Sports fans take note, because here is our list of the best cities around the world to attend a live event. Whether you are a cricket, rugby, football (both kinds) or tennis enthusiast, we’ve got you covered. And if you’ve got more than one sporting passion, some of these cities contain multiple arenas within a stone’s throw of each other.
Arlington, Texas
They say that everything is bigger in Texas and that certainly rings true at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. American football finds its truest fans in the Alamo State, and this stadium demonstrates its commitment to the sport. When the Cowboys moved from Irving to Arlington in 2009, a whopping $1.15 billion went towards creating the colossal AT&T Stadium. The arena is among the largest domed stadiums in the world and has a capacity of up to 100,000. Splash out on a pitchside luxury suite or stand on the feverish balcony. A giant 175-foot hanging screen makes sure you’ll be able to rewatch touchdowns and sacks from anywhere. There’s even an art gallery dedicated to the Cowboys NFL heritage.
If football isn’t your thing, or you come in the off-season, enjoy a concert or performance in the stadium's cavernous space (upcoming performers include superstars like Beyonce and Taylor Swift). Or slip over to the other side of Johnson Creek is the Globe Life Field, home to the Texas Rangers MBL team, and enjoy Texas' second-favorite sport.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Argentina capital is home to one of the world’s highest concentration of the other kind of football (aka soccer) clubs. When derby day comes around the city’s neighborhoods explode into a riot of colors and chanting. Football is a backbone of Argentine culture and come game day all the worries of fans are forgotten as the hinchas (fans) cheer on their heroes for 90 minutes. Boca Juniors and River Plate battle out the Superclasico, but other games worthy of mention are Independiente v Racing Club, Huracan v San Lorenzo and All Boys v Argentinos Juniors.
Purchasing tickets at the stadiums isn’t straightforward here for visitors, so you are better off going on an organized tour with a guide, transport and guaranteed admission.
Kolkata, India
Indians love to play and watch cricket and the 66,000-capacity Eden Gardens is a true icon of the game. Just like the city of Kolkata itself, the atmosphere here is frenzied and boisterous. The stadium hosts Indian Premier League matches, international matches and has been a venue for the ICC Cricket World Cup. Don’t miss the 4-story mural that celebrates India’s cricket history throughout the years.
Tickets are usually affordable and easy to acquire either at the stadium’s ticket office or via the Indian Premier League website.
London, England
With iconic cricket, rugby, football and tennis arenas, London is not only one of the best cities in the world, it is one of the most emblematic sporting destinations. Head to Wembley Stadium to watch England’s international football matches, the FA Cup Final, NFL games and boxing events. Get blown away by 82,000 rugby fans bellowing 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' at the top of their voices at Twickenham Stadium. Watch the Middlesex and England cricket teams in action at Lord's Cricket Ground or enjoy strawberries and cream while cheering on the planet’s biggest tennis stars at Wimbledon.
Special mention should also go to the city’s dozen or so professional football clubs, six of which currently compete in the Premier League. Watching a match in a pub with a pint of real ale in hand can be as exciting as visiting the stadiums themselves.
Madrid, Spain
Photo by Vienna Reyes
There are many reasons to add Madrid to your must-visit destinations and among them should be the chance to watch either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in action. Both have star-studded teams and are regular high-flyers in La Liga and the Champions League. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the new Wanda Metropolitano are true coliseums of soccer that offer excellent game day experiences. Tickets are easy to purchase via the club’s websites and both stadiums are accessible by the subway.
For something completely different and glimpse into ancient Spanish heritage, the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas bullring hosts bullfights as it has done since the 1920s.
Melbourne, Australia
Similar to London, Melbourne is a multi-sports paradise home to iconic arenas. Even better for sports fans is that the best stadiums are set within a compact area on the north bank of the Yarra River. Melbourne Park is the place to be in January for the Australian Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments that make up the Grand Slam. Get your football and rugby league fix at the 30,000-all seated [AAMI Park]AAMI Park.
Dwarfing them all though is the enormous Melbourne Cricket Ground. This 100,000-capacity stadium is Australia’s largest and used for club and international cricket in addition to Australian football.
São Paulo, Brazil
Brazilians are as fanatical as anyone about soccer and, although you might think of Rio de Janeiro as the obvious choice, São Paulo is in fact where the biggest clubs and rivalries are located. Two of Brazil’s oldest clubs, Corinthians and Palmeiras, have been battling for supremacy in the Derby Paulista for over a century. Things are notably animated when the game is held at the Pacaembu Stadium. Expect flags that cover entire stands, flares, ticker tape, samba beats and non-stop singing. Tickets go on sale via the club’s websites and ticket offices but if you can’t make it than you can always go on a stadium tour.
Wellington, New Zealand
Cricket and rugby vie for the honor of being the nation’s favorite sport and if you are visiting Wellington you’ll find great stadiums for both. Head over to the Basin Reserve Stadium for domestic and international cricket matches. Part of the stadium’s beauty is that about half of the seating area is just a sloping grass bank. There’s even a heritage-listed memorial to city founder William Wakefield inside the stadium. If you prefer sports played with a larger, oval-shaped ball then check the schedule for rugby league fixtures at the Westpac Stadium.
