There’s something electric about standing where history was made. they are not just stadiums and halls of fame— walk their corridors is to feel the echoes of legendary rivalries, unforgettable comebacks and moments that changed the trajectory of sport itself. For those of us who live at the intersection of travel and sport, these venues are far more than sightseeing stops. They are deeply meaningful journeys into culture, legacy and the universal language of competition.
International Tennis Hall of Fame – Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Set against the Atlantic coast in a Victorian-era seaside town, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is as much an architectural marvel as it is a sporting landmark, is where tennis was first discovered. Built in the 1880s, the complex retains its Gilded Age charm, with ivy-draped facades and ornate arches that feel like a time capsule of tennis’s earliest days in America.
Recently, the museum underwent a thoughtful renovation, seamlessly blending state-of-the-art exhibits with the venue’s historic architecture. The result is a space that feels both timeless and fresh.
Grass courts still welcome players in summer, while exhibits trace tennis from wooden racquets to modern champions. From Billie Jean King’s fight for equality to Lleyton Hewitt’s grit, the collection is both nostalgic and inspiring. Newport isn’t just a museum stop—it’s the birthplace of tennis, wrapped in seaside charm and well worth a look at the collections on display. There are even interactive stations for kids and adults alike, you can even give commentary a go!
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum – London, UK
During my working holiday over in the UK I got to attend Wimbledon 2003! I queued up on the first morning with friends to see Hewitt play on centre court as he won the previous year so knew he would be first up! I got the last centre court ticket that day! What were the chances with a line that long!! That 4.30am wakeup call was all worth it!
I was then lucky enough to get tickets to the Women’s Quarter Finals not only was Venus Williams playing Lindsay Davenport, but Serena Williams was playing Jennifer Capriati who was my favourite player as a kid, I always looked up to her and thought she was just extraordinary taking on the likes of Monica Seles and Steffi Graff like she did.
No tournament carries the aura of Wimbledon. Its traditions—the crisp whites, strawberries and cream, the respectful hush of Centre Court—speak to an understated elegance that has endured since 1877. I even experienced the rain delay with the court being covered in such efficient fashion not wasting a moment to protect the ground!
The on-site museum reflects that heritage. Federer’s whites, Serena’s trophies and even a holographic John McEnroe guide you through the evolution of the game. Pair it with a behind-the-scenes tour: from the players’ entrance to the hallowed turf of Centre Court, you walk in the footsteps of legends like Borg, McEnroe, Hewitt, Nadal and Federer.
Roland Garros Museum – Paris, France
Paris may be synonymous with art and romance, but for tennis lovers, it is also home to the cathedral of clay: Roland Garros. Tucked within the French Open grounds, the museum is often overlooked, yet it captures the very soul of clay-court tennis. Check out the dedication to Raphael Nadal!
So, on some time off, I caught the Eurostar over to attend the French Open, Mark Philippoussis was on that day playing against Alex Kim, who he went on to beat in 5 sets! It was great fun cheering an Aussie on for the win and so surreal at the same time.
Being at the French Open, clay for days, a real change from the green of Wimbledon and the hard courts of the Australian Open, with its own prestige and atmosphere
Artefacts span Suzanne Lenglen’s dazzling 1920s dominance to Rafael Nadal’s astonishing reign. Archival footage shows how the red clay has shaped the sport’s most gruelling battles. The ochre-red courts outside carry their own stories: sweat, resilience, artistry and the roar of Parisian crowds.
Australian Open Experience – Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Park isn’t a museum in the traditional sense—it’s a living, breathing venue. Guided tours reveal Rod Laver Arena, player-only corridors and even press rooms.
Easily my most favourite event in Australia, this electric summer event really does hit different! It is just so much fun, with a different theme each day, so much energy off the court as much as on! There is something for everyone here! I have been a quite regularly, but for the first time spent the full two weeks there in January 2025. It was such a roller coaster I have no idea how the players do it! Navigating so much emotion, intensity, passion for the sport, whilst taking in the atmosphere and the surrounds! It along with the other slams are an absolute must when travelling!
