Madrid stands out as a sports tourism destination
18 December, 2024In late November, Madrid hosted the 3rd World Congress on Sports Tourism of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), which was held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The meeting brought together over 300 experts, including authorities and professionals from the sector, who analysed the importance of generating a lasting legacy of sporting events in tourist destinations.
At the congress, the City Council stressed that “Madrid is synonymous with sport” adding that “the City Council’s objective is to make Madrid the capital of sports tourism by 2025”. Hence the importance of sporting events on an economic and image level for Madrid, which translates into an economic impact estimated at €165 million.
As well as Madrid’s usual sporting events such as the Mutua Madrid Open, the Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Series Madrid, the Acciona Open de España de Golf, the Vuelta a España or the San Silvestre, among others, in 2025 the city will host the European Team Athletics Championships and a regular American Football League (NFL) match. And the Formula 1 in 2026.