Elite field hockey summer league for current, graduated, and incoming college athletes. A U19 rostered club player (in any area Club) is welcome to play in this league even if they are a junior or sophomore in HS.
***NCAA Compliance: No more than 5 teammates from any one college team can be rostered on the same team***
Teams consist of at LEAST 18 players. Each team is guaranteed 6 FULL regulation games
Start Date: June 3, 2025 End Date: July 31, 2025
Games will be played on Tuesdays or Thursdays evenings Game Times: 6:30pm & 8:30pm
Field Player Registration Fee: $180 GK Registration Fee: $100
Teams can be formed prior to registration or individuals can register and be placed on a team.
Most people aren’t born savvy travelers. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.
In the beginning, you’ll make a lot of travel mistakes.But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes (and I often make a lot of them), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.
I’ve learned these tips over almost twenty years of being a nomad.
These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler.
So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world:
1. Always pack a towel. It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking — and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag.
Make sure it’s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favorite (use the code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase)!
2. Use a small backpack/suitcase. By purchasing a small backpack (I like something around 35–45 liters), you will be forced to pack light and avoid carrying too much stuff. Humans have a natural tendency to want to fill space. Even if you pack light initially but have lots of extra room in your bag, you’ll end up going, “Well, I guess I can take more” and fill that space.”
The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you’re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one.
I also recommend packing cubes, which are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase.
3. Pack light. Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won’t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need…you won’t need as much as you think. It’s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row.
I love Unbound Merino, as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look stylish too. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever! (I wrote a review of the company here.)
But bring extra socks! You’ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this.
4. Stay in hostels. They are cheap, organize events, you’ll meet a lot of people, and they are just tons of fun! Plus, hostel bars sell cheap beer. Hostelworld is the best hostel-accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and highest availability. I use it for all my hostel bookings.
If you’re planning on backpacking Europe, it’s worth getting HostelPass, a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money, and they’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off.
5. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn’t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money from me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive. Here are some helpful articles on banking:
6. Make sure to use no-fee bank and credit cards. Don’t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up! This article will tell you how to do that.
7. Don’t always fly direct. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to your final destination. To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination.
My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner. This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss.
8. Travel by yourself at least once. Solo travel teaches independence and confidence. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. Traveling solo taught me how to fend for myself, talk to people, and handle unfamiliar situations with ease. It can take some getting used to if you’ve never done it before but do it at least once. Make yourself uncomfortable and surprise yourself. You’ll learn valuable life skills when you push yourself! Here are some helpful articles on solo travel:
9. Always visit the local tourism information center. This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. They are staffed by locals who can tell you all the ins and outs of their city and where to eat or drink that aren’t filled with tourists.
Plus, they often offer city tourism cards that can get you into multiple attractions for one set price, saving you a lot of money if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing.
10. Take free walking tours. Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. And, in the last few years, they have exploded in popularity and now most cities around the world have one!
If you’re looking for paid tours, Walks is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can’t get elsewhere. For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe.
You can also use Get Your Guide to find plenty of unique day tours.
11. Don’t be afraid to use a map. Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one!
12. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost. Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across.
13. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there. Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.
14. Sign up for flight deals. When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first.
The best websites for finding travel deals are:
15. When you go out, take only what you need. Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD.
16. Always carry a lock. Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed!)
17. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents. Don’t forget to email a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen, having a copy will come in handy for your police report.
18. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination. The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried. Here are some tips on how to learn a language.
19. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald’s. Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don’t eat the food at McDonald’s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too.
20. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!
21. Never get behind families in airport security. They take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while.
22. When you check in to the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Oftentimes they can accommodate you if the hotel isn’t full. Just be super nice!
Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card. You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too!
23. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites. Lunch time is one of the best times to visit historical sites. You’ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It’s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You’ll have even the most popular places to yourself!
24. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction. I don’t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There’s an invisible line at this area: tourists don’t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that’s when you want to start looking.
Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you’ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren’t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience.
Use websites like Yelp or Google Maps to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you.
25. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!
26. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel. I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here.
27. Pack a headlamp. This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.
28. Carry a basic first-aid kit. Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’re going to need it and you can’t always get it when you travel.
29. Don’t believe the cheap flight myths. Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It’s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week or if you search in an incognito window. To learn how to actually find a cheap flight, check out these two posts I wrote:
My favorite company for finding cheap flights is Skyscanner. I start all my searches there.
30. Use technology to meet locals. These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win — and I use these resources all the time when I travel.
31. Be open to strangers. Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends.
32. But keep your guard up. Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don’t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid.
33. Avoid taxis. They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too!
34. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate. Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can — you’ll save money and help the environment. If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw.
35. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes. If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you.
36. Carry emergency cash. Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania when I couldn’t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens!
37. Get vaccinated. Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun — and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to.
38. Learn to haggle. Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It’s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market. Just don’t argue over pennies — it’s not worth it!
39. Use points and miles for free travel. You can go a lot further in the world when you don’t have to pay for it. Learn how to collect points and miles through your everyday spending so you can get free flights, accommodation, train tickets, and other forms of travel. It’s what all expert travelers do to lower their travel costs and something you should do too!
Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles:
40. Eat street food! If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture. Don’t be scared. If you’re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, it’s safe for you.
41. Get travel insurance. Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It’s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip.
You may think you’re superman/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn’t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance.
My favorite companies are:
SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have great customer service, and make it easy to make a claim. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing!
Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old.
Medjet – This is a membership program that provides emergency evacuation coverage should you get into a dire situation while traveling and be hospitalized. Medjet is meant to supplement your regular travel insurance.
42. Be patient. Things will work out in the end. No need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination.
43. Be respectful. Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep your cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll end up just looking like an asshole tourist.
44. Don’t over plan your trip. Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s my advice on how not to over plan your travels!
45. Be frugal — but not cheap. Don’t be penny wise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and don’t waste money, but don’t miss out on great experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely.
46. Take earplugs. Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. Snorers are everywhere and you need your sleep. Even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping well if your accommodation is located on a busy street, or for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless — be prepared!
These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises.
47. Remember that you’re not alone even if you’re traveling solo. Traveling alone never means you’re really alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You’ll make lots of friends and tons of memories.
If you’re not sure about traveling on your own for the first time, you can always join a group tour, such as those we offer at The Nomadic Network. I’ve designed all the itineraries myself to ensure they cover the highlights, get you off the tourist trail, and connect you with friends and locals.
48. Take photos of and with people. When you do make those new friends on the road, take photos. Lots of photos. Years from now, you’ll want to look back on those nights you can’t remember and the people who made them memorable.
49. Pre-book your tickets to attractions, activities, and excursions online. If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. Not only that but you’ll be able to pay with a credit card, giving you some extra protection as well as more travel points!
Many major attractions also allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. Always look online to see if this is an option. This will help you avoid wasting time in multi-hour lines and go right in. I’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, London Churchill War Rooms, churches, temples, historic fortresses, and more. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, get to see more during your day!
Get Your Guide is my favorite place to book activities in advance. It’s a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions, with tons of options in cities all around the world, including skip-the-line attraction tickets, cooking classes, walking tours, and more!
50. Avoid TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor is fine when you need opening hours or an address, but when it comes to reviews I ignore it completely. People always leave a negative review when something bad happens but rarely leave a positive review when something good happens so the reviews tend to be skewed.
On top of that, it’s very easy to create fake reviews and make a place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to artificially inflate their reviews on the platform. Additionally, TripAdvisor has been known to take down reviews that are overly negative as well as reviews on sexual assault. Use TripAdvisor with caution. Or better yet, don’t use it at all.
51. Finally, wear sunscreen. For as the Baz Luhrmann song “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” goes:
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable Than my own meandering experience.
***
There you have it! My top travel tips! Follow them and you’ll be the best traveler you can be in no time flat!
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Now 21 years old, the alleged victim has spoken out about her experience for the first time. (BuzzFeed News is referring to her as “G.” to protect her identity.) Then just 11 years old, G. was on the cruise with her grandmother and little sister and was excited about the vacation. “Automatically, as a child, you think it’s going to be amazing,” she said.
Before the ship had even cast off for the Caribbean, G. went downstairs to get the Wi-Fi password, she told BuzzFeed News. “I asked the person that was outside of the restaurant for directions to the lobby,” she recalled. “And when he guided me, he immediately grabbed on my boobs.”
G. ran to the lobby in search of someone who could tell her the Wi-Fi password. She said she “was scared to go through the same direction” on the way back because she might cross paths with the man who had touched her. But she needed to return to her room and feared getting lost on the giant ship.
As G. walked past the restaurant, she got into an elevator. She said the same employee followed her in, blocking the doors. “He said, ‘Can I have a kiss?’” she recalled. “I gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he said, ‘No, not there.’” She then alleged that the employee leaned down, kissed her on the mouth.
After he let her go, G. ran to her room in tears. “I didn’t know what to do,” she said.
She said she told her grandmother why she was so distraught, and they went to the lobby to report what happened to guest services. G. said they asked her about the incident and what the employee looked like and promised it would be investigated.
