Russian Tour Operators See Rising Demand for Foreign Football Trips

Russian tour operators are reporting growing demand from travellers booking trips to matches featuring popular foreign football clubs, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

Fans this season don't necessarily have to travel to Spain or England - matches involving such clubs are being held in Azerbaijan and Turkey, where tourists don't need a visa.

For a match in Baku, operators offer two- to three-day trips, with the full budget of a football journey including flights from Moscow estimated at around 52,000-73,000 rubles per person.

According to ATOR data from operator Space Travel, a tour to Istanbul for a match on 4 November costs roughly 110,000 rubles per person, covering airfare, accommodation, match tickets and transfers.

Space Travel noted that football trips appeal beyond devoted fans: some travellers plan a journey around a specific match, choosing dates to fit the football calendar, while others add a stadium visit to an already planned holiday.

The most affordable destinations for Russian football travel are CIS countries, Turkey, the UAE and Europe, the company added.