One of the Bro’s best hacks to get acquainted with a new place is getting involved in the sports scene. Attending a sporting event is a fun and unique way to be introduced to the culture of a new location. Besides the game, you’ll witness the passion of the local community and gain some insight into their way of life.
Professional, amateur, minor, or even just a local friendly…Regardless of the skill level, it won’t matter who’s playing because it’s all for the love of the game.
The Bro’s have cheered on our fair share of new teams throughout our travels. Each time it’s taught us a different lesson about people around the world while cementing our belief that travel is life-changing.
We’ve been sports fans our whole lives so naturally, we seek out opportunities to catch a live game whenever possible. However, we never realized how valuable the experience could be. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should attend a sports event in a new country and some of the experiences that led us there.
5. Sports Bring People Together
You don’t have to know the rules to have a good time and be a spectator. It’s simple…If the game is new to you, choose a team and support them win. Even though you’re in a foreign land, one common denominator remains the same. Everyone turns out to root for the home team.
We were quickly introduced to the AFL because the day we arrived in Australia, we were off the footy match at The ‘G (Melbourne Cricket Grounds) by night.
We’ve heard about Australian Rules football and couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the game. A huge crowd at a massive stadium brings all sorts of people together. It would also turn out to be an awesome conversation starter as we traveled about the country. We wow’d every Aussie we met with our knowledge of the game (after we learned what the heck was going on) and were even given respect by our choice of team to support; although sometimes controversial.
As we traveled around Australia, we observed footy everywhere and how it is a staple of the culture down under. We were now in the loop on the league and the game. We arrived knowing nothing and were turned into lifelong fans by the time we left.
Footy and meat pies, it’s what Aus does. The only game invented in Australia, Australian Rules Football reigns supreme as the most popular sport in every part of the country. The game has provided great moments and heroes for the past 100 years with a rich history full of tradition. Footy holds a prime place in the heart of cultural life in Australia and has become intertwined in the belief of what it means to be Australian.
Understanding footy can give you a snapshot of Australian cultural history, and not just its sporting history but societal, including gender and race. But that’s for another post. The AFL is building strong bonds with various communities and has even developed programs to bring the game to everyone down under. Australian Football brings people together from all diverse cultural backgrounds to root on their squad.
4. You’ll Feel Apart of Something Bigger
Attending a sporting event gives you this collective energy that makes you feel like you are a part of something bigger. It’s a bond that only sports can give us. You’ll wear the colors, learn the chants, and for that moment in time, you’ll really feel connected to the country you’re in. Especially if a national team playing.
You can witness firsthand the pride and passion that ignites fans during the game. A team gives hope, inspires, and uplifts, especially after a win. Much like going to a concert, attending a game, or watching a live game with a crowd has this infectious energy. Everyone gets involved and collectively you are one. Everything is better when your team is winning and it’s a vibe the whole town, city, and even country can get down with.
Unbeknownst to us, we happened to be in Dalat Vietnam during the singlehandedly most important game of the Vietnam men’s junior national soccer team. Most people wouldn’t bat an eye a the AFC U23 Asia Cup Championship, but in Dalat, this was the talk of the town.
Even though the game was being held in China, there happened to be a huge viewing party in the center of the city. A place where the fans could gather, rally behind the squad, and pull for their country. It’s the next best thing to actually being there.
We were invited by our friend Lily who worked at Dalat Family Hostel to join her and her friends to watch the game. The energy of the crowd was infectious and the whole city of Dalat was going nuts for the pre-game. People came out by the numbers to cheer on the pride of Vietnam. We were blown away by the atmosphere and how excited the whole city was for their team. And what a game it was. Controversy, emotion, and everything you could ask for in a tense final.
We felt lucky to be a part of such a monumental moment in Vietnamese sports history. Uzbekistan beat Vietnam after extra time to claim their maiden U-23 Asian Cup title in what was considered to be the most exciting and special final in the history of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Though they lost the game in a dramatic fashion, no pride was lost in their guys wearing red and yellow. We’re talking about Vietnam here, so win or lose they still booze. In the end, we were treated to an intense matchup that would leave us with a memory we will never forget.
3. The Food is Always a Win
Food and drink are always a highlight when abroad. As travelers, food can often top the list of reasons why one should visit a certain area and even be the goal behind many getaways.
“I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.”
–Anthony Bourdain
Attending a sporting event is no different. The food is just as much a part of the game as the actual game itself. To get the complete experience you’ll have to get your tastebuds involved. Then there’s the possibility of discovering a new taste or having a full-on culinary experience. It all happens at the tailgate.