Taplin, who was on board at the time, said she watched the elevator surveillance footage, which confirmed the child’s version of events. Later, G. said she was asked to identify the assailant by looking at photographs of four employees. According to both Taplin and G., the girl identified the assailant as a waiter at one of the ship’s restaurants.
Taplin said she did her best to investigate the case but claimed she was obstructed throughout the process. She claimed she told one of the ship’s senior officers to call the FBI while the boat was still docked in Port Canaveral, Florida. But the officer decided to cast off at around 5 p.m. and did not inform the FBI until the ship was in international waters.
Afterward, Taplin said, the senior officer interviewed the accused crew member while she was present. The official report of the meeting, obtained by BuzzFeed News, states that the crew member “hesitated, but eventually denied kissing the girl” and only gave her a “high five and hug.”
Taplin said that what wasn’t included in the report was that during the meeting, the officer had threatened the crew member, saying, “I’m going to cut off your dick right now” and that he would remove the crew member’s testicles and “put his balls in his mouth.”
When the ship docked in the Bahamas the next day, local police officers arrived. According to Taplin, the police berated and threatened the alleged attacker, pressuring him to confess. “It was just so wrong,” Taplin said. “I mean, you got him red-handed with what he’d done, right?”
In the end, he signed a statement that Taplin alleged was written by the Bahamian police. “I touched her right breast with my left hand,” the signed confession reads. However, Taplin noted that the alleged suspect was not arrested. Instead, he was repatriated to the state of Goa, in India.
G. said she was so scared for the rest of the vacation that she didn’t want to leave her grandmother’s side and never felt safe on board again. She said she could only relax during a stop at Castaway Cay, a private Caribbean island that Disney owns, because she knew her assailant wouldn’t be there.
After G. reported the attack, she said that Disney instructed the employee who was cleaning her room to demonstrate how they create little animals out of the towels and they put a princess bedspread on her bed. “But that was basically it,” she said. After she got home from her cruise, G. said that her family only heard from Disney once to tell them that the accused crew member had been deported.
MBW’s Stat Of The Week is a series in which we highlight a data point that deserves the attention of the global music industry. Stat Of the Week is supported by music data analytics firm Chartmetric.
Spotify has been publishing Loud & Clear stats in recent weeks that show the value of royalties generated on its platform by artists from various individual markets last year.
Today (Wednesday, May 28), Spotify revealed that artists frommacross the EU region generated over €1.7 billion (USD $1.83bn) on Spotify in 2024, a 15% year-on-year increase. According to Spotify, that €1.7 billion figure for 2024 was nearly double the total of 2020 and more than triple that of 2017.
Spotify noted on Wednesday that 2024 was the second year in a row that the streamer “captured artist royalty payments from across Europe at large”.
Spotify released other stats as part of its EU-specific Loud & Clear data set, including that over 17,000 European artists generated over €10,000 ($10,800) on its platform last year, with more than 27,000 European artists generating over €5,000 ($5,400).
Spotify claims that it “continues to enable artists across Europe to make a living from their art”.
“In 2024, EU artists generated a record-breaking €1.7 billion on platform alone – a figure that has almost doubled since 2020.”
Federica Tremolada
Meanwhile, Spotify’s EU report also highlighted a significant level of localized listening in Europe itself. Spotify says that 44% of all royalties generated in the EU were from EU artists in 2024 – the highest level since the platform’s data records began (2017-2024).
Furthermore, over half (57%) of all royalties generated by EU artists in 2024 were by artists who perform in a non-English language. Spotify reported that this was also the highest the platform has seen since its records began (2017-2024).
Spotify reports that seven of the top 10 performing languages on its platform are European languages: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Italian, Dutch and Swedish.
As reported last week, for the first time, Italian-language music joined the “$100 million-plus” club last year, that is, those languages whose music generates at least $100 million in royalties per year.
Spotify also highlighted a bunch of stats from key European markets, including:
France
Spotify reports that the number of French artists who generated over €100,000 ($108,000) in royalties from Spotify alone in 2024 has more than quadrupled since 2017, and more than tripled since 2018.
French artists were also responsible for 70% of the tracks that were featured on Spotify France’s Daily top 50 in 2024, highlighting the ongoing trend of localized listening preferences in the market.
Germany
In 2024, German artists were discovered nearly 6.9 billion times on Spotify, according to the platform, “with over half of all royalties generated in 2024 being independent artists or labels”.
Spotify reported earlier this month that royalties generated by German artists on Spotify reached $520 million in 2024, up 17% YoY.
Belgium
Spotify has also released market-specific stats for Belgium, reporting that over 80% of all royalties generated by Belgian artists on Spotify in 2024 were from listeners outside of Belgium.
