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
Good To Great
The NBA bubble looks like a frat party, the football team who said never is making a change and you can be a part of the hockey playoffs.
Sports news you can use.
Like a boss,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In case you’re wondering, life inside the NBA “bubble” at Disney World looks a bit like a millionaire sleepover. Teams are hunkered down as they prepare for the season to restart. Life on the inside includes golf, fishing, video games, regular COVID tests and shotgunning beers for retweets. Other big news in the basketball world is the suspension of ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski after he responded to a senator via email with “F-You.” Players are speaking out on his behalf so maybe that’ll help him get reinstated sooner. BLAME AUTOCORRECT?
Overtime
After decades of a lot of talk, the Washington Redskins have decided that now is the time for action. The team, who previously said they’ll never change their name, announced that they will be changing the team’s name in the next few days. This change comes after big sponsors like FedEx (the dollars behind their home stadium – FedExField), PepsiCo and Nike asked them to change their name. NEVER SAY NEVER
Sideline stat
You might remember that Wimbledon had an insurance policy that paid them out $141M when they cancelled the tournament for COVID reasons – the first time they cancelled the tournament since WWII. Well they’re using that money to pay out over $12.7M to the 620 players who would’ve qualified for the famed tennis tournament but never had a chance to compete for the prize money. PAYING IT FORWARD
Coaches’ corner
The NHL (National Hockey League) will return to the ice on August 1 but without fans. To combat the sounds of playing in an empty arena, the NHL has enlisted the teams’ season ticket holders. They’ve asked them to submit a 30-second audio recording of them cheering their team along. Those clips will then be played in the arena and on the broadcast to fill the crowd-free silence. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
A glance at the week ahead
July 15 - NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) All-Star Race
July 16 - The Memorial Tournament (A BFD because it's Tiger's return to golf)
July 18 - Start of the Major League Lacrosse Season
Rosé All Day
You only have one chance at a first impression, so this weekend put your sports know how to work to leave a lasting one.
You only have one chance at a first impression, so this weekend put your sports know how to work to leave a lasting one.
We’ll raise our glass to that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NHL (National Hockey League)
When the unthinkable happens. The Washington Capitals are NHL Champions. The team, which capitalized on a 3-1 lead in the series against the Vegas Golden Knights, hoisted the Stanley Cup last night for the first time in franchise history. The playoff MVP and one of hockey’s best Alex Ovechkin, helped break the 44-year curse for the Washington, D.C. franchise. MAKING HISTORY
Overtime
Things are looking rosy for the nation’s capital. Not only did the city win its first Stanley Cup but now the Washington Nationals (MLB – Major League Baseball) are celebrating tomorrow’s National Rosé Day in a big way. They’ll be serving frosé (of course) at a pop-up rosé garden. Fans can also buy tickets in the special “Rosé All Gameday” section and receive a can of rosé with their ticket purchase. CHEERS TO THAT
Sideline stat
In case you needed another reason to don a big hat and drink rosé tomorrow, Justify will take the track at the Belmont Stakes hoping to become the lucky 13th winner of the rarest feat in sports, the Triple Crown. He would be only the second horse to win the Triple Crown in 40 years. (American Pharaoh won in 2015). GO PONIES GO!
Coaches’ corner
Golden State Warriors fans are about to go loco and it’s not only because their team is one win away from winning another NBA (National Basketball Association) championship. Thanks to the Warriors win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road earlier this week, everyone in America will get free Doritos Locos Tacos from Taco Bell on June 13th. That being said, the two teams play tonight in a do or die situation for King James and his Cavs. HITTING THE HARDWOOD
What to watch
Last year’s U.S. Open Champion, American Sloane Stephens, is eying a win at yet another grand slam tournament, the French Open. She will take on #1 world ranked Simona Halep tomorrow for the French Open title. (The men's final will take place on Sunday with the semifinals being played today. Follow us on Twitter to find out the final round matchup). HOW TO WATCH