Stadium entertainment in North America
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A
Verizon Center
When the sparkling $200 million, 20,000ft-high MCI Center opened in 1997 (the name change occurred in 2006 after Verizon bought MCI), the streets surrounding it were, to put it lightly, a bit gritty. Families definitely didn’t wander out this way. All that changed within a few months of the stadium opening – sports bars, shops and restaurants bloomed like neon flowers, luxury condominiums replaced old tenements and all of a sudden, the most dangerous thing on the block was bad traffic and rude teenagers. Basketball teams the NBA's Washington Wizards (www.nba.com/wizards), the WNBA's Washington Mystics (www.wnba.com/mystics), the Georgetown Hoyas (www.guhoyas.com) and the …
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Fedex Field
The Redskins play September through January at FedEx Field, but rare is the opportunity to actually see them play here. There is a miles-long waiting list to buy season tickets, so there are never tickets left for individual games. The only exception is when some are returned to the box office by the opposing team, which you can find out about by calling the stadium two or three days before the game. If you have your heart set on seeing the ’Skins in person, online agents will be pleased to sell you tickets with a hefty markup. To get here, drive to FedEx Field by taking the Central Ave exit from I-495, or walk to the field from Morgan Blvd Metro station (1 mile). …
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Colisée Pepsi
You are now on hallowed ground…home to the late, great Québec Nordiques. May they RIP. The Nordiques started playing here in 1972 when the venue was known as the Québec Colisée. They played their last game here in 1995, after which the team was moved to Denver, Colorado. Today this 15,000-person arena gets the likes of Iron Maiden and Metallica, and hosts games of the Remparts, from the Québec Major Junior Hockey League.
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B
Cardines Field
Likely the third-oldest-standing baseball field in the US (after Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston), this relic, home to the Newport Gulls, allows you to see some surprisingly skilled ball for cheap. Because of the seating’s close proximity to the field and because the games are sparsely attended, you can easily hear the players trash-talk each other. According to local legend, Babe Ruth once played a game here.
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C
Air Canada Centre
The 13-time Stanley Cup–winning Toronto Maple Leafs slap the puck around the Air Canada Centre in the National Hockey League (NHL). Every game sells out, but a limited number of same-day tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster at 10am and at the Air Canada Centre ticket window from 5pm. You can also buy tickets via the website from season ticket-holders who aren’t attending – expect to pay around $80 and up.
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D
Comcast Center
The University of Maryland Terrapins is a consistently strong NCAA basketball team. Season ticket–holders buy up all the seats at the sleek, new Comcast Center on campus at the University of Maryland. If students don’t pick up their entire allotment, single-game tickets may go on sale about two weeks before the game, but phone the ticket office to find out for sure.
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E
Nationals Stadium
The Washington Nationals baseball team plays at Nationals Stadium. Games, with their ‘running of the president’ (an odd race between caricatures of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt) are fun, more so in the rare event the Nationals win. Grandstand seats start at $5; infield boxes go for $63.
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F
RFK Stadium
Multiple-time Major League Soccer champions DC United (www.dcunited.com) play April through October at RFK Stadium. Tickets start around $15. The women's team, Washington Freedom (www.womensprosoccer.com/dc), whose roster has included US national team stars such as Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach, also plays here.
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G
Legends Field
The New York Yankees play spring-training baseball games in March at Legends Field, the 10,000-seat stadium modeled after the ‘House that Ruth Built’ (ie Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York). The Yankees’ minor-league team, the Tampa Yankees, plays at Legends Field from April to September (tickets $3 to $5).
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H
Staples Center
The flying-saucer-shaped Staples Center is a sports and entertainment arena with all the high-tech trappings. It's home to the Lakers, Clippers and Sparks basketball teams, as well as the Kings ice hockey team. Major headliners - Barbra Streisand to Justin Timberlake - also perform here.
reviewed
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Lee County Sports Complex
The Minnesota Twins play at Lee County Sports Complex, just southwest of the intersection of Daniels Parkway and Six Mile Cypress Parkway. During the regular season, the Fort Myers Miracles (the Minnesota Twins minor-league baseball team) play here.
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I
Pepsi Forum
This flashy entertainment arena is built on the site of the old Canadiens hockey rink. Cinemas with 22 screens, restaurants, a Jillian’s pool and game emporium as well as Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest rank among the biggest tenants.
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ScotiaBank Place
Ottawa is a hard-core hockey town. It’s worth getting tickets to a game even if you’re not into hockey – the ballistic fans put on a show of their own. The NHL’s Senators play at the ScotiaBank Place, in the city’s west end.
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New Hampshire Fishercats
New Hampshire’s minor-league baseball team is the farm team for the Toronto Blue Jays, but it attracts its own loyal fans. Since 2005 the team has been playing in a brand new stadium on the waterfront west of Granite St.
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J
Estadio Azteca
The country’s biggest stadium (capacity 114,000) is home to the América club. Games are played on weekend afternoons; check the website for kickoff times. Take the Tren Ligero from metro Tasqueña to Estadio Azteca station.
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Verizon Wireless Arena
Manchester’s biggest shows and events are held at this arena, a few blocks south of the commercial center. The lucky few might catch a boxing or hockey match, the circus, or even a horse show.
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K
Foro Sol
During the regular season (March to July) the Diablos Rojos play every other week at the Foro Sol. From the metro, it is a five-minute walk over to the ballpark.
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Outback Bowl
If you’ve never seen a US college football game, definitely don’t miss the Outback Bowl, an NCAA (National College Athletic Association) football game on New Year’s Day.
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L
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is home to the major-league Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who play baseball from April to September. You’ll find parking (about $7) around 10th St and 4th Ave S.
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Dunkin’ Donuts Center
This arena is the place to see sporting events such as the Providence College Friars (a basketball squad) and Providence Bruins, occasional big-name music groups, and boat shows.
reviewed
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E Center
The International Hockey League’s Utah Grizzlies plays at the E Center, which hosted most of the men’s ice hockey competitions during the Olympics.
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O
Energy Solutions Arena
Utah Jazz, the men’s professional basketball team, plays at the Energy Solutions Arena, where concerts are also held.
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P
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
The Baltimore Orioles play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, arguably the best ballpark in America.
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Franklin Covey Field
Franklin Covey Field hosts the Salt Lake Bees baseball team, the AAA minor-league affiliate of the Anaheim Angels.
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Q
Progressive Field
Pro baseball's Indians (aka 'the Tribe') hit here. Great sightlines and a fun atmosphere make it a top park to see a game.
reviewed