The platform also reported that Belgian artists were discovered by first-time listeners over 600 million times on Spotify last year.
Denmark
According to Spotify, 192 artists across Denmark generated more than 500k DKK (USD $72,505) in royalties from Spotify alone in 2024.
Danish artists also generated over 334M DKK (USD $48.4m) in royalties from Spotify alone in 2024 – a number that Spotify reports has nearly doubled since 2017 and increased by 8% YoY from 2023 to 2024.
“Europe and European creators are a crucial part of Spotify’s DNA. That is why we’re delighted to celebrate Spotify’s European Loud and Clear data for the second year running – providing artists and creators across the EU and the world transparency around the economics of music streaming.”
Federica Tremolada
Commenting on the latest stats, Spotify’s General Manager of Europe, Federica Tremolada, said: “Europe and European creators are a crucial part of Spotify’s DNA. That is why we’re delighted to celebrate Spotify’s European Loud and Clear data for the second year running – providing artists and creators across the EU and the world transparency around the economics of music streaming.
“In 2024, EU artists generated a record-breaking €1.7 billion on platform alone – a figure that has almost doubled since 2020. We’re also excited EU creators are continuing to transcend global borders, with over half of all royalties generated by EU artists that perform in a non-English language.
“As General Manager for Europe, I am especially proud of the progress we’ve made for female creators. Streams of female European artists have soared—up 83% globally over the past four years—and through our EQUAL program, more than 200 European female artists have gained vital visibility, mentorship, and support. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real women, real dreams, and a real shift in what it means to have a voice in this industry.”
“Being the first and only streaming service to share data on artist remuneration, our European Loud and Clear data is a core example of how streaming continues to empower European artists and creators to surpass geographical confines – to grow global fanbases, awareness and success.”
Elsewhere, according to Spotify, European artists were discovered almost 28 billion times on Spotify in 2024, globally.
Meanwhile, more than 52,000 EU artists were added to editorial playlists in 2024, up 4% YoY.
In total, Europeans listened to European artists 351.66 billion times in 2024, according to Spotify.
Also, close to 830 million user-generated playlists in the United States in 2024 integrated European artists, followed by Mexico (more than 183 million playlists), and Brazil (close to 148 million playlists).
Chartmetric is the all-in-one platform for artists and music industry professionals, providing comprehensive streaming, social, and audience data for everyone to create successful careers in music.Music Business Worldwide
Building a repeatable, scalable innovation capability often involves turning to well-established frameworks or standards—yet a standard alone doesn’t magically elevate performance. The real game-changer lies in how leaders shape, introduce, and sustain these systems.
While seawater is already harnessed for drinking water via desalination and power generation through tides and wave motion, few people are aware that it could also serve as a key ingredient in next-generation energy storage. Researchers are now focusing on saltwater-based aqueous batteries—a solution that could bring large-scale, sustainable energy storage within reach.
This article explores:
What are aqueous batteries?
Aqueous batteries are energy storage systems that use water-based electrolytes instead of the flammable organic solvents found in conventional lithium-ion batteries. This makes them inherently safer, eliminating the risk of fire or explosion. Their water-based chemistry also improves sustainability and recyclability by reducing reliance on critical raw materials like lithium and cobalt.
These batteries store and release energy by moving ions between the anode and cathode through the aqueous electrolyte. Early results show they can deliver far greater energy densities—up to 10 times more in some cases—depending on the specific electrolyte formulation. However, technical challenges remain before this technology can be scaled for widespread deployment.
An anode to unlock scalability
Aqueous batteries offer a safer, more affordable, and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion technology. Yet their development has long been held back by the lack of a suitable anode material—the component where electrons exit the battery during discharge.
That may be changing, thanks to a team led by Professor Xiaolei Wang at the University of Alberta. The researchers have developed a robust universal anode for use in both aqueous and seawater-based batteries. This new anode, made from polymer nanolayers and carbon nanotubes, is capable of storing a wide range of ions—including those naturally occurring in seawater.
The design opens up new possibilities for applications ranging from battery storage to supercapacitors. It is also built to withstand harsh conditions, such as fast charge–discharge cycles and sub-zero temperatures. Perhaps most notably, the anode enables a cycle life of up to 380,000 charges—far surpassing the sub-10,000 cycle lifespan of most commercial batteries.
Mega-batteries for grid-scale renewable storage
Among the various technologies being explored for large-scale renewable energy storage—such as gravity-based systems, compressed air, or sand batteries—mega-batteries have emerged as one of the most commercially mature options.
