Latest news with #sportsFans
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
One in five sports fans think video technology gets decisions WRONG amid Wimbledon controversy
ONE in five sports fans aren't confident video replays get decisions right, according to research. A poll of 2,000 adults who watch live sport found 35 per cent also find it frustrating to watch when important decisions are made by technology. 3 3 While 52 per cent believe it disrupts the flow of the game too much, with 42 per cent noticing a delay in celebrating goals and points scored due to the technology. And 31 per cent believe the video reviews reduce the excitement during live games. The research, commissioned by Lottoland's Sportsbook comes after Wimbledon officials had to apologise to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal after a malfunction of the new electronic line-calling system over the weekend. A shot from Kartal that was beyond the baseline wasn't picked up by the technology - and investigation revealed it had been turned off in that section of the court. And tennis isn't the only sport to have suffered a high-profile video-assistant hiccup, with the Premier League having its own share of blunders. In a top-flight match in 2023, Liverpool's Luis Diaz was judged offside before scoring, despite being visibly within bounds. This was due to a mix up between the VAR officials and the on-field ref, who got the 'check complete' message wrong. A spokesperson for Lottoland Sportsbook said: 'Video replays are really a love or hate thing in sports, it seems. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'The main aim of the tech is to come to quick and accurate decisions, but it seems lots of people don't trust it. 'We've seen it can even cost people their game, as demonstrated at Wimbledon last week.' The research also found six in 10 fans believe the video review technology should be improved, while one in 10 think it should be completely scrapped from all live sports. And 68 per cent don't think tennis tournaments, like Wimbledon, use video technology the most effectively, with 60 per cent feeling the same way about football. While 12 per cent believe it is ruining the tradition of tennis, according to the OnePoll stats. Other frustrations fans have included inconsistency with its use (37 per cent) and over reliance on the technology over referee judgement (29 per cent). The spokesperson from Lottoland's Sportsbook added: 'There is certainly a culture when it comes to Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments and the line judges seem embedded in that, so it is a bit of a shame they have been replaced with technology, especially when it isn't quite going to plan. 'Technology is continuing to develop and it does seem like there is some way to go when it comes to electric line calling.' TOP 10 THINGS SPORTS FANS DISLIKE MOST ABOUT VIDEO REPLAYS 1. Slow decision-making disrupting the flow of the game 2. It interrupts the game too much 3. Delay in celebrating goals and points scored 4. Inconsistency in when and how it is used 5. Marginal offside decisions decided by tiny, imperceptible differences 6. Over-reliance on technology over referee judgment 7. Controversial handball or foul interpretations remaining unresolved 8. Video replay decisions overshadowing the actual sport and performance 9. Unequal application across competitions or leagues 10. Confusing or unclear communication with fans and players 3
Reuters
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Crowds gather in Lille as Tour de France kicks off
Cycling fans turned out in numbers in the northern French city of Lille on Saturday (July 5) as star cyclists from around the world kicked off the Tour de France at the Grand Depart.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Four countries welcoming sports fans
When it comes to passion and spending power, few groups rival sports fans. Whether through road trips, tournaments or international events, these loyal travellers spend big – and destinations are taking notice. According to UN Tourism, sports tourism already accounts for around 10% of global tourism spending and is projected to grow by 17.5% by 2030. In the US alone, it generated an estimated $114bn in 2024, bringing more than 100 million fans to venues across the country. "It's hard to coordinate a trip with a lot of friends, but when you have the game to schedule around, it makes it a lot easier," said Kimberly DeCarrera, who drives her RV to Georgia Tech college football games across the US with her friends, and has also travelled to Ireland to see the team play. "Road trips are often more fun than the home games, seeing new cities and campuses, making memories and stories with friends. Sports make it easy to have a purpose for the trip." Nearly 44% of global sports fans travel internationally for events, rising to 56% among 16-to-34-year-olds, according to Expedia Group's Sports Tourism Study. Trip spending typically exceeds $1,500 per person, with three out of five fans staying outside of the host city – delivering broader economic impact. From the Olympics to F1 races, the Super Bowl to football, sports are increasingly becoming many destinations' big draw. Here are four countries actively courting fans in the hope of scoring big. United States With the 2026 Fifa World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the calendar, the US is betting on global sports and the appeal of international travel – though stricter border enforcement from the Trump administration have some wondering if turnout will be affected. As the first US city to host an Olympics since 1996, Los Angeles' infrastructure is already taking shape. The new LAX/Metro Transit Center just opened, connecting the airport to two major Metro lines via a shuttle, with an automated people mover to follow in 2026. The city also will host the 2025 US Women's Open golf tournament, eight Fifa World Cup matches (including the US men's opening game) and Super Bowl LXI in 2027. