The USA and sports go together like stars and stripes, like hamburgers and French fries, like Simon and Garfunkel. From ball-based games to petrol-powered motor racing and beyond, Americans can’t get enough of the stuff. They play it, watch it, and put on the world's greatest halftime shows.
In celebration of this big country's deep-felt passion for athletic prowess and physical competition, we've rounded up every state’s best sporting experience.
Scroll on to discover the must-see events that sports fans are enjoying in every US state…
When it comes to sporting rivalries between educational institutes, few centers of learning do it quite like the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Essentially the Yellowhammer State's very own Super Bowl, the Iron Bowl rivalry dates way back to 1893.
Played out annually in front of massive crowds, at alternating venues, tickets for this college football spectacular start at over $300. Pictured here, in 2008, more than 100,000 fans cheer on their side of the divide at a sold-out Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won this edition 36-0, their first victory in six years.
While there have been concerns over animal cruelty, this combination of Alaska’s epic scenery and awesome dogs remains a popular sporting event. Held in March, the challenging dogsled race between Anchorage and Nome attracts more than 100 human participants and their team of canines every year.
The course, which spreads for roughly 1,100 miles, partially follows the old Iditarod Trail dogsled mail route. Crossing two mountain ranges, running along the Yukon River for 150 miles, and traversing frozen waterways like the pack ice of Norton Sound, today most teams cross the finish line in just under 10 days.
During baseball season in Arizona, there aren't many better places to be than watching a ballgame at the Diamondbacks’ Chase Field – or more specifically, from the stadium's legendary swimming pool.
With average summer temperatures in the Grand Canyon State hovering around 104°F, it’s certainly a great spot to beat the heat. In May 1998, Mark Grace, then playing for the Chicago Cubs, became the first player to hit a home run into the unique water feature. It’s been a popular target for batters ever since.
Get a native of Little Rock or Fayetteville talking about college football, and they might never stop. Thanks to the efforts and successes of the Razorbacks, a name given to the teams representing the University of Arkansas in a wide array of sports, football has established itself as a prominent part of the state's culture.
The Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium has been the home of the team also known as the Hogs since 1938, going through a $160 million renovation as recently as 2018. On game day here, expect the fans around you to perform an animated chant known as a 'Hog Call' (pictured). Best join in, or they might question your loyalties.
At times, witnessing elite-level baseball is akin to observing humans trying repeatedly to defy all reason and logic. One player who is more consistently successful in this pursuit than any other, and who can already lay claim to being one of the best to ever take a swing at home plate or pitch one from the mound, is Shohei Ohtani (pictured). Currently plying his trade for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani is to baseball what Lionel Messi is to soccer.
Putting aside the feats of this generational talent from Japan, who in 2024 inspired the Dodgers to their eighth World Series, no trip to the City of Angels is ever complete until you've gone the full nine innings at Dodger Stadium.
With their home stadium 5,280 feet above sea level, watching the Denver Broncos on their own turf remains one of the most unique football-watching experiences you can have in the US. Located a stone’s throw from the site of the original Mile High Stadium, Empower Field at Mile High has a unique, undulating upper profile. Wrapped in steel, glass, and aluminum, it reflects the Rocky Mountains to the west and the city skyline to the east.
Since opening in 2001, after construction costs hit $400 million, the arena has become a proud symbol for Coloradans. See for yourself how special it is by buying a ticket to a Broncos' game as soon as possible.
Say something bad about the Connecticut Sun to someone from Connecticut, and you might live to regret it. The Sun, you see, is the state’s only major league professional sports team. Since arriving from Orlando in 2003, the team has reached the WNBA finals four times but is still searching for that elusive first title.
Despite failing to pick up a trophy, the team has a dedicated local fanbase – something underlined by the selling out of season ticket packages in 2025. Worryingly, there has been talk of the franchise being relocated to Boston. Cheer them on at the Mohegan Sun Arena before it’s too late.
When you’ve been hosting exciting racing and entertainment events for more than 50 years, you tend to get pretty good at it. Dover Motor Speedway, known as the "World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval" to NASCAR fans, has been wowing crowds ever since Richard Petty won the Mason-Dixon 300 by six laps in 1969.
One of only 10 tracks in America to have hosted 100 or more NASCAR Cup Series events, Dover features 24-degree banking (inward slope of a track's turns) in the corners and nine degrees in the straightaways. Challenging for the drivers and the equipment they’re tearing around the track in, the only guarantee here is there are no guarantees. Buckle up.
Like your sporting events loud, smelling of gasoline, and bursting with adrenalin? Look no further than the world-famous Daytona 500 down at Daytona Beach.
