Rugby Fan Travel Market Report 2026

The rugby fan travel market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.44 billion in 2025 to $2.67 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of international rugby tournaments, rising popularity of rugby tourism, expansion of airline and hotel partnerships, increasing disposable income among sports fans, development of organized sports travel agencies.

The rugby fan travel market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.79 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of experiential sports tourism, rising adoption of immersive fan engagement tools, increasing demand for eco-friendly travel solutions, growth of digital travel ecosystems, rising interest in destination-based sporting events. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for curated matchday travel packages, rising use of digital booking and mobile ticketing platforms, growing preference for sustainable travel options, expansion of premium hospitality and fan experience offerings, higher demand for customized group travel solutions.

The growing interest in sports tourism is expected to drive the expansion of the rugby fan travel market in the coming years. Sports tourism refers to travel primarily undertaken to attend, participate in, or experience sporting events and related activities. This interest is increasing as large international tournaments attract fans who travel across borders and often extend their stays to explore leisure and cultural experiences. The rugby fan travel market supports sports tourism by offering comprehensive packages that include transportation, accommodation, event tickets, and local experiences, enhancing both convenience and engagement for traveling fans. For instance, in May 2024, according to World Rugby, an Ireland-based international rugby federation, the Rugby World Cup 2023 attracted 425,000 international visitors who stayed an average of ten days and generated €1.8 billion (USD 1.95 billion) in total spending, resulting in a net economic impact of €871 million (USD 945 million) for France. Therefore, the growing interest in sports tourism is driving the growth of the rugby fan travel market.

Key companies operating in the rugby fan travel market are increasingly focusing on technological innovations, such as digital ticketing and fan engagement platforms, to enhance the overall fan experience, improve travel convenience, and strengthen security, while also creating new revenue and marketing opportunities for event organizers. Digital ticketing involves electronic systems for secure ticket distribution, reducing fraud and scalping, and improving convenience for attendees. Fan engagement platforms provide personalized, content-rich experiences that keep fans connected before, during, and after events. For instance, in June 2025, Tixserve Limited, an Ireland-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, launched the RugbyAU Tickets app for Rugby Australia during the British and Irish Lions Tour 2025. The app offers secure digital ticket delivery for traveling and hospitality guests, real-time event notifications, and direct access to corporate and travel packages. It also enables immersive match-day experiences, validates attendee data for organizers, and helps reduce costs and environmental impact.

In October 2024, Keith Prowse, a UK-based event planning company, acquired Gullivers Sports Travel Limited for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Keith Prowse aims to strengthen its presence in the rugby fan travel and sports hospitality market by combining expertise to deliver comprehensive, premium travel and event experiences for rugby supporters worldwide. Gullivers Sports Travel Limited is a UK-based specialist sports travel company that organizes and provides tours for fans to watch and play various sports, including rugby.

Major companies operating in the rugby fan travel market are eSky Group Spółka Akcyjna, Fanatics Experiences Limited, Sportsnet Holidays Pty Ltd, Sportsbreaks.com Limited, England Rugby Travel Limited, Portman Travel Group Limited, Rugby World Cup Travel and Hospitality Limited, All Blacks Travel & Hospitality Limited, Edusport Pvt. Ltd., Sports Tours International Limited, Sports Travel and Hospitality Group Limited, Edusport Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd, SportsLink Travel Pty Ltd, Travel & Sports Australia Pty Ltd, Keith Prowse Travel Limited, STA Travel Holdings AG, Rugby Travel Ireland Limited, Expat Sport LLC, BAC Sport Limited, SA Rugby Travel Proprietary Limited.

North America was the largest region in the rugby fan travel market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rugby fan travel market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rugby fan travel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rugby fan travel market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as event management, hospitality services, local tours, concierge assistance, travel insurance, merchandise sales, and on-ground support. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.