Ep 34 - From World Cup to Burning Man: The Ultimate 2025 -26 Event Travel List

Episode Title: From World Cup to Burning Man: The Ultimate 2025–26 Event Travel List

Ready to plan your next unforgettable adventure? In this episode of Tickets To Travel, we're breaking down the Top 10 global events worth booking a flight (and maybe a payment plan) for in 2025 and 2026. From the massive stadiums of the FIFA World Cup to the surreal sands of Burning Man, we’re covering the sports, music, fashion, and cultural experiences that are driving the next wave of travel.

Host Mario Bauduin serves up pro tips on when to book, where to stay, and how to travel smart — including:

• How to save money for Coachella without selling a kidney 

• Why Milan-Cortina's Winter Olympics may be your luxe ski pass excuse 

• Booking secrets for Tomorrowland, Glastonbury, and Cape Town Jazz 

• The myth, the mud, and the magic of festival season 

Whether you're a fan, a planner, or a passport stamp collector, this episode is your VIP pass to the world’s hottest travel-worthy events.

Ready to lock in your seat before prices surge?
Head to tickets.xpotravel.com — your global ticket hookup for concerts, festivals, sports, and once-in-a-lifetime events.

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🌍 Travel smart. Party smarter. Because unforgettable travel starts with a ticket.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
And welcome back to Tickets to Travel, the podcast that explores how the ticket drives the trip. I'm your host, Mario Bwin, and today's episode is like the ultimate global playlist. Except instead of songs we're dropping the top 10 events around the world that are totally worth packing a bag for, and probably budgeting six months ahead.

