With its spectacular desert landscapes and iconic red rocks, Arizona is a destination that is worthy of a place on any travel bucket list – but in 2025, its sporting calendar adds a new layer of appeal that makes it the perfect year to finally book those flights and pay it a visit. From golfing to watersports, this culturally rich destination has just as much to offer sporting enthusiasts as it does those simply wishing to see the sights, and combining the two promises an exciting itinerary and a trip you’ll never forget. With an exciting year ahead, we asked the experts at
AZ Sportsbooks to take us through the top sporting events and luxury experiences still to come, and how to enjoy them all in the utmost of style.
Golfing on world class courses
Arizona is one of the top destinations globally for golfing fanatics, and is home to an array of world-class golf courses that host notable events throughout the year. Although some of them – including the
Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Arizona Golf Classic have already taken place, there are still plenty of reasons to visit and perhaps even try your hand at a game or two yourself. Blending scenic backdrops with challenging layouts, there are several golf courses to add to your list. The Biltmore Golf Club in Phoenix, which boasts courses set against the breath-taking Camelback Mountain, should be your first port of call, and here you can treat yourself to a lavish VIP package including exclusive access to the courses, golfing lessons with PGA professionals, and a myriad of other high-end services. Next, it’s onto the TPC Scottsdale course in Scottsdale, where the Waste Management Phoenix Open is famously held. Its Stadium Course is a highlight, and one that all golfing enthusiasts no doubt aspire to play on. This year, visitors can check into its brand new luxury suites and enjoy personalised service and experiences for a well-rounded high-end golfing break that ticks all the boxes and more. Whilst you’re in the vicinity, be sure to pay a visit to the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in nearby Fort McDowell. Home to the impressive Cholla and Saguaro golf courses, you can arrange to be transferred in by helicopter for a day on the course, and enjoy exclusive tee times and bespoke golf packages as a VIP guest.
Motorsports in the desert
Arizona’s vast desert landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for some adventurous pursuits, and offers plenty of chances to enjoy them in the utmost of style. January saw the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction take place, which attracts motor sports enthusiasts from across the globe. But if you missed it, then worry not, because the Arizona Desert Off-Road Racing Series takes place throughout the year, which means there are still plenty of opportunities to take in one of the most thrilling off-road races in the United States. Taking place in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, you can expect edge-of-your-seat action and adrenaline-pumping speed, with an exciting experience guaranteed. If you’re keen to get behind the wheel yourself then splash out on a private guided trip through the desert with luxury tour company Desert Wolf Tours, where you can try your hand at navigating a high-end 4×4 vehicle on tough terrain for a thoroughly rewarding adventure of your own.
Watersports on Arizona’s lakes
For watersports enthusiasts, Arizona’s lakes and rivers play host to a plethora of events each year, and there are plenty more still to come in 2025. The Arizona Wakeboarding Championships are set to take place in May, and will see some of the best wakeboarding talent from across the country and further afield congregate at the beautiful Lake Pleasant to compete. To enjoy it to the maximum, book yourself a suite at the nearby Arizona Grand Resort and Spa, where you can enjoy luxurious services and amenities whilst remaining in easy reach of the daily sporting action. Lake Pleasant also offers the chance to indulge in sports such as jet skiing and paddleboarding throughout the year, making it a great destination for any month – so if you can’t make this particular event fit into your schedule then it’s still worth making the trip.
College American football
Still to come this December is a major event for college American football fans, with
the Fiesta Bowl set to attract an impressive crowd when it takes place in Glendale. A highlight of the college football season, it’s best enjoyed in combination with a stay at the opulent
Westin Kierland Resort and Spa .
The bottom line
2025 is set to be yet another thrilling year for sporting enthusiasts across the globe, and
Arizona offers a plethora of unique and exciting experiences you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re keen to spectate at some of the most notable sporting events of the year or participate in the action yourself, this top US destination has got it all, and for luxury lovers, it offers the perfect blend of opulence and action.