These massive stationary energy storage systems, known as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are capable of storing surplus electricity generated during low-demand periods and releasing it back into the grid when demand spikes. This ensures grid reliability and helps balance intermittent supply from renewables. A notable example is the Cunningham battery storage facility in the US, currently operated by Acciona Energía.
Mega-batteries are critical to maintaining grid stability. They provide services such as backup power, frequency and voltage regulation, and reserve capacity, making it easier to integrate variable renewables like wind and solar.
With advanced concepts like aqueous batteries on the horizon, and proven technologies like BESS already in operation, the shift toward a fully renewable energy system—capable of serving both industry and households around the clock—looks increasingly within reach.
U.S. Open Record: 14:40.28 – Bobby Finke, USA (2024)
2024 Olympic Trials Winner: Bobby Finke – 14:40.28
World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut: 15:01.89
Since 2018, Bobby Finke has been at the forefront of American distance swimming. After placing 21st in the 1500 at the 2017 World Championships, Finke has jumped to the top of the American and World’s list of elite distance swimmers. At the Tokyo Games, Finke clinched double golds, the first ever awarded in the 800 free, with a trademark come from behind last 50 to pass all of his competition. In 2023, Finke, the expected favorite to win the 1500, was unable to run down Ahmed Hafnaoui and had to settle for silver, his second in the event, after having collected a silver medal in the event at the previous year’s meet.
Last summer, however, Finke opted for a different strategy. At the Olympic Trials, Finke set a new U.S. Open Record of 14:40.28, his then 4th fastest time and fastest time not at World Championships or Olympics. Finke won by over 12 seconds, placing ahead of David Johnston and Luke Whitlock, who were separated by .26 in the end, going 14:52.74 and 14:53.00, both PBs.
In Paris, however, Finke failed to defend his Olympic Gold in the 800, settling for the silver, albeit in a faster time. In the prelims of the 1500, Finke qualified 6th overall with a 14:45.31, a little slower than his prelims time from Fukuoka, where he went 14:43.06. That said, Finke, Team USA’s last chance at a men’s individual gold medal, attacked the race and, contrary to his usual race strategy and against a strong field, found himself in the lead at the 100 and never looked back.
Ahead of the World Record line, that was ever so closing the gap on him, Finke closed the race in 55.34, and while not close to the 53.49 of Sun Yang‘s last 100, Finke had built such an advantage that when he hit the wall, he had sliced .45 off Sun’s mark, to record a new world best of 14:30.67.
“One is the loneliest number”
It’s a little bit of a fun fact that Finke, a two-time Olympic Champion in the 1500, has never won a World Championship gold in the event. He placed 21st in 2017, and in 2019, he missed making the team as he was the 3rd fastest finisher at the 2018 Pan-Pacs, (his time at the 2019 Nationals would have made him the fastest American at Worlds, though). In 2022 and 2023, he finished runner-up to Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri and Tunisia’s Hafnaoui, respectively.
Despite a lack of gold at Worlds, Finke is the far-and-away favorite to win this event at US nationals. Finke, like many of his compatriots, took a break from racing, opting to not compete at the 2024 Short Course Worlds and instead only returned to racing this past January. He swam 14:58.68 at a local USA swimming meet in St. Petersburg, his home club, winning by nearly a minute and a half. In Fort Lauderdale, at the last Pro Swim Series stop, Finke again cleared the 15-minute barrier, swimming 14:54.49 to win by over 25 seconds.
While these times are a far cry from his winning times in Indianapolis (trials) and Paris (Olympics), Finke fans shouldn’t be too worried. Both of these results clear the World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut time of 15:01.89, and historically, the times are actually quite fast.
Pre-Selection Fastest
Selection Meet
Worlds/Olympics
2021
15:09.14
14:46.06 – 1st
14:39.65 – Gold
2022
15:04.77
14:45.72 – 1st
14:36.70 – Silver
2023
15:02.54
14:42.81 – 1st
14:31.59 – Silver
2024
14:58.08
14:40.28 – 1st
14:30.67 – Gold
2025
14:54.49
??
???
His 14:54.49 from Fort Lauderdale, in fact, appears to be his fastest time outside of a selection meet or end-of-season meet. If past precedent holds to form, then Finke could be in for a big summer: the only question is, will Finke be a one-man band, or will he be joined by someone in Singapore?
The last time two American men made the final together of 1500 at either the Olympics or Worlds was 2016 when Connor Jaeger won silver, and Jordan Wilimovsky placed 4th. In fact, not only have no two American men made the final together, but no other man besides Finke has made the final. In 2017 and 2019, the USA failed to place anyone into the top 8 from prelims. In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the closest was Charlie Clark, who placed 10th at both the 2022 and 2024 Worlds.
