Bucket list trips: 5 unmissable US college sports events
Many tourists heading to the US will incorporate a sports game as part of their trip. If you’re in NYC, you might go see a Knicks game at the iconic Madison Square Garden. If it’s Boston, you simply cannot escape the shadow of the ancient (by US standards) Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. A Lakers game in LA is probably your best opportunity to spot Hollywood stars. Even Las Vegas is now home to several professional sports teams.
Yet, some of the best experiences, at least in terms of atmosphere, are outside the professional leagues. College sports, in particular, have something unique. It can be somewhat strange looking from the outside in, as Europe does not have any comparable system. It would be hard to imagine 100,000 fans packed into a stadium to watch a football game between the UK’s Cambridge and Oxford universities, but that’s normal in the US.
But which are the blue-chip events in college sports? It’s debatable, and it might depend on your particular loyalties and persuasions, but we can cite five special ones below:
Michigan vs. Ohio State (College Football)
It’s difficult to describe this one. The matchup is simply referred to as The Game, representing a clash between one of the fiercest rivalries in US sports. The Game is simply massive. There have even been several books written on the topic, including Greg Emmanuel’s 100-Yard War. The pair is set to clash in the new season in November, and you can expect millions of dollars to be wagered with college football sportsbooks on the event.
Duke vs. North Carolina (College Basketball)
We have a small caveat here: It’s an experience in itself to watch this one at Duke’s iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s much more compact than a typical NBA stadium, but it gives a true taste of heartland college basketball. The atmosphere, provided by the Cameron Crazies, is raucous to say the least. We should note, however, that the arena holds less than 10,000, so ticket prices can be hugely high for one of the most heated rivalries in US basketball.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (College Football)
We love this one, as it is perhaps the most tradition-wrapped game in college sports. The matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners takes place at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas at the Texas State Fair. Known as the Red River Rivalry, the game is basically played at a halfway point between the two colleges, rather than a home or away campus. It is, in effect, a festival, with a dash of football thrown in.
Men’s College World Series (College Baseball)
The final bracket of the men’s baseball competition heads to Omaha, Nebraska, each June for the College World Series. It has a completely different vibe to other big college events. There are rivalries, yes, but baseball is a gentler experience, and it is arguably more woven into the fabric of the country as America’s pastime. Regardless, Omaha (an underrated destination in itself) plays host to a brilliant festival, welcoming eight teams as they duke it out to become college champions.
The Rose Bowl Game (College Football)
Not a specific matchup between two teams, but rather an annual event in the iconic Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The game, which will always feature two elite college football teams, is penciled in around New Year’s Day. It’s particularly suitable for tourists. Pasadena sits within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the San Gabriel Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop, and the trip can be combined with the famous Tournament of Roses festivities.
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