What Inspiresport does

Inspiresport, operating legally as Destination Sport Limited and trading under the inspiresport brand, is a UK-based youth sports development tour operator that has been designing and delivering bespoke international sports tours for schools and youth clubs since 2004. The company's core offering is end-to-end tour packaging — return flights, ground transport, 3–4 star accommodation, professional coaching sessions at elite clubs, stadium tours, competitive fixtures, dedicated bilingual tour directors, and optional excursions — delivered across football, rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, water sports, and multi-sport itineraries. Its competitive position rests on exclusive, multi-year partnerships with elite professional clubs (Valencia CF, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven, Girona FC, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic FC, Rangers FC) and exclusive endorsements from UK school sports governing bodies (ESFA, SSFA, SYFA) representing 30,000+ member schools.

The platform backbone is operational rather than technology-led: digital tools are used for tour coordination, booking and CRM, while differentiation derives from curated club and venue access, proprietary tour programming, and a regional sales team of youth development directors covering the UK and key international markets. Distribution is exclusively B2B and sales-led — no self-serve or consumer e-commerce channel exists — with quotes generated per group booking and group leader presentations offered to schools and clubs. Compliance infrastructure (ABTA Y6767, ATOL 12127, School Travel Forum Fully Assured, LOtC Quality Badge, Travelife) is an explicit procurement-ready credential for the UK education sector.

The business operates within the Destination Sport Group (alongside Sportsbreaks.com and Destination Sport Travel) and has international reach through the 2023 acquisition of Tour Time Group, providing offices in Manchester (HQ), Saltney, Atlanta, Auckland, and Sydney. Sister brand inspireski targets school ski trips, and an inspirefest festival platform runs multi-sport events in Spain, Belgium, and Northern Ireland. Over 80,000 travellers have used inspiresport services since 2004; revenue and ARR are not publicly disclosed, and the company is privately held with no disclosed external funding rounds — growth has been organic and via parent-group acquisitions.

Name

Inspiresport

Legal name

Destination Sport Limited

Website

https://inspiresport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Inspiresport is a UK-based youth sports development tour operator that designs bespoke international sports tours (football, rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, lacrosse) for schools and youth clubs, leveraging exclusive partnerships with elite professional clubs and UK governing body endorsements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Tour Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Team, Tournament & Training Travel (THAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF), Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA)

Keywords

• School sports tours
• Youth sports travel
• Sports development programmes
• Club coaching tours
• Educational sports trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardiff

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sports Development Tours: Inspiresport generates revenue through comprehensive tour packages for schools and clubs. Tour packages include return flights, ground transportation, accommodation (3-4 star), professional coaching sessions at elite clubs, stadium tours, competitive fixtures against local opposition, dedicated bilingual tour directors, and optional excursions. Revenue is project-based per group booking rather than subscription-based.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Inspiresport designs and delivers bespoke youth sports development tours for schools and clubs across football, rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, lacrosse, swimming, water sports and multi-sport programmes. Each tour bundles flights, ground transport, 3-4 star accommodation, professional coaching at elite partner clubs, competitive fixtures against local opposition, stadium tours, cultural excursions and dedicated bilingual tour directors into a single tailored package priced per group booking. The company complements its tours with branded events such as inspirefest festivals, the Elite Netball Cup UAE, and the R66T Academy cricket programme.

Product overview

Inspiresport is a sports development tour operator specializing in bespoke youth sports tours for schools and clubs. The portfolio consists of core tour products across multiple sports including Football Tours, Rugby Tours, Netball Tours, Hockey Tours, Cricket Tours, Tennis Tours, Lacrosse Tours, and Multi-Sport Tours, complemented by branded events (inspirefest festivals, Elite Netball Cup UAE) and training facilities (Tenerife Top Training Centre, Atalaya Park). The company also operates a sister brand inspireski for school ski trips. Tours combine professional coaching at world-class clubs, competitive fixtures against local opposition, stadium tours, cultural experiences, and quality accommodation. Recent expansion includes the acquisition of Tour Time Group and new destination partnerships with clubs including Girona FC, Tottenham Hotspur, and Rangers FC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• inspireski: Sister brand providing all-inclusive school ski trip programmes offering world-class resorts throughout Europe and North America.
• inspirefest

