The best sporting days out

Part of the reason we all love professional sport is because it provides a good day out. If we didn't enjoy the experience of going to sport, we would all be confined to watching it on Sky Sports and the like rather than paying money to go ourselves. The long suffering League 2 fans who go and watch their teams on cold wet Tuesday nights in November, often on long away trips, should be commended but while their primary cause is to support their team, they must also get some enjoyment out of it.

Living in Cornwall it can be a logisitic nightmare to get to a lot of big sporting events and I respect my neighbours who go regularly, though they probably have bigger wallets than I do. But where I am means that when I do get to go to the big occasion it makes it all the more special.

If you have a limit on where you can go, in terms of money, time off work and other commitments, where would you go? Missing out trips abroad, because that's more than a day out, here's my top three.

#3
A European football night
As I said before away days do not count in this chart but still a top European night in the Champions League, preferably in the knock-out stages and preferably a second leg, is always worth waiting for. Whether it is at The Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or historically Anfield but next year either White Hart Lane or Eastlands, you are always guaranteed twists and turns, an exciting game and an atmosphere to match. Even the most boring of 0-0s can get your emotions going, because of what might have happened in the first leg. If your team is cruising to victory it creates a party atmosphere and if their going out then you know you're witnessing the end of a collective team effort in Europe's biggest competition - although at the time that could be little consolation.

#2
International rugby at the Millennium Stadium
I appreciate rugby and its sporting values (minus Bloodgate) but I am no big fan. However I would never ever pass up the opportunity to go and watch Wales play another major nation at their national stadium. The Millennium Stadium is at the very heart of one of the most vibrant cities in Britain, the Welsh side are always going to give it a bloody good go in front of their home fans but that is the main thing that provides the attraction, the fans. In the crowd you'll be submerged in a sea of daffodils, you won't be able to hear Katherine Jenkins sing Land of My Father because the crowd will drown her out and they will provide an amazing atmosphere for the entire 80 minutes.


#1 A day at the Test
This chart is about days out and a day at the test is a proper day out. You are queuing up at the ground from about 9am and, weather permitting, will be there until 6pm. You get you're own personal moments of suspense waiting to see if your hidden alcohol stash, which could included vodka injected into a watermelon, gets past the security staff. Once you are in, with or without booze, you are set for a day of the most traditional of sports in its most purest form. If you are at the Test you are seeing two of the world's top nations battling it out. At some points it will be gripping and you will not be able to take your eyes off it, like if a fast bowler is trying to topple his batting counterpart towards the end of the day, and there may be boring parts but the crowd respond and keep each other amused. I have heard stories of midgets being passed through the crowd and have heard the most hilarious and genius songs that would put the hardest football fan to shame.

There are of course one-offs each year like an FA Cup Final or even rarer like an Olympics or World Cup and those memorable days out that the game, the venue and of course the occasion can make it extra-special. But I believe that these three events, which you can catch several times a year, are always worth every penny.

JT