Held annually at Daytona International Speedway, the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar has drivers tearing around the two-and-a-half-mile track 200 times at around 200 miles per hour. First staged in 1959, it's been the season opener since 1982. To win here is a career-defining moment for racers.
Over the years, the saying "Golf is a good walk spoiled" has been attributed to everyone from Mark Twain to Oscar Wilde. Whoever said it first and whatever your thoughts on this most fiendishly difficult of sports, there's no denying the beauty of Augusta National Golf Club.
Every tee, fairway, water feature, bunker, and pristine green at Augusta is a breathtaking work of art. The Masters is hosted here every year, almost always in April, with the winner bagging the famous green jacket and a whole lot of prize money.
Hosted in the spiritual home of surfing, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (also known as The Eddie) sees the finest big wave surfers on the planet come together to put down a marker on 40-foot monsters at Waimea Bay. This annual event, put on in honor of legendary lifeguard and surfer Aikau, can only occur when open-ocean swells reach a minimum height of 20-plus feet.
Whether you're giving it a go yourself on significantly smaller waves than the professionals are hitting, or admiring the best in the business from the comfort of those idyllic Oahu beaches, no trip to the Pacific can be marked as done until someone says, “surf's up."
What began in the early 1900s as a small, bucking competition for locals has evolved into "The Wildest Fastest Show on Earth" and one of the top professional rodeos in the United States.
Popular events include Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Grab your Stetson and your cowboy boots, and come on down to see them all in June.
The heroes of Netflix's The Last Dance might be long retired from playing, but anyone with even a passing interest in slam dunks and three-pointers still needs to have this one on their bucket list. A visit to Chicago without stopping by the place where Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the all-conquering Bulls of the 1990s strutted their stuff is nothing short of sacrilege in these parts.
Arguably the most famous sportsperson of all time, Jordan led the team to an astonishing six NBA championships. Before getting yourself courtside at the United Center, stop by the Space Jam star's statue (pictured) just outside.
Laying claim to surely the coolest town name in the world, Speedway in Indiana is thought of by some as ‘the racing capital of the world.’ Home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is the oldest operating racetrack in the United States, in May it hosts the largest single-day sporting event in the world – the Indianapolis 500.
Every year, an astonishing 350,000 people come to watch this live. Spread across the sold-out grandstands and infield general admission, they make almost as much noise as the race cars themselves.
The Principal Charity Classic is all about bringing PGA Tour Champions together with Iowa businesses and families to benefit local children’s charities. The three-day, 54-hole golf tournament in Des Moines is a chance to see some true greats of the game tee off and raise money for kids in need.
Each year, the event positively impacts the lives of more than 130,000 young people. In 2024, legendary South African Ernie Els triumphed at the Wakonda Club course with a final score of -21. A year later, in 2025, it was cigar-smoking Miguel Angel Jiménez who came out on top.
Considering it’s called the Sunflower Showdown, you might expect this one to be a relatively tame affair. Think again. Bringing together the University of Kansas (Jayhawks) and Kansas State University (Wildcats) in a clash of multi-sport prowess, the stakes are high and the will to win borderline frightening.
The central pillar of this battle for state supremacy is the annual football game, with the two teams doing everything they can to claim the Governor’s Cup. Played since 1902, the Jayhawks are currently on a devastating run of 16 defeats in a row.
Known as "America’s Greatest Race" and often called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," the Kentucky Derby has a history dating back to 1875. Held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, the race is the oldest continuously running sports event in the US.
Come for the history and tradition, stay for the lightning-fast horses, extravagant hats, and mint juleps.
Once you’ve had your fill of jazz music, Creole architecture, and mouthwatering gumbo, head on down to the Caesars Superdome to see the mighty New Orleans Saints in action. With a playing history dating back to 1967, this NFL franchise is now a beloved part of Louisiana lore.
In 2010, the Saints won their first and – to date – only Super Bowl championship. Despite this relatively modest return on titles, their home arena’s reputation for having a loud and lively atmosphere remains unmoved. Go and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Forget the Super Bowl, in this corner of New England it's all about the Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic. Considered the region's premier high school All-Star football game, the event showcases the talents of over 140 of the state's top graduating football players and cheerleaders. Every summer, East meets West to put on a thrilling spectacle.
More than just an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans, the game – first played in 1990 – also raises funds to provide advanced medical care for children, regardless of their family's ability to pay. Whether you're in it for the sport or the warm feeling that comes from supporting a good cause, be sure to make time for this one.
