Favourite other sports event

[Hibby70]

What's been your favourite event you've attended?

For me it's hard to beat Arthur v Gomez at Meadowbank. Atmosphere and fight was amazing.

Been at a few US sports events Baseball, NBA etc and whilst great from a family experience just don't have that level of intensity.

[Sir David Gray]

Wimbledon without any doubt whatsoever for me.

I still remember the first time I entered Centre Court and look around me at the Royal box etc and watched Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in the flesh, I was like a child on Christmas morning (and I was in my 20s by this point!).

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Ally Pally for the darts, not been for a few years and doubt it's such an enjoyable experience now with the English fans behaving in their current manner, I hope I'm wrong but, I can see it kicking off at one of this year's PL nights.

Meant to say, I was at the boxing in the OP too, it was certainly quite tasty! 😀

[Mon Dieu4]

What's been your favourite event you've attended?

For me it's hard to beat Arthur v Gomez at Meadowbank. Atmosphere and fight was amazing.

Been at a few US sports events Baseball, NBA etc and whilst great from a family experience just don't have that level of intensity.

Good choice, I still maintain to this day that fight was the best/nastiest atmosphere I've been in, London Road on the way home way total carnage as well

[H18 SFR]

Joe Calzage v Jeff Lacy - nothing will ever get close to that.

[Pretty Boy]

Arthur v Gomez was insane. The roof just about came off when Arthur started his ring walk. I liked Gomez so wasn't all that disappointed with the result, albeit I wanted Arthur to win. My abiding memory of whilst the rest of the Gomez corner was celebrating, Ricky Hatton went straight over to check on Arthur. Always respected that.

Another boxing highlight was the Burns v Martinez fight. Another unbelievable atmosphere.

I love trips to Cheltenham. Not the best venue in the world. It's a bit too busy, sight lines aren't great etc etc but the atmosphere for festival week is something else. Highlight was probably when Kauto Star regained the Gold Cup in 2009.

I've been to 2 NFL games. Dolphins v Jets at Wembley which was a poor game and I wasn't blown away by the atmosphere either. The mix of different fans was a bit too eclectic for my taste. On the flip side I went to a Dolphins v Colts game in 1998 in Miami and that was amazing. The 2 QBs were Peyton Manning and Dan Marino, whilst neither were really at their peak in 98 it was still watching 2 all time greats at work. On the same trip I went to the Orange Bowl to see the Hurricanes, an absolute dump of a stadium but the atmosphere was out of this world.

[WeeRussell]

Seen dolphins player raiders at Wembley - good to see the fins for the first time but aye, as PB said, atmosphere nothing special.

Basketball wasn’t a sport I was into at the time but seen the rockets play twice in Houston and also the Mavs in Dallas and really enjoyed it. American sports experience very different (I was getting annoyed at people doing waves and happy chants while getting pumped 😂) as touched upon but still a very good night out.

Boxing seems to be a common theme - but it’s never a sport I’ve had any real desire to go and see, albeit I only watch the odd fight on the tv as it is. Would like to go to the tennis (against the grain, not particularly at Wimbledon although would settle for that too).

Been to the open (golf) a number of times at different courses but I think if I somehow got to Augusta that would be my pick for this thread!

[007]

Open golf for me too. Used to love watching Greg Norman. Was a bit like following Hibs in that he should have won more cups (majors) than he did.

[McSwanky]

Wales v Scotland in the five nations around the turn of the century was an amazing weekend. Due to the Millennium Stadium being built, Wales were playing at Wembley. The whole of London seemed to be full of Welsh /Scots. Can't remember much about the game itself, but that was secondary to the shenanigans!

[Mibbes Aye]

The Ashes in 2019. Was at Edgbaston (hospitality) and Old Trafford.

Very much the Steve Smith Show, not to diminish the achievements and efforts of the others on the pitch. He averaged 144.75 over four innings.

It was one of those all-too-fleeting moments when you and anyone else watching, just knew - just knew - you were witnessing one man, in a team sport, completely transcending the level of all his peers, who themselves were amongst some of the very best in the world at what they did. Add to that a fantastic atmosphere at both matches (Edgbaston in particular)

On a rather different note (though still one of witnesssing a legendary player), i saw Jaromir Jagr playing for Kladno, in the Czech Republic, a couple of years back. This was where he started his career more than thirty years ago in ice hockey, before leaving for huge success in the NHL. Simply put, he is one of the all-time greats of ice hockey and if he isn't the greatest non-Canadian to ever play the sport I'm struggling to think of anyone who could stake as legitimate a claim. As it stands he is in the top handful of players regardless of birth nation.

