Rugby’s Six Nations Championship has – over the past couple of weeks – literally and metaphorically kicked off a tantalising year of sport. But, also a more accessible than ever year of sport for those that prefer to attend than merely watch. The Rugby World Cup and Ryder Cup are both a stone’s throw away – in France and Italy, respectively – which means the only real travel required is for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Six Nations Rugby (Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff, London, Rome, Paris – February 4 – March 18)
With Ireland’s traditional two big sexy Six Nations fixtures – versus England and France – both being in Dublin this year, and there being the small matter of an accessible Rugby World Cup (in France, see further down) later in the year, Irish fans may have been opting to save the pennies for bigger prizes this season. However, given Ireland’s impressive opening wins over Wales and France – and the prospect of a Grand Slam becoming more realistic by the week – all that has probably gone out the window and weekends in Rome and Edinburgh have suddenly become filed under ‘necessary travel’. Late availability can be checked through all the big sports travel players including Killester Travel, Shandon Travel, Dawson Travel and Cassidy Travel.
Cheltenham Festival (Prestbury Park/Cheltenham Racecourse – March 14-17)
The daddy of jumps racing festivals is almost upon us once more. The best of the best in the world of National Hunt racing go at it over 4 days, which include 14 Grade One races, culminating with The Gold Cup on the final day. Remember, if you can’t make Cheltenham, there’s always Punchestown Festival (Punchestown Racecourse, nr Naas, Co Kildare, April 25-29) – pronounced by some as FUNchestown – closer to home (tickets: punchestown.com).
The Offer:
Cassidy Travel has 1,2,3 or 4 night stay packages for the Cheltenham Festival. Email sports@cassidytravel.ie for availability and price details. All hotel offers are for properties in Birmingham, given the general lack of availability in Cheltenham itself. Daily tickets are also available online at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
Aintree Festival/Aintree Grand National Meeting/Randox Grand National Festival (Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England, April 13-15)
Aintree has come into sharper focus as a top quality 3-day racing festival, over the past number of years, rather than just for being about the Grand National race itself on the Saturday. It has the Melling Chase, the Liverpool Hurdle, the Aintree Hurdle and the Bowl Chase – all Grade One races – along with the Fox Hunters Chase and the Topham Chase….and the Grand National. So, saddle up and good luck!
The Offer:
Newbridge Travel (045 449522/sales@newbridgetravel.ie) is offering a coach and ferry trip package covering April 14-15. The 2-night package – €439 per person for twin room/€559 for single room – covers luxury coach and ferry travel, festival zone tickets, accommodation in the Holiday Inn Bolton, transfers to and from racecourse and the services of a professional tour guide. Insurance is not included but is optional at €35 per person.
F1 World Championship (March-November)
The murky world of Formula 1 rears its head again with a grand dollop of sportswashing. The first two rounds of the 2023 F1 World Championship take place in Bahrain on March 5 and Saudi Arabia a fortnight later, before heading for Australia in April.
The Offer:
For Irish fans, Dawson Travel in Cork currently has a couple of offers available later into the season – for the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona in June and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July.
For the Spanish Grand Prix – at the Circuit de Barcelona – Dawson Travel’s package includes (for €529) a 3-night hotel stay and general entrance tickets for Friday, Saturday and (race day) Sunday. Not included are flights and transfers or travel insurance.
For Silverstone, one of the biggest draws on the F1 calendar, Dawson Travel has – for €1,200 – a 3-day ticket package in the National Pits Straight Grandstand. That includes weekend grandstand access – covering practice rounds, qualifying rounds and race day – reserved and covered seating and large video wall viewing. There is also a breakfast-included 3-night stay at the Thistle Express London Luton Hotel. Flights and transfer are not included.
Dawson Travel is also offering a package around the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July – with the basic trip lasting from July 28 and July 31 (although extra nights can be added). A ground package – for €459 per person – includes 3 nights’ accommodation in the City Hotel Pilvax, Budapest and general admission tickets (which include a general admission weekend ticket – taking in practice, qualifying rounds and raceday with banking/ground viewing with unreserved positions). Flights and transfers are not included.
Heineken Cup Final (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, May 20)
As this year’s final is in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the cheapest way may be to grab a ticket – via Ticketmaster or sell-on ticket sites, if sold out – and simply commute to and from home. If Leinster makes it to the final and you live relatively local. If Munster or Ulster get to the final, you may need a hotel!
Wimbledon Tennis Championships (All-England Club, Wimbledon, London, July 3-16)
By far the standout edition of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) for tennis uber-fans and neutral onlookers, alike. Australia may have Melbourne and the January sun; France may have Paris and the clay courts; and the US Open may have New York under the floodlights. But, Wimbledon has the grass, the summer sun, the rain, the strawberries, the cream, the Royal Box, the iconic Centre Court, Pimms, tradition, and the nostalgia of our youth.
Keith Prowse is Ireland’s official and exclusive reseller of tennis hospitality packages for Wimbledon, and has seen a surge in interest for this year’s championships.
“Irish tennis fans are among a worldwide audience of millions for Wimbledon, but nothing comes close to experiencing its unique atmosphere in person” said Caroline Quigley, General Manager of Keith Prowse Ireland. “And with the championships practically on our doorstep and spectator events back after Covid, there’s nothing stopping them!”
The Championships, Wimbledon 2023 take place over the fortnight from Monday 3rd July to Sunday 16th July and Keith Prowse Ireland still have Treehouse, Lawn and Rosewater Pavilion hospitality packages available for weeks 1 and 2.
