Whether you’ve been a sportsperson all your life or never had even the slightest inclination for sport, the love for watching big sporting events is a shared one. The joys of watching your favorites win, the heartbreaks of loss, the ebb-and-flow of emotion with each turning point in the game – sport has it all and forms a big part of the cultural fabric of societies across the world. And American sporting culture is as good as it gets.
Sports and tradition go hand in hand in the USA. For as long as one can remember, Americans have prided themselves on having some of the major sporting events in the world. From the Rose bowl to college football, and from ice hockey to NASCAR, there is a plethora of thrilling, entertaining sports to choose from on the American sports calendar.
Every fan dreams of watching these iconic events live at stadiums filled with rich history and heritage. If you’re one of them and want to experience some of the best sporting events, here are 7 of the most popular sports in America – and the events that surround them – that should be a part of your sports bucket list.
1. The Kentucky Derby – Horse racing
Few American sporting events match up to the history and popularity of the Kentucky Derby. Held annually in Louisville, typically on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby is one of the longest running races in history, dating back to 1875. The competition is for Thoroughbreds to race a distance of one-and-a-quarter mile, which takes approximately two minutes. Fun fact: this is why this Derby is often referred to as the most exciting two minutes in sports!
It is the first leg of the three Triple Crown races and arguably the most popular of the three. The horse must win all three legs to win the Triple Crown.
Apart from the race itself, what makes this one of the most popular sports in the USA is the rich cultural associations of the event. There are typically big crowds, with people donning vibrant hats and sipping the traditional mint julep, singing joyously to the tune of My Old Kentucky Home. This atmosphere truly transforms this race day into a celebration of the southern culture and the American spirit.
While there, do visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to experience the history of the sport, and the Derby Cafe for some signature Kentucky dishes!
2. Stanley Cup Finals – Hockey
Considered to be the premiere professional ice hockey league in the world, the National Hockey League comprises 32 teams, 25 in the US and 7 in Canada. After a long, grueling season, the conclusion of the National Hockey League season delivers one of the most anticipated sporting events, the Stanley Cup Finals.
North America’s oldest professional sports trophy and certainly one of America’s most famous sporting events, the Stanley Cup Finals is the league’s championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup trophy.
Here, teams don’t just compete for a cup but the pride and status associated with it. The Stanley Cup not only signifies the season’s champions, but is also considered as the ultimate symbol of greatness in professional hockey.
3. The Rose Bowl Game – College football
The Rose Bowl game is an annual college football game which, for nearly 7 decades, has been the college football game with the highest spectator participation in American history! This gives it a rightful claim to be one of – if not the most – popular games of America.
This game has become synonymous with a new year celebration, as it usually happens on January 1 and involves all the celebration staples – a parade (the Rose Bowl Parade) in the morning, followed by the game. The parade itself is. highly attended event, with numbers spanning in the hundreds of thousands, and an entirely unique experience if you get to catch it in the flesh.
We’d be remiss to not mention the venue of this event. Spoiler alert – it happens at the Rose Bowl, a breathtaking outdoor athletic stadium which is officially a National Historic Landmark. It has hosted five Super Bowls and multiple FIFA World Cup games.
Interestingly, the Rose Bowl college football game was added to the celebrations to fund the cost of staging the parade. This iconic day is a true celebration of American culture and its passion for college football. A must watch spectacle in any sporting event bucket list.
4. US Grand Prix – Formula One
Home to one of the iconic venues of F1 is Austin, Texas which has been hosting the US Grand Prix since 2012. The US Grand Prix is the longest running Formula One World Championship event held in the US and is right up there among America’s favorite and most popular sporting events.
The Austin circuit is one of the most challenging and spectacular arenas in the world and has a selection of corner sequences inspired by some of the best F1 circuits. With an average attendance of over 200,000 people, the scent of burnt rubber and the sudden, deafening engine sounds from cars zooming past in the blink of an eye, the Grand Prix weekend is a unique and exhilarating experience.
Spectators can get privileged access tickets, watch the action from select grandstands or experience the best trackside hospitality in the Champions Club and Formula One Paddock Club. You can also book exclusive pit lane tours and guided track tours.
5. The Masters Tournament – Golf
The Masters Tournament, or simply the US Masters, is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Since its inauguration in 1934, the Masters tournament has produced some of the greatest moments in golfing history.
Set in a picturesque landscape in the springtime of April, the tournament is played amidst blooming shrubs and towering pines sprawled across a 365-acre property. The Masters is played over four days at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Golfers compete for the prestigious Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.
Not only is the Masters a definite event to check off on the sporting bucket list, but it also finds a place in any nature lover’s travel bucket list as well. There is plenty to explore around the iconic golf, with walks down Magnolia Lane or through Amen Corner. Treat yourself to the traditions and history of one of America’s favorite sporting events.
6. The Boston Marathon – Running
Traditionally hosted on Patriots’ Day, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the best known road racing events. It is one of six Abbott World Marathon Majors and is considered to be one of the more difficult marathon courses that includes a grueling 26-mile stretch that, at one point, involves a rapid 150-foot drop.
This race is typically held on Patriots’ Day, which falls on the third Monday every April, and is the origin behind the race sometimes being called the Monday Marathon. Falling on a holiday as it does, the number of spectators are generally clear of the half-million mark, apart from the tens of thousands of participants each year.
Additionally, beginners or running enthusiasts can join the Athletes’ Village, part of the Boston Athletic Association, which features monthly challenges, training programs and a community to connect with fellow runners along with opportunities to race or volunteer at this famous world event.
Whether you are a runner or just someone who admires the sheer grit and determination of runners competing against each other to complete a 26-mile run, your sporting bucket list is incomplete without the inclusion of The Boston Marathon.
7. The Super Bowl – Football
No sporting bucket list is complete without a mention of the Super Bowl, the annual playoff championship game of The National Football League (NFL).
This NFL event concludes a 16-game regular season and 3 post-season playoff rounds, pitting the top two teams against each other in what has been one of the biggest Sundays for years now – the Super Bowl Sunday. With its growth as a pop culture phenomenon, Super Bowl Sunday has become a national celebration that sees millions of viewers worldwide tuning in every year. It is among the world’s most watched single sporting events, second only to the UEFA Champions League Final in soccer. It is also known to be the second largest event for food consumption in America, behind only Thanksgiving. Aren’t you sold already?!
The prestigious Super Bowl half-time show is another fun part of the audience gathering. Over the years, various artists have performed at the half-time show. The atmosphere is beyond electrifying and definitely not to be missed out on!