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has also made substantial investment in sports – going from no major league professional sports teams a decade ago to having a National Hockey League team, a National Football League (NFL) team and a future Major League Baseball team. The city also hosted its first F1 Grand Prix in 2023 and will continue the annual tradition until at least 2027. Nearly 175,000 out-of-town visitors came for the 2024 race, generating an estimated $934m economic impact. Many of these visitors are first-timers. "We hear from people who tell us they would have never considered visiting Las Vegas if it had not been for a sporting event," said Brian Yost, chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. While the average Las Vegas visitor spends $1,290 per trip, sports tourists spend $1,980. "Some of that is the cost of the ticket of the sporting event that they paid for, but the remainder is a higher propensity to spend in categories like food and beverage, entertainment, gaming and hotels," noted Yost. On the East Coast, Miami is investing in football. After signing Lionel Messi in 2023, Inter Miami CF is building the 25,000-seat Miami Freedom Park, set to open in 2026. The 131-acre park, complete with retail and park and plaza spaces, is expected to generate $40m in tax revenue per year. The city will host seven 2026 World Cup matches, including the Bronze Final, with up to a million visitors expected and a $1bn economic impact. Spain With more than 60% of citizens identifying as sports fans (particularly football), Spain has some of the world's best sporting facilities and an international presence that continues to draw fans. Its sports tourism market is expected to grow to more than 13% from 2024 to $64m, according to Travel and Tour World. "I've seen how massive soccer tourism is. I may not plan trips around matches, but plenty of travellers do," said Vega Lopez Romero, originally from Spain and blogger at Her Asian Adventures. "Some fly in just for El Clásico [the twice-annual match between rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid], others build entire vacations around a game at Camp Nou or Santiago Bernabéu. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have fully embraced it, with stadium tours, club museums and fan zones that make fútbol feel like a cultural event. Even if you're not there for the match, the energy is everywhere." Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, has also embraced the trend, launching a dedicated sports tourism programme in 2019 and investing more than €1.4 million in marketing and training for local businesses. "Valencia has become a benchmark in sports tourism thanks to the dedication and attention that we offer to athletic and active visitors," said Paula Llobet, the city's Minister of Tourism. "[It is] setting us apart as a destination that truly understands and caters to their expectations." Two major venues are under construction: Roig Arena, which will be Spain's largest basketball arena when it opens in late 2025; and Nou Mestalla, a new 70,000-seat stadium for Valencia CF. Valencia will also host a Moto Grand Prix in 2025 and the 2026 Gay Games, a 38-sport inclusive event. Australia As the host of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Australia launched its ambitious "Decade of Green & Gold" campaign, named after the country's official colours and aimed at solidifying the destination as a must-visit for sports fans. "Over the last three years we have been showing travellers why Australia is one of the best destinations for sports tourism, full of spirit, sights to see and incredible people," said Andrew Boxall, Tourism Australia's regional general manager. "Just this month we begin to see 40,000 UK fans arriving Down Under for this year's British & Irish Lions Tour." More like this:• Seeking tourists: Four countries that are actively welcoming travellers• Why Minneapolis is one of the world's happiest places• Five countries helping you reconnect you with your roots Major events include the Ashes cricket series, which sees Australia face off against England, and the men's and women's Rugby World Cups (2027 and 2029). The state of Victoria hosts the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with its capital Melbourne hosting the NFL's first official Australian game in 2025 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "With the Los Angeles Rams as the designated home team, the upcoming NFL game is poised to set a new record for the highest-ever attendance at an international series match," said Brendan McClements, CEO of Visit Victoria. "Sport is part of Melbourne and Victoria's DNA – it unites our communities, energises our cities and plays a vital role in driving our visitor economy." In New South Wales, Sydney's annual marathon was recently upgraded to Abbott World Marathon Major status, joining the ranks of New York, London and Tokyo. The city expects more than 35,000 runners this August. "Images of world-class athletes running over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and across the finish line at the Sydney Opera House will be beamed around the world," said Steve Kamper, NSW's Minister for Tourism. South Africa South Africa's mild climate, coastline and sporting legacy have made it a rising star in global sports tourism. The sector generated nearly $4bn in 2024 and could grow to $10bn by 2034, according to Future Market Insights. South Africa's cricket team, the Proteas, recently won the World Test Championship, with excitement rising as the country prepares to host the Cricket World Cup in 2027. The nation also remains a popular destination for golf, with 400 courses country-wide and major events like the Nedbank Golf Challenge, known as "Africa's Major". "South Africa's sports culture is not just about the numbers or the games; it's about our people," said Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting chief executive officer of South African Tourism, in a recent post. "I see sports tourism as a conduit for social transformation, economic growth and international unity. It has the power to transcend boundaries and resonate with people from all walks of life." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
State of Origin Game II quiz: Were you paying attention during the Blues' latest clash with the Maroons?
Origin Game II saw one team's lead nearly evaporate amid a ferocious comeback in soaking conditions. But how closely were you paying attention during last night's clash? We'll start with easy questions but be warned — they get tough! If the game ran past your bedtime, or you'd just like to review some notes before you dive in, here's a link to last night's live blog.
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Sovereignty's Two Wins Presents A Golfers What If
The 2025 Triple Crown series is now in the history books and Sovereignty has left some feeling as if they just completed a round of golf. What in the world is that supposed to mean?… Let us expound. Sovereignty enjoyed a royal run in Kentucky Derby 151 With two extremely powerful runs, Sovereignty has captured both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Unleashed like a locomotive at the top of the stretch at Churchill Downs and Saratoga Race Course, this hard-closing colt ran past the front runners with relative ease. That means he was victorious in the bookend jewels. But what about the middle gemstone, the Preakness? Well, he didn't run in that one thusly forgoing the opportunity to become the fourteenth Thoroughbred to win all three. Impressive efforts on both the the first Saturday in May and at New York's signature event has left horse racing fans and sports fans in general uttering that same two-word phrase lots of golfers (especially myself) use on a regular basis…What If… What if I hadn't sliced that ball into the woods…What if I hadn't hit the ball right into the water…twice…What if I had made that three-foot putt…And what if I only took one stroke to get out of the sand trap… Back to the more important what if and Sovereignty. His two performances against some of the best three-year-old males in the world in a five-week span speaks to his quality. There is no doubt he has the talent to be a Triple Crown champion, but what if you throw another mile and three sixteenths race into that five-week period? What if he ran back in two weeks, win or lose would it have affected his Belmont run? What if he had won the Preakness, would that have changed his Belmont opposition?… Just days after his scintillating Kentucky Derby score, the decision was made to skip the Preakness and instead ready for a run at Belmont glory. The powers that be with ownership group Godolphin and hall of fame trainer Bill Mott deliberated and decided it was about what was best for Sovereignty. Refusing to allow the pressures of the general public to persuade them, the decision was made and they stuck with the plan. On June 7, another huge effort from a runner that had rested for five weeks solidified Sovereignty as the real royalty of the three-year-old male division. At the same time, however, the big 'what ifs' began flying like lightning bugs on a hot summer night. So, how do we summarize? The Sovereignty situation should be treated much like a hacker's golf round. Far be it for anyone with my golfing abilities to question another's game. It's better to simply enjoy the good shot or two you have and maintain a 'next swing' mentality. The what ifs only drive you crazy and will not change the number you write on the scorecard (unless your pencil has an eraser). Sovereignty didn't run in the Preakness and time does not rewind itself. Obviously, his team understands the game as his Belmont performance speaks volumes. Godolphin is one of the winningest stables in the game and Bill Mott has won over 5,000 races. Let's revel in those two wonderful wins and think about that next swing when he toes the track again.
