Sport in the USA: The most popular sports – and where to witness them

In the USA, sport is more than just entertainment.

It is a huge part of daily life for many and brings people together across ages and backgrounds.

Four of the largest sports leagues – football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey – are among the most popular in the country and have been unofficially dubbed ‘The Big Four’.

When you visit major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York, you’ll quickly notice how sport plays an essential part in the local community, as people gather at stadiums, in the streets, or at sports bars.

More than just a game

Sport is a robust part of American culture. It’s a way to show pride in your city or team, and it’s an activity that unites people. Sport serves as a gathering point for both families and friends, whether it’s for major events like the Super Bowl or local matches at stadiums.

If you stroll through neighbourhoods in the USA, you’ll often find gardens or living rooms bustling with people on days when a match is on. There’s a tradition of inviting friends and family over when the local team is playing, making a special day of it with great food and drinks.

Sport accompanies Americans through all stages of life. Many sports in the USA have leagues at both college and university levels, which can sometimes be almost as popular as the professional leagues. For many young people, it’s a dream to become part of a school or university sports team, opening doors to a career in professional sport. College games attract large crowds, especially in sports like American football and basketball, where the atmosphere rivals that of professional matches.

As a traveller, you can also absorb this atmosphere and understand why sport holds such significance for Americans.

Stadium or sports bars – where to watch sport in the USA

When you travel to the USA, you’ll find that Americans watch sport in many ways.

If you wish to experience sport as a traveller without shelling out for tickets, you can head to sports bars across the states. Particularly in cities with a sports team, these bars will be buzzing with energetic fans cheering on the home team via big screens while enjoying a cold beer and good food.

The ultimate way to experience sport in the USA, however, is by attending a match at a stadium. The area buzzes with life, and many passionate fans are decked out in kits and jerseys when their favourite team plays.

Want to experience a match live from the stands? Be sure to buy your tickets well in advance, especially for the most popular games, which are in high demand. Many stadiums also offer tours that take you behind the scenes.

The Big Four: The major sports in the USA

The USA is home to many sports, but some stand out as part of the nation’s identity.

Four of the most popular sports, ‘The Big Four’, attract millions of fans each year and are woven deeply into both American culture and everyday life.

Below you can read about these sports and when you can experience them in the USA.

Football

Football, or as we call it in the UK, American football, is the most popular sport in the USA.

The professional league, the NFL (National Football League), often has average weekly viewing figures of around 18 million people, whilst the Super Bowl, the grand final held in February, is watched by more than 120 million people, making it one of the largest sporting events in the world.

Football is a contact sport centred around getting an oval ball into the opponent’s ‘end-zone’ or goal, either by running with it or passing it to a teammate. The game requires strategy, strength, and speed, and every play is a tactical battle between offence and defence. Matches usually last about three hours and consist of four quarters, with intensity and excitement often peaking in the final minutes.

The NFL comprises 32 teams, divided into two conferences, the AFC and NFC, each with four divisions. Each team plays 17 games in the regular season, and the best teams progress to the playoffs, culminating in the Super Bowl.

When can you watch football?

If you’re keen to experience the national league, the NFL regular season kicks off in September and runs through January, leading to the playoffs and culminating in the Super Bowl, which takes place in February.

Most games are played on Sundays, with a few select games on Thursdays and Mondays.

Popular NFL teams and their home stadiums

• San Francisco 49ers – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
• Los Angeles Rams – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
• Los Angeles Chargers – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
• Las Vegas Raiders – Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
• Miami Dolphins – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
• New York Giants – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
• New York Jets – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Washington Commanders – FedExField, Landover, Maryland
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
• Philadelphia Eagles – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Chicago Bears – Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Baseball

Baseball, also known as “America’s pastime,” is one of the USA’s most iconic sports, with the professional league, MLB (Major League Baseball), drawing millions of spectators each year. The games blend sport, tradition, and entertainment, with music and good food in the stands. Many Americans have a deep connection to this sport, which traces its roots back to the mid-19th century.

Baseball focuses on strategy and teamwork, where two teams alternate between fielding and batting to score the most “runs.” Players aim to hit the ball with a bat and run around four bases to score. Although the game might seem slow to new fans, it is filled with tactical decisions and thrilling moments that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

When can you watch baseball?

The MLB season begins in April and continues until October. During this period, each team plays 162 games in the regular season, offering plenty of opportunities to catch a game. The playoffs, referred to as the “Postseason,” culminate with the World Series in October, which is one of the sporting highlights of the year.

With so many games in an MLB season, baseball is played several times a week, both during weekends and weekdays.

Popular MLB teams and their home stadiums

• San Francisco Giants – Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
• Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
• Los Angeles Angels – Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
• Miami Marlins – LoanDepot park, Miami, Florida
• New York Yankees – Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
• New York Mets – Citi Field, Queens, New York
• Boston Red Sox – Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
• Washington Nationals – Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
• Tampa Bay Rays – Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
• San Diego Padres – Petco Park, San Diego, California
• Philadelphia Phillies – Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Basketball

Basketball is one of the most dynamic sports in the USA, known for its speed and intensity. The professional league, the NBA (National Basketball Association), is home to some of the world’s best players. If you want to experience the sport in a stadium, expect an always vibrant and intense atmosphere among the spectators. The sport focuses on scoring points by shooting the ball into the opponent’s basket and requires both strategy and teamwork. Each game presents rapid attacks, impressive shots, and spectacular dunks that create an electric ambiance in stadiums.

The NBA is also known for its cultural significance, with many players becoming global icons. From legends like Michael Jordan to current stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, the sport has made a huge impact both on and off the court.

When can you watch basketball?

The NBA season starts in October and runs through April, followed by the Playoffs and concluding with the NBA Finals in June. Each team plays 82 games during the regular season.

NBA games are scheduled throughout the week during the season, with a structure that includes proper breaks between games. You can catch basketball matches on weekdays and weekends in the USA.

Popular NBA teams and their home arenas

• Golden State Warriors – Chase Center, San Francisco, California
• Los Angeles Lakers – Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
• Los Angeles Clippers – Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
• Orlando Magic – Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
• Miami Heat – Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
• New York Knicks – Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
• Brooklyn Nets – Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
• Boston Celtics – TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
• Washington Wizards – Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia 76ers – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ice hockey

Ice hockey is a contact sport played on ice, combining speed, skill, and physicality. The professional league, the NHL (National Hockey League), is particularly popular in the northern parts of the USA. The sport revolves around scoring goals by getting the puck into the opponent’s net, with matches frequently packed with high intensity and rapid substitutions on the ice. In addition, many games showcase spectacular saves by goalkeepers, hard tackles, and moments of pure technical brilliance, making the sport exciting for both newcomers and seasoned fans.

When can you watch ice hockey?

The NHL season kicks off in October and continues through April, with the Stanley Cup Playoffs taking place in May and June. NHL games are played regularly on nearly every day of the week throughout the season, with each team playing 82 matches.

Popular NHL teams and their home arenas

• Los Angeles Kings – Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
• Anaheim Ducks – Honda Center, Anaheim, California
• Vegas Golden Knights – T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada
• Florida Panthers – Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
• New York Rangers – Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
• New York Islanders – UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
• Boston Bruins – TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
• Washington Capitals – Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
• Tampa Bay Lightning – Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
• Philadelphia Flyers – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Book your USA tour with TourCompass!

Experiencing a game from one of ‘The Big Four’ is a unique experience that provides insight into American culture. Regardless of your preferred sport, there’s something to enjoy in the USA.

Would you like a tour to the USA with amazing cultural experiences? Then contact one of our travel specialists today.

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