SCOTTSDALE: WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO PLAY

A World Cup-worthy escape where luxury resorts meet championship golf, iconic Sonoran Desert scenery, dynamic culture and authentic southwestern dining – all during low season and with more attractive prices.

When the world descends on the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this June, the thrills don’t need to stop at the stadium gates.

Just an hour’s flight – or a freewheeling road trip – from Los Angeles, Scottsdale offers a sun-soaked, luxurious, fun-packed yet laid-back counterpoint to the mayhem of match day.

This is where the World Cup experience extends into extra time: celebrate before kick-off with poolside cocktails beneath towering saguaro cacti and de-stress after a nail-biting penalty shootout with a desert-inspired spa ritual.

Crucially, while host cities will see eye-watering price hikes during the World Cup, June is low season in Scottsdale. That means the most sought-after, luxurious resorts will beoffering their most attractive rates. The style, service and scenery remain first class; only the prices ease off. June offers the Champagne lifestyle on a Budweiser budget.

Scottsdale sits at the heart of the American Southwest. From the red-rock cathedrals of Sedona to the vast geological theatre of the Grand Canyon, there are tons of amazing day trips within easy reach of the city. Yet many visitors discover they have little desire to leave when Scottsdale offers championship golf at sunrise, shaded cabanas and chilled rosé in the afternoon, and evenings spent wandering a walkable arts district alive with galleries, rooftop bars and excellent restaurants.

Base yourself in Scottsdale, where the world comes to play – and where you’ll want to stay long after the trophy is lifted.

Luxury stays: Home away from home

If you’ve ever fancied checking into a desert hideaway where saguaros form a defensive wall and margaritas arrive without so much as a dribble, June is your moment.

At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North ( fourseasons.com/scottsdale ), terracotta casitas spill across the foothills beneath Pinnacle Peak, pairing privacy with sweeping Sonoran views.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess ( scottsdaleprincess.com ) offers a broad canvas: multiple pools, championship golf, acclaimed dining and enough room to create its own atmosphere.

In the heart of town, Hotel Valley Ho ( hotelvalleyho.com ) brings mid-century modern style and a lively pool scene, all within walking distance of Old Town’s galleries and restaurants.

For seclusion, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain ( sanctuaryaz.com ) delivers hillside suites and private villas with expansive views and a discreet, intimate feel.

Because June is Scottsdale’s quieter season, you’ll find rooms – and suites – at rates that almost feel like robbery.

Spa and wellness: For fans of physio

Post-match tension? In Scottsdale you can expect a heck of a lot more than a quick bit of pitch-side physio: with more than 50 resorts and day spas, this is a place that takes relaxation seriously.

The Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess ( scottsdaleprincess.com ) is a sanctuary of waterfalls and eucalyptus steam, while the spa at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback sits on a sun-drenched hillside, near an ancient peak. Treatments often draw on Native American healing traditions and Sonoran ingredients such as desert sage, agave and mineral-rich clays.

The emphasis is on slowing the pulse and resetting perspective – perfect for when England miss a penalty or Scotland fall foul of unfair VAR decisions.

Old Town Scottsdale: Culture with a kick

Think of Old Town as Scottsdale’s all-rounder: nine walkable neighbourhoods passing seamlessly between galleries, boutiques, Western saloons and swish cocktail bars.

At the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art ( smoca.org ) exhibitions demonstrate flair and creativity, while public art installations catch visitors off guard like an unexpected nutmeg between brunch at The Mission ( themissionaz.com ) and an old-fashioned whisky at Rusty Spur Saloon ( rustyspursaloon.com ). Historic 1880s storefronts jostle with contemporary design studios and mid-century modern icons.

Come evening, the district shifts formation. Sip filled-to-the-brim martinis at AZ88 or sample the inventive cocktails at KAUBOI, and the sunset views from Outrider Rooftop Lounge ( outriderrooftop.com ) are more stunning than a bicycle-kick.

Authentic dining: Better than half-time oranges

If Scottsdale were a team, its restaurants would be the star strikers. This is not a city that parks the bus when it comes to flavour.

At FnB ( fnbrestaurant.com ), hyper-local produce is treated with the kind of respect usually reserved for club legends. Virtù Honest Craft ( virtuscottsdale.com ) plates up Mediterranean-style dishes with precision and warmth, while Citizen Public House ( citizenpublichouse.com ) serves up charismatic cocktails and generous dishes with a smile.

Explore Arizona: The ultimate away day

One of Scottsdale’s greatest strengths is what surrounds it.

To the north, the pink sandstone formations of Sedona glow like red-rock cathedrals at dusk. Further on lies the staggering scale of the Grand Canyon – a geological spectacle that defies filters and superlatives. Head east and you’ll find the storied streets of Goldfield Ghost Town, where Wild West legends linger.

Closer to base, you can visit ghostly Tombstone, cruise stretches of historic Route 66, sample wines in the Verde Valley, or explore the saguaro-studded trails around Prescott. Each day trip feels like an away fixture worth travelling for – and you’re back at your resort by nightfall.

World-class golf: Sporting royalty

In terms of golfing facilities, Scottsdale plays in the Champions’ League, with more than 200 world-class courses across the area.

At TPC Scottsdale, home of the raucous WM Phoenix Open, you can test yourself on the same fairways that host PGA Tour stars each year. The Stadium Course’s infamous 16th hole – a coliseum of noise during tournament week – is blissfully serene in June’s early tee times.

Elsewhere, Troon North Golf Club and Grayhawk Golf Club pair immaculate greens with panoramic, rugged mountain views.

Summer is the savvy player’s window. Book a sunrise slot, stride down fairways before the heat builds, and you’ll be back poolside by mid-morning – bragging rights secured.

Desert adventures: A league of their own

For all its polish, Scottsdale remains gloriously tethered to the wild.

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve stretches across more than 30,000 acres, with over 200 miles of trails weaving through cacti forests and granite outcrops. Set off at sunrise and the desert unveils itself slowly: lavender light, rust-red earth, and the hush before the day’s heat presses high.

Scenic drives carve through wide-open landscapes where saguaros stand like silent spectators. You might swap boots for a guided jeep tour, try horse riding at a local ranch, or simply pull over to watch the sky change colour.

It’s a reminder that beyond the pools and polished fairways lies something older and wilder – a landscape that doesn’t shout for attention, but earns it.

GETTING THERE Already in the US for the World Cup? Scottsdale is a quick six-hour drive from Los Angeles or a one-hour flight into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Visitors can also fly non-stop back to Europe out of Sky Harbor: British Airways currently operates daily, non-stop flights between Phoenix and London Heathrow. BEST TIME TO GO Scottsdale is a year-round destination. Most people visit from October to April, but summer is the best time to bag a great deal: think five-star luxury for three-star prices. WHERE TO STAY Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North ( fourseasons.com/scottsdale ) • Fairmont Scottsdale Princess( scottsdaleprincess.com )

• Hotel Valley Ho ( hotelvalleyho.com ) • JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa( marriott.com )

• Sanctuary Camelback Mountain ( sanctuaryaz.com ) • Grand Hyatt Scottsdale ( hyatt.com/grand-hyatt ) • The REMI Scottsdale, Autograph Collection( marriott.com ) FURTHER INFORMATION ExperienceScottsdale.com