Expedia Group kicks off

EXPEDIA Group is kicking off an agreement with UEFA to become the Official Travel Partner of the UEFA Champions League. The three-season agreement also includes the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Youth League Finals and the newly formed UEFA Futsal Champions League Finals until the end of the 2020-2021 season.

Expedia Group's Brand Expedia and Hotels.com will lead the engagement, highlighting the enormous power travel has to connect football fans around the world with Europe's most prestigious club football competition.



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World's highest football live scoreboard

THE iconic Burj Khalifa by global developer Emaar Properties in #Dubai, which has the world's tallest LED panel installed on its façade, is now the world's highest #Football Live Scoreboard.

With the finals drawing close, visitors and residents can keep up to date with the scorecards of the matches at the world's most popular football championship that are now relayed on to the LED screen of Burj Khalifa.

Featuring the flag of the goal-scoring nation as well, the scoreboard is updated in real-time for football lovers to catch up with the action set against the backdrop of The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain. A true celebration in light, the Football Live Scoreboard has been the centre of attention of all, since the world championship event started in June.



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Score a break from the madness

ARE you among those who would rather catch the flu than watch a game of football? No need to go to such drastic measures come June 14 when the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia. Agoda has some suggestions on where to escape the football madness.

Head to the South Pacific island of Palau where abundant marine life, volcanos and epic waterfalls are the main attractions. Palau also wins bonus points for not having national football team. Check out the Palau Royal Resort for beach views and vibes.

You'll likely meet more surfing fiends than football fans in Baler, also known as the 'birthplace of surfing in the Philippines'. Home to sandy beaches and epic waves, plus scenic winding mountain roads and hiking excursions, this island won't get a 'red card' from you. Bright and breezy Costa Pacifica Resort on Sabang Beach is the ideal base camp.

The North West Cape in Western Australia is home to the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef, where you'll encounter exotic wildlife that don't care about 'games of two halves'. Sal Salis, an exclusive safari camp surrounded by only bush and beach, makes an ideal base camp for exploring the area.

Renowned for its cricket, rather than football, enjoy the gentle pace and laidback streets of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There'll be no penalties for shopping on this trip. Fort Square Boutique Villa, which is conveniently located in Galle's city center, is worth a visit.

Your own private island - Pangkor Laut Resort is made up of 140 villas and 8 estates on privately-owned 300-acre island, offering complete privacy amidst gorgeous ocean views.

For a truly 'off the grid' experience, head to the Raja Ampat, where the lack of internet and Wi-Fi mean you will easily lose track what day it is, let alone whether the football is still on. At the Waiwo Dive Resort, you can kick back and relax with massages and yoga classes.


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Football inspired experiences with Icelandair

FOLLOWING on from the country's remarkable feat at the European Championships in 2016, Iceland has made it onto the ultimate sporting stage this summer in Russia and in doing so has become the smallest nation ever to qualify. 

Transatlantic airline, Icelandair, has today launched Team Iceland Stopover, a selection of 90-minute, football-inspired experiences curated by the Icelandic national team, free for all passengers to enjoy.

These 90-minute experiences highlight the pride of this unique country and the journey the players have embarked on in heading to the biggest tournament in football. Just like the players time on the pitch, you can achieve a lot in 90-minutes, so it is time to make the most of it with an Icelandair Team Iceland Stopover.

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500,000 FAN ID cards issued ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup

DEVELOPED by the Russian Federation especially for the 2018 FIFA World Cup FAN ID is a personalized spectator's card. Issued free of charge once for all of the tournament matches, every spectator who has purchased a match ticket must get a FAN ID. In combination with a match ticket, a FAN ID will ensure fast and convenient access to the stadium and also entitles spectators to free travel on additional trains connecting the 2018 FIFA World Cup host cities and on public transportation of the host cities on match days.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can enter Russia visa-free with a FAN ID during the period starting 10 days before the date of the first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and ending on the date of the last match. Therefore, entry into Russia with a FAN ID is possible starting from 4 June through 15 July 2018. The FAN ID holders must leave the country no later than 25 July 2018.

Fill in an application form at http://www.fan-id.ru/ or register at one of the FAN ID Distribution Centers located in Russia.

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Kiev: more than just football

KIEV is famous for football, here such outstanding personalities as Blokhin and Lobanovsky and Andrey Shevchenko were born. The capital of Ukraine is famous for holding high-profile international #football competitions aans of football remember grandiose Euro 2012, which Ukraine hosted together with Poland. The UEFA Champions League Final will be held in #Kiev on Saturday, May 26. And the city is responsibly preparing for this event.