“A question ain’t really a question…”
As previously mentioned, Finke won in Indianapolis by more than a 12-second margin over Johnston and Whitlock. Johnston, as hinted above, failed to advance to the Olympic final, having an off-prelims swim of 15:10.64 to place 18th overall. It should be noted that he would have needed to drop over seven seconds from his PB of 14:52.74 to qualify for the final.
The pair would optimally seem to be the likeliest pair to join Finke in Singapore, but questions swirl around both, with recent updates ruling one out. Whitlock, who swam a PB of 14:53.00 in Indianapolis, seemed poised to reach new heights. He made the Olympic Team in the 800, and was joining Finke and Katie Ledecky in Gainsville, but Whitlock left Florida after just a semester, returning home to train with his club team. He popped up at the Westmont Pro Swim Series, swimming a 15:23.53, 1500, and again swam at the Indianapolis Sectionals meet but didn’t enter the 1500.
Last week, Whitlock announced his intention to transfer to Indiana but also stated that he would not compete at the upcoming Nationals as a precaution. He has been battling a shoulder injury and is trying to avoid surgery.
That same weekend, David Johnston, the runner-up to Finke at Trials, was competing at the Texas Longhorn Invite. He appeared on the Live Results psych sheet in the 1500, but only swam the 400s IM and Free, placing 4th in both. Tristan McCain was the only entrant in the men’s 1500, winning it in 16:24.80.
While not having a mile time in the books before the meet doesn’t mean Johnston won’t swim the event, its not a reassuring sign. In the lead-up to the 2024 Trials, the Texas Longhorn raced the 1500 four times, although he was on a red shirt from school, so he had more opportunities to do so. Even still, though, should he swim the event, he’s not a shoo-in to make the team. While his 14:52.74 ranks him as the 11th fastest American ever, that one performance represents his only swim under 15:00, and in fact, it’s the only time he has been under the World Aquatics A-cut. That information coupled with a 7th place finish in the mile at NCAA, may temper expectations.
Johnston and Matheson were not the only two swimmers to join Finke under 15:00 at Trials as Daniel Matheson placed 4th in a new PB of 14:59.51. Much like the 2nd and 3rd place finishers, this was Matheson’s first foray under 15:00 and with a PB in the 1650 at NCAA, the ASU Sun Devil could have made the jump onto his first senior long course National team. However, he hasn’t recorded a swim since NCAAs and has recently announced his retirement from the sport.
There are few other swimmers who are active with PBs under 15:00, but like the three above, there is great uncertainty about their chances or obvious certainty about their lack thereof.
The likeliest of the pack is the 8th fastest American ever, Charlie Clark. Clark, who seemed poised to be a strong favorite to place 2nd at Trials last year, having made the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Worlds teams in the 1500. However, an off-season for the OSU product saw Clark finish 6th in a time of 15:12.60, well off his PB of 14:50.84. Clark returned to swim for the Buckeyes in January after taking the fall to swim at the World Cup tour. He won the 1500 in Shanghai in a time of 14:40.57, but couldn’t replicate that time at Worlds placing 13th in a time of 14:41.61. Clark does have a 1500 long course time under his belt this season, which is more than many of his competitors, as he went 15:38.96 at a meet in Cleveland in mid-May. While having a result is a positive sign, it is his slowest since 2020.
Will Gallant, too has been under 15:00, going 14:57.08 back at the 2022 Summer Nationals. The NC State swimmer, finished 13th at Olympics Trials last summer after red-shirting from NC State. He returned to NC State and placed 14th in the mile at NCAA, one spot ahead of Clark, but unlike Clark, Gallant hasn’t appeared to post any results since March.
The last swimmer with a time under 15:00 is Michael Brinegar. Brinegar, a 2020 Olympian, was the #3 seed at trials in the 1500, entering with a seed time of 14:59.54. However, he withdrew from the 1500 the night before as he was handed a four-year suspension for blood doping. Brinegar returned to competition at a college club meet this past February, as its organization fell outside of the purview of WADA.
“Young man, you can make real your dreams”
With so few swimmers active, having been under 15;00, these nationals, which also help serve as a selection meet for the 2025 World Junior Championships, the 2025 World University Games, and next summer’s Pan-Pacs, this meet may be a great opportunity for many of the young and hungry distance swimmers to jump into the conversation and give themselves plenty of international experience before they start to gear up for the 2028 L.A. Olympics.
Leading the way are a pair of returning finalists from Olympic Trials and a handful of teenagers, who have made great strides in the event in 2025.
