From NYC to Melbourne: Four Ultimate Sports Vacations

Taking a long weekend trip to Jacksonville, Florida to see the Jaguars play sounds boring. Flying across the pond to watch them play the Philadelphia Eagles has the makings of  a truly exciting excursion.  

Whether we’re talking about London or New York, the best sports destinations offer the complete package of legendary stadiums, multiple teams, great fan experiences, sightseeing opportunities, food, and nightlife.

For those who can’t decide, we offer up the best sports cities in the world where you can enjoy the ultimate sports vacation. 

How This List Came Together 

Ranking the great sports cities is a tad more involved than picking ones that have the most pro sports teams. Having iconic sports venues like MSG and Yankee Stadium helps. In Melbourne, there is the MCG that hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics, international soccer and cricket matches along with an NFL game.  

Other factors that were considered include:

• Variety of major sports
• Ability to attend multiple events
• Public transportation
• Quality of the city outside of sports

Top Four Sports Cities

4. Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the strongest international sports cities, just don’t ask the L.A. Rams for travel advice. The team spent a grand total of 36 hours in Australia for their Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Melbourne Cricket Ground was filled to capacity with a tad over 100,000 fans. That just doesn’t happen at NFL stadiums.

Fans of Australian football or cricket are extremely familiar with the MCG.

However, the Australian Open attracts an international audience. The year’s first Grand Slam tennis event unfolds every January. Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest men’s tennis players, has won a record 10 men’s singles titles there. The 2026 event broke all attendance records with 1.4 million fans attending. 

When there is no tennis taking place, there is plenty of shopping, cultural experiences, and excursions worth checking out.  

3. Toronto

 Toronto is one of those sports cities that has experienced its share of exciting times, including last fall when the Blue Jays made the World Series. The Maple Leafs are now the team with all the hype thanks to the arrival of No. 1 overall draft pick Gavin McKenna. 

One could even make a strong argument that the Buffalo Bills could be considered Canada’s NFL team. New Highmark Stadium is only 109 miles from Toronto, creating the unique opportunity to do a dual-city trip. 

Add in the Raptors (NBA), playoff-bound Argonauts (CFL), and Toronto FC (MLS), and there is a strong variety. Let’s not forget about the RBC Canadian Open, the annual PGA Tour stop at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 

If sleeping with the sharks is a bucket list item, try booking a sleepover at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. 

Talking from personal experience, an extended road trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame (Cooperstown, New York), Montreal, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, and Toronto is not as crazy as it sounds.

2. London

London is one of those great sports cities where there never seems to be a shortage of events. This is especially true during the fall when the NFL London games and Premier League matches fill up the calendar. Chelsea,  Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Brentford all call London home. Wembley Stadium is one of those iconic venues that has hosted several prestigious events, including the Olympics.

Wimbledon must be included in any conversation about what makes London one of the world’s best sports cities. The annual Grand Slam tennis event dates back to 1877 and takes place late June through early July at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The 2026 event drew 550,151 fans  breaking the all-time attendance record. 

Philly fans who visit during October could easily combine Premier League action with the Eagles vs. Jaguars game. However, the idea of ponying up around $1,000 for a pair of 200-level seats just for the NFL game might make the trip a tad too pricey as it doesn’t include airfare, hotel, meals, city sightseeing tours, visiting Buckingham Palace or riding the London Eye, 

1. New York City

New York City is known as The City That Never Sleeps. Those words were taken quite literally when the U.S. Open quarterfinal between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz lasted until 3:33 a.m. It’s one of the signature annual sporting events in the New York area, alongside events such as the Belmont Stakes and New York City Marathon.

Besides the Giants, Jets, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Islanders, Nets, Liberty, and NBA champion Knicks all calling the Big Apple home, MSG is nicknamed “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” Knicks home games are known for attracting A-list celebrities like Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothee Chalamet. Purchasing a courtside seat will only set you back around $3,000.

Travel doesn’t get much easier than taking a train into Penn Station. From there the combination of walking, subways, and ride sharing eases those transportation concerns. Adding in Broadway shows and sightseeing tours to see NYC landmarks makes it a family-friendly option. 

Planning the Perfect NYC Sports Trip

With the October 26 sports equinox fast approaching, the one day a year when all four major pro sports leagues have games, a NYC trip is a great way to celebrate the unofficial sports betting holiday.

While the trip will be an expensive one, the chance to see games at The Garden, MetLife Stadium, and potentially Yankee Stadium during the same trip has the makings of a truly unforgettable experience. Of course, the Yankees would have to make the World Series to make that dream come true.

As an added bonus, the October 20 76ers vs. Knicks game is LeBron James’ first in a 76ers uniform.