Top Five Sporting Venues You Need to See Before You Die

We here at T5T love our sports. Probably 80% of our conversations revolve around them. We all have places we dream of going, and if we were told had six months to live, we would book a ticket to the following locations.




Pain Train List


5. Camden Yards
I will be the first to admit that Fenway and Yankee stadium may have more history, but Camden absolutely revolutionized stadium architecture in the United States. It made smaller, artisitic, urban parks the norm and helped replace the concrete dumps our teams called home. Without it a whole generation of parks would cease to exist

4. Pipeline, Hawaii


The mecca of surfing is truly a testament to amazing ability of humans to master its surroundings.  A prefect barrel the can give you the ride of you life or the last ride of your life, this “venue” is located on a reef just a few feet from the shallow water. A few hours at this wave will put on the fast track to sports enlightenment.

3. Estadio Azteca


This stadium hosts over 100,000 people at an altitude of 7500 feet above sea level. Additionally, it is located in one of the world’s true Megacities. It has been home to the Olympics and World Cup Finals. Currently, it is the home to El Tri also known as the Mexican National Team. I would literally give my pancreas to see a U.S.- Mexico soccer game here.

2. St. Andrew's Golf Course


I prefer history and minimalism in a sporting venue. St. Andrew’s fits both categories. The birthplace of golf has a purity that is unmatched. Even though rain, wind, and fog often envelop it, this course wears the elements with a natural serenity that makes it beautiful.

1. Lambeau Field


How Green Bay, Wisconsin has a successful franchise in the country’s most popular sport is dumbfounding. This stadium gives me goose bumps thinking about the classic games and grudge matches of long ago. Bleachers, brats and brew make this transcendent stadium the apex for sport. It represents what’s pure and passionate in a sports era defined by the glamorous.

Kevin's List


5. Wimbledon- Centre Court


The premier tennis event each year. Over the last few years, some of the most epic tennis matches have taken place there. Nadal-Federrer, Federrer-Roddick, and that epic 70-68 5th set match from last year. Wimbledon is as classy an event out there. Strawberries and cream, British Royalty present, and the all white playing attire. It is without peer.

4.  Augusta National


If there is a heaven and if you are fortunate enough to make it there, Augusta would be the home course. Despite it's backwards views on women and minorities, the course itself is the finest in America. Just walking around the course is a step back in time. I would go sit by Ike's tree, which President Eisenhower would frequently strike while playing, and enjoy a beautiful day in Georgia. 

3. Fenway Park


The most unique and historic ballpark in America. Sorry Cubs fans, but Wrigley is for lovable losers and crappy beer. Fenway is the best experience in all of baseball. I have been there twice and have loved it there. Knowing that nearly every great player you could think of has played at least once there is a humbling notion. 

2. St. Andrews- The Old Course


The birth place of the finest game there is. It still hosts one of the most prestigious golf tournaments, The Open Championships. Whenever the British Open is held here, it always seems extra special. It would be pretty amazing to play a course that has had people hacking away on it for almost 600 years. The fact that it is not a private course and anyone with the time and money can play it is astounding. 

1. Assembly Hall- Home of Indiana University Basketball


This had to be my #1. I went to Indiana University, and spent many winter and spring nights at Assembly Hall watching my Hoosiers. The atmosphere, the championship banners and the memory of Bobby Knight make Assembly Hall one of the best experiences in college sports. I made this my number one because I love being a Hoosier, plan on taking my children here someday, and is the most likely on my list for me to actually visit. Indiana, oh Indiana, Indiana, we're all for you...

Flash's List

#5—Augusta National Golf Course—Plenty of history, Plenty of Scenery. Home to some of the gentleman’s game’s greatest moments. Slight nod over St. Andrews as the golf nominee for pure aesthetic beauty and how very few people actually get to set foot on the hallowed ground.

#4—Churchill Downs—Another historical pick. One of those places I already know would give me chills and yet somehow I know I can’t fathom the extent to which they would actually take me. I can only imagine stepping onto the same infield as the tens of thousands of men and women who cheered their way through the Roaring 20’s, the Great Depressions, two world wars and a half century afterward. The only place that really and truly matters in America to one of its oldest and most gamely sports.

#3—Wembley Stadium—Home to England’s National Team and many of the most celebrated moments in futbol history. The architecture as well is majestic. The most recognizable venue for the world’s most popular game.

#2—National Baseball Hall of Fame—Once it was decided by the powers that govern this game that the HOF should be eligible, it belongs on any list. To ignore it or to come up with some reason that it just doesn’t sit well is to ignore both history and logic. This simple: If you are truly a baseball fan, you can live without visiting Fenway or Yankee Stadium or Wrigley or Camden. But you can not at all consider yourself a true baseball fan and die without a visit to Cooperstown.

#1—Madison Square Garden—One of the few venues on any of these lists that transcends the boundaries of individual sports. Home to some of the greatest boxing matches in this nation’s history (including Ali-Frazier I, a previous list mention), countless concerts (perhaps superfluous to mention) but most importantly, the hallowed grounds of basketball in a city that cares more about Naismith’s baby than any other in the world. Has been a part of the United States’ most iconic city’s landscape since the days of Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall.

Tjack Attack

#5 - Wembley Stadium, London (English National Team home stadium)

Home to the English National team, this stadium also hosts the latter stages of the FA Cup.  Could you imagine the atmosphere inside this stadium when an important soccer game is being played.  Holy Crap, I shat myself just thinking about it.

#4 - Notre Dame Stadium

Home of the Fighting Irish and probably the most storied college football team ever to step foot on the gridiron.  I could only imagine having the opportunity to watch a Notre Dame v. Michigan football game.

#3 - Fenway Park

I must first give a shout out to Yankee Stadium.  The only reason it did not make this list is because we did not make this list one year ago, and I know my brother will not be judging this week.  Anyway, this is a beautiful stadium and one that has a storied franchise.  From Babe Ruth to the Curse of the Bambino, this stadium has been home to many memorable moments in baseball history.  Oh yeah, you can’t forget to mention the Green Monster.

#2 - Madison Square Garden

Home to the N.Y. Knicks and Rangers, but often these two teams are a back seat to their legendary concerts and boxing matches.  This is where M.J. played his first professional game.  Notable boxing matches:  Rocky Marciano v. Joe Luis, Ali v. Frazier I and II, Hopkins v. Trenadad.  Concerts to mention:  The Doors, Jackson 5, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Led Zeppelin.

#1 - Soldiers Field (Chicago Bears)

Home of the Chicago Bears and the only sports stadium that is a monument to our armed forces.  Not even considering the history of the stadium, the meaning behind the name would give me chills as I approached this beautiful piece of architecture.

Till next Tuesday...