Three American States That Are Perfect For Sports Fans
Travelers visit destinations for a myriad of reasons. Some people love nothing more than lazing around on a beach and sipping cocktails until the sun goes down. Others prefer immersing themselves in a new culture, enjoying foods and experiences far away from their hometown. Some nomads travel far and wide, hoping to soak up the atmosphere of elite-level sports. Where better than the United States of America if you fall into that last category?
Sports are an important part of the United States culture. Indeed, many suggest that sports make up the very fabric of what makes America what it is. American Football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey are the four most popular sports in the U.S., each with a dedicated top-tier competition. American Football’s National Football League (NFL) is broadcast worldwide and is the most profitable sports league in the world, with annual revenue tipping the scales at an astronomical $16 billion. All the “big four” sports are well-attended throughout their respective seasons, and the atmosphere at those games is electric. If you ever find yourself in North America and fancy a sporting event experience like nowhere else on Earth, you could do much worse than stopping off at the following trio of states.
“The Sunshine State” of Florida
Ask any non-American to name one of the 50 states, and almost all will announce Florida. Known as “The Sunshine State,” for obvious reasons, Florida is an extremely popular destination with Americans and holidaymakers globally. As its nickname suggests, Florida enjoys more than its fair share of sunshine, meaning great weather is all but guaranteed all year round. Of course, Florida is best known for Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and the world-famous Miami Beach. Still, it is not surprising to discover why the best online betting sites for Florida residents are booming when you see the plethora of top-tier sports franchises located within state borders.
Florida has been the home to a permanent major-league professional sports team since 1966. Since then, several teams have set up camp in the Florida sun. Today, Florida has two MLB teams, two MLS teams, two NBA franchises, a pair of NHL outfits, and three NFL teams. If a sports-related holiday is on the cards, Florida is the place to go.
The Miami Dolphins were the first major-league professional sports franchises to set up in Florida and are the most famous of all the Floridian teams. They play out of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and often see attendances of more than 64,000. You may have also seen the stadium feature in the background of the Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 race in May 2023, and you will definitely see it if you are a soccer fan because several FIFA World Cup 2026 games are scheduled to play there.
“The Golden State” of California
Like Florida, the Golden State of California is world-renowned for its fantastic weather, which makes it a holiday hotspot in the United States. California is nothing short of massive. Indeed, it is the third-largest state by area and the most populous in the country, with almost 32 million residents. Of course, California is where you find Hollywood, the home of the U.S. film industry’s big five film studios. Beverly Hills is located relatively near Hollywood, and we would suggest heading here if you wish to catch a glimpse of your favorite A-lister because the ultra-exclusive area is where several movie stars call home.
Unsurprisingly, with California being so vast, there are more major professional sports league franchises in the Golden State than in any other state. There are 19 such teams at the last count, with more waiting in the pipeline. Owners of Californian sports teams often invest heavily into their products because they know they can recoup those investments thanks to the enormous potential for attracting fans and supporters. That large-scale investment is why some of America’s most popular and successful teams hail from California.
NFL fans can watch the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and the San Francisco 49ers in action. At the same time, baseball enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants littered around the state.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA are the state’s most famous team. The Lakers are one of the most successful sports teams, period. With 17 championships (tied with the Boston Celtics), 19 conference titles, and 33 divisional titles, hardly anyone can hold a flame to the Lakers.
They play out of the Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center, a multi-purpose venue that they share with the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA and the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL.
“The Empire State” of New York
New York, New York, so good they named it twice, or at least that is how the song goes. The Empire State may only be the 27th largest state by area, but it is the fourth-most populous, with 19.6 million residents. New York is often described as the financial capital of the world, is known as the “City That Never Sleeps,” and is home to the world-famous Broadway theatre district.
You find some of North American sports’ most prominent names in New York. The Buffalo Bills of the NFL play within New York state borders, but strangely, the New York Giants and New York Jets do not. They once competed in New York City but now share a stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a short journey away.
The most famous New York-based sports franchise is undoubtedly the New York Yankees of the MLB. You can travel anywhere in the world and are almost guaranteed to see someone sporting a Yankees baseball cap! With 27 World Series titles, the Yankees are the most successful baseball team by far.
Although the Yankee Stadium has undergone a vast transformation from the original home of the Yankees’ most successful period, there is still something magical about being part of more than 46,000 adoring fans on a warm summer’s day.
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