Guests
Parents and Guests on Tour
Parents ask this all the time: “Can I come on a SAWUSA tour?”
Yes – and not only is it allowed, our tours are designed for parents and guests.
Athletes traveling without a guest will be safe and fully supported – but most athletes bring at least one parent or family member. On a tour with 100 total travelers, it’s common for 50-60 to be guests.
You’re not a spectator, you’re part of the tour
SAWUSA is group travel. Parents aren’t just sitting in the stands watching games – you’re in the experience with us.
By day two, the group usually clicks and you’ll see it happen naturally: two packs form – the athletes and the fans. We travel together on private buses, and a lot of the bonding happens in the in-between moments on the way to games, excursions, and dinners.
The athletes tend to migrate to the back of the bus, while parents and coaches fill the front. Friendships form fast – not just between the kids, but between parents too.
The Secret Sauce is the in-between time
The games and planned sightseeing are incredible – but what makes a SAWUSA tour truly special is everything around them:
- Early morning breakfast at the hotel before a big day
- The laughs on the bus rides
- The late-night recap in the hotel lounge after an unforgettable day
- All the little moments you can’t schedule – but you’ll never forget
Seeing your athlete represent SAWUSA abroad is unforgettable
Watching your son or daughter compete in a USA jersey on an international stage is a memory you don’t want to miss. We’ve seen parents get misty-eyed during the National Anthem – with their athlete out there competing in the sport they love. It’s a powerful moment, and honestly, it’s an incredible reward for all the sacrifices families make to get to this point.
We plan experiences for parents and guests, too
We build in moments that are just for guests. Sometimes we’ll split the group so coaches take the athletes to a practice or athlete-only activity while guests do wine tasting or shopping. We also plan optional late-night adventures for parents/guests, and the regular sightseeing is just as fun for the adults as it is for the athletes. If you’re a parent, grandparent, or guest – this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of travel. You’re not on the sidelines. You’re part of the tour.
Can I Just Follow the Group Around and Do My Own Thing?
No – and we need to be very clear about this. We understand the thought process: you have points, you can book your own hotel, you’re good at travel planning. But SAWUSA tours are coordinated over a year in advance and include private transportation, lodging, meals, games, excursions, and scheduled group events that are tied together. Trying to do the trip without booking is not just unfair it creates a major safety issue and impacts the experience for paying travelers.
A simple way to think about it: It’s like staying next door to an all-inclusive resort and trying to sneak into the pool, dinners, and excursions all week. It doesn’t work – and it isn’t okay. We do see people attempt this every year (including showing up at the destination and trying to join activities). Please don’t put us in that position.
Can I Just Choose a Few Activities and Pay For Them A La Carte?
In general, no. Our tours are designed as all-inclusive group experiences, not individual drop-in events. That said, we occasionally have a true special circumstance (for example: a family member is already traveling in a nearby country and wants to visit for a day or two to catch a game and say hello). If that’s genuinely your situation, call us and we’ll talk it through. If you’re worried about needing downtime, you can always skip certain optional activities or branch off on your own during free time.
Thank You For Understanding
We wish we didn’t need this page – but over the years, people have tried every excuse imaginable, and it ultimately comes down to fairness and safety. If you have questions, please call us. Thank you for understanding.