(00:01):
Of course, we're talking stadiums and stages, high altitude mountains and desert dance floors, samba parades, and couture catwalks. Whether you are after high stakes goals or high fashion, this list has something for every kind of traveler who's ever planned a trip around a ticket. And if you're a planner.
This is the list to add to your friend text group if you're balling like that. Do people still say balling? I don't know. I might be dating myself, but hey, listen, before you even ask, yes, seasonality matters. We've got the when, the, where, and the why, plus hot tips on how to fly, stay, and save smart. And yet we'll also talk about the very real phenomenon of financing Coachella with four interest repayments and a prayer.
Whether you're a sports nut, a music lover, or a travel hacker in training, this episode's got your next big trip. Written all over it.
Alright guys, let's start with number one. That's the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. This is happening in June and July of 2026. This is the Global Mega Event. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expanding to 48 teams and taking place across three countries. The us, Canada, and Mexico.
From Toronto to Mexico City, to Seattle and Miami, the travel opportunities are endless. Expect a surge in hotel prices and flights. So here's your first tip. Book accommodations. As soon as the team qualifies your team, the one you've been following, make sure that you book those accommodations early. Use loyalty points for chain hotels.
Cities like Kansas City and Atlanta will be more budget friendly than NYC or LA, of course, but of course you wanna just experience it. Even if you can't get a ticket, it might be fun just to be in those cities anyway. You're still gonna pay for the hotels though, trust me. Also, there are rumors about World Cup concerts and opening ceremonies that could rival the Super Bowl.
Think bad bunny headlining Mexico City or Drake opening in Toronto. Yeah, that would be major. Of course, I. Number two, the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan, Cortina, Italy. That's in February of 2026. Italy in the winter, say less man. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will be the cest winter games yet. Expect skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and espresso shots between events.
And don't forget the dolomite views. They're gonna be nuts. Incredible. So if you wanna travel tip here, Milan. Hotel prices will be steep. I mean, everybody knows that. Look into nearby alpine towns like Bergamo or even Lake Como in the off season. Train passes will be key money saving moves. Pair with a European rail pass and plan out Olympic events over a five day block.
It'll just give you a lot more bang for your buck in general, but you gotta get on those train tickets. Number three, Glastonbury Festival Somerset UK in June of 2025 this summer, and also 2026. The legend, the myth, the mud. Glastonbury remains one of the world's most iconic music festivals. The 2025 and 2026 lineups haven't dropped yet, but if past years are any indication, expect legacy acts and global chart toppers.
If you want a quick hack here, skip the rental car and do the coach plus tent package. Also look for resale tickets through glastonbury's official resale platform. A little cultural note, unlike Coachella, Glasgow goers brag about their survival kits more than their outfits. So pack it up, get ready. It's gonna be a long yet.
Fire experience, I'm sure. Number four on the list is Coachella in Indio, California, typically April, 2025. We just had the second week, and then of course, you should start planning for next year in 2026. Speaking of Coachella, this desert party isn't slowing down. Influencer Central, yes, but also a legit cultural moment.
Expect artists to drop exclusive collabs and surprise performances. Millennials and Gen Z are now Coachella financing their experience all around Klarna, Afterpay, and even split credit card plans are trendy. Wild, right? Yes, but also smart. If you do it responsibly, you don't want any of that interest to accrue guys.
So yeah, do it, but you know, pay it all off. A travel tip for Coachella, consider flying into Palm Springs or even Las Vegas for cheaper flights and driving in that alone will make the trip. Number five on the list is Rio Carnival 2026 in February. Not a concert or game, but undeniably one of the biggest spectacles on earth.
Rio Carnival 2026 will be epic as Brazil leans into the post pandemic party era. If you wanna budget your way to Rio Carnival, look at hostels. Airbnbs outside the zone of Sewell. And cooking a few meals in will help keep this trip from breaking the bank. Number six on the list is tomorrow Land 2025 and 2026 in Boom, Belgium.
That's in July. So the world's largest EDM festival returns with unmatched energy and global community vibes. It's not just a party, it's a pilgrimage for electronic music fans. So if you want a quick travel trip for Boom Belgium, stay in Dreamville camping to save on hotels and gain access to exclusive pre-party events.
Also, you could register early for global presale. I. Tickets often sell out in just minutes. Your favorite artists one, click away. Skip the high fees. Skip the hassle. Lock in your seat [e-mail]. The stage is set. Visit tickets dot xpo travel.com. Your night out starts here. Need to level up your podcast or audio content expo Travel media has you covered from full-scale podcast production to radio promos, voiceovers, and custom sound design.
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Number seven on the list. Paris Fashion Week, spring Summer 2026 in Paris, France. Hot Couture, high Society global trend setting. All come together during Paris Fashion Week and you don't need a front row invite. Many shows, grand popups and installations are open to the public or streamable. Need a money saving tip for Paris.
Use hotel points or stay in nearby suburbs like Montreal or Sun. Number eight on our list is Burning Man, black Rock City, Nevada, August, 2025. Not your average festival. Burning Man is radical self-expression and desert survivalism in equal measures. Plan logistics early. There are no vendors, no wifi and no map unless you bring one.
Another travel tip would be split an RV rental with friends and share supplies to save money. I have not personally been to Burning Man, but I hear it is a life changing experience worthy of number eight on the list. So what's number nine? Champions League Final 2025. Munich, Germany. That's in May, 2025 next month.
It's the Super Bowl of European Club football. It lands in one of Germany's most vibrant cities expect fireworks on and off the pitch a travel tip book early and look into train or bus passes. If flights are too steep, meaning fly to an adjacent destination and then train it in. So that may cut down the cost a little bit.

(00:22):
A key part of the Champions League in Munich is the local experiences mix in a beer garden, dohow day trips and bike tours for a more rounded travel experience, enjoy the destination and what rounds out our top 10. Cape Town, South Africa, Cape Town Jazz Festival in March, 2026, Africa's grandest gathering of jazz, soul, and global fusion artists.
A truly world-class event in one of the world's most stunning cities, a travel tip bundle. Your festival plans with a safari or wine country tour for a once in a lifetime trip. Need a budget hack. Book guest houses in nearby neighborhoods like Woodstock or Observatory for serious savings. So there you have it, 10 unforgettable travel experiences across sports, music, fashion, and global culture.
Whether you're booking now or dreaming ahead, remember the. Earlier you plan, the more options you have. Use miles. Leverage payment plans responsibly and think outside the big hotel chains. And hey, follow us at Tick to Travel Pod on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for Travel Hacks, ticket alerts, and more breakdowns just like this.
Until next time, I'm Mario DeWine reminding you that unforgettable travel starts with a ticket. Safe travels, attention, travel, and ticketing innovators. Whether you're a startup disrupting the industry, or an established company ready to take your distribution strategy to the next level. Expo Travel is your ultimate partner in online travel and ticketing distribution.
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