15 Tips for Traveling for Sporting Events (Plus a Packing List)

15 Tips for Traveling for Sporting Events (Plus a Packing List)

Whether you’re planning to travel “with” your favorite sports team or packing up the family for travel league weekend, we’re here to help you dust off your traveling shoes and hit the road for adventures - traveling for athletic events. 

We’ve gathered the best travel tricks and tips to save money, avoid stress, and travel like a seasoned pro!  

Keep in mind that you can’t plan for everything to happen and every trip is going to include some sort of mishap, but pack us in your backpack and we’re sure to have some fun.

1. Pack light and take extra money
1. It’s great to be able to be mobile and flexible when you’re traveling. Avoid feeling bogged down with heavy suitcases, a result of overpacking. Pack light and bring extra money to buy anything you forgot. If you’re a to-do-ist, you may like our packing guide, found at the end of this blog. We like the idea of packing just the basics that can transfer between different outfit looks and including just a few statement pieces and accessorizing.
2. Pack extra socks 
1. Oftentimes when you’re on-the-go your sweat is flowing a little more than usual. For that reason, we recommend you pack one extra pair of socks for every two days of travel. Keep them in your suitcase or carry on in plastic bags to be able to exchange out with the worn, stinky ones. Your dry toes will thank you!
3. Pack earplugs
1. You never know how noisy your bedroom environment will be. 
4. If you’re flying, pack a change of clothes in your carryon or purse
1. Sometimes, bags arrive after you do. If team spirit greets you at baggage claim, but not your suitcase, you can have the peace of mind of being prepared for at least the next day by keeping a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and necessary prescriptions on your person. Your hotel lodging will likely be able to fill in the gaps of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash and you will have the next day to purchase any missing items if they’re still needed.
5. Visit the local tourism businesses
1. These establishments are staffed with people who know what’s happening in the area. You can speak with a live human who will be able to point you in the direction of where to go for eating, drinking, lodging, activities, and more. Plus, they may have exclusive deals set up with local businesses that you can take advantage of.
6. Be polite
1. It’s always a good idea to be courteous to people around you. It especially comes in handy when you’re looking for help!
7. Be smart
1. Though not everyone bites, be aware and cautious of your surroundings to avoid travel scams and dangerous situations. Keep your cell phone accessible at all times. 
8. Book your flight 2-3 months in advance
1. This is typically the time when you’ll find the most reasonable rates.
9. Take lots of photos and videos
1. With the convenience of today’s technology, you can easily capture the moment by snapping images and video clips to look back on and remember. You can also share them on social media with your friends and family back home!
10. Carry a phone charger
1. The three things that you should always have on you are your phone, your I.D., and your credit card (or money). You may find your phone battery draining more quickly when you’re traveling than it does back home because of the use of navigation apps and changing signals, so keep your phone charger with you to be able to plug in at a coffee shop or restaurant in between events.
11. Layer
1. Weather can fluctuate, depending on your location. You may like to wear multiple layers that can shed if you’re too warm and add on if you’re too chilly.
12. Pre-plan your outfits
1. We like to make use of plastic bags to organize all the pieces of an outfit for a day or event to grab it out of our suitcase and throw it on. If we’ve organized our outfits back home, we don’t have to waste time on the trip deciding which top to pair with which legging.
13. Wear sunscreen
1. It’s easy to forget to slather on sunblock when you’re flitting from one event to another, but you definitely don’t want the fun to be stopped by a bad case of sunburn.
14. Act appropriately at sporting events
1. If you haven’t read it already, you may like to read about sporting event etiquette tips to know the proper things to do at an athletic event 
15. Relax and live in the moment
1. We are cheering you on from the sidelines as you take off for your favorite team. Planning for and traveling for sporting events can be stressful, but we hope that our guide helps you to feel more prepared for your next trip.

Sporting Event Travel Packing List

Click this image to download this packing list for your sporting event travels!

We hope that you enjoy your travels, wherever athletic events take you, and we hope that we’re kept in your suitcase to look your best at these events.