January, but act fast: Gocheok Sky Dome seats a mere 16,744. Even if MLB is able to expand that capacity for the two games, seats will be tough to come by. The number of Asian-born players on both sides (Ha-Seong Kim, Yu Darvish and Yuki Matsui for the Padres; Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers) is sure to attract fans from both Korea and Japan. There is plenty to see and do in Asia’s largest city, but this event promises to capture the soul of Seoul for two days in March.
If the making of tennis history doesn't attract you to Wimbledon, maybe the luxury accommodations ... [+]
Wimbledon (July 1-14)
There’s a grand slam tournament in Wimbledon, England every summer, but this one holds special intrigue. Novak Djokovic is gunning for his eighth men’s singles title, which would tie Roger Federer’s all-time record. Djokovic, 36, lost in the 2023 men’s final to 20-year-old upstart Carlos Alcaraz. Not captivated by a glimpse at tennis history? Few professional sports do luxury hospitality better than tennis, and no tournament has had longer to perfect the exercise than Wimbledon. Award-winning cuisine by Michelin-starred chefs such as Marcus Wareing and the Roux family, with first-class service and complimentary fine wines, elevate the spectator experience at Wimbledon from a tennis match to a cultural showcase. Although the event is months away, limited premium hospitality tickets are available.
The Olympic Games rarely find a more elegant host city than Paris, which will host the Games for the ... [+]
Summer Olympics (July 26-August 11)
This one requires more planning and preparation. The Olympics are not one sporting event, but rather a collection of 32 events spread out over more than a dozen venues and cities (most of which are near Paris). It’s the third time the City of Light has hosted an Olympic Games. Unlike the last time (1924!), these Olympics won’t feature any polo contests—but, for the first time, there will be breakdancing. Just don’t go to Paris expecting to see surfing. That will be staged in French Polynesia, in the middle of the South Pacific. Hospitality and travel packages are available for all stripes of spectator experiences, whether you’re interested in planning a trip around a specific event or sticking around from start to finish. The Olympic Games rarely find a more elegant host city, so if you’ve ever wanted to see them in person, make it happen this summer.
Formula 1 isn't just about fast cars—experience its unparalleled hospitality in one of the most ... [+]
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (December 6-8)
The final event on the Formula 1 calendar is guaranteed to end in celebration when a champion is crowned. Abu Dhabi knows how to party: The F1 Garage Hospitality package comes with a specially curated à la carte menu from a two Michelin-starred chef, Tom Sellers, plus an all-day locally-themed grazing table. An open bar with premium selections rounds out the race day culinary experience, an omnipresent respite from the bustling inner ring of the Yas Marina Circuit. The Garage Hospitality package comes with the added bonus of stage access when the winner is crowned, and includes accommodations at a W Hotel that sits—literally—above the racetrack. Yas Marina Circuit’s waterfront sightlines are unparalleled, and winters on the Persian Gulf are among the most moderate on the planet, making this the perfect time and place to take in the world’s most popular auto racing circuit.
