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5 Can’t-Miss Sporting Events in 2024

Start planning now to see all the competition and camaraderie in person

spinner image stefanos tsitsipas and laszlo djere at the wimbledon mens singles match in london england twenty twenty three
Tennis fans can see the grass courts in person during Wimbledon 2024.
Photo by Simon Bruty / Anychance / Getty Images

Ah, Paris. The City of Light is glorious every day of the year, though all eyes will be on it as the host of the Summer Olympic Games starting in July.

But Paris is just one of the exciting destinations hosting major sporting events in 2024. Here are five travel-worthy events in other cities that will dazzle spectators.

spinner image a view of the field at allegiant stadium where the super bowl will be hosted in las vegas in twenty twenty four
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will host the 2024 Super Bowl.
Photo by David Becker / Getty Images

1. 2024 Super Bowl, Las Vegas

When: Feb. 11

Two teams will make it to the big game, but the real winner is anyone who can score tickets because the 58th Super Bowl is in Vegas, baby.

Allegiant Stadium, one of the newest in professional sports, opened in 2021. It will welcome football fans for the first Super Bowl held in the city and the state of Nevada. For non-football fans, the halftime show will feature multiple Grammy Award–winning artist Usher.

Get here: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) runs 24/7, so it’s always easy to find an inbound flight.

Where to stay: For sports gambling fans, the Venetian Resort has a tucked-away, hard-to-find sportsbook, which may keep some fans at bay and let you bet in peace.

spinner image kevin rolland of team france competing in the freestyle world ski championships in bakuriani georgia in twenty twenty three
The U.S. National Freestyle Championship will be held in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Photo by Alexis Boichard / Agence Zoom / Getty Images

2. U.S. Freestyle National Championship (Skiing), Waterville Valley, New Hampshire

When: March 23-24 

Freestyle ranks among the most thrilling types of skiing to watch because of the difficult high-flying aerial jumps and twists. The good news is that watching the men’s and women’s national freestyle championship, which showcases the finest mogul, dual mogul and aerial skiers in the world, is surprisingly easy on spectators’ joints. Better still, this year’s competition will be held in Waterville Valley at the birthplace of freestyle skiing, Waterville Valley Resort.  

Get here: The closest major airport is Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) (about 130 miles away), though Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) is closer (84 miles).

Where to stay: The Black Bear Lodge is smack in the middle of the White Mountains and has 107 units that can sleep groups of up to six people comfortably.

spinner image left horses and jockeys race at the the one hundred and forty ninth kentucky derby in louisville kentucky in twenty twenty three right a derby attendee wearing a hat with toy horses on it
Fans at Churchill Downs bring their best hats for the Kentucky Derby.
Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images / Photo by Daniel Boczarski / Getty Images for Churchill Downs

3. Kentucky Derby, Louisville, Kentucky

When: May 4

The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, the granddaddy of all horse racing events, takes place at Churchill Downs in the spring, which is a most pleasant time of year in the Bluegrass State. The reimagined Paddock at Churchill Downs will be open for the race. Start looking now for your most eccentric, most outrageous hat for this sesquicentennial event.

Get here: The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is less than 3 miles from Churchill Downs and can be easily accessed by car or public transportation. 

Stay: The Hyatt Regency Louisville is in the heart of downtown about 4 miles from Churchill Downs and boasts city views and an indoor pool. The hotel is also next door to the bars and restaurants of Fourth Street Live! 

spinner image carlos alcaraz and novak djokovic in the mens singals final at wimbledon in london
Spectators can watch the greatest in the game this July at Wimbledon 2024.
Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images

4. Wimbledon, London

When: July 1-14, 2024

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, but it hasn’t lost any speed or popularity over the years. That’s because the match is still played on the only grass court in the Grand Slam championship series, and tennis aficionados will be quick to tell you that grass is the fastest surface there is.

Get here: London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) is about 13 miles away, and London Gatwick (LGW) is roughly 30 miles away. (Some low-cost airlines fly to Gatwick from U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami.)

Stay: Hard to say whether Lord Tennyson, Oscar Wilde or the last Maharaja of Punjab were tennis fans, but they all stayed at the Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, and the luxury property still holds court within walking distance of the Wimbledon tennis club.   

spinner image nascar cup series championship in avondale arizona in twenty twenty three
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship is headed back to the Phoenix Raceway in Arizona.
Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images

5. NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Avondale, Arizona

When: Nov. 8-10 (Championship race is Nov. 10)

The Sonoran Desert and, by proxy, the city of Phoenix host the final NASCAR event of the year. The Cup Series Championship is returning to the Phoenix Raceway for the second year in a row. Join the crowd to watch fan favorites Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin as they sprint for the Cup.

Get here: The Phoenix Raceway is about 25 miles west of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Stay: The Vee Quiva, a Gila River Resorts & Casinos property, has 90 boutique guest rooms and gaming opportunities about 18 miles from the Phoenix Raceway.

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