“We are delighted that Wimbledon will see many more Irish visitors this year” said Ms Quigley. “It’s such a historic event, unparalleled in the world and the atmosphere is just electric! Our flight, hotel and hospitality ticket packages provide seating just yards from your tennis heroes so you can enjoy every serve, tie break and match point. What better way to spend a couple days over summer!”
The Offer:
KEITH PROWSE WIMBLEDON TOURS 2023
All Wimbledon Official Hospitality and Ticket Packages include:
• Return flight from Belfast, Cork, Dublin or Shannon to London
• One night in the 4* Wellington Hotel (upgrade to 5* Tower Suites Hotel available)
• London Underground Travelcard for the day you attend Wimbledon
• Shuttle Bus transfers from Southfields Underground Station to your Hospitality Area
• An Official Reserved Seat at the Championships, Wimbledon on Centre Court or Court No.1
• Full hospitality in The Treehouse, The Lawn or The Rosewater Pavilion Hospitality Areas
• Create your own package: Extra nights, add-ons, single supplements and upgrades available.
• These luxury packages start at €1,683pp (prices vary depending on date and hospitality area)
• Availability is tight so don’t delay book yours today!
For full details on Wimbledon packages including pricing: www.keithprowseattractions.com
Ryder Cup (September 29 – October 1, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome, Italy)
It’s Ryder Cup year again. This – the 44th edition of the famous golf competition – sees Europe trying to win back the trophy from the USA, who have won two of the last three bouts. However, the USA hasn’t won on European soil since 1993. This year sees the Cup head to Italy for the first time, with the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, near Rome, hosting in late September.
The Offer:
Numerous travel agents are offering packages to the legendary golf tournament. Killester Travel – well-known for its sporting packages – is offering a price of €3,650 per person sharing for a 5-night trip.
Killester Travel Ryder Cup Package Includes:
Return Flights Dublin-Rome
Airport Transfers
5 Nights’ Accommodation
Breakfast Each Morning
Welcome Dinner
Official Ryder Cup Season Ticket (Thur [opening ceremony and practice rounds]-Sun)
Daily Roundtrip Course Transportation
Price: €3,650 per person sharing
Golf Majors (US PGA Championship [Oak Hill East Course, Pittsford, New York, May 18-21], US Open [Los Angeles Country Club, June 15-18], The Open [Royal Liverpool Golf Course, England, July 20-23])
No matter how many breakaway tours threaten to upend the sport – two things are definite in golf: the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will not die paupers…and nothing beats the majors for sporting drama! And you can be part of them.
The Offer:
Shandon Travel offers custom-crafted golf tournament packages for each guest. You simply choose your dates and preferred accommodations – around whichever tournament you’re targeting – and Shandon will create the perfect itinerary for you.
Rugby World Cup (France, September 8 – October 21)
The Rugby World Cup is always a major magnet to Irish supporters – and, perhaps, this year more than ever; what with Ireland’s current standing in the game (number 1 in the IRB World Rankings), chances of overall success and the accessibility of host nation, France. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Irish rugby will top off a magical 2-years (Ireland beating New Zealand down under, Leinster (hopefully) winning their 5th Heineken Cup and Ireland, potentially, winning their 4th Grand Slam) with the boys in green winning the biggest prize of all – the William Webb Ellis Trophy. Who wouldn’t want to be there for that?!
The Offer:
Killester Travel is Ireland’s leading rugby tourism specialist and has oodles of RWC offers to match all tastes – from one match packages, to quarter final/semi final packages, to the Final itself. You can opt for a 30 night deal which covers all of Ireland’s group matches, or just go for the 2 or 3-night one match option, which varies in detail from match to match. For example the Ireland v Romania group match costs €1,300 per person sharing for 3 nights and includes a 2 hour drinks reception to watch the France v New Zealand group match.
Women’s Football World Cup (Australia and New Zealand, July 20-August 20)
The Republic of Ireland makes its first appearance in this, the 9th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, nestled in Group B along with Nigeria, Canada and co-hosts Australia. It might be the most travel-heavy sports trip of the year, but there are plenty of reasons to go down under to catch the Women’s World Cup later this year – tops among them being there to support the ‘Girls in Green’ in their inaugural World Cup adventure. It’s also a good chance to see an Irish soccer team in a World Cup, and a chance to catch up with family in Australia. An important point to note is that the Irish group games are in three different cities: Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
The Offer:
Shandon Travel, in Cork, has options for the best value flights and accommodation and can be contacted on 021 4277094 or email info@shandontravel.ie
Match tickets are available from fifa.com.
Republic of Ireland’s World Cup itinerary:
Ireland v Australia (Accor Stadium, Sydney, July 20, 11am (Irish time))
Ireland v Canada (NIB Stadium, Perth, July 26, 1pm (Irish time))
Ireland v Nigeria (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, July 31, 11am (Irish time))
Football – Premier League, Champions League, Europa League (Currently ongoing through to May/June)
Even with a controversial World Cup elongating the regular season a tad, this is the time of year when fans get really excited. The Premier League, in England, is hotting up nicely and the two main European club cup competitions have some tantalising draws in the knock-out stages.
The Offer:
Shandon Travel has contracts with official ticket agents for the best of UK and European football – including Premier League, Champions League, Paris St Germain, FC Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam (home matches), and Portugal’s Primeira Liga. VIP ticket packages and Behind-the-Scenes packages are also available for some matches.