The view from the top at Roland-Garros captures the scale of sports tourism; major tournaments in iconic cities like Paris are now the primary anchor for extended European holidays.
Major sporting events are fast becoming a key driver of travel decisions. And increasingly, those moments are happening in stadiums, on courts, and at racetracks.
According to new data from Klook, one in five travellers now plans trips around specific events, with 25% doing so for sports. This rise in sports tourism shows travellers aren’t flying in and out either. About 91% extend their stay, and 41% add at least three extra days to explore beyond the event.
Malaysians are leaning in
Football has always been more than a sport here. It’s emotional. Whether it’s local pride tied to Harimau Malaya or late-night screenings of international matches, the connection runs deep. Then there’s Formula 1. Interest has picked up again in recent years, helped by pop culture and a growing behind-the-scenes curiosity (Drive to Survive, anyone?) about the sport. Add to that the national pride again linked to Petronas and its presence in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, and it’s easy to see why race weekends are becoming travel-worthy events.
What’s different now is the mindset. Malaysians aren’t just watching anymore — they’re planning. A football match in North America becomes an excuse to explore multiple cities. A race weekend turns into a longer stay with friends or family. A tennis tournament becomes part of a European summer itinerary.
The big events driving this shift
FIFA World Cup 2026
With matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the scale alone makes it ideal for multi-city trips. And fans aren’t just attending one match. They’re building entire journeys around it, hopping between host cities and exploring new destinations along the way.
Formula 1 2026 Season
With 22 races across the globe, Formula 1 offers flexibility. Travellers can pick a city they’ve always wanted to visit, then align their trip with the race weekend. Whether it’s Melbourne, Suzuka, or Monaco, the race becomes the highlight, but not the whole story.
Roland-Garros 2026 in Paris
For tennis fans, this is not just a tournament. It’s Paris in late spring. Watching matches at Stade Roland-Garros can easily be paired with museum visits, cafe hopping, and short trips across France or nearby countries.
Wimbledon 2026 in London
There’s a sense of tradition here that goes beyond sport: Centre Court, strawberries and cream, summer in London. For many Malaysians, this becomes part of a broader UK or Europe itinerary, blending sport with culture and history at the All England Club.
Start planning your sports getaway
Klook now offers tickets and hospitality packages for these global sporting events, alongside tours, transport, and travel essentials to help fans plan complete trips.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 experiences
- Formula 1 2026 race tickets and hospitality
- Roland-Garros 2026 packages
- Wimbledon 2026 debenture seats
At its core, this shift says something simple: people want their trips to feel meaningful. A beach holiday is relaxing, but a last-minute goal in a World Cup match or the roar of engines on race day creates something harder to replicate — shared emotion and memories made in real time. As sports tourism continues to grow, platforms like Klook are making it easier for Malaysians to turn major sporting events into complete, experience-led holidays.
Klook
All photos are courtesy of Klook.
