Sports; we love them. The energy and the rush of the game have us on the edge of our seats, but the collective love of the game unites us as fans and brings us closer together in the process. At the end of the day, that is what sports are all about; the uniting of people from all different backgrounds and creeds, as they all take in their favorite sport.
In saying that, there are certain sports events that have an “it” factor over all the others. Today, I’ll be listing some sports games that are on my bucket list; ones that I feel I need to say at least once in my life before my time on earth is over. So, in saying that let’s jump right into it and see what’s on the table.
Knicks Live at MSG
Recently I took a trip to New York City. It was my first time in the Big Apple, and I fell in love with the city instantly. The energy was encapsulating, the people were all one-in-a-million, and the overall spirit of the city drew me in. One night I was walking by Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers just so happened to be playing. The energy from inside the arena was vibrating all the way to the outside of the Garden, and boy was it something.
I know how seriously Knicks fans take their basketball, so that is why seeing the Knicks live, upfront and in person is a must for me. New York City is the greatest city in the world, and I’d love to see a Knicks game next season (preferably when Atlanta’s in town).
Red Sox VS Yankees at Fenway
The oldest and most storied rivalry in MLB history is a must-watch game for me heading forward. New York loves their teams, and I wouldn’t mind watching a Subway Series game either, but something about catching a game at Fenway Park in the summertime seems really poetic and beautiful to me. The fans in Boston take their love of the Red Sox to another level; it’s a religion at this point.
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Why wouldn’t you want to be in the same city as the Green Monster, watching two of the greatest teams of all time go head-to-head in a showdown that has a hundred years of history behind it? Sounds like nothing but a good time to me!
Bears Vs Lions on Thanksgiving
Although these two teams aren’t that competitive at the moment, the tradition and the culture surrounding this game definitely have a certain allure for me. I’m not sure just exactly what it is, but I’ve always loved the way Americans celebrate Thanksgiving compared to Canadians, and in my opinion, what better way to spend Thanksgiving than catching an epic football game.
Sure, these two teams may not be the greatest in terms of talent at the moment, but the tradition and the history behind the rivalry are what ultimately counts, and I’m all in!
March Madness Game
Having recently gotten into college basketball, I’ve added a March Madness game to my bucket list. I’d preferably like to see my favorite team, UNC, play, but if it’s a school I’m familiar with (Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Villanova) I’d find that cool as well. Something about all the games being do-or-die adds a certain mystique to the game. I can’t explain it, but I’d love to experience it.
Habs VS Bruins at the Bell Centre
I have been blessed to have been born in the greatest hockey city in the world, with the best NHL fanbase in it as well. Stats don’t lie; even when the Habs are losing the Bell Centre is continuously sold out, and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets to their showdowns against the Bruins, boy, you’re in for a treat.
I’ve had the honor to catch three of these games live and, wow, just wow. Those are my only words for it. The atmosphere is electric, the players are skating as if it’s a playoff game, and everyone is on edge and at the point of no return. This game will turn any introvert into an extrovert, and hopefully, you’ll be jumping for joy when the Habs score. If you’re ever in Montreal and have the chance to attend, please do, you will not be going wrong.
Manchester Derby
No one does football like the English; that’s just a fact. Although Manchester United is no longer the global superpower it used to be when Sir Alex Ferguson was behind the bench, they are still quite competitive. Their Manchester counterparts have dominated the Premier League in past years, and have been dominating this season as well.
If there’s one football game I’d want to watch in my lifetime, it’s this one. The divide between the fan base can be felt through the television, so I could just imagine how it is in person. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
What are some of your “bucket-list” sports events? Let me know in the comments below!