Top 10 North American Sporting Events to Attend Before You Die
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These North American competitions are best experienced live. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 North American sporting events to attend before you die.
For this list, we’ve chosen ten of the most iconic and popular sporting events in North America and ranked them based on their impact, recognition and spectator friendliness.
This hard-court tennis tournament is North America’s only annual Majors or Grand Slam event. Taking place over two weeks during late summer and early fall, it’s a competition you won’t want to miss as it showcases both men’s and women’s singles and doubles court skills. It doesn’t have to be a daytime thing either – thanks to floodlights, you can spend your evenings with the greats too!
It’s not the Greatest Spectacle in Racing for nothing. Considered part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, the Indy 500 can attract up to 300,000 spectators on race day! Taking place every Memorial Day weekend, the world’s biggest single-day sporting event has drivers racing for the chance at millions in prize money. So speed-lovers and adrenaline chasers are sure to get their motors running at the racing facility.
Every golfer knows The Masters. And every professional golfer wants that championship’s green jacket. But the tournament isn’t only known for its prize money and traditions like the Champions Dinner. It’s also known for the stunning Augusta National Golf Club, affordable and delectable eats, and obviously, the chance to witness some of the world’s star golfers on the green.
Thanks to its longstanding traditions and the beautiful Churchill Downs racetrack, the Kentucky Derby’s the most famous and most attended event in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The true stars are the majestic horses, which make it the most exciting and fastest two minutes in sports. A ticket to the Run of the Roses will also make you a part of history because the race’s been held non-stop since 1875.
The NBA Finals doesn’t only bring out some of the best b-ball players but also some of the biggest celebrities. Their best of seven series is a true spectacle in which star athletes flaunt their skills while gorgeous cheerleaders cheer them on. Though attending any game in the series is a blast, it’s the thrill and suspense of the final and its subsequent party atmosphere that’re sure to live on.
There’s nothing that symbolizes pro hockey in North America quite like the Stanley Cup. And with the crazy energy of diehard hockey fans, there’s also nothing that compares to attending a game in this best of seven series. With the high stakes and the pressure to prove they’ve got what it takes, NHL teams give so much in these heart-pumping games you’re bound to catch hockey fever too.
American football is the United States’ most popular sport, so it’s no surprise college football is such a big deal there. Without a formal playoff structure, the Rose Bowl remains the grandaddy of the Bowl series, played each year in Pasadena's massive stadium, which houses over 80,000 fans. Go to a game and chances are you’ll be seeing future NFLers firsthand.
Though the NBA Finals have the star power, there’s just something about college basketball that drives us mad. Because the teams are working so hard to make the Final Four, the quality of play is extremely high and intense during March Madness. So you’re not only getting the chance to root for some incredible talents but you’re also joining thousands of other b-ball enthusiasts who’re in it for the game.
Take me out to the ball game! There are few sports as culturally and historically important to America as baseball. So if you want to experience a national pastime that’s fun, family-friendly and iconic, be sure to check out a game in the Fall Classic. You’ll not only get to see some of the MLB’s finest, but you might even get the chance to catch a World Series ball in the stands!
As one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, the Super Bowl’s a great shared TV experience – let’s not forget those memorable ads. But there’s nothing like that feeling of cheering alongside your best buds and thousands of other American football fans. The Super Bowl’s not only the country’s highest level competition in professional sports but it also boasts one of the most popular entertainment segments with its halftime show.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite North American sporting event? If you didn't see your favorite sporting event, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Global Sporting Events to Attend Before You Die and subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.
For this list, we’ve chosen ten of the most iconic and popular sporting events in North America and ranked them based on their impact, recognition and spectator friendliness.
#10 – US Open
This hard-court tennis tournament is North America’s only annual Majors or Grand Slam event. Taking place over two weeks during late summer and early fall, it’s a competition you won’t want to miss as it showcases both men’s and women’s singles and doubles court skills. It doesn’t have to be a daytime thing either – thanks to floodlights, you can spend your evenings with the greats too!
#9 – Indianapolis 500
It’s not the Greatest Spectacle in Racing for nothing. Considered part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, the Indy 500 can attract up to 300,000 spectators on race day! Taking place every Memorial Day weekend, the world’s biggest single-day sporting event has drivers racing for the chance at millions in prize money. So speed-lovers and adrenaline chasers are sure to get their motors running at the racing facility.
#8 – The Masters Tournament
Every golfer knows The Masters. And every professional golfer wants that championship’s green jacket. But the tournament isn’t only known for its prize money and traditions like the Champions Dinner. It’s also known for the stunning Augusta National Golf Club, affordable and delectable eats, and obviously, the chance to witness some of the world’s star golfers on the green.
#7 – Kentucky Derby
Thanks to its longstanding traditions and the beautiful Churchill Downs racetrack, the Kentucky Derby’s the most famous and most attended event in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The true stars are the majestic horses, which make it the most exciting and fastest two minutes in sports. A ticket to the Run of the Roses will also make you a part of history because the race’s been held non-stop since 1875.
#6 – The National Basketball Association Finals
The NBA Finals doesn’t only bring out some of the best b-ball players but also some of the biggest celebrities. Their best of seven series is a true spectacle in which star athletes flaunt their skills while gorgeous cheerleaders cheer them on. Though attending any game in the series is a blast, it’s the thrill and suspense of the final and its subsequent party atmosphere that’re sure to live on.
#5 – The Stanley Cup Finals
There’s nothing that symbolizes pro hockey in North America quite like the Stanley Cup. And with the crazy energy of diehard hockey fans, there’s also nothing that compares to attending a game in this best of seven series. With the high stakes and the pressure to prove they’ve got what it takes, NHL teams give so much in these heart-pumping games you’re bound to catch hockey fever too.
#4 – NCAA Football’s Rose Bowl
American football is the United States’ most popular sport, so it’s no surprise college football is such a big deal there. Without a formal playoff structure, the Rose Bowl remains the grandaddy of the Bowl series, played each year in Pasadena's massive stadium, which houses over 80,000 fans. Go to a game and chances are you’ll be seeing future NFLers firsthand.
#3 – NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship
Though the NBA Finals have the star power, there’s just something about college basketball that drives us mad. Because the teams are working so hard to make the Final Four, the quality of play is extremely high and intense during March Madness. So you’re not only getting the chance to root for some incredible talents but you’re also joining thousands of other b-ball enthusiasts who’re in it for the game.
#2 – World Series
Take me out to the ball game! There are few sports as culturally and historically important to America as baseball. So if you want to experience a national pastime that’s fun, family-friendly and iconic, be sure to check out a game in the Fall Classic. You’ll not only get to see some of the MLB’s finest, but you might even get the chance to catch a World Series ball in the stands!
#1 – The Super Bowl
As one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, the Super Bowl’s a great shared TV experience – let’s not forget those memorable ads. But there’s nothing like that feeling of cheering alongside your best buds and thousands of other American football fans. The Super Bowl’s not only the country’s highest level competition in professional sports but it also boasts one of the most popular entertainment segments with its halftime show.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite North American sporting event? If you didn't see your favorite sporting event, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Global Sporting Events to Attend Before You Die and subscribe to WatchMojo.com for more entertaining top 10s.
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