Figure 1 Chicago is one of the best places in the world to watch live sports – Source: Unsplash
The days of a generic vacation are long gone. The modern traveler looks for specific attractions in their destinations and sports tourism has become one of the most interesting markets in recent years. There are, of course, venues and events across the globe that attract sports fans but it is well known that the US is home to some of the most memorable. Events like the Super Bowl might move around the country from year to year but some cities will forever be a draw.
With the Big Four – five if you count soccer – some cities have a choice of teams to follow or watch, whatever the time of the year. Sportsbooks like BetUS offer markets on all the games but there is nothing like catching a game in real life. The passion and noise of the crowd just make for a better experience than simply watching the game on TV.
We’ve decided to pick five of the best US cities to watch sports in. They aren’t all home to championship teams at the moment but they all have a grand history and offer a unique way of watching the best pro athletes in the world. Here are our famous five.
Chicago
It says something about the current plight of Chicago sports that its most recent championship has come from the Cubs of Major League Baseball. It only took them 108 years since their last title, after all. But baseball is big in the Windy City and you will have to choose between the Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field in the north or the White Sox on the South Side.
If you are making your way to Chicago out of baseball season, Soldier Field is home to both the Bears of the NFL and the Fire of MLS. The waterfront stadium is very convenient for visitors and tickets should be readily available. It is a long time since Michael Jordan was winning NBA championships but the Bulls crowd will always get behind their team at the Union Center on the west side of town. The Blackhawks also play there if you are after some hard-hitting hockey action.
New York
This is another city that has the luxury of two baseball teams to choose from. The most famous are the Bronx Bombers themselves, the Yankees. But there is a lot of love for the Mets as well, who play at Citi Field in Queens. NYCFC, one of New York’s soccer teams also play at Yankee Stadium for the moment, before a proposed move to its own new stadium near Citi Field.
The other MLS team that plays under the New York name is the Red Bulls, who actually play across the water in New Jersey. Both NFL teams – the Giants and the Jets – also play across the state line but there are other sports teams in the city itself. The NBA’s Knicks and the NHL’s Rangers share the world-renowned Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, while the Nets call Brooklyn home these days. There is also the Islanders way out east in Nassau County if you want even more hockey.
Atlanta
Let’s travel south a little, to the growing metropolis that is Atlanta, GA. This city has long been an attraction for anyone wanting to get a feeling of the new South and sports are always going to play a major part in a trip to this part of the world. College sports are huge here but there are plenty of major league teams to watch too.
The stunning Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta only opened in 2017 and regularly draws capacity crowds to watch Atlanta United of MLS as well as the Falcons of the NFL. State Farm Arena is virtually next door if you want to catch the Hawks shoot some hoops, while baseball’s Atlanta Braves play at Truist Park just northwest of the city.
Figure 2 Atlanta United fans always bring the noise – Source: Unsplash
Philadelphia
Philly fans of all sports have something of a reputation. To keep in their good books, we are going to go with “passionate” – but you are sure to remember watching a game in the city of brotherly love – especially if you are rooting for the other team. Luckily, there is a great choice of winning teams to choose from in Philadelphia itself.
The best thing about Philly sports is that most of the stadiums are in the same few blocks in the southwest of the city. You can watch the Eagles play postseason football at Lincoln Financial Field before catching the 76ers playing basketball at Wells Fargo Center. Hockey’s Flyers also play there. The Phillies ballpark, Citizens Bank Park is just around the corner too!
Denver
The city of Denver might sometimes get overlooked when it comes to travel guides but if it is sports that attract you to a place, then the Mile High City should be near the top of your list. The locals live and breathe sports and the most fervent can be found at Broncos games at Mile High Stadium near downtown. The NBA’s Nuggets strut their stuff just over the South Platte River at the Ball Arena alongside the local hockey team, the Avalanche.
Head a little way northeastwards and baseball fans can settle in to watch the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Having all of the major US sports available within easy access to the downtown area of a city is always a plus, as visiting fans can take a pick of whatever games are on offer during their stay, whenever they plan their trip.
