A Day in the Stay: Andrea Trega’s top tips for sports travel
Discover why it matters where you stay when you want to be close to the action.
By Alison Cavatore | November 6, 2025 (Updated November 21, 2025)
Sports photographer Andrea Trega has been a soccer fan for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, where the sport is lived with a passion, it was impossible for her not to fall in love with the game. While she's lost count of how many matches she has attended, she’s collected over 200 media credentials from the games that she’s covered as a photographer.
As someone who has traveled thousands of miles — from Australia to Qatar, the Netherlands, and the U.S. — Andrea knows that having a comfortable and convenient place to stay is key. She recently stayed at Resorts World Las Vegas while covering the group stages of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, then attended the semi-finals in San Jose and stayed at Signia by Hilton San Jose before heading to the finals in Houston, where she settled into Hilton Americas-Houston.
Follow along as Andrea shares how she combines her love of photography and soccer, her go-to game day rituals, her favorite way to maintain her workout routine while traveling, and how Hilton supports both her passion and her profession during every stay, so she can sit back, relax, and experience the thrill of the game.
Fuse your passions
I still remember the days I’d go to soccer matches just as a fan, sitting in the stands with no camera in hand. At that time, I was already a professional photographer — shooting corporate events, real estate, and social gatherings. And while I was doing what I loved — taking photos and making videos — something still felt off. I wasn’t completely fulfilled. Whenever I went to the stadium, I found myself drifting from the game, mesmerized instead by the people on the sidelines. The ones in bright orange vests with massive cameras and long lenses — photographers capturing every second of the match. I kept wondering: How did they get there? How do you even make that dream happen? Eventually, I decided to try. I spent months refining my portfolio until I finally got the chance to work with a soccer team. They gave me my first shot, and I became their official photographer. That was almost ten years ago and I haven’t stopped since. I've had the privilege of traveling the world to capture the sport I love. And I’ve realized that being a soccer fan myself makes all the difference — it allows me to photograph the game with a deeper sense of emotion and passion.
Embrace the energy
I love traveling to experience soccer matches in person because it’s always about more than just the game. Every trip brings new places, new people, new cultures, and new flavors — and all of that enriches the way I approach photographing a match. Being inside the stadium is something else entirely. You can actually feel the roar of the crowd when their team scores. The chants, the energy, the unwavering support from the fans — it’s electrifying. That passion doesn’t just fuel the players; it reaches us too, those of us working on the sidelines. And I truly believe that energy, that atmosphere, finds its way into my photos. It helps me tell the story of the game in a way that’s full of life and emotion.
“I also love making the most of the hotel amenities — if there’s a pool, I’ll go for a swim and take a moment to visualize what I want to photograph or convey in my videos. After the game, nothing beats coming back to the hotel completely exhausted, taking a hot shower, ordering room service, and starting to go through all the photos I captured — still buzzing with adrenaline.”
- Andrea Trega
Relish in rituals
I love preparing for the moment because no two matches are ever the same. The teams change, the players change, the energy in the stadium shifts, and each team brings its own story and goals. All of that matters. One of my favorite rituals is going for a walk the morning of the match, especially if I’m in a new city. I love to explore cafes, and walking the streets helps me reconnect with myself and with the culture of the place I’m visiting. I also love making the most of the hotel amenities — if there’s a pool, I’ll go for a swim and take a moment to visualize what I want to photograph or convey in my videos. Eating well is also key. Match days can easily turn into six-to-eight-hour workdays. You have to arrive at least two hours before kickoff, then there’s the game itself, plus editing time afterwards. That’s why I make sure to fuel up with a great meal. And after the game, nothing beats coming back to the hotel completely exhausted, taking a hot shower, ordering room service, and starting to go through all the photos I captured — still buzzing with adrenaline.
”Whenever I can, I make time for the gym. I’m not lifting super heavy weights, but I focus on strength training to support my body for everything this job requires. There’s something about jumping into the hotel pool and getting in a good swim before heading out to the stadium — it’s grounding and energizing all at once.”
- Andrea Trega
Stay energized
One thing most people don’t realize is just how heavy my bright yellow backpack is. And carrying it isn’t the only challenge — I often walk long distances with it, crouch, or lie flat on the ground to get the best angles, and sometimes even climb all the way up to the stands. It’s a physically demanding job, which is why staying in shape is essential for me. Whenever I can, I make time for the gym. I’m not lifting super heavy weights, but I focus on strength training to support my body for everything this job requires. I was actually a competitive swimmer when I was younger, so I always travel with my swimsuit. There’s something about jumping into the hotel pool and getting in a good swim before heading out to the stadium — it’s grounding and energizing all at once.
A journey to the Concacaf Gold Cup with Hilton
Join sports photographer Andrea Trega as she covers the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. See how Hilton helps her do what she does best during her stay at Hilton Americas-Houston.
Hilton Americas-Houston
Take a tour of Hilton Americas-Houston.
Alison Cavatore
Alison Cavatore is the Assistant Editor for the Content Marketing team at Hilton. She has written and copyedited for numerous print and digital publications in the U.S. and abroad. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Alison has lived in Miami, Scottsdale, Holland, France, Switzerland and Canada. She currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area.
Images courtesy of Andrea Trega
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