There is no place in the world quite like Monaco. This tiny micronation is entirely surrounded by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on the fourth, with a population of less than 37,000 people. It’s so small, in fact, that it’s possible to walk from one side to the other in around an hour.
But with just 0.8 square miles (2.1 square kilometres) of space, Monaco is a major player on the world stage when it comes to sport.
Sure, the country isn’t producing many top-class athletes given that it has a population smaller than many towns and cities in other countries, but it is home to some of the biggest and most prestigious sporting events on the planet.
While a trip to Monaco is great any time of the year, planning your visit to coincide with one of these events is a great way to get the most from your time in the tiny principality.
European Poker Tour
The European Poker Tour is one of the biggest events on the poker calendar. As its name suggests, it’s hosted in multiple European cities throughout the year with many of the world’s best poker players taking part as the tour travels across the continent.
Each year, different holiday destinations in Europe take turns to welcome these poker players, though Monaco is a staple that always features.
The EPT Monte Carlo is hosted at the Casino de Monte-Carlo that sits right in the heart of Monaco. The grand building sits on top of a hill, looking over the marina, with a grand fountain and garden on its other side. Inside, it’s even more decadent with a grand lobby and detailed architectural stylings.
The EPT usually arrives in Monaco around April or May, with events running for around a week.
Unlike the other major sporting events hosted in Monaco, the European Poker Tour is one that you can also partake in. Talented poker players can bag a spot in EPT events, including in Monaco, by taking part in qualification tournaments online.
For example, the PokerStars Power Path promotion is a structured scheme for online players to work their way up to a spot in online and live tournaments like the EPT. It works by awarding tickets to players for completing challenges online that can be used to progress through the three levels of Power Pass.
Even if you don’t want to take part, watching professional poker players partake in tournaments like the EPT is a great way to spend your time in Monaco.
Formula 1
The Monaco Grand Prix is, perhaps, the most famous sporting event to take place in the principality. The event is hosted on the streets of Monte Carlo each spring and brings the entire micronation to a standstill as roads are closed to accommodate the drivers, teams, press, and spectators.
The race is steeped in history thanks to it being a unique track that has remained on the calendar for all of Formula 1’s history (except for 2020) and a difficult challenge that drivers love to take on. This history and prestige make it a must-attend event for F1 fans and non-fans alike, with people visiting just to soak up the atmosphere.
Hotels book up quickly, so you may find yourself staying in nearby Nice, but it’s well worth the visit during the Grand Prix weekend.
Monte-Carlo Masters
The Monte-Carlo Masters is a tennis tournament that has been taking place almost every year since 1896. While it is technically played in France, the venue is officially known as the Monte Carlo Country Club.
This wasn’t always the case, as the early editions of the tournament were hosted on red shale clay courts underneath the Grand Hotel de Paris in Monaco.
Regardless of the location, everyone treats the competition as one that still takes place in Monaco. It’s also only a stone’s throw away from the principality, so it’s the perfect opportunity to combine your love of tennis with a trip to one of the most beautiful and unusual nations in the world.