Guide me UA offers 3 hour sightseeing tours with a private guide in English. The tours offered include Pub Crawl or Street Art tour, and the most luxurious one is a tour of the Mezhyhirya mansion where the former president lived; he built his mansion using stolen money.

Kiev is the home of Ukrainian culture, a hero city, the capital of modern Ukraine, where contemporary art and creative cuisine are highly prized. You will see the city's history, Old Russian - near the pagan temple and near the monument to the founders of the city, Orthodox - in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and St. Andrew's Church, Soviet - at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War and near the Motherland Statue, fashionable and democratic - while walking along Khreshchatyk Street.

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A goal for London tourism

TO celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition, UEFA EURO 2020 will be the first European Championship tournament to be held across multiple countries. Wembley Stadium is one of 12 venues across 12 different cities that will host the 24 nations competing in UEFA EURO 2020.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and The Football Association are now working to deliver a programme of community activity to capitalise on bringing even more fixtures of this global event to #London. The capital will now take centre stage for the duration of the month long tournament and Londoners will be given a variety of opportunities to become involved as this major global sporting event takes place on their doorstep.

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Up in the air . . .

EMIRATES has debuted the new Real Madrid decal on its iconic A380. Making its first touchdown at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, the Emirates A380 has been emblazoned with the image of Real Madrid footballing giants.

The plane’s eye-catching customized decal features some of the club's world-class players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Marcelo. Visible from both sides of the plane, the bespoke decal covers an area of ​​more than 500m2 and shows the five players of the first team in action.

Besides Madrid, the Real Madrid A380 is expected to fly to a majority of Emirates A380 destinations worldwide, giving Real Madrid fans around the world a chance to snap a picture of the aircraft as it makes its way around the globe. This includes the US where the team will be travelling this summer.

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Private Charter to Malta with Mansfield Town Football Club

MANSFIELD Town Football Club and Stags Air are offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel on the club’s private chartered plane when we head to #Malta as part of a pre-season trip next July there is a limited amount of places available for the trip which will see you sat with the players, management and directors.

Travel to the Mediterranean with us in luxury and style next summer enjoying the three hour 30 minute journey with complimentary champagne and a variety of foods to enjoy during your flight.

Departing from Western Aviation (adjacent to Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster) at 11am Monday July 3, you will receive a luxurious welcome in an exclusive VIP lounge before you take off. After a week in one of Europe’s most popular countries, you’ll be flying back to Robin Hood airport departing from Malta International Airport at 12 noon local time on July 10 all for £1,100.

The club has also announced an exclusive flight & accommodation package to include a signed Stags' shirt, free admission to first team matches in Malta (fixtures to be confirmed) as well as an exclusive invitation to a barbecue with the first team squad on a selected night for just £3000.

www.mansfieldtown.net

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Super Bowl 51

FEBRUARY 2017 will see american football fans pour into #Houston for Super Bowl 51. The biggest single game in American sports will be played at Reliant Stadium bringing a multitude of visitors, unprecedented global media attention and tremendous economic impact to Houston. 

This is the third Super Bowl for Houston. The city last hosted the big game at Reliant Stadium in 2004. If you can’t manage tickets to the big game, get in the spirit by catching the ongoing Houston #SuperBowl Touchdown Tour or Super Bowl Live in Discovery Green park. 

Both events are free admission.

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A day out with Manchester FC

MANCHESTER CITY Football Club and the National Football Museum have launched what they call the ‘Ultimate Football Day Out’ … a tour that gives sports fans the opportunity to experience both Manchester City’s iconic home ground and the museum. 

The experience, for both locals and visitors, includes a 90-minute, behind-the-scenes, guided tour of the Etihad Stadium and a visit to the National Football Museum, where guests get a £5 package to experience the Football Plus+ Penalty Shootout and trophy photos.

Commenting on the new tour package, Danny Wilson, operations director, at #ManchesterCityFC said:

‘The Manchester City Stadium and Club Tour is a behind-the-scenes look at what happens on a matchday at the Etihad Stadium. We continuously look for ways to enhance the tour so there is always something new. We have renovated our exhibition space to provide supporters with a more in-depth look at the club’s past, present and future, and teaming up with the National Football Museum, which has a large collection of football artefacts, is the perfect opportunity to provide visitors with an even greater insight into the history of football in Manchester and beyond.’

