If you’re a sports fan, you’re familiar with the thrill of cheering your favorite team or athlete from your living room. But nothing beats experiencing the energy in person.  

Sports tourism, or traveling to enjoy a sporting event, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in tourism, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It’s easy to see why when considering the exciting sporting events this year, such as the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

 

Sports tourism is a familiar concept for Laurie L., an action-loving Hilton Grand Vacations Member. “Traveling to sporting events usually meant driving to my local college to watch my team play football or basketball,” Laurie said. “It was a dream to go to any big event, but I wasn’t willing to shell out an arm and a leg.”

However, through HGV Ultimate Access*, Laurie has since attended high-energy events like her first Formula 1® race and the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. “Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare is no longer just a fantastic place to stay. They include experiences I would have never had the opportunity to go to otherwise. I’m no longer sitting at home on my couch watching these events on TV — I’m experiencing them in person.” There’s the thrill of watching athletes, cheering on with your fellow fans and seeing the heart-pumping action.

"Hilton Grand Vacations allows me to attend once-in-a-lifetime experiences whenever I want."

Here are five quick steps to help you plan an unforgettable getaway and enjoy your favorite sport up close and personal.

 

1. Pick The Sporting Event

The first step is to decide on the focus of your sporty vacation, which will likely inform your destination and dates. For example, if you’re an avid horse racing fan, the Kentucky Derby in May might be at the top of your list. Or if you have a hard time picking a single sport, the Paris Olympics this summer may be for you, offering hundreds of events to spectate — from the skilled artistry of figure skating and gymnastics to less-viewed sports like mountain biking, judo and sailing.

2. Decide Your Timeline

Once you’ve settled on your event, determine your getaway’s length. Maybe you’re taking a long weekend to experience March Madness and cheer on your favorite basketball team. Or perhaps a game is just one stop along a cross-country road trip. Lock down your dates, or build in some flexibility if you enjoy being spontaneous.

 

3. Book Your Accommodations

With your dates and destination picked, decide who you’ll vacation with and book your accommodations. Hilton Grand Vacations has nearly 200 properties worldwide, including in several top sporting destinations like Las Vegas and New York.

Plus, Hilton Grand Vacations Members can exchange HGV ClubPoints for Hilton Honors Points and explore even more locations within the Hilton portfolio.

4. Plan Your Itinerary

Here comes the fun part — decide what you’ll see and do, plus where you’ll eat while on vacation. One perk of traveling for your favorite sporting event is the chance to immerse yourself in someplace new. Choose to go all out on an epic getaway, plan for rest and relaxation or aim for a balance between bucket-list busting and plenty of pampering.

5. Create Your Packing List

Finally, put together a list of your travel essentials. While you’ll likely remember your passport and chargers, don’t forget to pack your fan paraphernalia — and leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

Whether you attend your bucket-list sporting event with HGV Ultimate Access or just need a comfortable place to rest and recuperate after a day of adrenaline, Hilton Grand Vacations is here to help you spectate in style.

Check out more travel tips and inspiration.

*To attend HGV Ultimate Access events (valued between $500–$3,500), Guests must attend a membership review or timeshare sales presentation during their stay in the same week as the event. If you do not attend the membership review or timeshare presentation, the retail value of the event may be charged to your credit card. HGV Ultimate Access events are subject to availability, nontransferable and subject to change without notice. Experience fee applies, minimum of $99 per event, to be paid at time of booking. Offer dates may change due to event availability. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other promotion.