A land of great teams and team sports, the United States should be at the top of any sports fan’s bucket list. As an integral part of American culture, Visit the USA features six popular sports in six different states:
Super Bowl – NFL
- Date: February 12, 2023
- Admission: Ticket prices start at EUR 3,500
- Further information is available from the official Ticketmaster sales point: www.ticketmaster.com/superbowl
- Stadt: Glendale, Arizona
- Airport: Phoenix, Arizona
The Super Bowl ihe world’s most-watched sporting event, always held on the first Sunday in February, is so popular it’s a de facto national holiday in the United States. Next year, Super Bowl LVII will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona; a huge stadium that will be packed to the roof with raucous fans. There is plenty of extravagance, such as the halftime show, which always features the biggest and most popular music artists in the world. When the first whistle blows, a game full of excitement begins: touchdowns and field goals, fumbles and interceptions and everything in between.
The pre-game ‘tailgate’ parties, where fans gather by their cars to eat and drink, are also a must. For those who want to experience the magic of an NFL game without paying the high price of admission, check out the Arizona Cardinals when their season begins in October.
Area Attractions: The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, is home to more than 50,000 desert plants on 120 acres. The collections of agaves and cacti are particularly impressive.
NBA All-Star Game – Basketball
- Datum: February 19, 2022
- Admission: Ticket prices start at 680 EUR
- Further information is available at: www.nba.com/jazz/2023-utah-all-star
- City: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Airport: Salt Lake City, Utah
The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. Considered the “best of the best” basketball games, the NBA All-Star Game takes place every February and pits the greatest players of the East against those of the West to celebrate the game’s exceptional talent.
Hollywood stars on the front row, cheerleaders at half-time, and on-court fan experiences like the Jumbotron make basketball an exciting sport, even if you don’t understand all the rules.
Area Attractions: Within a few hours’ drive of Salt Lake City are five national parks and 11 world-class ski resorts, including the hot springs at Yellowstone and the ancient rock dwellings at Mesa Verde.
Kentucky Derby
- Date: May 6, 2023
- Admission: Tickets usually start at €45
- Further information is available at: www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets
- Stadt: Louisville, Kentucky
- Flughafen: Lexington, Kentucky
Known as the “fastest two minutes in sport,” the Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States. Held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday of May every year since 1875, it’s more than just a horse race for the Derby’s (as it’s called by locals) 155,000-goers – it’s a week-long festival. On Friday, Churchill Downs hosts the Kentucky Oaks race, followed by an evening of partying in Louisville’s ballrooms, mansions and bars, many of which stay open all night over Derby weekend. Another full day of racing is on the agenda at Churchill Downs on Saturday, with the main event at 18:30.
Local Attractions: Less than an hour’s drive from Louisville, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown is a must for any bourbon lover. The tour of the family-run estate ends with an extensive tasting. A tour with “Whiskey Jean” is particularly recommended.
U.S. Open – Golf
- Date: June 12-18, 2023
- Admission: Tickets usually start at €135
- Further information is available at: www.usopen.com/
- SCity: Los Angeles, California
- Airport: Los Angeles, California
The US Open Championships will be held next year at one of the toughest courses in the country, the Los Angeles Country Club. Even the world’s best golfers struggle to get a good score at the challenging facility, making the tournament arguably the most demanding major in golf. The US Open is played over four days in the summer, with the final round falling on the third Sunday in June, which coincides with Father’s Day in the US. The field of participants consists of the 60 best golfers in the world and all current major winners. The remaining courses are available to all professional golfers who have successfully participated in various qualifying tournaments, as well as some leading amateurs. The US Open offers the spectators a very special experience: The Spectator Square is the central point with gastronomic supply, shops and photo booths. There will also be autograph sessions and activities where fans can work on their swing with a pro and compare it to tournament players.
Attractions in the area: The newly opened Academy Awards Museum in Los Angeles is worth a visit. The varied exhibitions and programs bring the world of film to life. July
All-Star – Baseball
- Period: July 2023
- Admission: Tickets usually start at €17
- For more information on the schedule and ticket booking, go to: www.mlb.com
- Stadt: Seattle, Washington
- Flughafen: Seattle, Washington
Baseball is America’s national pastime, and Major League Baseball is perfect for a summer vacation as the season runs from April through October. Seattle Mariners’ T-Mobile Park will host All-Star Week in 2023, with participating players selected by fan votes. T-Mobile Park is considered one of the most beautiful parks in MLB. The stadium offers exceptional views of the Seattle skyline, and there shouldn’t be a bad seat.
A special tradition has been maintained at Mariners games for decades: the song “Louie Louie” is played after the baseball anthem “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” – which is always sung in the middle of the seventh inning of an MLB game.
What to see in the area: Seattle is famous for its coffee culture and is home to Starbucks. A tour of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery includes a tasting of the world-renowned coffee brand.
U.S. Open – Tennis
- Period: September 2023
- Admission: Tickets usually start at €35
- Further information is available at: www.usopen.org/
- Stadt: New York City, NY
- Airport: New York City, NY
The last of the four tennis majors, the US Open is held each year in late August and early September at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York City. 128 of the world’s best tennis players from around the globe qualify for the individual title fights and there are no second chances. The stakes couldn’t be higher as all reputation rests with the majors and accordingly the ball game is of the highest quality. The mix of fans in the stands is as diverse as the players on the pitch, with people coming from all over the world to cheer on their favourites.
Area Attractions: Queens’ culinary delights are best enjoyed on a Culinary Backstreets food tour, which winds down the avenues of New York City’s largest and most diverse borough.
More information about the USA at: www.visittheusa.de (red)
