The Most Unmissable US Sporting Events

You may have your favourite team or like to keep your betting to just one sport, but with so much sporting action every year, it would be a shame not to mix it up once in a while. For sheer spectacle, excitement and the chance to place a wager on a winner, we take a look at some of the most unmissable US sporting events that stand out amongst all the USA leagues dominating sports. 

Super Bowl

This clash of the football titans is the most-watched US sporting event. As the championship final for the NFL, the beauty of the Super Bowl is that it’s held at a different venue in January each year, taking the glitz, glamour and sheer sporting prowess out to its fans. And it offers a remarkable spectacle for its audiences, with around 99.9 million global viewers tuning in to watch this year’s final at Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium. While the centrepiece of the Super Bowl is the action out on the field, you also get a week-long event, which includes live concerts, parties and shows. The Super Bowl’s half-time show is also legendary, with the likes of Jenifer Lopez, Beyonce and Michael Jackson on the roll call of stars who entertained the vast crowds. 

The Kentucky Derby

Held at Louisville’s Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby is widely considered to be the greatest horse race in the world. Run over a short course – 1.25 miles – the Derby is an exciting, explosive race, taking its world-class runners and riders just two minutes to complete. And it also offers one of the racing world’s biggest prizes of $1.8 million. Dating back to 1875, the Derby is seen as the pinnacle of the American racing calendar and is part of the famous Triple Crown, alongside the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. But what makes the Kentucky Derby special is its traditions, including the winning horse crowned with a blanket of flowers, as well as the chance to dress up, place a trackside stake and sip a mint tulip to celebrate your winnings! 

US Open

Held at Flushing Meadows in New York, the US Open is part of the tennis world’s prestigious ‘Grand Slam’, alongside the French Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. The final tournament in the series, the US Open is held every August-September and as an event, dates back to 1881, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. The combination of New York City and the world’s top tennis players make the US Open unmissable, with the 2019 tournament breaking its attendance record. More than 850,000 spectators watched the court action live over the three weeks, while TV audiences topped 31.7 million worldwide.  Played on hard courts, the US Open has helped to make the careers of many of the world’s tennis greats, including Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Chris Evert and Serena Williams. 

Indianapolis 500

The must-watch event in the US motor racing calendar, the Indy 500 dates back over 100 years and is one of the world’s most famous car races. The race also has one of the world’s largest spectator numbers, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway stadium boasting a seating capacity of over 235,000. Add in the option for in-field seating and the spectator capacity can be increased to over 300,000! For sheer thrills and an atmosphere that needs to be experienced, the Indy 500 is unmissable and is the culmination of a week-long racing event. The final race sees 33 cars run 200 laps of the circuit; the equivalent of 500 miles, with the winner drinking the traditional milk, before pocketing around $2.5 million – one of the biggest single prizes in sport.