The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued to deliver exciting action as Portugal booked its place in the Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32. Portugal came from behind to seal the win and will now face Spain in the next stage of the tournament. 

In other Round of 32 fixtures, Spain produced a commanding 3-0 win over Austria, while the USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to progress. Switzerland also secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria, completing another successful day of knockout football. 

Away from the action on the pitch, the Mexico City Stadium has become one of the standout attractions of the tournament following the completion of an extensive renovation of its hospitality and food and beverage spaces. The historic venue, famous for hosting the 1968 Olympics and the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, has been transformed through a 15,000-square-metre interior redevelopment led by a team of Mexican design studios. 

The renovation has been guided by three key principles: preserving the stadium's historic identity, reinterpreting Mexican modernist design, and creating a unified design language through collaboration among the participating architects.

Across the hospitality areas, visitors are welcomed into interiors organised with a colour palette of green, terracotta, blue, and yellow, helping guests navigate different zones. The upgraded spaces include new reception areas, lounges, bars, premium suites, and enhanced food and beverage outlets. Materials such as wood, steel, and carefully designed ceiling systems create a modern atmosphere while respecting the stadium's rich heritage.

The project reflects how iconic sporting venues can embrace modern hospitality without losing their historical character. As the FIFA World Cup continues across North America, the renovated Mexico City Stadium stands as a strong example of how infrastructure upgrades can improve the fan experience while preserving the legacy of one of football's most celebrated stadiums. 

As Bengaluru continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s leading corporate travel hubs, demand for centrally located hotels catering to long-stay and hybrid work patterns is on the rise. Responding to this shift, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse is focusing on its business-ready rooms and suites designed for extended stays and flexible travel needs.

The hotel offers 272 contemporary rooms and suites, including Premium Rooms with private balconies and spacious Suites tailored for guests combining work, travel, and leisure. The property is positioning itself to serve corporate travellers, project-based stays, and bleisure guests who require comfort and connectivity in a city-centre location.

According to Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, business travel has evolved into a more fluid experience where guests often blend meetings, remote work, and personal time within the same trip. He noted that the hotel’s rooms are designed to support this new travel behaviour through ergonomic workspaces, modern interiors, and reliable connectivity.

Located opposite the Bengaluru Racecourse, the hotel offers easy access to key corporate districts, government offices, transport hubs, and commercial landmarks, making it a practical choice for short and extended stays.

The room categories are designed to meet varied traveller needs. Standard Rooms provide comfortable accommodation with racecourse views, while Premium Rooms enhance the experience with private balconies. Suites offer additional living space, dining areas, and greater flexibility for long-stay guests or those on extended assignments.

Beyond accommodation, the hotel features a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the racecourse, a fully equipped fitness centre, and multiple dining venues, allowing guests to maintain routines and unwind between work commitments.

With business travel patterns increasingly shifting toward longer and more flexible stays, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse is positioning itself as a city-centre address that combines functionality, comfort, and the trusted service of the Holiday Inn brand.

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has expanded its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme with a new partnership with City Unscripted, strengthening its focus on personalised and experience-led travel.

The collaboration introduces a new category under GHA DISCOVERY Experiences — Local City Tours — designed to help travellers explore destinations in a more immersive and locally guided way. The move aligns with GHA’s “Live Local” concept, which encourages deeper engagement with cities beyond traditional tourism.

Through City Unscripted, travellers are paired with local hosts who tailor experiences based on individual interests such as food, culture, neighbourhood life, design, history, and hidden gems. Each experience is flexible and customised, offering a more personal alternative to standard guided tours.

The programme is currently available in 15 global cities, including Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney, Madrid, Mexico City, Lisbon, Hong Kong, and Munich. These experiences combine iconic landmarks with lesser-known local spots, giving travellers a more authentic understanding of each destination.

As part of the partnership, GHA DISCOVERY members receive a 20% discount on City Unscripted experiences booked through the GHA website or mobile app. Additional benefits include priority matching with local hosts and a complimentary 30-minute pre-trip consultation to personalise the itinerary.

According to Jelena Kezika, VP Strategy at Global Hotel Alliance, the shift reflects a growing demand for meaningful travel experiences that help travellers build stronger connections with destinations and cultures.

Beyond this partnership, GHA DISCOVERY continues to offer more than 2,500 local experiences worldwide, including dining, spa, cultural activities, day-use stays, golf, and work-from-hotel options, many of which are available even without an overnight stay.

The alliance noted that dining remains the most popular category, followed by spa and wellness experiences, highlighting the growing trend of lifestyle-driven engagement with hotel brands.

Through this expansion, GHA reinforces its position in the evolving travel landscape, where loyalty programmes are increasingly focused on personalised, flexible, and immersive experiences rather than traditional stay-based rewards.