The pivotal Preakness States might be the shortest leg in the Triple Crown, but it's no less special for it. Shaping the legacies of champion horses for over 150 years, it sits on the calendar between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
Held in mid May at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, this flat race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses consistently stirs the soul. The winner of the 2025 Preakness was Journalism, ridden by Umberto Rispoli.
Legendary Fenway Park is so wrapped up in baseball’s mythology that, for many, it can be difficult to know where the sport ends and the historic stadium begins. The oldest arena in Major League Baseball, it’s been the home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912.
Known for its intimate and nostalgic atmosphere, there truly is nothing like sitting behind home plate at "America’s Most Beloved Ballpark." Hearing those waltzy sounds of Take Me Out To The Ball Game right before someone hits a huge one over the iconic left field wall – Green Monster – will stay with you forever.
When a single sports team is responsible for an entire city being known as ‘Hockeytown,’ it’s safe to say they’re a pretty big deal. That’s certainly the case with the historically dominant Detroit Red Wings and the metropolis they call home.
Winners of the Stanley Cup more than any other American team in the NHL, lifting the famous trophy 11 times in total, the Red Wings can be found knocking a puck around at Little Caesars Arena. Across the 2025-2026 season, the much-loved franchise are celebrating their centennial with special events, a new jersey, a museum exhibit, and more.
Faced with brutally cold winter temperatures, it'll come as no surprise to learn that the Minnesota Vikings’ futuristic U.S. Bank Stadium has a roof on it. Although the purple-clad NFL franchise with the bearded-warrior badge have never actually won the Super Bowl, losing at the final stage on four separate occasions, they remain a massive pull for gridiron fans in the north.
Considered one of the best stadiums in the NFL, the steep upper decks and overall design of the Vikings’ home helps to create a loud and intense atmosphere. Striking further fear into the opposition’s hearts is the Gjallarhorn, a traditional Scandinavian horn sounded after big plays.
Despite its comical name, the Egg Bowl is not to be sniffed at. Referring to the annual college football game between Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), the Golden Egg trophy was created in 1927 to stop the two schools from tearing down each other’s goal posts and hitting each other with chairs. It’s the result of student bodies trying to channel each side’s rage in a cleaner way, and is the kind of stuff college football rivalries are made of.
Usually played on or around Thanksgiving, this scramble for local bragging rights is an eggs-cellent spectacle. Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves.
With Patrick Mahomes – widely considered to be the best football player in the world – at quarterback, and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, at tight end, it’s little wonder the Kansas City Chiefs have been so successful in recent years. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls across 2023 and 2024, the franchise fell just short of an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ in 2025 when they lost the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watching an NFL game at the epic Arrowhead Stadium is an experience not to be missed. It holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor stadium, having reached 142.2 decibels against the New England Patriots in 2014.
Arguably not the most mainstream pastime on our list, skijoring – for those unfamiliar with it – is a sport that sees skiers pulled along behind horses, ponies, or sometimes even dogs. It can take various forms, from precision-based events and obstacle races to flat races around an oval track.
Held every year in Red Lodge since 1980, the National Finals sees over 100 teams compete across multiple divisions. Get to this southern part of Montana in March to witness a unique piece of sporting theater for yourself.
Nowhere loves volleyball as much as Nebraska. In August 2023, the locally based Cornhuskers (pictured here, serving) took on the Omaha Mavericks in front of over 92,000 fans at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. It was an event that broke the world record for women's sports attendance.
And while this jaw-dropping spectacle was a special event, put on as part of Volleyball Day in Nebraska, it does give an insight into the level of fandom you can expect if you decide to catch a game here. The Cornhuskers regularly get sellout crowds at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
The desert of Nevada might feel like a strange place to watch ice hockey, but that's exactly why an evening spent watching Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City needs to be on your radar.
Founded in 2017, this exciting new franchise has experienced immediate success on the rink. Reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their very first season, they went one better in 2023 when they pipped the Florida Panthers to the Championship. Catch them in action at the seriously impressive T-Mobile Arena, conveniently situated on the Las Vegas Strip
At the New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival, everything you love about Scotland is distilled down into a truly unforgettable weekend. One minute you’re watching world-class athletes compete in the Caber Toss and Sheaf Toss, the next you’re enjoying live music and entertainment, sampling Scottish food and drink, or attending eye-opening seminars.
Pictured here, we see Scotland’s premier tribal band Clann An Drumma whipping up a storm. Just out of shot, the crowd are dancing like their very lives depend on it.
OK, so on paper, this one might not look like much of a sporting experience. A hot air balloon festival with roughly 600 big balloons on display seems like it'd be a lot of fun, sure, but sport? It can't be, can it?
