It is hardly a secret that Arizona has plenty going for it when it comes to attracting visitors from elsewhere. Whether it is the stunning natural beauty of the Grand Canyon – one of the modern wonders of the world – or the urban centers of places like Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff, this slice of heaven in the Southwest of the US has it all.
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But there has been a growth in one particular area of tourism nationwide in recent years and that is the sports industry. Many of us like nothing better than spending our weekends in front of the TV watching the big games across the major pro leagues. But others have started to travel specifically to watch a range of sports – and the Grand Canyon State has a lot to offer in that regard.
Other sports centers might get more of the media’s attention a lot of the time, but Arizona is represented at the very top level of most leagues and has even more to offer anyone looking to enjoy sports tourism away from the “Big Four”.
Football
It is the nation’s favorite sport and Arizona is home to the oldest team in the entire NFL. The Arizona Cardinals call the State Farm Stadium in Glendale its home now – but it has also hosted the Super Bowl on three occasions, with another held at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Our team might not have won a championship since the 1940s but the biggest sports event in the world has gotten used to Arizona’s charms.
That relative lack of success has not dimmed the passion of the Cards fans though. Thousands flock to the games during the season. Glendale is easily accessible from downtown Phoenix and the retractable roof means that the event will always be on even if the weather is not as agreeable.
Basketball
If you are looking for an even more convenient place to watch top-tier sports in Arizona then you cannot do much better than the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in the heart of the city. The Suns may not have won a championship yet but they are consistently considered one of the strongest teams in the NBA and their time will surely come soon.
The Suns regularly make it to the playoffs but you are more likely to be able to find a ticket for a game during the regular season that runs from October to April. If hoops is your sport you may also want to look into catching a Phoenix Mercury game as well. One of the original WNBA teams, it also plays at the Footprint Center – and can actually point to some league titles in its history.
Baseball
Any sports fan will know that it is not just about championships. The passion, drama, and experience are what is most remembered. Well, with the Arizona Diamondbacks you will get all of that – and then some. The ballpark – Chase Field – can be found just a block away from the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix.
Baseball is commonly referred to as “America’s pastime” and we can’t think of anything better than wiling away an afternoon or evening watching the D-Backs do their thing. The team has only been around since the late 1990s but won its first World Series in 2001. It came close in 2023 so hopefully, another championship will be won soon. If you can’t wait that long, 15 of Major League Baseball’s teams head to Arizona for Spring Training each year too.
Golf
Team sports are not everyone’s idea of a good time and luckily Arizona has plenty of other sports attractions to enjoy. One of the most popular is golf. The state is home to a number of world-renowned courses, designed by some of the best professionals ever to play the game. Visitors are more than welcome to enjoy a round in the glorious Arizona sunshine.
But if you want to learn from the best in the business, there is also the chance to catch a top-ranking PGA Tour event in Scottsdale. The TPC course is known to welcome some of the most enthusiastic crowds on the tour, with the main stand allowing 20,000 to view all the action. Whether you are playing or merely watching, Arizona is one of the best places on Earth to enjoy your golf.
Photo from Pixabay.
NASCAR
Never fear petrolheads, it is not only state-of-the-art arenas and pristine golf courses when it comes to Arizona’s sporting attractions. F1 may have finally taken off in the US but it is NASCAR that has always been popular around here. Where better to enjoy this thrilling experience than at the Phoenix Raceway?
Located in Avondale, just southeast of Phoenix on the banks of the Gila River, the racetrack hosts two races every spring and fall, showcasing some of the most skilled drivers in all of motorsports. For something completely different, the racetrack also happens to be near the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, so visitors can enjoy the stunning local landscape too.
Arizona Has It All!
As you can see, the Grand Canyon State has more than enough to keep sports fans of any persuasion interested. There are also a number of professional soccer, hockey, and indoor football teams to cheer for across the state – and that’s before you even think about the college sports on offer.
The rivalry between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Arizona Wildcats is one of the most intense and storied in the history of the NCAA. It is just another example of the passion and excitement that sports in Arizona can provide – something that visitors from all over the globe are starting to discover for themselves.
