A growing number of UK sports fans are planning to travel abroad to watch international sporting events, with nearly a third (32%) of respondents intending to make the trip in the next five years.

This represents a significant rise in sports tourism, with a 12% increase compared to the previous five years.

According to a new study by global money app Zing, UK sports enthusiasts are set to spend thousands of pounds following their favorite teams worldwide.

Football remains the most popular sport for international travel, with the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany topping the list of events fans plan to attend this year. Around 14% of respondents are gearing up for this major event, followed by the Paris Summer Olympics (10%) and Champions League matches (10%). On average, UK sports fans are expected to spend £1,625.11 to watch these international games this year.

Looking ahead, the Six Nations rugby tournament is generating significant excitement, with 15% of fans planning to attend. Rugby enthusiasts are set to spend an average of £1,760.68 on travel to follow their teams. Other key events like the French Open (9%) and the Australian Open (6%) are also on the radar for many sports fans.

Top 10 Sports Fans Plan to Travel Abroad to Watch in the Next 5 Years:

Football – 60%

Formula One – 20%

Cricket – 15%

Tennis – 14%

Rugby Union – 13%

Basketball – 9%

Athletics – 9%

Boxing – 7%

American Football – 6%

Golf – 6%

One of the challenges for international sports travelers is the cost and complexity of foreign exchange, with 11% of respondents citing foreign exchange fees and the difficulty of spending money abroad as barriers to travel.

However, the rise of international payment cards, like Zing, is helping to simplify transactions for global travelers. Zing offers real-time currency conversion with a low 0.2% fee, making it an ideal option for sports tourists. In fact, 33% of respondents plan to use such services when traveling internationally.

James Allan, founder and CEO of Zing, highlights the strong connection between UK sports fans and international travel: "The UK is renowned as a nation of sports fans, and this is reflected in the increasing number of people incorporating games into their travel plans. With major events like the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Zing is excited to offer fans the chance to win a VIP trip to the games by entering a competition on our website."

As UK sports fans continue to embrace international sports tourism, the demand for seamless, cost-effective payment solutions is more important than ever.