2022 Sporting Events Worth Planning A Trip For
The global pandemic may have put a damper on our ability to attend sporting events, but 2022, so far, looks encouraging in terms of travel and attending large gatherings again.
Below, are five culturally significant competitions that are among the pinnacle of their sport. As you plan your travel for the year ahead, consider these events to center your trip around.
1. Super Bowl LVI
When: February 13, 2022
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Tickets: https://onlocationexp.com/nfl/super-bowl-ticket-packages
The 2022 Super Bowl is right around the corner, so get your tickets and plan a trip to Los Angeles! This year’s game will be held at SoFi Stadium which is touted to be the best stadium in the National Football League (NFL). It boasts of having the most vertical seats that are closer to the field than other stadiums, making the experience even more thrilling and exciting.
While we won’t know the teams competing in this year’s game until Jan. 30th, tickets are already at all-time highs, with the cheapest ticket currently around $6000, and that is not expected to change. If you are fortunate enough to fit this in your budget, make it a lengthy stay and take time to visit local museums, bars, beaches, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
Places to Stay
Los Angeles has a lot of great options when it comes to hotels. Freehand Los Angeles and Hollywood Inn Suites are good, affordable options where you can stay for the duration of the Super Bowl.
If you want more upscale options, look into DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Beverly Hills, and Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles.
Places to Eat
Guisados and Majordomo are great places to sample local fare and international cuisines. If you’re looking to splurge more, Otium and Nobu Los Angeles may be worth your while.
Transport and Navigation
Considering the size of the city, it’s recommended to travel by car and taxis. While the metro system exists, it rarely connects to any major tourist spots.
There are many buses as well, but the high number of routes available makes it a little confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the neighborhood.
2. IIHF World Championship
When: May 13 to May 29, 2022
Where: Hartwall Arena (Helsinki) and Nokia Arena (Tampere), Finland
Tickets: https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/wm/static/24203/tickets
Ice hockey is a cultural staple of northern countries, and Finland especially takes great national pride in their team. As host of the Ice Hockey World Championships this year, the Finns have high hopes to crown their own.
Some of the matches will be held in Helsinki at the Hartwall Arena. While here, you can take a 20-minute boat ride to Suomenlinna which literally translates to Finnish fort. This fort has a rich history and is an architectural beauty. Visiting it is a must.
The rest of the matches will be held at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, a place that takes a little over two hours to reach by car. Tampere is about 100 miles (160 km) north of Helsinki and is home to many ice hockey museums. This isn’t unusual at all since hockey is the most popular sport in the country.
If you’re planning to go, purchase tickets soon as they run out quickly.
Places to Stay
If you’re looking to get a hotel near the Nokia Arena, Holiday Inn Tampere, Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City, and Lapland Hotels Arena are great options.
The Hartwall Arena also has some wonderful hotels nearby. These include Holiday Inn Helsinki, Hotel F6, Helsinki, and Scandic Grand Central Helsinki.
Places to Eat
The Nokia Arena is home to fabulous restaurants like Kauppahalli, Baba’s Kitchen, and Fujimi.
The Hartwall Arena has Restaurant Savoy, Restaurant Kuu, and Restaurant Pompier, all fancy enough to make your visit more memorable.
Transport and Navigation
Both cities are easy to navigate on foot. Public transport is also well connected and includes buses, trams, metro, and local trains along with a ferry to a nearby island. Taxis, bike shares, and car rentals are other popular means of transport.
3. UEFA Champions League Final
When: May 28, 2022
Where: Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Tickets: https://www.uefa.com/tickets/
The UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League Final will be held at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg. It is the most anticipated event in club football, with clubs from across the world competing for the prestigious trophy, affectionately known as Big Ears.
As of now, tickets aren't available, but you can register on the link above to apply for when they go on sale in February of 2022.
The 2022 UEFA Champions League Final will take place in Saint Petersburg, the cultural capital of Russia. It’s the second-largest city in the country and has a rich history, making it a great tourist spot. One of its major attractions is the beautiful State Hermitage Museum which is second only to Paris’ Louvre in size.
Places to Stay
Dvorets Trezini, Solo Sokos Hotel Vasilievsky, and Gostinitsa Regina are great hotels if you’re looking to stay near the Krestovsky Stadium, also known as the Gazprom Arena.
Places to Eat
Stroganoff Steak House and Volga-Volga are wonderful places to get some food. If you don’t mind restaurants that are on the pricier side, check out Russkiy Ampir, Restaurant Dolma, and The Repa.
Transport and Navigation
The city is well served by taxis and other kinds of public transport. There are trams, metros, and buses that allow you to get around easily.
Something you should try is the trolleybuses. They are eco-friendly, comfortable, and cheap. They also allow you to visit areas that the metro doesn’t reach.
4. 2022 NBA Finals
When: June 2 to June 19, 2022
Where: USA/Canada (To Be Announced)
Tickets: Sold directly by teams and their fan clubs
While the venue for the NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals has yet to be announced, it really deserves to be mentioned since it’s one of the most notable sporting events each year. Whether it will be held in the United States or in Canada, this event will draw basketball fans from across the world. Historically, the most affordable games to attend are Game 3, followed by Game 4, while the most expensive are typically Game 7, if needed, and Game 1. Budget accordingly, and expect to spend between a few hundred and a couple grand per ticket.
The NBA Finals are usually held in hubs where there is a notable community of basketball fans so enthusiasts from other parts of the world can further immerse themselves in basketball culture.
5. 2022 FIFA World Cup
When: November 21 to December 18, 2022
Where: Lusail Stadium, Qatar and other locations
Tickets: https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/tickets
Not a fan of club football? There’s always FIFA, the quadrennial international tournament of national teams. For the first time in FIFA history, the event will be held in the Arab world of Qatar. This year’s tournament will bring high hopes for countries like Belgium, Brazil and France.
Tickets are currently on sale for all 64 matches with prices ranging from about $68 USD to over $1500 USD.
While in Qatar, squeeze in time for desert dune bashing in an ATV. You should also make it a point to visit the archaic yet contemporary Souq Waqif Market in Doha, Qatar. Indeed, this small but wealthy country has a multitude of attractions and activities you can take in so plan and research your itinerary carefully.
Places to Stay
Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, Fraser Suites Doha, and Strato Hotel by Warwick are among the top hotels in Doha where you can enjoy your sporty sojourn.
Places to Eat
Doha offers a fine selection of restaurants to choose from - L’wzaar Sea Food Restaurant, Yasmine Palace Restaurant, Ipanema, and Hakkasan Doha are amazing places to get your hands on some mouthwatering local and global fare.
Transport and Navigation
Doha has multiple public and private transportation options available. You can travel around the city in taxis or a rented vehicle. At the same time, the public transport is well-equipped with metros and buses.
Opportunities of a Lifetime
How many people can say that they were there when the winning touchdown, goal, or basket was scored? Imagine the thrill and adrenaline of being in the stadium with fellow fans during the biggest moments of the biggest games.
Indeed, it’s easy to see why major sporting events like these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The fact that they usually take place in major cities around the world adds a tourist appeal for seeing these events in person.
With this list of can’t-miss sporting events, we hope you make the most out of your chosen event and never miss a historic moment.