Foremost on the list is perhaps Luke Ellis. A product of the distance-free producing machine that is Sandpipers of Nevada. Ellis entered Trials as the 11th seed with a tie of 15:17.92, less than half a second behind his club teammate Gabriel Manteufel. Ellis sliced nearly three seconds off his time in prelims, playing 6th in a time of 15:14.93. The next night, however, Ellis found a new gear and dropped a further eight seconds off that time to finish 5th overall in a time of 15:06.71. The result awarded Ellis a spot on the USA’s Junior Pan Pac team, where he further dropped time, recording his 3rd PB in as many months winning the silver medal in 15:00.24, and becoming the 4th fastest 17-18 American in the event, behind Whitlock’s 14:53.00 from trials, which placed him at #3.
Ellis who will join Whitlock in Bloomington this fall, has two recorded 1500 this season. In January he was 15:57.10 and in Fort Lauderdale he placed 4th overall with a 15:30.13. While the time is still far cry away from Finke, it does follow a similar pattern as Ellis was 15:42.55 about a month out of trials last summer, so his time from Florida could be a good sign.
In Fort Lauderdale, like in Indianapolis, Ellis finished ahead of fellow high schooler Will Mulgrew. Mulgrew, who swims for Shawmut Aquatic Club based in Massachusetts, had an outside shot of making the Olympic Trials finals, as he entered the meet as the 16th seed, with a time of 15:19.25, but powered his way to a new PB of 15:14.88 in the prelims to earn the 5th seed in the finals. He added a little time in finals to finish 7th, but like Ellis, earned a spot on the Junior Pan Pac team. In the lead to Pan Pacs, Mulgrew dropped a few more seconds to record a new PB of 15:12.63 at Summer Champs, placing 2nd to only Clark’s 15:09.44. Mulgrew finished 5th at Pan-Pacs in 15:16.74 as the 3rd fastest American. Since then, the Harvard commit has swum the event twice, with his 15:37.81 from Fort Lauderdale his fastest time.
Behind Ellis and Mulgrew at Trials but posting some fast in-season times are Aiden Hammer and Luka Mijatovic. The pair who finished 30th and 20th respectively at Trials in the 1500 have made tremendous strides in the event in the intervening 11 months.
Hammer, a 2025 commit to Texas who swims for King Aquatic Club, also swam the 1500 at Pan Pacs, placing 7th in 15:40.60, a bit off his PB of 15:33.69. However, Hammer easily erased that time as he produced a new PB of 15:15.37 to win the Westmont Pro Swim Series and become the 2nd fastest American this season.
Whereas Finke was alone in his swim in Fort Lauderdale, Hammer had the ever-looming presence of Mijatovic to push him. The Pleasanton Seahawks swimmer finished less than a second behind at 15:16.31, becoming the third-fastest American this season. This time is less than half a second off his PB of 15:15.95 from his 4th-place finish at Junior Pan Pacs.
Neither have swum the 1500 since March, but each has been putting up strong times in other events. Hammer won the Boise Sectional’s 1650 in a new PB and just broke eight minutes in the 800, collecting the silver medal in the process at the Mel Zajac Jr. meet. Mijatovic, meanwhile has broken multiple NAG records this season and just recently broke the National High School Record in the 500 free, swimming 4:11.91, a time that is nearly a second slower than his PB.
Fellow teenager Ryan Erisman joins the aforementioned Hammer and Mijatovic near the top of the leaderboard as his 15:20.47 from Fort Lauderdale ranks him as the 5th fastest American this season. Erisman, who didn’t contest the event at trials, entered the last Pro Swim Series meet with a PB of 15:39.86. He left the meet with a new PB of 15:20.47, slicing a remarkable 19 seconds off his old best. It wasn’t his only best of the meet as he also smashed the 3:50 barrier in the 400 free, swimming 3:48.57 to become the 8th fastest 17-18 American.
As previously mentioned, Gabriel Manteufel is another young swimmer to watch. The Sandpipers product, a rising high school senior, has committed to following his teammate Luke Ellis to Indiana, albeit a year later. Manteufel entered the 2024 Olympic Trials as the highest seed of these teenagers, coming in as the 10th seed with a seed of 15:17.47. He added some time at Trials and hasn’t been back under 15:25, but he did swim a PB in the 800 in Fort Lauderdale, so he could be in for a time drop.
Las Vegas Swim Club’s Max Carlsen, too, could be in for a time drop. A to-be first year at NC State, Carlsen went a PB of 15:24.00 last year at Trials to place 15th. He hasn’t recorded a result in 1500 since then, but he did place 3rd at the US Open in 1650 with a time of 15:02.76 and recently won the Nevada 3A State champs in time of 4:25.77 (not altitude adjusted).