The Davis Cup – A Global Stage for National Pride
First inaugurated in 1900 as a match between the U.S. and Great Britain, the Davis Cup has evolved into the world’s most prestigious annual international team competition in sport. With over 130 nations now participating, it stands as a true global championship.
What makes the Davis Cup special is its team-driven format and national pride. Players who often face off individually on the ATP Tour unite to represent their country. Australian icons like Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis have celebrated its emotional highs alongside emerging stars.
The competition unfolds as a series of ties hosted around the globe—one year in Melbourne, the next in Madrid, Geneva, Glasgow or Sydney—fostering local fandom, national pride and unforgettable atmosphere. It’s as much about travel and culture as it is about tennis.
Australia’s Team Under Captain Lleyton Hewitt
Since opting for the captain’s seat in 2016, former Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt has guided the team with fierce leadership and resilience. Under his guidance, Australia reached Davis Cup finals in 2022 and 2023, as well as a semifinal appearance in 2024.
With the teams not decided until closer to the event, the excitement only builds as we see new faces emerge to help carry their country to victory, joining long-time Davis Cup Warriors who are eagerly awaiting the day they too can hold that cup up high!
Hewitt’s leadership has seen bold decisions and strong camaraderie, with the team consistently competing among the world’s best. Attending a Davis Cup match under his captaincy is more than sport—it’s a phenomenal, communal experience where national pride meets raw athleticism.
US Open –Flushing Meadows, New York
The US Open, held each August and September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, is the final Grand Slam of the year and pure New York in character: bold, loud, and electric. Matches under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis venue, are legendary — crowds are vocal, celebrities pack the stands, and the atmosphere feels electric, like all bets are off!.
Played on hard courts, the tournament rewards power and endurance, with New York’s summer heat adding an extra challenge. It’s been the stage for iconic moments: Arthur Ashe’s 1968 victory, Serena Williams’ six titles and emotional farewell, Federer’s five straight wins, and Jimmy Connors’ remarkable run at age 39.
The US Open reflects the pulse of New York itself — fast, diverse, and unforgettable.
The Olympic Museum – Lausanne, Switzerland
Perched above Lake Geneva, the Olympic Museum is a temple to human possibility. Its light-filled galleries house every Olympic torch since 1936, iconic medals and multimedia exhibits that bring defining moments to life: Jesse Owens in Berlin, Cathy Freeman in Sydney, Usain Bolt in Beijing.
Strolling through the landscaped gardens, with the Alps on the horizon, you’re reminded that the Games are more than sport—they’re about unity, perseverance and peace.
Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain
Football in Barcelona is more than a game—it’s identity. Camp Nou, Europe’s largest stadium, has seen brilliance from Cruyff, Ronaldinho and Messi.
The tour immerses you in that passion: the players’ tunnel, pitch-side views and trophy rooms glittering with silverware. Even for non-football fans, the scale and emotion are overwhelming. And beyond the stadium, Barcelona itself hums with murals, cafés and locals draped in Barça colours—a city in love with its club.
Maracanã Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Maracanã is football joy distilled. Built for the 1950 World Cup, it once held nearly 200,000 fans, and its atmosphere is still unmatched. Tours let you explore the pitch where Pelé scored his thousandth goal and where World Cup finals unfolded.
On match day, Rio vibrates with energy—from kickabouts on Copacabana beach to the samba rhythms echoing in the stands. The Maracanã isn’t just a stadium; it’s the heartbeat of Brazilian culture.
Old Trafford – Manchester, England
Known as the “Theatre of Dreams,” Old Trafford is home to Manchester United, a club with over a century of triumphs and tragedies. Stadium tours take you pitch-side, into locker rooms and through the Manchester United Museum, which honours greats from George Best to Ryan Giggs.
A moving tribute to the 1958 Munich air disaster reminds visitors that this isn’t just sport—it’s resilience, woven into Manchester’s spirit. The city itself thrives on music, culture and football pride, making Old Trafford a pilgrimage for fans worldwide.
Anfield – Liverpool, England
At Anfield, atmosphere is everything. When 54,000 fans rise to sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” it resonates far beyond football. Built in 1892, the stadium has hosted Liverpool FC’s greatest triumphs, from domestic glory to European nights that have become legend.