Anway, he finished up after a very lengthy spell in the NHL with trophy cabinets and display cupboards galore and returned to Kladno, where he is player/owner and pretty much a god, yet crucially still able to play at the level he is at. The atmosphere was fantastic when i saw him, from start to finish, admittedly in front of an obviously partisan crowd. As far as I'm aware he is still going strong despite turning 50 in a month or so.

[hibsbollah]

Le Classique at Le Velodrome.

[Smartie]

I like golf live, although I've never actually bothered to go and watch much of it.

Last time I went was to Carnoustie a few years back. I'd actually always been a bit underwhelmed by the whole Tiger Woods thing - by that time he'd been in the doldrums for some time, always seemed to be "on his way back" and received a disproportionate amount of coverage considering how off the pace he often seemed to be. That week he was in contention until pretty late (may even have led during the last round) and there was just something magnificent about sensing the presence of someone like that in their arena. Obviously he then went on to win a couple more tournaments, including a major, and I went from being someone who was pretty indifferent about him to someone who was very much rooting for him.

It's funny how someone can have "a presence" just by quietly playing golf and it was cool to witness it.

[Northernhibee]

My partner has started to take part in stone lifting competitions and I love going to watch her in them. There was one a couple of months ago and it was a great day despite it being very small scale - pipers, great competition, a real sense of camaraderie between competitors (one, who is Scotland's second strongest woman was giving my partner all sorts of tips and advice throughout) and some really impressive lifting.

It's ultimately very Scottish and much more enjoyable than the larger sporting events which more and more feel like you're buying a ticket to be advertised to and you see less and less sport for your money each time.

Similarly I love the BTCC at Knockhill and even some of the SMRC events are fantastic. It still retains a proper old school feeling, Knockhill.

[BroxburnHibee]

Been to a few Opens but my first at Troon in 89 was probably my favourite. Mostly because it was easier to skive in back then :greengrin

[Onceinawhile]

On a rather different note (though still one of witnesssing a legendary player), i saw Jaromir Jagr playing for Kladno, in the Czech Republic, a couple of years back. This was where he started his career more than thirty years ago in ice hockey, before leaving for huge success in the NHL. Simply put, he is one of the all-time greats of ice hockey and if he isn't the greatest non-Canadian to ever play the sport I'm struggling to think of anyone who could stake as legitimate a claim. As it stands he is in the top handful of players regardless of birth nation.

Anway, he finished up after a very lengthy spell in the NHL with trophy cabinets and display cupboards galore and returned to Kladno, where he is player/owner and pretty much a god, yet crucially still able to play at the level he is at. The atmosphere was fantastic when i saw him, from start to finish, admittedly in front of an obviously partisan crowd. As far as I'm aware he is still going strong despite turning 50 in a month or so.

Ovi?

[WeeRussell]

The Ashes in 2019. Was at Edgbaston (hospitality) and Old Trafford.

Very much the Steve Smith Show, not to diminish the achievements and efforts of the others on the pitch. He averaged 144.75 over four innings.

It was one of those all-too-fleeting moments when you and anyone else watching, just knew - just knew - you were witnessing one man, in a team sport, completely transcending the level of all his peers, who themselves were amongst some of the very best in the world at what they did. Add to that a fantastic atmosphere at both matches (Edgbaston in particular)

On a rather different note (though still one of witnesssing a legendary player), i saw Jaromir Jagr playing for Kladno, in the Czech Republic, a couple of years back. This was where he started his career more than thirty years ago in ice hockey, before leaving for huge success in the NHL. Simply put, he is one of the all-time greats of ice hockey and if he isn't the greatest non-Canadian to ever play the sport I'm struggling to think of anyone who could stake as legitimate a claim. As it stands he is in the top handful of players regardless of birth nation.

Anway, he finished up after a very lengthy spell in the NHL with trophy cabinets and display cupboards galore and returned to Kladno, where he is player/owner and pretty much a god, yet crucially still able to play at the level he is at. The atmosphere was fantastic when i saw him, from start to finish, admittedly in front of an obviously partisan crowd. As far as I'm aware he is still going strong despite turning 50 in a month or so.