“Came from college just the other day”
by Bex Wyant
While Fort Lauderdale and Westmont had much larger fields than Sacramento, Alec Enyeart made the most of the small field. Squaring off against the likes of Samuel Short, Enyeart, who swam three years at Texas, posted a swift in-season time of 15:20.03. The former Longhorn was the 9th seed entering trials in the 1500, but withdrew from the meet for health issues. Swimming now for the Tsunami Swim Team of KC, Enyeart, who holds a PB of 15:05.10, is the 4th fastest American this year. While the time in Sacramento wasn’t a PB his 7:54.38 in the 800 and his 3:49.69 in the 400 were so, if he can put together a good race over 1500, the Kansas native could be looking at breaking 15:00.
Another 20-something swimmer and the last finalist from Olympic Trials to be mentioned is Kentucky’s Carson Hick. Hick was just the 37th seed in the 1500, last summer, entering the meet with a time of 15:37.15 from the Indy Cup held in May of 2024. A month later, Hick dropped a massive, nearly 20-second new PB of 15:17.36 to beat out teammate and #8 seed Levi Sandidge for the last spot in the finals. Hick dropped a further few seconds at Summer Champs to set his PB at 15:14.07. Since then, Hick hasn’t swum the 1500, but did swim a PB to place 6th at NCAA in the 1650, placing ahead of Johnston and Sandidge.
The only two Americans who placed ahead of Hick in the mile were Rex Maurer and Owen Lloyd. While Maurer could put up a very interesting time in the 1500, as he is the 8th fastest American ever in the mile, he hasn’t recorded a result in the event since June of 2022 and holds a PB of 15:56.94. In looking at his results, Maurer is more likely targeting the 200/400/800 free triple. Lloyd who represented NC State collegiately, like Matheson andJake Magahey, has taken a step away from the sport, stating on Instagram his intentions to retire and start coaching.
Another swimmer, like Hick, who made large drops at Trials was Ivan Puskovitch. A US Olympian in the Open Water, the West Virginia swimmer, entered last summer with a PB of 15:32.21 from the 2022 US Open, but sliced a neat ten seconds off that to place 14th overall with at time of 15:23.03. This season already he has been 15:31.48, at the Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions in mid-April, so Puskovitch, could play spoiler and earn a second swim in the 1500.
SwimSwam’s Picks
Dark Horse: Lance Norris – Like many of the names on this list Linscheer hasn’t recorded a 1500 swim since this season, so his participation in this event is questionable, but should he swim, the NC State product could find his way into the top 8. Norris was the 25th seed at Trials last summer, entering with a seed time of 15:28.89, but sliced over 10 seconds off that time to place 10th wfith a new PB of 15:17.94. While there are several swimmers not mentioned who placed ahead of him at NCAA, he did record a new PB in the mile and more recently sliced over three seconds off his PB in the 800, recording a new time of 7:56.09.
[Update Feb 5] It’s about to happen, I promise! And as suggested in the comment thread, with the site changes taking extra time, we are planning to start the competition with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, returning to our original format before the UAE Tour elbowed its way in. All due respect, World Tour points are a thing, but the real start of the season for many of us is when they roll out of Gent on March 1. I have never been a fan of February racing myself, or at least of taking it seriously. I’m happy for the riders to get in some high intensity training. Just don’t make me orient a decade-plus-long running fantasy game around their glorified training rides. Okay?
Sorry, that got a little rant-y. Anyway, if you joined the FSA DS for the UAE Tour, I hate to disappoint you, it was never my inention. But otherwise the 2025 season is going to be off the charts, and from March 1 to … whenever they run out of steam in late October, it will be game on here. Thanks for your understanding!
There has been some confusion/ doubt in our resolve to run the FSA Directeur Sportif again this year, but doubt it at your peril! For now I will take advantage of SBNation leaving the Cafe running a bit longer for a few notes:
The FSA DS landing page is where all information will be available, once we start the competition.
That page is under repair, because without the Podium Cafe being operational (which we assume will happen at some point) there… we had some linkages built in that need to be changed. Superted tells me it’s not that big a deal but it’s not nothing either.
We intend to open the comp on Feb 1, as always, give or take half a day. Hopefully there are no surprises. The pricing is done, and I can’t wait for your reactions!
Anyway, stay tuned, don’t stress over the DS page being down, we got this.
Rizza Alee is from Indian-administered Kashmir. He takes us on a journey of his day-to-day life, and how it’s changed since May, when hostilities broke out between India and Pakistan in Kashmir. His video diary shows the uncertainty that comes with living in a region affected by a decades-old conflict.