The Liverpool FC Story Museum highlights trophies, kits and the Steven Gerrard Collection, while stadium tours include the famous “This Is Anfield” sign—an icon for players and fans alike. Liverpool the city, with its maritime history and musical legacy, breathes football at every corner.
Lord’s Cricket Ground – London, UK
Cricket’s spiritual home since 1814, Lord’s blends tradition and modernity. Its red-brick pavilion and Long Room offer timeless elegance, while the futuristic Media Centre symbolises innovation.
The MCC Museum is one of the world’s oldest sports museums, housing the original Ashes urn—perhaps cricket’s most sacred object—as well as bats, caps and relics of the game’s greatest players. To watch a match here is to witness cricket at its purest.
St Andrews – The Home of Golf, Scotland
The Old Course at St Andrews is golf’s most hallowed ground. Played for over six centuries, it is steeped in tradition. The Swilcan Bridge and 18th fairway are landmarks every golfer dreams of walking.
The British Golf Museum beside the course traces golf’s journey from medieval Scotland to today’s global sport. Beyond the greens, St Andrews itself offers windswept coastlines, historic ruins and a warm Scottish welcome. It’s history and sport entwined.
Tour de France – Across France
The Tour de France is sport and travel combined like no other. Each July, riders push through gruelling stages: Alpine climbs, Pyrenean switchbacks, vineyard-dotted valleys and village roads lined with cheering crowds.
To follow the Tour is to discover France itself, stage by stage. It ends on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe as backdrop—one of sport’s most dramatic finishes. The Tour is more than cycling; it’s endurance, beauty and national celebration rolled into one.
Sumo Museum – Tokyo, Japan
In Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Sumo Museum tells the story of Japan’s oldest sport. Artefacts include woodblock prints, ceremonial costumes and portraits of past champions.
But to time your visit with a tournament is to experience sumo in its truest form: booming taiko drums, salt thrown to purify the ring and the thunderous clash of rikishi (wrestlers). It’s both competition and ritual—an unforgettable cultural experience.
Madison Square Garden – New York City, USA
MSG is “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” hosting Ali-Frazier boxing matches, Knicks games, Rangers playoff runs and concerts that shaped music history.
The All Access Tour reveals locker rooms, VIP lounges and the iconic floor where legends of sport and entertainment converge. Few venues match its cultural significance.
Yankee Stadium – Bronx, New York, USA
Baseball’s heartbeat lives in the Yankees’ home. The stadium tour takes you into the dugouts, press box and Monument Park, honouring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Derek Jeter.
The Yankees Museum adds depth with memorabilia, rings and rotating exhibits. For fans, it’s sacred ground. For visitors, it’s a window into America’s love affair with sport.
Fenway Park – Boston, USA
Few ballparks carry the mythology of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912. It’s the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball still in use, and stepping inside feels like a journey back through more than a century of America’s sporting story.
From the iconic Green Monster towering over left field to the hand-operated scoreboard, Fenway blends quirky charm with fierce tradition. The stadium tour takes you through dugouts, press boxes and seating areas where generations of fans have lived through heartbreaks and triumphs.
Fenway isn’t just a place to watch baseball—it’s a cultural landmark. The smell of hot dogs, the sound of “Sweet Caroline” sung in unison and the passionate Red Sox faithful create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, USA
Perched above Elysian Park with panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains, Dodger Stadium has been home to the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1962. It’s the largest MLB stadium by seating capacity and a quintessential California baseball experience.
Visitors can tour the dugouts, walk along the outfield concourses and feel the energy of historic moments—from Sandy Koufax’s perfect games to dramatic pennant races. Dodger Stadium perfectly blends baseball history with the unique culture of Los Angeles: the sunshine, the iconic Dodger Blue and the lively crowd all contribute to a timeless sporting pilgrimage.
Pro Football Hall of Fame – Canton, Ohio, USA
The Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates the legends of the NFL. Exhibits include player busts, championship memorabilia and interactive displays tracing the evolution of the game from its earliest days to modern superstars.
