Where Should We Train: A Sport-By-Sport Guide To Choosing Your Dream Destination

For teams, the decision to travel abroad is about more than sightseeing; it’s about growth, competition, and experiencing sports in their global context. At Off the Groove, we design trips tailored to each sport, blending authentic training opportunities with cultural immersion.

Here’s a sport-by-sport guide to what each of our most popular destinations—Spain, Portugal, France, and Morocco—has to offer. (But if there’s somewhere else you’re longing to go don’t hesitate to let us know, we have experience planning and traveling in many other countries!)

Soccer

Spain

Spain is one of the best soccer destinations in the world, home to La Liga and legendary clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. Teams can train at academies with international coaches, face top-level clubs, and absorb the technical, possession-based style of Spanish football. Off the field, stadium tours and city exploration inspire athletes with the culture of the game. 

Portugal

Portugal offers the same high level of competition, with access to professional academies and clubs in Lisbon, Porto, and beyond. Portuguese soccer emphasizes creativity and tactical grit, giving teams a chance to test themselves against motivated local squads.

France

Soccer in France combines speed, athleticism, and tactical sharpness. From Paris to Lille, teams can expect spirited matches and coaching that emphasizes physical conditioning. France’s role as host of European and global tournaments makes it a top-tier choice.

Morocco

Soccer is wildly popular in Morocco, but opportunities vary. Men’s soccer is highly competitive, while women’s programs are growing but less established. Teams will encounter physical, passionate matches that demand adaptability, and the cultural immersion is unmatched.

Field Hockey

Spain

Field hockey is especially strong in Barcelona and the Basque Country, with world-class clubs and facilities. Teams can train on turf pitches, compete against elite squads, and learn from seasoned Spanish coaches.

Portugal

Field hockey is still developing in Portugal, but clubs in Lisbon and Porto offer training opportunities and friendlies. Teams will enjoy both the chance to compete and to help grow the game.

France

France has a very strong hockey scene, with clubs in Lille and Paris and regular hosting of European-level tournaments. Teams can expect high-level competition and exposure to a fast-paced, tactical style of play.

Morocco

Opportunities for hockey mirror soccer: Developing but promising. Teams may find themselves pioneers, helping to spread the sport through exchanges with local clubs.

Volleyball

Spain

Spain’s volleyball culture thrives both indoors and on the beach. Teams can train in modern facilities or take to the sand for beach volleyball, learning in a country with a growing reputation for both forms of the game.

Portugal

Portugal offers excellent beach and indoor volleyball facilities. With its Atlantic coastline, it’s also ideal for blending training with leisure, from matches in Lisbon to beach sessions in the Algarve.

France

Volleyball is strong across France, with high-level indoor competition and vibrant beach volleyball scenes on the Mediterranean coast. Clubs are competitive and facilities are top-notch.

Morocco

Morocco is home to African champions in beach volleyball, with strong competition along its coastline. Indoor volleyball is developing, making this a unique opportunity for growth and exchange.

Tennis

Spain

Spain is renowned for its clay courts and tennis academies that have produced champions like Rafael Nadal. Teams can train with expert coaches, compete in tournaments, and develop endurance and consistency on the clay.

Portugal

Tennis academies are spread throughout Portugal, supported by excellent weather year-round. Training here is ideal for adapting to European surfaces and sharpening technique in a competitive setting.

France

Home to Roland Garros, France offers both history and opportunity. Federation clubs and academies in cities like Nice and Paris host international players and provide elite training environments.

Morocco

Opportunities are still growing, but U.S. coaches can run their own training camps in  Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Rabat. The country’s clay and hard surface facilities offer a unique chance to pioneer international exchanges in tennis.

Rugby

Spain

Rugby is less prominent than soccer but growing, especially in regions like Catalonia and Madrid. Teams can expect spirited matches and grassroots enthusiasm.

Portugal

Portugal has a strong rugby tradition, with Lisbon and Porto home to competitive clubs. Rugby tours here blend competition with cultural immersion.

France

France is a rugby powerhouse, especially in the south. Teams traveling here face high-level competition and can learn from a culture where rugby is woven deeply into local identity.

Morocco

Rugby is expanding quickly in Morocco, and traveling teams have the chance to play motivated local clubs while supporting the sport’s growth in the region.

Rowing

Spain

Rowing is practiced along Spain’s rivers and coastal regions, with clubs in Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. Teams can combine training on historic waterways with cultural exploration.

Portugal

Portugal offers excellent rowing opportunities on the Tagus River in Lisbon and other waterways. Teams benefit from calm training conditions and a passionate rowing community.

France

France’s rivers, the Seine, the Rhône, and beyond, make it a classic rowing destination. Clubs and facilities are well developed, offering both training and competition.

Morocco

Rowing is limited but emerging, mostly near larger cities. For adventurous teams, it’s a chance to pioneer and combine training with cultural adventure.

Weightlifting

Spain

Spain offers high-performance training facilities with access to elite coaching. Teams can train in Olympic-standard gyms and experience strength programs tailored to athletes.

Portugal

Portugal provides similar opportunities, with strong facilities and supportive training environments. Teams can focus on both performance and cultural exchange.

France

France’s weightlifting facilities are world-class, hosting European-level events. Teams can benefit from structured programs, expert coaches, and modern equipment.

Morocco

Morocco offers high-performance training centers as well, giving teams access to equipment and a chance to test themselves in a different training culture.