Can’t Miss Sporting Events in Late Summer + Fall

Posted by Tim Cotroneo
on August 11, 2026

Feeling the post-World Cup blues? Sports tourism is continuing to gain traction, and travelers are intentionally planning trips around destinations where they can see the world’s top athletes compete.

Whether traveling for the World Surf League in Fiji, Formula 1 in São Paulo, or the Women’s FAI Cup in Dublin, the below destination hotels provide the perfect home base for sports fans in the months ahead.

FIJI

Sporting Event: The World Surf League Fiji Pro (August 25-September 4, 2026) –The World Surf League Fiji Pro (WSL), now in its third consecutive year since returning to Fiji in 2024, brings the world’s best surfers to the legendary waves of Cloudbreak, showcasing elite competition at one of the sport’s most iconic reef breaks.
Where to Stay: Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, a five-star resort featuring Fiji’s only overwater bungalows. The luxury resort will once again serve as the Official Accommodation Partner for WSL 2026 events at the legendary Cloudbreak in Fiji’s western coast. Located just a short boat ride from Cloudbreak, the resort will host the official opening ceremony, press conference, closing party, and serve as the hub for the event’s live broadcast. Guests who stay at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay for the competition will experience premium accommodations, including three swimming pools, an intimate stargazing dome, and its award-winning Quan Spa, all while connecting guests with Fijian culture and environment.SÃO PAULO
Sporting Event: Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix (November 6-8, 2026) – Formula 1 returns to São Paulo’s legendary Interlagos Circuit for three days of practice, qualifying and high-speed racing. Taking place during the final stretch of the Formula 1 season, the São Paulo Grand Prix brings drivers, teams and fans from around the world to the city for one of Brazil’s most anticipated international sporting weekends.
Where to Stay: Rosewood São Paulo offers a sophisticated urban retreat from the energy of race weekend. Located within the historic Cidade Matarazzo complex near Paulista Avenue, the hotel immerses guests in Brazilian art, architecture, and nature across a leafy seven-acre setting. After a day at Interlagos, guests can unwind beside the hotel’s pools, enjoy South American wood-fired cuisine at Taraz, continue the evening with cocktails and live music at Rabo di Galo, or recharge at Asaya Spa by Guerlain.PALM SPRINGS
Sporting Event: This Fall, sports take center state in Greater Palm Springs as the destination continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier sports destination with events including The Acrisure Series (November 21): The Acrisure Series returns to the Coachella Valley this November with one of the premier matchup in college basketball as the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team take on the Washington State Cougars men’s basketball team on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Acrisure Arena. The showcase will feature two programs expected to compete on the national stage during the 2026-27 season. With one of college basketball’s most recognizable brands in Duke, and a Washington State program continuing to build momentum, the matchup is expected to be one of the marquee early-season games in the country while bringing fans, alumni, and supporters to the Coachella Valley.
Where to Stay: The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, Acrisure Arena’s official hotel features modern guest rooms with private balconies and scenic views. The desert oasis offers the largest resort pool in the Coachella Valley, championship golf, a relaxing spa with organic treatments, steam and sauna rooms, and outdoor jacuzzi spa and more.VIRGINIA

Sporting Event: College Football: UVA Cavaliers vs. UNC Tarheels (November 21) – Known historically as “The South’s Oldest Rivalry,” UVA and UNC have played over 120 times. Venture to Charlottesville to experience the UVA Cavaliers defend their title following last year’s triumph against UNC (17-16 in overtime). For a balanced blend of heated sportsmanship and academia, attend UVA’s game day speaker series, More Than the Score before the day’s activities kick off at the Virginia Guesthouse Hotel.