That’s where you're wrong. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta puts on super-sized competitive events, such as "Balloon Fiesta Golf" and "Ring The Pole," that test the expert pilots’ accuracy. Unlike anything you’ll have seen in Breaking Bad, be sure to bring your camera along.
Depending on how familiar you are with the nuances of the NFL, you might be surprised to learn that the New York Giants don’t actually play in New York. Instead, they play in East Rutherford, New Jersey, five miles west of New York City.
Their home, the imposing MetLife Stadium which they share with the New York Jets, has a capacity of 82,500. Boasting the biggest capacity of any football stadium in the US, it’s scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup Final in 2026.
One of the most iconic and successful sports franchises in the world, the Yankees, based in the Bronx, have won a record 27 World Series titles and 41 American League pennants. To sit and watch baseball at their stadium, which opened in 2009 and has a capacity of around 47,000, or even just to take a guided tour, is to find yourself in the presence of greatness.
Still nicknamed "The House That Ruth Built" in tribute to the all-time great George Herman "Babe" Ruth, who dominated the sport from the early 1920s to the 1930s, Yankee Stadium has special plaques and monuments honoring the legends of its past. Today, fans enjoy the exploits of home-run-hitting machine Aaron Judge.
There is no better place in the world than North Carolina to school up on all things NASCAR. That’s because in Charlotte, the state’s most populous city, you’ll find the NASCAR HALL of Fame. Boasting ever-evolving and interactive exhibits, this immersive museum explores the legacies of the sport’s most notable drivers and machines in glorious detail.
Highlights here include Glory Road, an exhibit showcasing historic championship-winning cars, and the high-tech driving simulators where you can experience the thrill of racing for yourself. For motorsport fans, it’s a must-visit.
With a name like something out of Game of Thrones, the "Battle of Ohio" actually refers to the NFL rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. Located in opposite corners of the state, the franchises’ friction dates back to 1970 when they first played against one another. Since then, they’ve faced off twice a year.
Historically, the Browns have been more successful. In 2022, however, the Bengals made it to their third Super Bowl thanks to the magic arm of their talented quarterback Joe Burrow. Once you’ve seen it live, this struggle for state supremacy will have you hooked indefinitely.
This might look like a start line from Wacky Races, but don’t let that trick you into thinking what goes on at River Cities Speedway is child’s play. It’s anything but.
Thought to be one of the best 0.375-mile dirt tracks in the United States, race classes include Outlaw Sprints (pictured), Late Models, Midwest Modifieds, and Street Stocks. Between late April through mid-September, there’s racing every Friday night here.
In the Sooner State, there's never been a better time to be a basketball fan. That's because in June 2025, the state’s only major league professional sports team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, were crowned NBA champions for the first time since moving from Seattle in 2008.
After capping an extraordinary season by defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, we see star player and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, front and center in the celebrations. Feel the full rumble of the Thunder at the Paycom Center, with the regular season running from October through April.
With the FIFA World Cup set to arrive in summer 2026, the US is poised to become the center of the soccer universe alongside co-hosts Canada and Mexico. Whether you’re a diehard fan of ‘the beautiful game’ or not, there’s arguably never been a better time to see how America has embraced the world’s most popular sport.
Providence Park, home to the Portland Timbers, has been widely praised in recent years for its raucous atmosphere. Thanks to the efforts of the independent supporters group known as the Timbers Army, the loud and energetic environment created on matchday here is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
If you’re a neutral NFL fan, with no dog in the fight, one round of the Philadelphia Eagles’ anthem Fly Eagles Fly will have you becoming a diehard Eagles fan for life. With a history dating back to the 1950s, and a connection with the franchise going back to the 1960s, the song is one of the most popular team-specific tunes in American sport. Coldplay even covered it when they performed at Lincoln Financial Field in 2022.
In 2025, the Eagles denied the Kansas City Chiefs an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ when they demolished them in the Super Bowl at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans. It was the second time they’d lifted the iconic trophy.
Never attended a polo match before? Combining horses, big mallets, and periods of intense play known as chukkers, we’re sure the spectacle will have you gripped from first minute to last.
The Newport International Polo Series, held every year between June and September, sees USA/Newport take on rivals from around the world and major US cities. Fixtures are hosted in the delightful surrounds of Newport Polo, home of America’s First Polo Club.
For golfers, a trip to Myrtle Beach will feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven. Home to more than 80 award-winning golf courses, thought up in the golf-obsessed minds of legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, you could spend many months here hitting a tiny white ball down fairways you’ve never seen.
Bored of skewing your shots into the sand traps? Want to see how the world’s best do it? The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic is now part of the PGA Tour.
