The Best Homes To Buy Near World-Class Sporting Events

In the northern Italian city of Milan, rental values are already creeping up in anticipation of the winter Olympics – in February 2026. That might seem a little premature, but for many big sporting events there’s a growing need for rental properties. And while that means owners have to move out for the duration, a room or two with a view can be a shrewd investment.

Wimbledon is a great example. “People might not buy property solely to rent it out for the tennis championships in July,” says Cory Askew, Savills regional director of the southwest London parks region. “But being able to let your place during Wimbledon fortnight is an advantage, and there’s huge demand – from fans, media, sponsors and the players themselves.”

Specialist agents such as Tennis London organise rentals in the area, and the yields make it more than worthwhile. “We estimate that Championship rentals gain per week what you’d normally get for a month,” says Askew. Many types of property work, but well-presented houses with gardens big enough to host a marquee command a premium.

Twenty-five miles away in Berkshire, it’s a similar story, says Charles Broadbent-Combe, Savills head of residential in Sunningdale. “Residents often rent out their houses for the five days of Royal Ascot in June and the PGA golf championships at Wentworth in September.” 

Some find these sporting events a little disruptive – Ascot attracts 300,000 people a year – so they actively prefer to travel while they are happening. “With the increased traffic, some empty-nesters like to get away during that time,” adds Broadbent-Combe. And the proceeds more than cover their holiday.

A sports letting can be the icing on the cake. Monaco has high property values, with an average price of more than €51,000 a square metre, which, says Irene Luke of Savills Monaco, “makes it the most expensive place in the world to buy, ahead of Hong Kong, London and Dubai”. Space is so limited, and the sporting events are so coveted, that impressive rental yields can be achieved.

“The biggest sporting milestone is the Grand Prix in late May,” says Luke. “To give you an idea, someone with an apartment with a good view of the circuit has just rented their terrace space for two days at €80,000 – and that’s without catering, staff or champagne.” The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament in April is also a big hitter, as is the Historic Grand Prix in May – and the Monaco-Nice leg of the Tour de France in July will add to the excitement.

According to Luke, those with property in Monaco often have other homes to go to, leaving prime positions for renters, who may be sportspeople themselves. “We do a lot of work with Formula 1 drivers, tennis players and top cyclists,” she says. “Monaco is a great rental base, but there are legal restrictions to observe, such as how many people per day you can fit into each square metre. And property is limited, especially on the Grand Prix circuit.” 

A three-bedroom apartment in Le Grand Large, a residence in the Fontvieille area of Monaco, with a swimming pool, large terraces and a concierge service, is on the market for €13,900,000.

Along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the arrival of the Olympic torch in mid-June is causing rental ripples. “It’s adding spice to an already packed year,” says Alex Balkin, executive director of Savills French Riviera. “There are so many sporting events here that most months offer a good income.” These include the Tour de France, the Royal Regatta in Cannes, the Iron Man triathlon in September and November’s marathon. “And don’t forget the Cannes Yachting Festival in September,” Balkin adds.

He’s seeing a new kind of buyer who “likes their Riviera property to generate income when they’re not using it”. They are looking for multiple bedrooms, ensuite staff accommodation, existing rental activity and coastal access. Savills has a contemporary seafront villa on sale in nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer that can accommodate up to 12 people, with a dedicated team trained by a Michelin-starred chef.

Another rental hotspot is Melbourne. “The city is the consistent leader in Australian sporting events,” says Michael Lang, director of residential for Savills in Melbourne. 

“It has some of the greatest in the world, including the Australian Open tennis championships in January and the Melbourne Cup in November, the equivalent to Royal Ascot.”

With so much going on in the city, where are the best places to buy? “For great access to venues, look at East Melbourne, around the Royal Botanic Gardens, including South Yarra,” says Lang. Residents at the Evermore development, for example, “can take advantage of all Melbourne’s sporting facilities, including Albert Park Lake for the F1 course, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena”.

A sports-friendly rental represents a two-fold investment, says Lang. “Buyers can take advantage of a spike when these events are in town, but these areas aren’t just predicated on sports events. They’re also sought-after – so a rental yield is the icing on the cake.”

Pictures from top: cycling in the south of France (Getty); match play at Wimbledon (Alamy); crowds gather for the Monaco Grand Prix (Getty); the Melbourne Cup (Getty); and Port Hercule in Monaco (Alamy)