Biggest sporting event you've ever attended in person

[BvK1126]

I went to Game Four of the World Series on Sunday night. Although it was disappointing to my Rockies lose, it was still a cool experience to be at the World Series. Being there got me thinking about some of the big sporting events I've been to in my life, and I thought it would be interesting to hear from fellow Fanatics on the same topic.

What are the biggest sporting events are that you've ever attended in person? By this, I don't mean your favorite game, or even necessarily the "best" game you've been to. I've seen some great Cyclone football and basketball games in person, but they don't make my list because few if any of them were on that big of a stage. Have you been to a Final Four, or a Super Bowl? A big-time bowl game? Maybe a key regular season match-up that determined a playoff spot or a conference championship? Heck, have you been to a high school state championship game? I'm curious to see what sporting events top your lists.

Here's my list. I'm choosing five, just for the heck of it, but you can choose as many as you want. I'm actually leaving a few big Iowa State games and a few other sporting events off of this list to get it down to five, but I think these are the biggest of the big:

5) June 1999, Florida State vs. Miami, College World Series Championship Game, Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, Nebraska. The Hurricanes topped the Seminoles, 6-5, to win the National Championship.

4) October 1997, D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids, MLS Cup Championship Game, RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. D.C. United topped the Rapids, 2-1, to win their second consecutive MLS Cup title.

3) October 1997, Cleveland Indians vs. Baltimore Orioles, Game 6 of the ALCS, Baltimore, Maryland. The Indians beat the Orioles, 1-0, in 11 innings to clinch a spot in the World Series.

2) October 2007, Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres, National League Wild-Card Tie-Breaker Game, Coors Field, Denver, Colorado. The best baseball game I've ever seen -- in person or on TV. The Rockies won, 9-8 in 13 innings, by rallying from a two-run deficit off of all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman of the Padres.

1) October 2007, Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox, Game 4 of the World Series, Coors Field, Denver, Colorado. I enjoyed the Rockies' Tie-Breaker game more, but the World Series has to top my list. For those of you living in a cave for the last 48 hours, Boston won, 4-3, to sweep the Rockies in four games and win the World Series.

[superfan]

January 12, 1997, Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers, NFC Championship Game, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Packers win 30-13 in 4 degree Fahrenheit weather to go to (and win) their first Super Bowl in 30 years. Most amazing game-day atmosphere I've ever been to. Thirty years of frustration pouring out of every single fan and energizing the stadium.

[wesley_w]

Well, maybe not the biggest in terms of worldwide TV audience and interest, but the biggest for on site spectators....44 consecutive Indy 500's in person beginning in 1964. The speedway has the most permanant seating of any stadium in the world.

Plus, the 1990 and 1991 US Opens in Chicago and Minneapolis.

[isucy86]

I been to Final Fours, but the best was Game 7 of the World Series between the Twins & the Braves. Jack Morris was a Hoss! Unbelievable environment in the Dome.

[gocubs2118]

2003 Cubs vs. Yankees. Clemens vs. Wood. Clemons going for win #300. Erik Karros hit a game winning 3 run homer in the 7th to win it. Best experience and the best atmosphere I have ever been to at Wrigley. I will never forget it.

[Silver Bullet]

2005 super bowl ISU won 23-3

[BvK1126]

Originally Posted by wesley_w

Well, maybe not the biggest in terms of worldwide TV audience and interest, but the biggest for on site spectators....44 consecutive Indy 500's in person beginning in 1964. The speedway has the most permanant seating of any stadium in the world.

I have yet to go to an Indy 500, though it is definitely near the top of my list of sporting events that I must see in my lifetime. I did go to the inaugural US Grand Prix F1 race at the Brickyard back in 2000. It wasn't quite the Indy 500, of course, but seeing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (especially the Indy 500 museum) was an amazing experience in and of itself. A friend of mine did an internship for the Benetton Racing Team (now known as Renault F1) in England that year, and he was there in Indy working for the team. He got me free tickets and some pretty cool memorabilia for free, including an actual Benetton pit crew shirt. I'm not much more than a casual racing fan, but it was a fantastic event, great atmosphere, and one of the most fun weekends I've ever had at a sporting event!

[Flag Guy]

December 22, 1996, Last game at RFK stadium

September 1995, Game in which Cal Ripken Jr. tied Lou Gehrig's record (2,130)

[jdoggivjc]

2002 ISU v. Texas Tech - THE RUN!!!

Seriously, 2000 Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Might be the best "sporting" experience I've ever attended.

[Harry]

1984 LA Olympics

went to track and field, basketball, wrestling, volleyball and field hockey

[JHudd]

October 6, 2001 - Baltimore, MD Cal Ripken's final game

It may not be the biggest or the greatest but as a big baseball fan that is a night I will never forget.

[cytech]

I have not really been to a really big sporting event before, Been to quite a few cyclone basketball and football games. Quite a few cubs and white sox games, but that is about it for me.
But I did just find out tonight that I got tickets to see the Bears vs. the Vikings on monday night football on Dec. 17th so I guess that will be the biggest when it happens next month

[wesley_w]

Originally Posted by BvK1126

I have yet to go to an Indy 500, though it is definitely near the top of my list of sporting events that I must see in my lifetime.

If you go to the 500 and happen to think about it, let me know ahead of time!!

[Cyclonesrule91]

I think it was 1992 when I went to the NCAA championship game between the fab 5 of Michigan who got beat by Christian Latner of the Duke Blue Devils. Awesome atmosphere and it was great walking around the metrodome and seeing all the famous people there. Pretty cool

[gocubs2118]

And I was also at the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields.