Must-Visit Sports Venues in the South
If you are a fan of sports and love to visit their grounds as part of your travels, then a trip to the South is perfect for you. Heading South on your next vacation will enable you to take your pick from some of the United States’ best sporting venues. For sports fans, vacationing in a well-known sporting city allows you to enjoy both the culture and atmosphere of the location, as well as fulfill your love of sport by watching a game (or two!).
Before you book your trip, it is useful to plan when games are happening at the venues. It can be challenging to get tickets for big games, and accommodation in the area may book up fast, so planning and booking as soon as you can is useful. It is also essential to remember to be respectful to the home team when you are a traveling sports fan. No one wants their vacation to get spoiled by unpleasantness. If you want to read a crazy story about sports fans behaving-badly, check out this piece about College Football Fans Poison and Burn Trees. It will completely change how you think about sports fans.
Is baseball your game? Or, how about basketball or the NFL? Whatever sport you are into, you will find plenty of iconic venues in the South to visit. If you need some inspiration for your vacation, check out these must-visit sports venues in the South:
The Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
The Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. This incredible sports venue plays host to the US Masters. The Masters is considered to be the biggest golf tournament in the world. The US Masters at Augusta has been an important tournament in the golfing world since it was introduced in 1934. Each year, the best golfers in the world compete to win the prestigious green jacket. If you get the chance to visit this lush, green golf course, it is well worth the trip.
Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
For some traditional fun, you cannot beat the Kentucky Derby. The Churchill Downs racecourse is a designated National Historic Landmark and an event that horse racing fans have looked forward to since it began way back in 1875. If a day at the races is your thing, then a visit to the Kentucky Derby and adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum is a must.
AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Any NFL fan needs to visit the home of the Dallas Cowboys at least once. AT&T Stadium, a.k.a. the Cowboys Stadium, is an incredible sight and is believed to have cost over $1 billion to construct. This stadium is has the largest seating capacity in the NFL and can host an incredible 105,000 fans.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
If college football is your thing, then you need to take a trip to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to see college football at its very best. The University of Florida’s football team, The Gators, play at this vast arena, which is better known as “The Swamp.” Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was formerly known as “Florida Field” and has been the home field of The Gators since 1930.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, is a sporting venue of epic proportions. This arena is home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been designed with fans in mind, so it offers an incredible experience for spectators. Baseball fans will also want to visit Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona International Speedway is an iconic motorsports venue in Florida. The most famous event hosted at the Daytona International Speedway is the internationally-renowned Daytona 500 NASCAR race. This prestigious event has taken place at the Daytona International Speedway since 1959 and remains incredibly popular to this day. On your visit to the Daytona International Speedway, you can take a tour and learn more about this iconic sporting venue. Ride the open-air tram and take a tour of the speedway; you will even get the chance to stand on the podium! Afterward, check out the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Featured “Atlanta Braves” photo by Ralph Daniel.
