5 Of America’s Best Cities (That Also Happen To Have Great Sports Teams)
Who isn't looking for a reason to get away?
Photo: Instagram/Nashvilletn - FirstBank Amphitheater
We’ve taken out the obvious choice for sports cities in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Chicago and given you a few new places to add to your must-see travel list.
*Books flights,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Denver
With over 300 days of sunshine, Denver is an obvious choice. Sure they have the Denver Broncos (NFL – National Football League), Denver Nuggets (NBA – National Basketball Association), Colorado Avalanche (NHL – National Hockey League) and Colorado Rockies (MLB – Major League Baseball) but did you know they have over 150 breweries in the metro area? You can take in a concert at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre if you’re not into sports or venture into the mountains for some hiking, skiing or our favorite, après-ski. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
Seattle
If the Pike’s Place Market area, the original Starbucks or taking in the views from the top of the Space Needle isn’t enough to drive you to check out Seattle, how about a little sports action? Seattle is the home to the newest NHL team, the Seattle Kraken, that will begin their inaugural season this fall. If hockey isn’t your thing, they have the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Storm (WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association), Sounders (MLS – Major League Soccer), OL Reign (NWSL – National Women’s Soccer League) and the Mariners (MLB). The Mariners have the longest playoff drought in baseball, so maybe you can bring them some good luck (or at least enjoy the outdoors with a cold beer and some popcorn). HEY BATTER BATTER
Nashville
If Nashville is on your travel list, you’re not the only one. The music city ranks high on the list of most-desired domestic destinations in 2021. If you like football, food and music – you’re in luck. You can catch a Tennessee Titans (NFL) game and then wander over to the Country Music Hall of Fame or to Lower Broadway to take in some of the best live music you’ve ever heard. The city is booming, with over 22 new restaurants opening thus far in 2021, which will be great to grab a bite before a Nashville Predators (NHL) or Nashville SC (MLS) game. VOLUNTEER TO VISIT
Las Vegas
The newest blossoming sports city also happens to be the entertainment capital of the world. So if you’re not into catching a Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) or Aces (WNBA) game or checking out the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) in their brand new stadium, there are plenty of options of things to do. While we all know the Las Vegas Strip is what keeps people coming back to Vegas, did you know that there’s excellent hiking at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and a world-class Mob Museum with a speakeasy in the basement? Oh, and they have 280 non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 152 destinations in nine countries, so it’s easy to get there. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Tampa Bay
While you may think of the beaches, Tampa Bay has cemented its status as an elite sports city over the past few years. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, won the Super Bowl (NFL) in 2021. Not to be outdone, the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships. The Rays (MLB) were World Series runners-up in 2020, and the Toronto Raptors (NBA) called Tampa home during COVID because they were prohibited from traveling in and out of Canada. A PLACE TO CALL HOME
An Epic Weekend Is On Deck
Master the Masters, something’s fishy in Nashville and golf clap for Natty Ice.
We don’t throw the word epic around often but between playoffs, the Masters and the premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones, it’s going to be an epic weekend.
Stock up the wine fridge,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION)
Natural Light is showing off its classy side, giving away a year’s worth of beer for every birdie made during the Masters on Sunday. All you have to do is use #sweepstakes or #BirdieLight on Twitter and you’re entered to win. And in case you’re not into golf speak, a birdie is one shot under par. Ex. – On a par 3, it would take two shots to get the ball in the hole for a birdie. NATTY LIGHT = YOUTHFUL INDISCRETIONS
If all the business deals happen on the golf course, then you better step up your game and read our 5 Things Even Golfers Don’t Know About The Masters. MASTERING THE MASTERS
OVERTIME
When you win as many Super Bowls as Tom Brady, challenges arise. They might include high expectations from fans or the fact that you might run out of fingers for your Super Bowl rings. Another unforeseen problem? Confetti still in your helmet two months later. Brady posted a video yesterday of him pulling Super Bowl confetti out of his helmet before practice. WE’RE JUST HAPPY TO FIND $5 IN OUR COAT POCKET
SIDELINE STAT
The Baltimore Orioles’ (MLB – Major League Baseball) Chris Davis is in need of a serious slump buster. He’s making baseball history for all the wrong reasons. The poor guy hasn’t had a hit since September 14, 2018. To make the pressure even worse, local Baltimore establishments are offering free food and drinks whenever he does get a hit. (He’s 0-53 but it has to happen at some point, right)? HITS FOR HOT DOGS
COACHES' CORNER
The NBA (National Basketball Association) playoffs tipoff on Saturday (Golden State Warriors are the favorite to win it all). But the NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs are in full swing, and something’s fishy with the Nashville Predators. It’s an odd tradition (although aren’t most traditions odd)? for Preds fans to throw catfish on the ice. PETA isn’t having it and wants any fan who flings a fish to be banned from the arena for life and receive a $5,000 fine. They handed out free catfish squeeze balls featuring the message "Respect Animals" at Wednesday’s game. SMART MOVE - SQUEEZE BALLS WILL PROBABLY FLY FURTHER
WHAT TO WATCH
The biggest TV event on Sunday isn’t the final round of the Masters, but the start of the final season of the Game of Thrones. If fantasy sports aren’t your thing, you can join this GoT fantasy league. Yes, there’s a draft and everything. DRAFTING DRAGONS
Show ‘Em What You Got
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Brains > brawn,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
When all you gave mom was a gift certificate. It was an extra special Mother’s Day for Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers. His parents, who live in the Dominican Republic, flew in to see their son pitch in the minor leagues when he received the call that he was needed on the big club. On Sunday, Peralta started his first major league game with his parents right there in the stands to witness his historic start. WATCH
NHL (National Hockey League)
When you have two good options. Nashville Predators super fan, Carrie Underwood, offered to sing the national anthem at a Vegas Golden Knights playoff game since her team is no longer in the playoffs. (Husband Mike Fisher plays for the Predators). The Golden Knights, like many hockey teams, have a dedicated anthem singer so they politely declined the generous offer. HIT THE HIGH NOTE
Overtime
From the "this really exists file." A Boston University student set the record for joggling - jogging while juggling. He ran a four minute, 43.2 second mile while juggling three lacrosse balls. We can’t even walk and chew gum at the same time. NOW THAT'S TALENT
Sideline stat
Golfer Jason Dufner’s golf ball is too good for its home. Yesterday in the final round of the Players Championship, his poor putting cost him $726,000 in prize money when he missed out on a second place finish. Seems like it would be cheaper to hire a putting coach? READ
Coaches’ corner
Some European soccer leagues have what is called relegation. Relegation is basically keeping the league competitive by demoting the worst teams in the highest division to a lower division and promoting the best in the lower division. (Think sending the Los Angeles Dodgers team down to play in the minor leagues and bringing a minor league team up).
In the German Bundesliga (the German soccer league), Hamburg was relegated and the fans weren’t happy. They weren’t going down without a fight and in protest tried to burn down the stadium. That’ll show them. FEELING HOT HOT HOT