Special tours for groups of 15 or more can also be booked by contacting the club via www.mancity.com.

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ABTA advice for Euro 2016 fans

THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA) is encouraging the hundreds of thousands of English, Welsh, and Northern Irish fans travelling to France to make the most of their time there, as they prepare to head over or under the tunnel for #Euro2016 which kicks off in Paris on Friday 10 June.

ABTA is also urging fans looking for last-minute match tickets to buy from official sources only, and to ensure they have accommodation booked in advance.

Victoria Bacon, ABTA director of Brand and Business Development, said: ‘Euro2016 will offer an ideal opportunity for football fans from around the UK to experience the amazing food and culture on offer in some of France’s most interesting and beautiful cities.

‘As excitement builds in the lead up to kick off next week, many fans who haven’t booked yet might be tempted to head off, but with accommodation at a premium and people jostling for hotel rooms, they must ensure they have somewhere to stay before they leave Britain.’

ABTA advises fans travelling to France to read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/be-on-the-ball-for-euro-2016

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Euro 2016: late-booking fans face hotel rates only a footballer could afford

WITH #Euro2016 kicking off on Friday 10 June, British fans looking to get their hands on a last-minute ticket could be paying through the roof for a room, as local hotels hike prices by up to 165%.

According to research by travel money specialists No.1 Currency, hotel rooms are now few and far between for most of the games in the group stages of Euro 2016, that involve England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Those rooms that are still available are being sold at highly inflated prices.

Wales’ opener against Slovakia on June 11 will be their first match in a major championship in nearly 60 years. Welsh fans hoping to pick up a last-minute ticket for the match will have to pay on average £153 for a 3-star hotel on the day of the match. That’s a 135% hike on normal season rates.

In Marseille, where England play their first match against Russia on June 11, 94% of all hotel rooms are already booked. Of those 3-star hotels that still have availability, the average price for a double room on that day is £127. That compares with average 3-star rates of £74 a night for a typical Saturday stay in the summer in Marseille – a mark-up of 72%.

It’s the same in Lens, where England take on Wales in the crunch match of the group. Again, 94% of all hotel rooms have already been filled, and the last remaining 3-star hotels with availability have inflated their prices by an average of 125%. Expect to pay £176 a night – more than double the normal room rate of £85.

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Leicester City could boost UK’s football tourism

THE VALUE of football tourism to the UK’s visitor economy could be in for a boost following Leicester City’s historic Premier League win, with the country in the global spotlight as the ‘home of football’, according to Visit Britain.  

#Football is the number one sporting draw for international tourists to Britain and VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said that Leicester could expect a visitor boost with the city now on the global football tourism map.

‘#LeicesterCity’s fantastic win is truly the stuff of legends and has thrust the players, the fans, the city and Britain as the home of football into the global spotlight.

‘Football has mass international appeal and a global fan base of billions and we know that people like to visit the home of their sporting heroes. We encourage visitors from all over the world to travel to Britain and enjoy a Barclays Premier League football match with our Football is GREAT campaign, as part of our drive to get tourists out exploring more of regional Britain.’

Leicester received 155,000 international visits in 2014 with numbers showing steady increases, with130,000 visits in 2012 and 145,000 in 2013. 

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Be prepared, football fans urged

ENGLISH, Welsh and Northern Ireland #football fans have been urged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to plan ahead if they intending to travel to #France to watch #EuropeanCup games (June 10-July 10).

To help travelling fans, the FCO has compiled 11 Top Tournament Travel Tips as part of its ‘Be On The Ball’ campaign. They can be seen at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/be-on-the-ball-travel-checklist.

John Sykes, football liaison officer at the British Embassy in Paris, said: ‘Tickets or not, we’re expecting thousands and thousands of British supporters to make the short trip across the Channel, and we want all of them to have the best possible time – regardless of their team’s results! However, we expect the demand for accommodation to be high, and we encourage fans to think ahead, get their tactics right, and ensure they book all their accommodation and travel in advance.’

An FCO survey found that 57% of fans plan to travel without a ticket. Of those, 29% will try to purchase tickets at the ground, and 51% plan to go to designated fan zones to watch the games. The rest will head to bars and pubs (13%) or seek other alternative viewing options (7%).

It also found that almost three-quarters (73%) plan to buy comprehensive travel insurance, while two thirds (66%) have already booked accommodation – but a fifth (22%) of those surveyed do not plan to book somewhere to stay until they arrive in France.