Tradition is important to most teams and their fans and this shows through the many flavors you’ll encounter on gameday. Nothing beats game day snacks and fans hold this dear to their hearts.
Part of our Italy Bucket List was to attend a calcio match and witness two teams play in the prestigious Serie A soccer league. We found ourselves in Florence and the timing was perfect to attend an ACF Fiorentina game, the Italian professional football club based in Florence.
Sunday is match day and food and football are like religion in Italy. Naturally, they go together wonderfully. The pride and joy of Florence is Fiorentina with the team being a source of happiness and sometimes anger for many in the city.
As we made our way to Artemio Franchi Stadium we were quickly diverted by the sights sounds and most importantly the smells coming the from streets surrounding the stadium. We stumbled upon what could be one of the most awesome street food alleys we’ve encountered in all of Europe.
Porchetta, salsiccia, trippa, or for the more adventurous the lampredotto, a sandwich made from the stomach of a cow. You’ll only find the sellers of the typical sandwiches here on game day. Now that we’re hungry, the point is, we ate some of the best sandwiches we had found in all of Italy, at the pregame!
We never would have discovered these sandwiches if we weren’t heading to the match. Check out this video from travel vlogger Harald Balder here to see what we’re talking about!
2. There’s More Than Meets the Eye
Attending a live sporting event will make you realize that the experience is so much richer than watching it at home. The drama unfolds in front of your eyes and one play can make your day or crush your heart in an instant. A hero or a villain will rise or a leader to take their squad to victory and you’re there to witness it with your own eyes.
However, there’s so much more happening than what you will see on a screen. Your senses will be aroused by the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of a ballgame. To really get the full experience you have to be there.
You can make a huge impact by attending smaller local non-professional teams than you may think. Supporting the local team means supporting the local community and traveling responsibly. Revenues generated from ticket and merch sales are put back into and fund the community.
We learned first hand that in some cases money spent was providing the local children with equipment and giving the youth a chance to develop their skills. This is a big deal in less fortunate areas, giving kids more opportunities in life with youth athletics and after-school programs.
Baseball is a fan favorite in Northern Mexico. Something we discovered during our time in Sayuiltia and the Riviera Nayarit. When we came across a small baseball stadium in town we instantly knew we had to get to a game. Move over New York Yankees, because the Sayulita Jaibos, became our new favorite baseball team. Not only did we catch a game, we caught 6, including an epic playoff run into the second round.
We learned how important the team is to the residents of this once small fishing village of Sayulita. Gringos and Mexicans alike joined in to cheer on the Jaibos because nothing melts away cultural differences like reveling with a bunch of rowdy fans in the stands.
When you’re not watching behind a screen, you can get involved with the mid-game shenanigans because there’s always more happening in-between plays. Like learning the chants or teaching some fans how to sing Take Me Out to The Ball Game in English. One of our favorite traditions was the underwear toss in-between innings at Manuel Rodríguez Sanchez Stadium.
For some good laughs, one particular fan would toss around some undergarments in the crowd and heckle the opposing team’s fan base. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry they’re clean, and it’s all in good fun.
Without even knowing, by purchasing jerseys and tickets for the game, we were funding new equipment, groundskeeping for the field, and practice balls for the Jr Jiabos little league team. Supporting a small regional team by catching a game at their stadium is always a win-win.
1. You’ll Meet New People
Getting to a game in a new country is a surefire way to meet new people. Attending a sporting event can bring you closer to others, whether traveling solo with a group. You’ll even get close to the people seated next to you, no pun intended.
Or maybe it could be the rooting for; or against one of the teams that starts the conversation. It could be as simple as high-fiving your neighbor or having a beer with a stranger. More often than not, almost every sports fan has a story or two about mid-game encounters with interesting folks. This is truer than ever when you’re at a game in a foreign land.
Sports events merge culture, entertainment, food, and history into an experience that’s fun for any seasoned traveler. Whether it’s a footy at the MCG, an Italian Serie-A football match, a viewing party for the U23 Asian Cup final, or the opening playoff series of the Nayarit Winter Baseball league.
Attending a game when you’re on the road is guaranteed to be a unique experience no matter what team is playing. You may even walk away with some valuable travel lessons as well. So get out there and root for the home team wherever you find yourself in the world because it’s all for the love of the game! Have you ever been to a sports event while traveling? Tell us in the comments below!
Traveling to any of the countries mentioned in this blog? Check out our posts on:
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