Muslim-friendly sports tourism could generate up to US$21 billion globally by 2030 if destinations and event organisers improve access to faith-friendly services and travel information, according to a report released by Mastercard and CrescentRating.
The report, Proof Wins: The Convergence of Sports, Travel, and Faith, examines how Muslim travellers discover, plan and attend sports events, and identifies the factors that influence booking decisions.
According to the study, spending on sports-related travel by Muslim travellers is projected to increase from around US$11 billion in 2025 to US$17 billion by 2030. The figure could rise to US$21 billion if destinations improve the visibility and delivery of services such as halal food, prayer facilities, transport information and secure payment options.
The report notes that Muslim international arrivals are expected to grow from 186 million in 2025 to 245 million by 2030. However, only around six per cent of international Muslim trips currently include attendance at a sports event, indicating potential for further growth.
Researchers found that affordability and value remain the main factors influencing travel decisions, followed by access to halal food, prayer facilities, safety and crowd management. The availability of clear information during the planning and booking stages was also identified as a key driver of participation.
The report highlights the role of digital channels in sports travel, with social media serving as the main source of event discovery among Muslim travellers. However, conversion to bookings depends on access to practical information such as official ticketing channels, venue details, transport arrangements and payment options.
Aisha Islam, senior vice president, customer solutions centre, South-east Asia at Mastercard, said: “Muslim travellers represent one of the fastest-growing segments in global travel. When destinations provide clarity and confidence – from payment security to halal dining and prayer access – they unlock significant participation and spending potential.”
Fazal Bahardeen, founder and CEO of CrescentRating, added: “What this research clearly shows is that demand alone is not the constraint – confidence is.”
Most recently, he held an executive operational leadership role overseeing a national serviced apartment portfolio. He has also held senior leadership positions with TFE Hotels and Stamford Hotels & Resorts.
Previously, he was interim general manager and resort manager at W Maldives, and has held senior leadership roles at Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, and The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket.