That's a cool hockey story from someone just before my time! I'm nae expert but I think some would argue Ovechkin above him for the non-canadian title.

[WeeRussell]

Ovi?

And I've just realised this probably means Alexander Ovechkin and you beat me too it :greengrin

[marinello59]

Being in the Hydro see Charlie Flynn and Josh Taylor take Gold for Scotland in the Commonwealth boxing finals was pretty special. As was returning to the Hydro to see Taylor win his first world title. I have tickets for his next fight in February, looking forward to it immensely.

The ICC Trophy Cricket final between India and Pakistan at the Oval was a real eye opener. The game itself was a bit of a damp squib but the tension between the non-segregated sets of supporters was something else, they really don't like each other. . I avoided answering any questions as to who I was supporting by saying I'd only bought tickets in the mistaken belief that Scotland could qualify. :greengrin

[Dalianwanda]

The Open for me especially in Scotland. Some of my happiest memories were stewarding the 4th hole once as a jnr when Faldo won it & the 2nd time when Ernie Else won. Getting so close to the biggest names in the world (especially when doing the tee)..Also loved trips to St Andrews & Troon but they were more bevy sessions with mates and less golf watched.

[Hibs Class]

Golf for me too - was at St Andrews when Seve won in 1984, in the stand on the 17th watching through binoculars him play the 18th. Was also at the 18th at Muirfield when Tom Watson won in 1980. Tended to aim for a stand on the final day and stay there, but follow groups on the earlier days. That includes Norman at Turnberry in 1986 (scorching) and Woods at Muirfield (don't recall if that was 2013 or 2002, but it was pouring and windy and Woods just looked lost in the conditions).

[Onceinawhile]

And I've just realised this probably means Alexander Ovechkin and you beat me too it :greengrin

Haha yes, I mean ovechkin!

[Hibs1972]

Unsurprisingly for me but it has to be the Cheltenham festival for me, has a buzz like no other, too many great days to remember, One Man Kauto Star Sprinter Sacre but will never forget 50,000 people gasping as Annie Power fell at the last to almost certainly win the Mares hurdle, almost silence as Glens Melody passed the line, Annie was last of the 4 hotpots to run that day for Willie Mullins and the bookies faced losing a fortune!! Actually had a fiver on the winner.:greengrin

[Pedantic_Hibee]

Once stood no more than five yards away watching Tony Drago play in a match against someone in a non-descript tournament at what is now the Ballroom in Meadowbank. I could almost reach out and touch greatness.

I don’t get out much 😢

[weecounty hibby]

5/6 nations rugby. The greatest annual international sporting event in the world. From the schoolboy enclosure when I was young to being at games in Murrayfield, Cardiff, Dublin and Rome as an adult it is still exciting, friendly, fun and an experience every time.

[Frazerbob]

Wales v Scotland in the five nations around the turn of the century was an amazing weekend. Due to the Millennium Stadium being built, Wales were playing at Wembley. The whole of London seemed to be full of Welsh /Scots. Can't remember much about the game itself, but that was secondary to the shenanigans!

That was some weekend, from what I can remember.

[Frazerbob]

Another boxing shout for me. Lewis v Bruno in Cardiff followed by Benn v Eubank 2 at Old Trafford is a week that’ll take some beating. More recently, Taylor beating Prograis in London was brilliant. The after party was great. Thought my mate was going to pull Prograis’ mum 🤣

[Frazerbob]

That's a cool hockey story from someone just before my time! I'm nae expert but I think some would argue Ovechkin above him for the non-canadian title.

Had the pleasure of watching Ovechkin when I was at Leafs v Capitals in Toronto 5 or so years years ago. You just knew you were in the presence of a sporting great.

[hibbysam]

Josh Taylor vs Baranczyk (Inoue on the undercard) in Glasgow and then against Prograis in London. Outstanding atmosphere at both.

Scotland beating England 15-9 at murrayfield in 08.

Open at Turnberry, gutted Tom Watson couldn’t see it through, would’ve been one of the biggest sporting results ever. Also love the open at Muirfield, really good access to the players and a really good setup for spectators!