Products and services

• Football Tours Football development tours for schools and clubs offering training at world-class professional clubs across the UK, Europe and worldwide destinations including Manchester City, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia CF and FC Porto.
• Rugby Tours World rugby tour experiences for schools and clubs offering training with professional clubs and provinces including Edinburgh Rugby, Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks, RC Toulon, Racing 92 and Leinster Rugby.
• Netball Tours Netball training and development tours to UK and worldwide destinations with professional coaching from Netball Europe coaches and fixtures at top-class facilities.
• Hockey Tours Hockey development tours with professional training from leading clubs including Amsterdam Hockey Club, Rotterdam Hockey Club, Den Bosch Hockey Club, and SV Kampong.
• Cricket Tours Cricket development tours to UK professional clubs and worldwide destinations including Lancashire CCC, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the R66T Dubai Cup tournament.
• Tennis Tours Tennis development tours to prestigious academies including Rafa Nadal Academy Mallorca, Emilio Sanchez Academy, Royal Tennis Club Marbella, and SotoTennis Academy.
• Lacrosse Tours Lacrosse touring opportunities through partnership with England Lacrosse for schools and clubs, with destinations in UK, Canada, Japan, and USA (Boston and Baltimore).
• Tenerife Top Training Centre Tours Year-round warm weather training facility offering top-level football, rugby, and swimming facilities including FIFA-approved natural grass pitches and Olympic swimming pools.
• inspirefest Multi-Sport Festivals Multisport tournament festivals for junior teams (Year 7-11) held in Belfast, Malaga, and Lommel (Belgium) combining elite coaching, competitive matches, and fun activities.
• Elite Netball Cup UAE International youth netball tournament in Dubai combining elite coaching, competitive fixtures, and adventure experiences at Aquaventure World Atlantis. Open to U12, U14, U16 and U18 teams.
• R66T Academy Cricket Programme Cricket academy offering training from R66T Academy coaches plus tournament games at regional venues across the UK.
• Long Haul Tours Worldwide sports tours combining cultural experiences with fixtures and professional sports training to destinations including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Sri Lanka.
• inspireski School Ski Trips Sister brand providing all-inclusive school ski trip programmes to world-class resorts throughout Europe and North America.
• Atalaya Park Multi-Sport Resort Tours 4-star resort on Costa Del Sol with over 12 acres of subtropical gardens, serving as a venue for football, netball, and multisport tours.
• Water Sports Tours Water sports tours to Costa Brava, Spain, led by experienced Spanish instructors along beautiful coastlines.
• Multisport Tours Combined multi-sport development tours covering two or more sports in a single trip, designed for schools and clubs seeking a varied programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80,000 travellers have used inspiresport services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• England LacrossecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Multi-year partnership (3 years) with England Lacrosse as Official Travel Partner for School and Youth groups. Inspiresport will lead on delivering world-class domestic and international lacrosse tours for school and club teams from across the UK.
• Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Extended partnership (3 years) with SYFA as title sponsor of Scottish Youth FA Cup competitions. Inspiresport remains exclusive sponsor supporting grassroots football with access to elite European clubs including Manchester City FC, Real Madrid Foundation, FC Bayern Munich, FC Porto, and PSV Eindhoven.
• English Schools Football Association (ESFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Extended exclusive partnership (3 years) marking over 13 years of collaboration. Hundreds of talented school footballers trained at world-class destinations including PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan, Manchester City, FC Bayern Munich, and St. George's Park.
• everclimeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Sustainability partnership where every inspiresport tour will fund restoration of wildflower meadows and species-rich grasslands in Scotland, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem protection.
• England Rugby TravelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Inspiresport will distribute England Rugby Travel's official school and club touring product alongside its own offerings, expanding rugby tour portfolio.
• Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025New Official Partner of SWPL ahead of the 24/25 season. Provides brand visibility and alignment with women's football development.
• Scottish Schools' Football Association (SSFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Extended partnership (3 years) cementing over 20 years of shared commitment. Inspiresport sponsors U15 National Trophy (Boys), U18 National Trophy (Boys & Girls), and U14 Girls 7's competitions.
• PSV EindhovencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Extended partnership (3 years) continuing access to world-class academy training experiences at PSV. Young players follow in footsteps of legends Ruud Gullit and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
• Girona FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Exclusive multi-year partnership offering academy training experience with Girona FC PRO Coaches and High-Performance methodology. UEFA Champions League club providing elite footballing credentials.
• R66T AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership delivering cricket development for young cricketers on and off the field, introducing challenges of representing school at national level.
• Celtic FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Extended partnership until at least December 2026. Began in 2019 as US initiative, expanded in 2022 to include UK groups offering 'train and play' at Lennoxtown and Barrowfield facilities.
• Valencia CFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Renewed commitment extending 20-year collaboration since 2004. More than 20,000 young players have visited Valencia CF Sports City. Strengthened presence in UK and USA markets.
• Tottenham Hotspur FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023New partnership enabling development tours for school and youth club teams. Provides access to Hotspur Way Training Ground with Tottenham Hotspur FC Foundation coaches and behind-the-scenes stadium tour.
