One of the most exciting ways to discover a city or country is to engage in the local sporting craze. With this in mind, here are some of the best places to catch an unforgettable match and enhance your travelling experience.
1. Ice Hockey in Canada: It’s embarrassing for me to confess that I live in Montreal and I am not a die-hard fan of our local NHL team the Montreal Canadiens. Even so, I have to admit that the atmosphere at matches are unparalleled to anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. Tickets can be hard to come by but it’s definitely worth the effort.
2. Cricket in India: This sport is serious business for Indians. Forget the ice rinks or baseball diamonds, the local parks are filled with recreational cricket players having a good time. If you have the opportunity to test your skills with some locals, do it! It’s just so much fun and easy to get into. If you plan on attending a match, be warned they can last days!
3. American Football in the USA: I love football for the tailgating prior to the start of a match more than the match itself. Nevertheless, the pack stadiums, marching bands, and cheerleaders make it good fun even if you have no clue about the rules. Plus, you can make unexpected friends with your neighbours while cheering on whatever team is winning. NFL tickets can be expensive, so don’t be afraid of checking out the local college teams. They are just as talented.
4. Soccer or ‘Football’ in Italy: To be fair catching a professional soccer match in a number of European countries (think Spain, England) is probably the closest thing to a religious experience one may have. The players are über talented, and their fans are rowdy with an unparalleled devotion to their favourite teams.
5. Rugby in New Zealand: Rugby players command respect for the intensity they bring to the pitch. A rugby match is not for the faint hearted since you may witness one or two broken bones, but the level of athleticism is remarkable and the fans that turn up are just as invested in the outcomes of the match. The All Blacks (New Zealand’s national team) are one, if not the best, the sport has to offer so you are definitely in for a treat.
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6. Field Hockey in Australia: I added this one in because Field hockey is my pet sport having played during my years in high school. It is not immensely popular in Canada but I’ve discovered that it has a higher profile ‘down under’. So if you are fan like I am, definitely scope out some local teams in the Australian Hockey League.