[JXM73]

Le Mans
Baseball (game 7 vs Cubs was nuts..though we lost)

[Speedy]

Josh Taylor vs Baranczyk (Inoue on the undercard) in Glasgow and then against Prograis in London. Outstanding atmosphere at both.

Scotland beating England 15-9 at murrayfield in 08.

Open at Turnberry, gutted Tom Watson couldn’t see it through, would’ve been one of the biggest sporting results ever. Also love the open at Muirfield, really good access to the players and a really good setup for spectators!

That Taylor fight was superb. And Inoue is a different level. Always surprises me he isn't featured higher on the world lb for lb lists but I suppose the lighter weights do get unfairly overlooked.

[Pretty Boy]

That Taylor fight was superb. And Inoue is a different level. Always surprises me he isn't featured higher on the world lb for lb lists but I suppose the lighter weights do get unfairly overlooked.

I've seen Inoue at 3 or 4 on a few P4P lists and deservedly so. He was sensational that night in Glasgow.

Another great Taylor night was v O'Hara Davis. Eddie Hearn getting the full treatment pre fight, Davis cocky as anything throughout the build up, decent travelling support and Taylor absolutely battered him.

[He's here!]

5/6 nations rugby. The greatest annual international sporting event in the world. From the schoolboy enclosure when I was young to being at games in Murrayfield, Cardiff, Dublin and Rome as an adult it is still exciting, friendly, fun and an experience every time.

Yeh I like it too. I enjoy the fact that while fans get right behind their team it's not got the 'must win' tension of football and the fans will mingle happily no matter the result. Never a hint of bother.

[He's here!]

Wimbledon without any doubt whatsoever for me.

I still remember the first time I entered Centre Court and look around me at the Royal box etc and watched Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in the flesh, I was like a child on Christmas morning (and I was in my 20s by this point!).

I'd love to go. Massive Andy Murray fan so would have been incredible to be there to see him win it. Huge respect for Nadal and Federer too. Tennis is a great sport and the skill/stamina involved is underrated IMHO. Unfortunately Djokovic has soured my enjoyment of it to an extent. Compared to the aesthetic joy of watching Federer, the excitement of Nadal and the inventiveness of Murray I loathe his relentless automaton style which sucks the life/enjoyment out of a match and I eventually stopped watching games which involved him. Find his gamesmanship and faux sincerity a turn-off too and I remain unconvinced of his explanation for the transformation in his game.

[Frazerbob]

Yeh I like it too. I enjoy the fact that while fans get right behind their team it's not got the 'must win' tension of football and the fans will mingle happily no matter the result. Never a hint of bother.

I agree with that with one exception, Twickenham. I’ve travelled the world in my Kilt following Scotland at football as well as being a regular at every 6 Nations venue. Without doubt the most grief I’ve had for being Scottish and wearing a kilt is at Twickers (and I’ve been to Wembley for Scotland games umpteen times). The patronising, stuck up, posh twats that frequent that place are not top of my Christmas card list.

[marinello59]

I agree with that with one exception, Twickenham. I’ve travelled the world in my Kilt following Scotland at football as well as being a regular at every 6 Nations venue. Without doubt the most grief I’ve had for being Scottish and wearing a kilt is at Twickers (and I’ve been to Wembley for Scotland games umpteen times). The patronising, stuck up, posh twats that frequent that place are not top of my Christmas card list.

We were living in Twickenham when England won the Rugby World Cup. That night was a total nightmare though only slightly worse then a normal Twickers match day.

[Sir David Gray]

I'd love to go. Massive Andy Murray fan so would have been incredible to be there to see him win it. Huge respect for Nadal and Federer too. Tennis is a great sport and the skill/stamina involved is underrated IMHO. Unfortunately Djokovic has soured my enjoyment of it to an extent. Compared to the aesthetic joy of watching Federer, the excitement of Nadal and the inventiveness of Murray I loathe his relentless automaton style which sucks the life/enjoyment out of a match and I eventually stopped watching games which involved him. Find his gamesmanship and faux sincerity a turn-off too and I remain unconvinced of his explanation for the transformation in his game.

I highly recommend it if you get the chance, it's a brilliant experience.

