Ranking the Biggest Events in Sports | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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Zack Pumerantz@z_pumerantzTwitter LogoAnalyst IIIJuly 6, 2012
Ranking the Biggest Events in Sports
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Each corner of our athletic planet is stocked with unique cultural flavors. From muddy horse races to elegant cricket matches, there is little that hasn’t been tried.
And we’re here to find out which events reign supreme, which battles absorb the most cash and attract the most awe-inspired viewers.
As we search the world in search of the greatest events, we must take into account that each offers its own taste of athleticism, it’s own brand of entertainment.
Enjoy the more than slight culture shock.
Here are the biggest events in sports.
Or rather, every sports fan’s ultimate bucket list.
25. The Rose Bowl, United States
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Rose pedals and football, that’s what Pasadena does.
Established in 1902 and played annually since 1916, the Rose Bowl holds standing as the oldest bowl game. It hosts the Big Ten and Pacific-12 conference champions (unless they’re in the National Championship), and rarely attracts any fewer than 90,000 blood-thirsty patrons.
Stat: 91,245…attendance at this year’s game.
24. Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco
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Held in the streets of Monaco since 1929, this tumultuous competition is among the most prestigious in the world in regards to racing.
Perhaps the most demanding course in Formula One, the Circuit de Monaco offers an intricately-designed road that makes drivers truly earn their victory.
This renowned race will always be shadowed by Brazil’s late Ayrton Senna, who won the race an unprecedented six times (five consecutive between ’89 and ’93).
Stat: 4,836. ..The number of gear changes undertaken by a car completing the full race distance.
23. Stanley Cup Finals
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Fearless checks and green-clad fanatics. Icy punching bouts and electric goals. Playoff time in the sport of hockey is like no other, as it combines pure hatred and world-class talent to form quite the display of athletic greatness.
Teams with the least amount of black eyes often escape defeated. Enjoy digesting that one.
Stat: 3.0 million…Average audience of 2012 Kings-Devils Finals.
22. Indianapolis 500, United States
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500 miles of pure, undisturbed racing headlines this legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway race.
The Memorial Day weekend spectacle never discloses its attendance, but we know it scrapes the edges of 400,000.
Stat: $13.51 million…the 2011 payout.
21. The Open Championship, England and Scotland
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Held on the weekend of the third Friday in July, the Open Championship is not only the oldest of the four major championships, but it’s also the only Major held outside of the United States.
Since its establishment in 1860, the Open has warmed golfing hearts around the world with its exotic feel.
Stat: 180,000…Spectators at the 2011 Open.
20. The Boston Marathon, United States
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From 18 participants in 1897 to 26,716 in 2012, the world’s oldest annual marathon has seen its popularity sky-rocket toward greatness. Let’s not forget the record 38,708 participants in 1996.
But the Boston Marathon has become a tradition in New England, always being held on the third Monday in April, or rather Patriots’ Day.
For most it’s a glorious, albeit crowded jog in the park. For others, a ferocious battle.
Stat: 2,181…Runners who needed medical treatment along the race.
19. Rugby World Cup
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Similar to soccer’s World Cup, Rugby’s worldly competition occurs every four years and features a battle for Earth-wide supremacy.
But unlike its same-named counterpart, the Rugby World Cup offers crushing hits and pad-less warriors who feast on rival blood.
Ruthless, and beloved.
Stat: NZ$280 million (slightly over $225 million in U.S. dollars)…2011 Rugby World Cup ticket sales.
18. Daytona 500, United States
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Some may prefer to call it the Super Bowl of Stock Racing, but either way the Daytona 500 remains the most important race in the world of NASCAR.
It is the final event of Speedweeks, occurring on the last Sunday in February, and has thrived since it’s inception in 1959.
Stat: 135,000…approximate number of followers driver Brad Keslowski gained after tweeting a picture of Juan Pablo Montoya’s crash this year.
17. BCS National Championship Game, United States
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As the Super Bowl of college football, the National Championship Game naturally garners the attention of an entire nation during its three hours of mayhem.
It’s expected that the two highest-ranked clubs battle it out on the gridiron for collegiate supremacy, although there have been some controversial decisions. No. 3 Oklahoma over No. 1 USC in ’03?
Students roar in support and elders clap with honor, it’s an event that unites generations of fans.
Stat: 78,237…Tickets sold at the 2012 Game.
16. Ryder Cup
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Perhaps the most established and beloved competition not involving prize money, the Ryder Cup occurs every two years and features teams from Europe and the United States competing for pure respect…and a hefty gold trophy.
The European team has won six out of the last eight Ryder Cups.
Stat: 55,000…breakfast rolls eaten at the 2010 Cup.
15. UEFA Champions League Final
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Dominated by Spanish clubs since being founded in 1955, the UEFA Champions League has become the most viewed event worldwide during its brief existence.