What started in 1924 as a way to honor Deadwood's first pioneers, who poured into the Black Hills in 1876 in pursuit of gold and riches, has morphed into a fabled annual event featuring a historic parade and an award-winning rodeo. Hosted at the Days of '76 Event Complex, a modern multi-use facility with 19th-century charm, this Western spectacular is the ultimate way to indulge your inner cowboy or cowgirl.
The week-long event, typically held in July, will lasso your attention and refuse to let go of it. Walking up to other attendees and saying, "Howdy, partner," is entirely optional.
Often forced to live in the shadow of their male counterparts, female basketball players in the US have had a pretty raw deal of it. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, home to the world’s largest basketball, looks to right some wrongs on this score.
Honoring the past, celebrating the present, and promoting the future, it’s a place to come and learn about the historic threads connecting the brave trailblazers of those early years with the superstar players and coaches of today.
The Dallas Cowboys of the 1970s and 1980s became known as "America’s Team" for consistently dominating their regular seasons and winning two Super Bowls under head coach Tom Landry. This success continued in the 1990s when, between 1992 and 1995, the Cowboys won three out of four Super Bowls under the leadership of Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.
In 2018, the franchise was valued at an eye-watering $5 billion, making it the most valuable sports team in the world. For football fans, a visit to the Cowboys’ gargantuan AT&T Stadium in Arlington needs to be at the top of the itinerary.
Originally based in New Orleans, a city rich in musical history that inspired the Jazz name, the franchise relocated to the mountainous surrounds of Salt Lake City in 1979. Playing in the Western Conference of the NBA, they have won two conference championships (1997 and 1998).
Hall of Famer Karl Malone, known as "The Mailman" for his consistent delivery, played for the Utah Jazz from 1985 to 2003. Pop yourself courtside at the lively Delta Center to see the hoop-shooters who are following in his footsteps. Oh, and watch out for Jazz Bear – the team's playful, high-energy mascot, known for wild stunts, silly string attacks, and riding a Harley-Davidson.
Take the 24 Hours of Le Mans format, replace high-end motor vehicles with humans on skis, swap in a scenic setting from Ben and Jerry’s country, and what you’re left with is essentially 24 Hours of Stratton – a fun-for-all-the family overnight adventure in the snows of Vermont.
Usually held in March, the event represents your only chance to ski idyllic Stratton under lighted trails and starry skies right on through to sunrise. You can start a team, join one, or participate as an individual. However you decide to compete, you’ll be helping to raise money for a good cause.
Built in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track, Richmond Raceway has been at the heart of racing in Virginia ever since. In 1953, the 0.75 mile D-shaped track was officially added to the NASCAR Cup series schedule, with all-time great Lee Petty taking the first win here.
In 2018, Richmond went through a multimillion-dollar redevelopment. The major work added a brand new fan experience in the garage area, as well as a fan zone in the infield and a new victory lane. If you’ve ever dreamt of taking on this track from the driving seat of a real race car, check out the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Seafair Weekend is a boating event, air show, and festival all rolled into one. It’s absolutely enormous and a must-do in Seattle over summer. Bringing together live music, delicious food and drink, and various family-friendly activities, you really are spoilt for choice.
Looking to indulge your love for competitive pursuits? This jamboree has got you covered. From triathlons and hydroplane racing to the Milk Carton Derby (pictured), wherever you look there’s someone trying to win a sporting event of some kind.
As soon as fans of West Virginia Mountaineers break out into Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver, you'll be hooked. Based in Morgantown, and representing the local university, the team competes in the Big 12 Conference at NCAA Division I level.
Playing in the distinct combination of 'old gold' and 'light blue,' you'll spot the team and their supporters a mile off. Keep an eye out, too, for the stars of tomorrow. The Mountaineers have a strong history of players going on to play in the NFL.
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? If you were ever going to get a genuine answer to that classic tongue-twister, it would be at the annual Lumberjack World Championships.
Celebrating the skills of the world’s greatest lumberjacks and lumberjills, this famous competition on the shores of Lake Hayward sees athletes face off in events ranging from sawing and chopping to speed climbing, log rolling, boom running, and axe throwing. Just watch out for splinters.
Nothing in the mainland United States epitomizes the fearlessness of youth like the annual Kings and Queens of Corbet’s event at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming. Bringing together the best in skiing and snowboarding, it sees athletes lay down mind-blowing runs on the seriously intimidating Corbet’s Couloir.
Named after local ski instructor Barry Corbet, who first spotted the potential for skiing it in 1960, Corbet’s begins with a significant drop-off and short freefall onto a 45-degree slope. The chute itself is incredibly narrow, requiring precise turns and next-level control. It's for experts only.