[Greentinted]

Been fortunate to have worked in a sector which afforded me shifts at some massive sporting events (Champions League Final, World Cup Opening Ceremony & Brazil v Scotland, Calcutta Cup games being the most ‘prestigious I suppose) but for me, going to The Crucible is at the top of my list. Made better that it was a Christmas present from my oldest son…was even better that expected.

[JeMeSouviens]

I'd love to go. Massive Andy Murray fan so would have been incredible to be there to see him win it. Huge respect for Nadal and Federer too. Tennis is a great sport and the skill/stamina involved is underrated IMHO. Unfortunately Djokovic has soured my enjoyment of it to an extent. Compared to the aesthetic joy of watching Federer, the excitement of Nadal and the inventiveness of Murray I loathe his relentless automaton style which sucks the life/enjoyment out of a match and I eventually stopped watching games which involved him. Find his gamesmanship and faux sincerity a turn-off too and I remain unconvinced of his explanation for the transformation in his game.

:agree:

Got to agree with this. His hippy dippy stuff has all the hallmarks of a Lance-cancer-survivor type thing going on. I'd love to go to some top level live tennis as well, but I think a US open night session would be the one to go for.

Back to the OP, probably the most memorable non-football event I've been at was the 1990 Calcutta Cup & Grand Slam decider.

[IWasThere2016]

The Masters

[Frazerbob]

:agree:

Got to agree with this. His hippy dippy stuff has all the hallmarks of a Lance-cancer-survivor type thing going on. I'd love to go to some top level live tennis as well, but I think a US open night session would be the one to go for.

Back to the OP, probably the most memorable non-football event I've been at was the 1990 Calcutta Cup & Grand Slam decider.

I missed the 1990 Grand Slam game, choosing instead to head to Tannadice for Murdo MacLeod’s debut in the Scottish Cup. We lost 1-0 thanks to a shocker of an OG by Willie Miller. Should’ve went to the rugby 🤣. I was at the 84 grand slam win tho. That was pretty special.

[The_Exile]

I remain unconvinced of his explanation for the transformation in his game.

He was literally struggling and spewing his way through some 3 set matches 1 year, and then winning grand slams the next. It's so obvious it's actually hilarious he's got away with it for so long.

I was at the Arthur v Gomez fight too, and as a few others have mentioned, the atmosphere was unlike anything I've witnessed since. It was incredible and even re-watching it on youtube etc just doesn't capture the electricity in the air that night.

I was at the last of the v10 era British GP and that will take some beating for noise and adrenaline. From memory it was just a few days after the London bombings, odd thing to say but there was a real party atmosphere, like we were all just happy to be at something we all loved after such a terrible event, it was such a fantastic atmosphere.

[CropleyWasGod]

Champs Elysees for the final day of the Tour. Almost a religious experience.☺

In hindsight, a more important one was an Alpine stage earlier in the Tour, which I also saw. That was the one which Floyd Landis "won", and subsequently lost due to a positive drug test. That stage, and its consequences, was the catalyst for the whole Armstrong saga to unravel.

[McD]

He was literally struggling and spewing his way through some 3 set matches 1 year, and then winning grand slams the next. It's so obvious it's actually hilarious he's got away with it for so long.

I was at the Arthur v Gomez fight too, and as a few others have mentioned, the atmosphere was unlike anything I've witnessed since. It was incredible and even re-watching it on youtube etc just doesn't capture the electricity in the air that night.

I was at the last of the v10 era British GP and that will take some beating for noise and adrenaline. From memory it was just a few days after the London bombings, odd thing to say but there was a real party atmosphere, like we were all just happy to be at something we all loved after such a terrible event, it was such a fantastic atmosphere.



he had a bit of a dip a while back, just after sharapova got banned for illegal substances, I remember reading some speculation at the time that maybe he was using similar stuff, and had backed off of it as it was being very actively looked at/for by the authorities

[Speedy]

I highly recommend it if you get the chance, it's a brilliant experience.

I was fortunate enough to be at this game.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/21/australian-open-rafael-nadal-alexander-zverev

Went late into the night. Was gutted for Zverev, deserved the win but just knackered by the end

[heretoday]

On holiday in London 1966 my old dad got us tickets to the Gillette cricket final at Lords. We spent a couple of hours there before getting the tube to Spurs for the Arsenal derby. Left before the end, headed back to Lords for the last overs.
You couldn't possibly do that now. The cost would be astronomical.