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Heading abroad to cheer on your team? Plan smart with tips on tickets, safety, etiquette, packing, and travel insurance so you stay protected and enjoy every moment at major sporting events worldwide.
Avid sports fans everywhere are constantly planning the major sporting event they want to attend. From the World Cup to the Olympics and the World Series, many sports fans will travel great distances to see their favorite sports team or player have a shot at winning it all.
For some sports fans, this even means traveling abroad to London for Wimbledon or to the next FIFA World Cup. Whatever your preferred sport, you must travel prepared and be covered in case of an emergency.
Some sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup, require a ticket application or ballot process that takes place months before the event itself. Always research and purchase tickets through a reputable source, such as online through an accredited ticket seller or directly from the venue itself. If you are buying tickets from a third-party seller, be aware of the associated risks. Whatever you do, avoid relying on tickets from scalpers – you may find out too late that the tickets are invalid, duplicates, or fake. And most of the time, there is nothing that can be done about it.
Watching a sport on television and being there in person are two different experiences. Some sports, such as tennis and golf, have strict etiquette rules that must be adhered to. For example, it is not permissible to swear or heckle during Wimbledon, and if someone working a golf tournament raises their hands or a quiet sign, the crowd must be silent. Failure to adhere to the rules could result in being asked to leave or escorted out and missing most of the event.
Whether you are traveling within your home country or overseas, make a point to research the best places to eat, restaurants to avoid, as well as areas of the city that are not recommended to travel to alone (or at all). By conducting your own research before departure, you will not only free up more time to see the sites and enjoy the sporting event, but you will minimize the chances of getting sick from poorly prepared food or ending up in a seedy district looking for a place to eat.
Similarly, researching accommodations and their proximity to the sporting event will save you from discovering that you have booked a hotel that is an hour’s drive from the venue or is not accessible by public transit. Researching and knowing what to expect minimizes disappointment and increases your chance of having a safe and memorable trip.
Regardless of the location, it is important to follow standard safety rules when traveling. Avoid getting into unmarked taxis, especially after dark. Only use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations, such as banks or hotel lobbies. Also, don’t travel with a full wallet – leave rewards cards and any other unnecessary items at home.
If you are in a foreign country, save the local emergency numbers in your cell phone or on a piece of paper in your wallet, including the number of your hotel, so that it is quickly accessible if needed.
Even if you are flying domestically, your passport remains a reliable form of identification for air travel. If you are traveling overseas, be sure to check your passport’s expiration date at the same time you book your flight. If your passport is nearing expiration, apply for a new one as soon as possible. Passports are necessary for international travel.
Your prescription medications should be one of the first items you pack – and if you are flying, ensure they are packed in your carry-on bag, not in the checked luggage. Also, ensure you have enough medication to get you through your entire trip and then some – just in case you are delayed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Similarly, ensure you have some medication left at home, so you are not rushed to refill your prescription the moment you arrive home.
If you are traveling to a foreign country or even just in your country, you may want to invest in a travel-sized first-aid kit and carry it with you while at the sporting venue. If you cut yourself, you will be grateful that you don’t have to weed through thousands of people to search for a bandage endlessly.
Your first-aid kit can also be customized for the occasion. For example, it could include sunscreen and aloe lotion for a hot and sunny location or hand warmers and petroleum jelly for cold destinations. Your kit may also include small snacks, such as granola or energy bars.
While it is not permitted to cross airport security with a whole bottle of water, bring an empty, reusable water bottle with you, either in your carry-on or in your checked luggage, and fill it with water before the sporting event. If you are drinking tap water, ensure it is safe beforehand; when in doubt, consider investing in bottled water for peace of mind. Remember, you will be one of thousands enjoying the sporting event – staying hydrated is essential to avoid headaches, dizziness, and, if it is hot outside, overheating.
Do your medical insurance benefits cover you for international travel? If not, invest in travel medical insurance that will give you the freedom to seek treatment with a hospital or doctor of your choice and increase your medical expense coverage up to $2 million, depending on the plan. Comprehensive travel insurance plans often include trip cancellation, travel delay, and baggage delay benefits as well.
Although you may have some insurance coverage through your job or credit card, be sure to look into precisely what your insurance covers and where you may need more coverage. When traveling outside your home country, travel medical insurance typically covers what your home health insurance will not.
If you plan to make multiple international trips to follow a professional sport, you may want to consider an annual travel insurance plan. You can purchase a multi-trip policy that covers all travel outside your home country over the course of a year, which may be a more cost-effective way to buy travel health insurance.