Where to Stay: The newly-opened Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center offers unparalleled views of the Grounds and Rotunda, convenient access to the stadium and warm, southern hospitality in a modern, refined package. A stay at Virginia Guesthouse during a game day weekend offers all the fun of the college football experience, minus the dorm and dining hall.
Sporting Events: Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) (August 23-30) & Super Girl Surf Festival (September 5–7) – Late summer brings back-to-back waves of surf action to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. First, the 64th annual ECSC, the longest continuously running surf contest in the world, fills a week with competition, skate and BMX demos, beach volleyball and live music. Just a week later, the Super Girl Surf Festival makes its mid-Atlantic debut for its 20th anniversary, a free three-day event pairing a WSL Qualifying Series women’s surf competition with 18 live concerts, fitness programming and more than 8,000 female athletes competing across 10 sports.
Where to Stay: Located inside Atlantic Park, The Sitio puts guests steps from the surf lagoon and the oceanfront for both events. The 20-room boutique hotel, backed by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams, features Belgian linens, custom surfboard racks, and a private pool deck overlooking the lagoon, along with easy access to Atlantic Park’s restaurants and live music venue, The Dome.BAHAMAS
Sporting Event: Battle 4 Atlantis (November 24–27) – Now in its 15th year, this marquee early season college basketball tournament brings an elite field of NCAA Division I programs to Atlantis Paradise Island’s Imperial Arena. The women’s bracket (November 24–26) features Davidson, Florida, Notre Dame, and West Virginia, while the men’s bracket (November 25–27) features Marquette, Memphis, Mississippi State, Penn State, Texas A&M, Virginia, Wake Forest, and Xavier. The tournament is nationally televised across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, ACC Network, and SEC Network, with new All Access Tickets offering courtside seating across both tournaments.
Where to Stay: There’s no arena-to-oceanfront commute at Atlantis Paradise Island, since the games and the getaway share the same 141 acres. Fans can spend the morning winding through Aquaventure’s 141 acres of slides and rapids, book a face-to-fin encounter at Dolphin Cay, or tee off at The Ocean Club Golf Course before tipoff, then close out the night at the Atlantis Casino or one of the resort’s beachfront restaurants and bars. With rooms across The Royal Towers, The Coral, The Reef, and The Cove, plus a private stretch of white sand beach, it’s a rare match of championship-caliber basketball and a bucket-list resort in the same trip.
Images: HERE (Credit: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism)LONDON
Sporting Event: American Football Takes Over London (September 19-October 18, 2026) – London welcomes a month-long celebration of American football this fall, beginning with the inaugural Union Jack Classic between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks at Wembley Stadium – the first-ever FBS college football game played in the UK. The action continues with three consecutive NFL London Games: the Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 4, the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham on October 11, and the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley on October 18.
Where to Stay: Rosewood London offers a quintessentially British home base for American football fans traveling across the pond. Located in historic High Holborn, the hotel places guests within easy reach of both Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while offering a refined retreat between games. Fans can settle into residentially styled rooms and suites, enjoy British classics at Holborn Dining Room, experience live jazz and cocktails at Scarfes Bar, or recover after game day with a treatment at Sense, A Rosewood Spa.
Images: HERE (Credit: Rosewood London)BERMUDA
Sporting Event: Rosewood Cup Golf Tournament (October 9-11, 2026): Every fall, at Tucker’s Point Club at Rosewood Bermuda, Rosewood Cup welcomes former athletes, avid golfers and spirited competitors for a three-day celebration, featuring a welcome dinner, two competitive rounds of golf for teams of two and exclusive luxury prizes. More than just a tournament, Rosewood Cup raises funds in support of a local charity each year, bringing the community together through friendly competition and philanthropy
Where to Stay: Overlooking the turquoise waters and pink-sand shores of Castle Harbour, Rosewood Bermudais a refined coastal retreat and the ideal home base for golfers. The resort is home to the historic 18-hole, par-70 Tucker’s Point Golf Course, originally designed by Charles H. Banks in 1932 and enhanced by Roger Rulewich in 2002. Featuring undulating fairways, elevated tees, sweeping ocean views and pristine TifEagle Bermuda-grass greens, the course offers a memorable challenge for players of all skill levels. Beyond the course, guests can unwind with ultra-luxury accommodations, exceptional dining and world-class wellness experiences.
