Canada NewsWire
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023
Sports fans spend on average $4,294 per year on sports trips
Toronto, New York, Montreal top desired global destinations for sports fans
Hockey fans most likely fan base to see games on the road
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2023 /CNW/ -- A shift in the weather means Canadian sports fans are saying goodbye to summer sports and dusting off the fall and winter jerseys for another season. Released today, a report from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo found that almost half (42 per cent) of Canadian sports fans were more likely to travel and see a game on the road rather than attending a game at home or in their closest sports city1.
The Sports Travel Road Game Report also found that the average fan takes approximately three sports trips per year, and that 80 per cent of fans are looking to take either the same or more trips in the upcoming year than they did the previous year.
Fans prioritized sports travel over dining at restaurants and going to concerts and reported spending on average $4,294 per year on sports trips (including travel, accommodation, tickets and food). For football fans, the cost per trip was said to be approximately $500 higher than the average fan trip, while hockey fans estimate an average spend of $1,291 per trip.
"The amount sports fans are willing to spend may seem surprising to non-sports fans until you realize it's not just about the match — a game on the schedule gives some fans the reason they need to actually book and take their vacation, turning 'someday' into a reality," says Melanie Fish, head of PR for Expedia Group Brands. "We combined the power of Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo to get a comprehensive look at what's inspiring Canadian sports fans to travel, whether those fans are booking packages, a last-minute room on Hotels.com to see their team clinch a playoff spot or booking a Vrbo to stay with your fellow fans."
Fans reported hockey (47 per cent), baseball (21 per cent), soccer (21 per cent) and basketball (21 per cent) were the top sports they were looking to travel and watch in person over the next 12 months, and many were just as likely to travel for American pro football as they are for Canadian football (16 per cent).
While the majority (72 per cent) of fans said the game itself was the best part of being there in person, there are other reasons the in-person experience has so much appeal over watching games on a screen:
For specialty events like awards ceremonies and outdoor games, almost half (45 per cent) reported they were more likely to travel for these occasions than regular games. In fact, Expedia flight data shows bookings for Nashville, Tenn., saw an increase of 135 per cent during pro hockey's annual awards festivities3 in June 2023 when compared to the previous week.
As for where Canadians are travelling to, Toronto came in as the most desired destination in the world for Canadian sports fans. Full list:
Tools for Fans; more savings for more games, foam fingers and stadium hotdogs
Notes to Editor:
Where to; teams over destinations
When deciding where to take vacation, travellers were more inclined to look at the schedule and choose a destination where their favourite team was playing (53 per cent), rather than following a favourite player (19 per cent); or choosing a destination and seeing any local team (12 per cent). Forty-two percent have planned a sports trip around a birthday.
When it came to deciding where to stay or what activities to do, 64 per cent said they felt inspired by athlete and team social media accounts and would add a featured activity or hotel to their itinerary. Soccer fans (80 per cent), esports fans (78 per cent), and hockey fans (64 per cent) were the most likely to be influenced by athletes on social media. Regardless of fandom, Gen Z was most inclined to find trip inspiration from athletes (79 per cent), and the breakdown between men and women was nearly even (67 per cent versus 66 per cent, respectively).
All-star accommodation
Over half of fans (53 per cent) said proximity to the arena was very important to them, but 44 per cent also wanted lodging to be close to other tourist attractions, proving that sports trips aren't just about the games themselves. Other top amenities for fans included complimentary breakfast (41 per cent) and discounted nightly rates (34 per cent).
The majority of fans also admitted they're willing to shell out more on accommodation that's closer to the arena (73 per cent). Those aged 55+ were most interested in closer accommodation, but they were also the group least willing to pay extra for it.
Fans were also interested in staying in vacation rentals, like Vrbo, where they could stay together and enjoy private amenities such as pools and hot tubs. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of respondents said they would consider booking a vacation rental for an upcoming sports trip.
Hotels.com fan-approved hotels:
Hotels.com put together a list of great hotels for sports fans in the top desired destinations, ranging from suite rooms inside the ballpark to rooftop jumbotron viewing pools.
Expedia's fan-tastic activities:
Since sports trips aren't just about watching games, Expedia curated an activity list based on top destinations that sports fans are sure to enjoy.
A Vrbo for every fan trip:
For sports fans that like to travel in packs, Vrbo properties provide ample space to spread out and enjoy premium amenities like private pools, big screen TV's and full, modern kitchens for pregame snacks. Because Vrbo only provides whole, private homes, fans will never have to worry about sharing a space with their rivals. Check out these Vrbo sports trip and accommodation types:
For additional properties, activities, images, and questions, contact [email protected].
About Expedia Group
Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while helping memorable experiences for travellers. Our organization is made up of three pillars: Expedia Product & Technology, focused on the group's product and technical strategy and offerings; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem. The Expedia Group family of brands includes Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Vrbo®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.
© 2023 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50
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Data sources and notes:
1 The survey about sports travel was conducted online among 1,000 Canadian sports fans from September 13-21, 2023, by OnePoll on behalf of Expedia Group.
2 Based on hotel bookings on Expedia.ca in Salt Lake City, Utah, from February 15-20, 2023, compared to February 8-13, 2023.
3 Based on flight bookings on Expedia.ca to Nashville, Tennessee, from June 22-27, 2023, compared to June 15-20, 2023.
4 Price predictions are not a guarantee. Available to members in the Expedia and Hotels.com apps on select routes.
SOURCE Expedia
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