Now that I am officially 28 and I am 3 days from rejoining the work force, I thought I’d end my “summer retirement” with a list of the top 10 sporting events I plan on attending before I die (or before I turn 40)! Note that this bucket list leaves off some worldly events like the FIFA World Cup, the Summer Olympics, and the UEFA European Football Championships, all of which I would clearly like to attend given the opportunity, but I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless! And if any of y’all want to accompany me on any of the sporting events or donate to the Custom 2025 Sports Bucket List fund I’m clearly down LOL …!
1. The Rose Bowl National Championship Game in the new Playoff Era
Sport: College Football
When: January 1st
Location: Pasadena, California
Also known as the Granddaddy of Them All, simply put there is no greater bowl game than the Rose Bowl. Played every year on January 1st since 1902, the Rose Bowl represents college football’s ultimate tradition. With the new era of the BCS changing to a 4-team playoff starting in 2014-15 season, I want to attend the first ever 4-team National Championship played at the Rose Bowl. Let’s hope my Texas Longhorns will be there!
2. The Super Bowl
Sport: Professional Football
When: End of January, Early February
Location: Rotates, but ideally Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Simply put, there is no bigger show in all of American sports, and to be honest, there may not be a better sports day than Super Bowl Sunday! My ideal Super Bowl scenario would clearly be the Houston Texans vs. the Dallas Cowboys in Cowboy Stadium and with the way my Texans are finally trending, I better start saving my money!
Sport: Professional Soccer
When: annually in March or April
Location: Barcelona, Spain or Madrid, Spain
What more can you ask for: the two largest cities in Spain with two of the best teams in the world and two of the best players in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. When Real Madrid and FC Barcelona get together, hundreds of millions of people watch and wait!
Sport: Professional Golf
When: First full week of April
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Otherwise known as “Amen Corner” the 11th, 12th, and 13thholes represent the most treacherous part of the August National Golf Course were Masters have been lost. I’m looking forward to seeing the presentation of the green jacket in person.
5. The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Sport: Thoroughbred Racing
When: First Saturday in May
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Considered the ultimate mark in horse racing, I’m just looking forward to enjoying the pomp and circumstances, partying, and the hats, and the bourbon.
6. The Football League Championship play-offs
Sport: Professional Soccer
When: May
Location: United Kingdom
This is a series of playoff matches that are contested by the teams finishing 3rdthrough 6th in the Football League Championship table. At stake is the final promotion slot into the Barclays Premier League with the winner gaining an approximately £85 million
7. The FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium
Sport: Professional Soccer
When: May
Location: London, England
Where to begin … Well the Football Association (FA) Cup has been held since 1872 and is the oldest association football competition in the world. Secondly, there are no seeds, which allow clubs of all stripes to compete and afford lesser clubs to play the role of “Giant Killer” Lastly, the New Wembley is simply immaculate! It’s as if it’s been erected to the footballing gods! Now in the most ideal situation, it would be Chelsea vs. Manchester United but only time will tell. Plus, do I really need another reason to go back to London? Maybe I do (see #8)
8. The Championships, Wimbledon
Sport: Professional Tennis
When: Late June to early July
Location: Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton, United Kingdom
The oldest tennis tournament in the world Wimbledon is the mark of tradition. Played at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 1877, this grass court tournament is by far the most prestigious of all tennis Grand Slams. Give me some great tennis and some strawberries and cream!
9. The Open Championship
Sport: Professional Golf
When: The weekend of the third Friday in July
Location: Scotland or England
The oldest of the four major championships in professional golf, the Open takes place on a proper links course and has by far one of the best trophies in all of sport … the Claret Jug! If I can choose, I’d love to catch the Open at The Old Course at St. Andrews quite simply because this is one of the oldest golf courses in the entire world and the “home of golf.”
10. The Game
Sport: College Football
When: Last weekend in November
Location: Columbus, Ohio or Ann Arbor, Michigan
In 2006, Ohio State and Michigan entered their final regular season game unbeaten and ranked #1 and #2 respectively. This game was the first game of the 21stCentury to be dubbed the “Game of the Century” and it lived up to the hype with the Buckeyes beating the Wolverines 42-39. Last October, I had the opportunity to finally catch a UM game at the Big House, and let’s just say … I’m trying to do that again real soon and what better game to see than “The Game.”
On an aside, I still believe that Michigan would have won this game had Chad Henne not missed Mario Manningham on an out and up route in the second quarter … D. Bickel, you know what I’m talking about!