Sports Venue Bucket List

Recently I was surprised by my mom with a trip to Boston coming up in July. The focal point of this trip is going to the New England Patriots summer camp that is open to fans and tickets to a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. That got me thinking, Fenway is one of the most historic venues in all of sports, recently celebrating the 105th anniversary of the ball park’s opening, so besides Fenway what are the other “Must-See” venues in sports. For the purpose of this list I have chosen to only focus on American Sports. So here’s my Sports Venue Bucket List…

1. TD Garden (Boston Celtics)

I must admit there being a slight bias towards having the TD Garden on this list at number one but regardless the TD Garden should be on every sports fan's list of "Must See" arenas. Not only is it home to two professional sports franchises (Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins) it is also the home to the NBA's winningest franchise the Boston Celtics. And if that wasn't enough it's parquet floor is the only feature of a stadium to have a uniformed designed after it.

2. Rose Bowl

The Grand Daddy of them all. The Rose Bowl has been around since 1902 and has been played annually since 1916 making it the oldest bowl game in college football. The Rose Bowl has also been the highest attended bowl game since 1945 and consistently features two of college football's best teams. And if attending the Rose Bowl because it is the most historic bowl game in college football isn't enough then surely the fact that it is played in Pasadena California during January surely will draw those who want to escape the cold.

3. Madison Square Garden (NY Knicks)

Michael Jackson. Elton John. Rolling Stones. Queen. Rihanna. Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift. Pope Francis. John F Kennedy. Lebron James. Michael Jordan. Patrick Ewing. These are just a very small number of individuals who have made an appearance at the Garden. Any one of these would be a big deal in any other arena in America but at the Garden it's just another weekend performance certainly making the home of the New York Knicks the most famous venue in America.

4. Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)

As I previously stated Fenway Park just recently celebrated the 105th anniverary of it's opening. Fenway is the fifth oldest sporting venue in the world and second oldest in America behind Churchill Downs. The history alone of Fenway Park make it a must see for any sports fan whether you cheer for the Red Sox or not.

5. The Horseshoe/ Ohio Stadium (Ohio State Football)

This 104,944 seat college football stadium is larger than any NFL stadium and the third largest football stadium in the world. Ohio Stadium is home to Ohio State Buckeyes, one of college football's most dominating teams in recent years and eight-time national champions. The size of this stadium alone is enough to draw in fans from across the country but other events such as tailgating or witnessing the band "dot the i" are a big plus and if you want to experience the full affect of over 104,000 fans screaming just stop by when the Buckeyes take on Michigan.

6. Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)

Built only two years after Fenway, Wrigley Field ranks as the sixth oldest sports venue in the world and third in America being built in 1914. Much like Fenway fans come from all around to see Wrigley Field for it's history. And if that wasn't enough it's home to the defending World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.

7. Memorial Stadium (Clemson Football)

Memorial Stadium has long been regarded as one of the best college football experiences. It all begins when the Tigers take the field in one of the most unique college football traditions. The Tigers begin by rubbing "Howard's Rock" atop a hill in the east endzone before running down the hill to take the field. Certainly witnessing this tradition, started in 1966, is enough to travel to Memorial Stadium and the fact that the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers call it home is a big plus. Oh and they don't call it Death Valley for no reason.

8. AT&T/Cowboys Stadium (Dallas Cowboys)

"Jerry's World" is a perfect example of the direction in which new stadiums are headed. Opened in 2009, AT&T Stadium is geared toward giving every fan an experince they will never forget. The jaw-dropping size of the video board, the suits, the food options or even the car dealership found in the stadium are all reasons that this stadium is a must see for sports fans. And you don't have be a Cowboys fan to visit as the stadium has hosted everything from high school football games to March Madness and college basketball. There truly is something for everyone at AT&T Stadium.

9. The Big House (Michigan Football Game)

As an Ohio State fan it pains me to include anything positive about Michigan sports in any of my writing but that should tell you how legendary the Big House is. You thought Ohio Stadium sounded big? Imagine an extra 3,000 fans bringing the total to more than 107,000 fans all cheering for their beloved Wolverines. The Big House is the largest sports venue in America and despite being the home to the worst college football team in america (my opinion) it is definitely worth seeing in person.

10. Doak Campbell Stadium (Florida State Football)

Doak Campbell Stadium will give you chills from the moment you step through the gate. Whether it's the FSU mascot, Osceola, riding his horse onto the field and throwing a flaming spear into the turf, the entire stadium participating in a Seminole chant so loud that it rocks the stadium or the Florida State football team destroying their opponents there is no shortage of excitement on gameday in Tallahassee Florida.

Honorable Mentions

- The Colosseum (USC)

- Notre Dame Stadium

- The Superdome (New Orleans Saints)

- AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)

- Staples Center (LA Lakers/Clippers)

- Dodger Stadium (LA Dodgers)

- Cameron indoor Stadium (Duke Basketball)

- Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas Basketball)