Images: HERE (Credit: Rosewood Bermuda)DUBLIN
Sporting Event: College Football TCU vs. NC Season Kickoff in Dublin (August 29th) – The 2026 college football season kicks off in Dublin as TCU and UNC face off at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The international matchup is expected to bring thousands of American fans to Ireland for a week-long celebration of college football, culture and Irish hospitality.
Where to stay: Located just outside Kilkenny, Mount Juliet Estate offers an elegant Irish countryside escape for travelers extending their Dublin football trip. The 500-acre estate just unveiled its recently restored Manor House, including fresh design to its 32 rooms and Michelin-starred restaurant Lady Helen. Those who are still in the sporty spirit can try their hand at golf on the property’s Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, or traditional Irish countryside pursuits like fly fishing, equestrian and archery. Those seeking relaxation and recovery after the big game can enjoy the property’s spa, walking trails and views of the River Nore.
Images: HERE (Credit: Mount Juliet Estate)
Sporting Event: Women’s Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Cup (Sept. 27, 2026): Football fans can keep the FIFA World Cup energy up by cheering for their favorite sport in Dublin this fall at the Women’s FAI Cup. Professional Irish football players will hit the pitch at Tallaght Stadium for the final match of the single-elimination tournament, which promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the competition.
Where to Stay: Located in the heart of Dublin’s social and cultural scene, The Shelbourne puts sports fans in the center of the action with easy access to nearby pubs to watch the game – plus, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Tallaght Stadium for those cheering in-person. The five-star hotel is known as “Ireland’s living room” and with its seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary luxuries, it’s the perfect launchpad to explore the city. Visitors can stroll the leafy paths of St. Stephen’s Green, enjoy crisp pints at lively bars and take in well-known landmarks (like Trinity College, Grafton Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle and more) as the city transforms into hues of orange and red in autumn. The Shelbourne has welcomed guests with warm Irish hospitality for more than 200 years, including some iconic faces in sports like the Minnesota Vikings American football team and the Irish National Rugby team. In the hotel itself, guests may enjoy cocktails and light bites in the buzzy No. 27 Bar & Lounge, whiskeys in the legendary Horseshoe Bar, elevated classic Irish dishes in The Saddle Room and so much more.
Images: HERE (Credit: The Shelbourne)MADRID
Sporting Event: Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 (September 11-13, 2026): The Formula 1 Tag Heuer Gran Premio De España 2026 will debut a new highly anticipated street circuit located around IFEMA Madrid and draw local and international visitors, media attention and a renewed spotlight on Madrid as a hub for luxury travel, culture and cuisine. The race marks a significant moment for the Spanish capital, positioning Madrid alongside cities like Monaco, Las Vegas and Budapest as a premier Formula 1 destination.
Where to Stay: Located just 20 minutes from the F1 exhibition centre and Campo de las Naciones, Rosewood Villa Magna offers travelers a lens into the evolving spirit of the Spanish capital. Situated along Paseo de la Castellana, the hotel reflects the city’s vibrant character while serving as a serene urban oasis immersed in a cosmopolitan Spanish lifestyle. Beyond the excitement of race weekend, guests can savor Cantabrian flavors at Amós by Michelin-starred Chef Jesús Sánchez, enjoy cocktails and tapas at Tarde.O or explore the city’s thriving art, design and culinary scene. As the city comes alive for F1, Rosewood Villa Magna serves as both a gateway to Madrid’s rich culture and a retreat rooted in timeless Spanish elegance.NORTH CAROLINA
Sporting Event: Carolina Hurricanes (October 2-November 28): Fresh off their thrilling 2026 Stanley Cup victory, the Carolina Hurricanes are back on the ice, bringing one of the most electric fanbases in the NHL (“The Caniacs”) back to Raleigh’s Lenovo Center.
Where to Stay: Perfect for visiting fans and weekend sports getaways, the newly reimagined Hotel Indigo Raleigh opens its doors this October. Housed in a historic circular tower in the heart of downtown, the property features 204 modern guest rooms, flexible lounge spaces, an outdoor courtyard, and the city’s highest rooftop cocktail bar at High Ground. Its prime location places fans minutes from Lenovo Center and within steps of downtown Raleigh’s thriving restaurant and nightlife scene.