• Hockey WalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Long-term partnership with Hockey Wales as presenting partner of the National Schools Cup. Brings UK and overseas schools for development tours in Wales.
• Sunderland AFCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Multi-year partnership as part of Destination Sport Group wider agreement. Sportsbreaks.com handles travel for club; inspiresport handles school tours.
• Tour Time GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Acquisition of Tour Time Group including Tour Time NZ Ltd, Tour Time Australia Pty Ltd, Tour Time USA LLC, and Rugby Tours International Ltd. Enhances international expansion following creates of inspiresport LLC in November 2021.
• Rangers FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023New partnership enabling school and youth club teams to experience official Rangers tours including specialist coaching at elite club facilities. Part of expanded Destination Sport Group partnership.
• Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Multi-year partnership with MCC for travel management of touring teams and corporate travel requirements as part of Destination Sport Travel.
• Cricket ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Partnership providing excellent cricket competitions and opportunities across Scotland and further afield through inspiringport's network.
• Manchester City FC / City Football SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for football development tours at City Football Academy, providing access to Premier League training facilities and coaching.
• Chelsea FC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChelsea FC Foundation football tours providing access to Premier League club facilities and coaching programmes.
• Inter MilancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for football development tours training at professional facilities and experiencing live club fixtures.
• Real Madrid CFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal Madrid Foundation Clinic tours providing access to world-famous club coaching and facilities.
• FC BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing access to FC Barcelona facilities and coaching programmes for youth development tours.
• FC PortocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partner club providing Portuguese football experience with professional coaching and cultural immersion.
• Bayern MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEW tour destination for 2023 departures, providing exclusive access to German football training.
• Manchester ThundercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive netball partner providing professional coaching and behind-the-scenes access at Manchester Thunder facilities.
• Lancashire County Cricket ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCricket tour destination at Emirates Old Trafford with world-class coaching and facilities.
• Cardiff BluescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRugby tour partner providing access to Welsh rugby training facilities and professional coaching.
• Racing 92coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis-based rugby tour destination with world-class coaching and stadium tour experiences.
• Sisters N SportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting National Netball Cup for Schools, aligning organizations' missions for youth player development.
• Trees4TravelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReforestation partnership restoring ecosystems and biodiversity in developing countries, supporting local communities through employment.
• Atalaya ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner4-star resort in Costa del Sol providing accommodation and multi-sport facilities for football, netball, and rugby tours.
• Tenerife Top TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining facility partner providing football, rugby, and swimming training with Olympic-standard facilities in warm weather destination.
• St George's ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome of English FA providing access to national football facilities and coaching programmes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Sportsbreaks.com: Sister brand within Destination Sport Group focused on sports-related travel and ticket-inclusive packages for supporters. Operates within the same parent group and competes for similar elite sports travel demand, though more weighted to adult fan travel than youth development tours.
• Rayburn Tours: UK-based educational and school sports tour operator offering bespoke trips for schools across multiple sports. Direct peer to Inspiresport in the school sports tour segment with overlapping B2B school sales motion and sport portfolio.
• NST (Norse Travel Service) Travel Group: UK educational travel company providing school trips including sports tours across Europe. Targets the same school buyer segment with a comparable bespoke group-tour model and B2B sales-led distribution.
• Halsbury Travel: UK school group travel operator specializing in school trips and sports tours to European destinations. Competes directly for UK school sports tour budgets with similar destination portfolio and tour customization.
• Equity School Travel: UK school tour operator offering bespoke sports tours and educational trips. Direct peer in the school sports tour space with overlapping customer base and tour package structure.
• Diverse Sports: UK-based operator of school and youth club sports tours including football, rugby, hockey, and netball. Direct peer competing for the same B2B school and club customers with comparable European destinations.
• Tour Time Group: Acquired by Inspiresport in October 2023. Previously operated youth sports tours in New Zealand, Australia, USA, and Argentina (Rugby Tours International). Pre-acquisition it was a direct peer competing for youth sports tour demand in those geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Contiki: Established youth and young-adult group tour operator with global reach. Comparable on youth-focused group travel mechanics and multi-destination tour packaging, though not sport-specific.
• STA Travel: Formerly major student and youth travel specialist (now largely defunct in legacy form, brand acquired). Comparable on youth/student group travel model and school-trip distribution, though not a current direct competitor.
• Topdeck Travel: Operator of group tours targeted at younger travellers including sports-inclusive itineraries. Broad incumbent in youth group travel with some overlap in youth sports tour demand, particularly for older student segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/inspiresport
• Facebookfacebook.com/inspiresport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inspiresport

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inspiresport