Real Madrid’s nine titles headlines a glorious tournament that continues to attract every worldwide set of eyes.
Stat: 178. 7 million…amount of viewers for 2011 UEFA Champions League Final.
14. March Madness, United States
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For those who enjoy single-elimination thrillers, March Madness needs to headline the bucket list.
Created by former Ohio State coach Harold Olsen in 1939, the Big Dance features 68 collegiate teams battling for pure victory.
UCLA has dominated the tournament’s history with 11 National titles, while Dick Vitale has shadowed it with such ferocious utterances like “Oh baby” and “Diaper Dandy.” A colorful and always-enthusiastic showing.
Stat: $738,000,000…Amount CBS and Turner made off advertising during the 2011 tournament.
13. Tour De France, France
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Since 1903, this three-week, 2,000-mile trek has become the most popular of the three bicycle Grand Tours. With a grand finale in beautiful Paris.
A heavenly ending for the most visually delightful, yet physically demanding cycling race on Earth.
Stat: 12-15 million…Expected number of spectators.
12. The World Series, United States
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Walk-off bombs and frigid seventh-inning stretches. What may sound terrible to some is a blessing to most, America’s pastime that is.
162 games between the freshness of Spring, the sweaty days of Summer and the chilly breezes of Fall lead to a memorable October postseason.
The World Series is a culmination of national pride, in seven games.
Stat: 10.0…Rating of the 2011 World Series, 19 percent higher than Rangers-Giants 2010 series.
11. Cricket World Cup
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Organized in England in 1975, this quadrennial tournament has become the pinnacle of cricket greatness.
A game once played only in the crevices of Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan and the West Indies, cricket is now witnessing a cultural transition.
Other countries are beginning to pick up the sticks.
Stat: 162 million…Viewers through the first 40 matches of the 2011 World Cup.
10. NBA Finals, United States
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82 games of hardwood beauty and a lengthy postseason leads to a seven-game series for basketball brilliance.
Many watch to either boo or berate the so-called King of basketball, LeBron James, while others simply love the festive nature of the championship series.
A traditional event.
Stat: 215 countries…Receiving broadcast, in a possible 47 languages.
9. Kentucky Derby, United States
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To close out the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival, three-year-old thoroughbreds engage in the greatest two minutes in sports.
Run every consecutive year since 1875, this one-and-a-quarter miles of horse racing is the first leg of the Triple Crown.
But let’s be honest, this event is far more about wine spritzers and hefty bets than watching graceful horses gallop about the Churchill Downs racetrack.
Stat: $165.2 million…Total amount bet in 2011.
8. Wimbledon, England
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The oldest and possibly most prestigious tennis tournament in the world has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877.
It’s the only Major still played on grass and features two weeks in late June and early July of pure racket-swatting greatness.
Intriguing traditions include a strict dress code and the eating of strawberries and cream. Class, class, class.
On the other hand, if sparkling wine statistics don’t sum up the popularity of an event, what will?
Stat: 25,000…Bottles of champagne consumed.
7. Polo at Palermo, Argentina
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Referred to as the River Plate Polo Championship between 1893-1923, the Polo at Palermo takes place at the Cathedral of Polo, minutes from downtown Buenos Aires.
Dominated by the Argentinians, this graceful sport is perhaps just as fashionable as it is athletically elegant. A sight to behold.
Stat: 3,000+…Polo players in Argentina.
6. The Masters Tournament, United States
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Sparked by Clifford Roberts and golfing great Bobby Jones in 1934, the Masters remains the heart and soul of golf.
The first tournament of the year has seen greats like Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer grace its rich Augusta surface. Oh, and dare we forget the man, the legend Tiger Woods with his four victories.
They all want that illustrious green jacket.
Stat: 30,000-40,000…Attendance per round.
5. The Grand National, England
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Held at Aintree Racecourse each year since 1839, this wealthy race tests the will and closeness of both horse and jockey for just over four miles.
With horses jumping 30 fences, this race offers a breathtaking combination of speed and stability. A worldly treasure.
Few complete the course unscathed.
Stat: 600 million. ..Estimated worldwide audience.
4. The Super Bowl, United States
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Three hours of controlled madness on the football field is pleasantly complemented by a quality array of often-hilarious ads that keeps us smiling during breaks.
Football’s Big Game now seems just as focused on overpriced ads as it does on gridiron greatness. But that doesn’t keep us from drooling over the annual possibilities, following always memorable playoff runs.
The quest for the Lombardi Trophy leads us to a constant munching.
Stat: 100 million pounds…Wings consumed during Super Bowl 2012.
3. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, France
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Endurance and efficiency headline quite the mix of past and present racing.
Since its debut in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has featured old-school and modern-day vehicles racing against time and stability along the French countryside in perhaps the most strenuous car race known to man.
