Sports have a way of uniting people from all over the world and the hottest ticket in town is often the Olympics. It’s more than just a sporting event; it’s a chance for cities to showcase their culture and spark healthy competition between rival countries.
Other great international sporting events include the Super Bowl, World Series and Wimbledon.
1. Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and should be on every sports fan’s bucket list. You can’t replicate the experience of being at a Super Bowl – it’s an electric atmosphere, with top music performers providing halftime entertainment.
Plus, you get to see the best of American and international football and all the kitted-out fans (from the yell-at-the-screen fanatics to the guy who’s spent all year saving his pennies for a ticket). Don’t forget to check out the witty advertisements too!
2. World Series
Armchair sports fans may be able to enjoy their favorite teams and athletes from the comfort of their sofas, but real fans know that there’s nothing like experiencing an elite sporting event in person. Whether it’s a World Series game at Fenway Park or watching Serena Williams clinch her next Grand Slam, these international events are the best-in-class and can’t be missed by true sports enthusiasts.
The World Series is baseball’s postseason play-off series featuring the champions of the American and National Leagues. This famous competition has seen plenty of dramatic moments, including an over-the-shoulder catch by the New York Mets’ Reggie Jackson and a roof-raising home run by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kirk Gibson in 1988.
3. College Football Playoffs
Taking place in January, the College Football Playoffs replaces an outdated system of postseason bowl games. It features the top four teams in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision competing for the national championship.
There is nothing quite like seeing big time college football teams battle it out on the gridiron. From big hits to long passes, the playoffs are a thrill to watch. They take place around New Year’s and are sure to attract massive ratings. This makes it a must for any sports fan! The stadium is home to the UT Permian Basin Statesmen.
4. March Madness
There is something truly thrilling about watching a buzzer beater or a game-winning shot. The drama of March Madness makes it one of the most exciting sports events to attend in the United States.
This is a single elimination tournament that features 68 college teams competing in a bracket style battle. Unlike many other sporting events that feature multiple rounds, each game is high stakes and forces teams to leave it all on the line. The result is an adrenaline pumping experience for fans that is unlike any other.
5. FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is the quadrennial tournament that crowns the world champion of men’s soccer. It’s the sport’s biggest event, drawing billions of television viewers every tournament.
The event is held in the birthplace of the game every four years and features international sectional tournaments that thin out the field to a final elimination competition with 32 national teams. Unlike Olympic soccer, World Cup teams are not limited by age or amateur status.
The competition is the biggest in football, with qualification beginning almost three years in advance.
6. Olympics
The Olympics are a thrilling event that brings together athletes from around the world every four years. Watching this sporting spectacle in the host city can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you’re a true thrill seeker, try out skydiving, where you jump from high-up locations and freefall until your parachute opens. Alternatively, take on rock climbing, which tests your strength and endurance with cliffs and rocks.
Another daredevil extreme sport is bungee jumping. This is an exhilarating adventure, and the views you can see are breathtaking!
7. Volcano Boarding
Volcano boarding is one of the most thrilling sports in the world. Also known as volcano surfing and ash boarding, it involves riding down a volcanic slope on a wooden board.
The craziest place for volcano boarding is Cerro Negro, near Leon, Nicaragua. This bustling city is known for its colonial buildings and beautiful churches, but the main reason people visit is to experience volcano boarding.
The sport isn’t for the faint of heart – participants must hike up the mountain and carry a 15-pound plywood board. But it’s an exhilarating ride that can reach speeds of up to 60 mph!
8. Running of the Bulls
Seeing the top players from around the world compete in one of the most thrilling sports events is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s also an opportunity to see a different country and experience its culture firsthand.
The Running of the Bulls is the most prominent event during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. Though it is known as a dangerous and bloody event, bulls are respected for their strength and power. Ernest Hemingway even praised the animals in his novel The Sun Also Rises. The thrill of watching the run only lasts four to five minutes, but it will leave you on the edge of your seat!
9. Tour de France
The Tour de France is the most famous and challenging cycling competition in the world. Every July, top professional cyclists race through France and other countries in three weeks of 20 daylong stages.
The races can be dangerous, even deadly. The 1903 Tour de France winner, Maurice Garin, died on a mountain. Overexuberant fans have also caused crashes, especially on narrow roads.
The Olympics are a thrilling experience for sports fans. Watching the best athletes compete is a once-in-a-lifetime event. The Olympics are a spectacle that draws crowds and attention from around the world.
10. World Cup Soccer
The World Cup, also known as FIFA World Cup, is the most important international soccer tournament. It is held every four years and features men’s national teams competing to be crowned world champions.
This year’s World Cup is taking place in Qatar. The tournament kicks off on November 20 and is sure to draw billions of viewers worldwide.
According to our recent survey, 4 in 5 self-identified soccer fans say they are very or somewhat likely to watch this year’s World Cup. That’s a big number, and one that should make America’s team cheer if they can pull off a good showing.