A visit here is an immersive dive into football history, giving fans context for the drama of each NFL season and the spectacle of the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl – A Travelling Spectacle
Unlike any other sporting event, the Super Bowl moves from city to city each year, transforming stadiums and their host cities into temporary epicentres of American football. From Miami to Los Angeles, Tampa to Minneapolis, each edition is a festival of sport, entertainment and culture, blending on-field drama with pageantry, halftime shows and fan celebrations.
While there isn’t a permanent Super Bowl venue, the event itself is legendary. Stadiums are packed with tens of thousands of fans, while millions more watch worldwide. Super Bowl week often includes fan festivals, interactive experiences and NFL-sponsored events that give visitors a sense of being part of football history.
For sports travellers, chasing the Super Bowl is more than attending a game—it’s a pilgrimage to witness the culmination of a season, the spectacle of the NFL at its peak and the energy of an entire city united in celebration.
Bullrings: Culture, Tradition and Sport
⚖️ Note on Bullrings: Bullrings are included here as cultural and architectural landmarks with deep historical significance in Spain and Latin America. While bullfighting is part of their legacy, it is also a tradition that many people today view as controversial and some regions have banned. This article approaches bullrings from the perspective of heritage, architecture and their role in shaping sport and culture—not as an endorsement of bullfighting itself.
Bullrings are part of the cultural and architectural heritage of Spain and Latin America. For centuries, they’ve combined athletic skill, pageantry and tradition. Today, many host concerts, festivals and museums as well as bullfights, making them important cultural landmarks.
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas – Madrid, Spain
The world’s most famous bullring, Las Ventas, opened in 1929, with its striking red-brick neo-Mudéjar architecture. With over 23,000 seats, it remains central to Madrid’s cultural identity. Its on-site museum showcases costumes, posters and artefacts tracing the evolution of bullfighting.
Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza – Seville, Spain
One of the oldest bullrings, La Maestranza dates to the 18th century. Its whitewashed walls and golden trim are unmistakably Andalusian. The adjacent museum highlights Seville’s long relationship with bullfighting, blending history with cultural pride.
Plaza de Toros de Ronda – Ronda, Spain
Perched dramatically above the cliffs of Andalusia, the Plaza de Toros de Ronda is one of the most beautiful and historically important bullrings in the world. Opened in 1785 and built entirely of stone, it is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting thanks to the famed Romero family. The museum inside explores the sport’s origins, with costumes, artwork and weaponry, while the double-arched galleries make this arena an architectural treasure.
Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta – Málaga, Spain
Built in 1874 overlooking the Mediterranean, La Malagueta is both an arena and a museum. Its neo-Mudéjar design is stunning, and the interpretation centre inside explores the sport’s heritage in Andalusia. Today, it also hosts concerts and cultural events, making it a lively hub for the city.
Plaza de Toros de Toledo – Toledo, Spain
Constructed in the 19th century, the Plaza de Toros de Toledo reflects the city’s blend of Christian, Jewish and Moorish influences through its neo-Mudéjar design. While more intimate than Madrid or Seville, it has hosted legendary bullfighters and today stands as both a cultural venue and architectural landmark—an extension of Toledo’s rich historical identity.
Plaza de Toros Monumental – Mexico City, Mexico
The largest bullring in the world, Plaza Monumental can hold nearly 42,000 spectators. While it remains a venue for bullfighting, it also serves as a stage for concerts and sporting spectacles, making it an enduring part of Mexico City’s cultural fabric.
Personal Note
Sport has always had a way of bringing people together—on the court, across continents and through time. I’ve walked through tunnels where legends once passed, stood on the turf where greatness unfolded and lingered before exhibits that stirred more than memories—they stirred inspiration.
These venues are not just stadiums or museums. They are living archives of human excellence—places where dreams were chased, where history was written and where new chapters are still unfolding.
Let JLW Travel Curate Your Sporting Journey
Whether it’s chasing a Grand Slam, standing in the Olympic spirit, or walking the halls of your favourite team’s legacy, JLW Travel can craft a personalised journey that fuses sport with discovery. From exclusive ticketing to behind-the-scenes tours and cultural escapes, we design trips that let you not just watch history—but step into it.
Wherever the game takes you, let us help you get there.