Martin Redmond, from the FCO’s ‘Know Before You Go’ team, said: ‘Wherever they plan to be, it’s important that supporters make the right pre-tournament preparations, such as taking out comprehensive travel insurance, getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and ensuring their passport is valid.’

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FIFA museum to opens in Zurich (no, it’s not April 1)

WITH what appears to be straight face, a torrent of superlatives, and no mention at all of corruption, Switzerland’s tourism authority announces that the FIFA World #Football Museum opens in #Zurich on February 28. 

‘This is where the vast collection of memories of every single FIFA congress, game, player, news story, and selected images will be artfully exhibited under the one roof and across three themed floors,’ boasts the country’s tourism director.

There will be five ‘educational and entertainment areas (including the lab, library, a gaming area, giant football pinball, sonic pods and a 180° cinema screen) giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of football.’

The original World Cup will be on show, plus exhibits dating back to the start of the game.

www.fifamuseum.com
www.myswitzerland.com

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: Some mistake here, surely. Shouldn’t it be the FIFA Museum of the Beautiful Racket?

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Ryanair plans dedicated Euro 2016 flights

RYANAIR has launched England #Euro2016 return specials from London and Manchester for England’s Group B games against Russia (in Marseille) and Wales (in Lens, Belgium), following demand from England fans.

The Irish carrier has scheduled three extra flights in total, including an extra London Stansted flight to Marseille for England v Russia (June 11, and from Manchester to Brussels Charleroi for England v Wales (June 16) in nearby Lens.

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Soccer scores for UK tourism

STATISTICS from #VisitBritain highlight the increasing value to the economy of international visitors attending football matches. 

VisitBritain’s report, #Football tourism scores for Britain, shows that the 800,000 international visitors to Britain last year who went to a football match spent a total of £684 million during their time in the country … a 15% rise, or an increase of £89 million, since the last research was done in 2010. While the overall global average spend on an international visit to Britain in 2014 was £636, visits including football match attendance had an average spend of £855.

It’s not just leisure visitors who enjoy football matches; out of the 800,000 total, more than 40,000 international business visitors went to a match during their stay.

The findings show that football is the number one sporting draw for international tourists to Britain. Of those visitors who gave their primary journey purpose to the UK as ‘watching sport,’ 73% said they had attended a football match.

The research also demonstrates football’s effectiveness in enticing international visitors to Britain at quieter times of the year and encouraging visitors from overseas to explore different parts of Britain. The North-West of England continues to be the region receiving the highest proportion of football-driven visits from overseas.

Looking at visits to specific stadiums, Old Trafford in Manchester and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in North London were neck-and-neck, both receiving 109,000 international visits. Wembley’s popularity has grown significantly, with visits more than doubling since 2010.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch, said: ‘Britain is home to many of the world's favourite football clubs, so it's no surprise that more and more international visitors are going to football games while they are here. Millions of overseas tourists visit the UK every year and most take in the sights of London. But Britain has so much more to offer, so it's fantastic to see the positive role football is playing in showcasing key destinations in many different regions of the UK. It's great for local economies, great for football, and great for the UK's tourism industry."

The research was undertaken for VisitBritain by the Office for National Statistics as part of the International Passenger Survey during 2014.

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What’s England’s greatest sporting destination?

#VISITENGLAND has launched a search to find the country’s most popular sports destination. It’s asking sports fans to send in their nominations.

By submitting a picture of their “home of sport” – be it the Oval or a village cricket pitch – fans will help to locate the jewel in England’s sporting crown.

VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, James Berresford, explains: ‘As the birthplace of rugby, football, cricket, punting, and the modern Olympic Games, as the home of iconic venues such as Old Trafford, Wimbledon and Aintree, and the host to world-class sporting events, England’s sporting heritage is something that truly sets us apart from other destinations.’

To help find England’s sporting capital, upload a picture of your own home of sport to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HomeOfSport with a 140-character saying why you think it’s the best sporting destination in England. Approved nominations will be posted at www.englandhomeofsport.com and the senders will be entered into a prize draw to win a selection of sporting experiences.

Entries close on August 31, after which an expert panel will work through the nominations to establish a shortlist of sporting hubs. The shortlist will be open to public vote on September 16, with the destination that receives the highest number of votes announced in October as England’s Home of Sport.

Criteria for the winning destination will include breadth of sporting experiences, diverse and beautiful backdrops, and claims to fame.

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