The Circuit de la Sarthe offers both closed public roads and permanent racetracks, and a breathtaking visage.
Stat: 240,000+…Spectators at this year’s event.
2. The Olympic Games
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For roughly two weeks every two years (summer and winter Games alternating), the world’s greatest athletes compete for worldwide respect.
Excluding the bribery scandals, boycotts and doping allegations, this is exactly what the Greek Gods had in mind. Pure athleticism.
From the United States hockey team upsetting the Soviet Union at the 1980 Miracle on Ice to wrestler Rulon Gardner winning over hearts at the ’00 Games, the heart-throbbing greatness never ends.
Stat: 375…Doctors who will be at ’12 London Games.
1. The FIFA World Cup
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For about one month every four years, most of the world’s inhabitants stop everything they’re doing to watch 32 qualifying countries battle it out for supremacy.
The flag-thrusting, fire-starting passion of the fans and the breathtaking foot skills shown on the pitch mesh to create the most beloved tournament in the world.
Stat: 6,161,000…Record number of viewers for the United States vs. Algeria match in 2010.
America’s Top Ten Sporting Events | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
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Alan Rubenstein@@uarubyTwitter LogoAnalyst IIISeptember 2, 2010
America’s Top Ten Sporting Events
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This is one of the most exciting times of the year in sports. U.S. Open tennis and college football begin this week, and the NFL begins next weekend.
What are the biggest sporting events in the NFL every year? It can depend on your perspective and rooting interest. These 10 are undeniably a major part of the American Sporting calendar every year.
10. US Open Tennis
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
The U.S. Open has been held every year since 1891. It has been the final Grand Slam of the Year since 1987. It is held the week before and after Labor Day weekend.
It moved to hard courts in Flushing Meadows, Queens, NY with the creation of the National Tennis Center in 1978.
It was previously held at the West Side Tennis Club on grass, and then clay during the final three years there. The U.S. Open was originally held at the Newport Casino in Newport, RI. It is now the site of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Jimmy Connors is the only player, male or female to win the Open on all three surfaces.
In 1970, the U.S. became the first Grand Slam to utilize the tiebreaker. It is presently the only slam to use a tiebreak in the final set. The other three play out the final set. That creates the possibility of a 70-68 fifth set.
The dawn of the replay era likely began here as well.
Many point to a 2004 women’s quarterfinal between Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams. Williams lost out on a few questionable calls, which it was later proven should have gone in her favor. Replay commenced two years later.
Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer have each won five titles in the Open era and Chris Evert’s six lead the women in the Open era.
The USTA opened Arthur Ashe stadium in 1997. It is named after the tennis great and former U.S. Davis Cup captain. It is the largest tennis stadium in the world.
9. MLB All-Star Game
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Michael Buckner/Getty Images
The original of the All-Star games first occurred on July 6, 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The game was created by Chicago Tribune sports writer Arch Ward. The idea was that the game would coincide with Chicago’s Century of progress exposition.
Lefty Grove earned the win and Bill Hallahan was charged with the loss. Babe Ruth hit the first All-Star game home run and Frankie Frisch hit the National League’s first HR.
The 1934 game was remembered for pitching. Carl Hubbell struck out five Hall of Famers in succession. Ruth, Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx in the first and Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in the second.
Each league has also gone on long winning streaks. The American League won 12 of the first 17 games. The National League won 26 of 29 games between 1960 and 1985. The American League had a 13-game unbeaten streak, which ended this year.
The Home Run Derby was added in 1985, and Futures game in 1999. The most All-Star games have been played in Chicago and New York.
8. Masters
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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Legendary golfer Bobby Jones wanted the perfect piece of land to build a golf course after his retirement.
He found it in Augusta, Georgia, and the first Masters took place in 1934.
It was originally known as the Augusta National Iniviation Tournament. The course was flipped back then with 10-18 utilized as the front nine and 1-9 as the back nine. It was reversed to its present state in 1935, and the name Masters was first used in 1939.
The Masters was first televised in 1956 by CBS. They only televised the last four holes. They have televised every Masters since then.
CBS was not allowed to air all 18 holes until 2000. Augusta National restricts the cable networks to only three hours of coverage per day in the early round. This is presumably done to increase ratings.
Tickets to the Masters are very tough to get. Only members of a “Patrons” list are eligible.
7. Kentucky Derby
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Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The fastest two minutes in sports is the oldest of these 10 prestigious events. It has been run every year since 1875.
The Derby and Churchill Downs were founded by the Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. He was the grandson of explorer William Clark (Lewis and Clark). He was inspired by the Epsom Darby in England and the Paris Grand Prix, now known as the Arc D’Triomphe.
The race was originally held at 1.5 miles and was changed to its current distance of 1.25 miles in 1896. Aristides was the winner of the inaugural Derby.
The Derby was way ahead of its time in many ways. Between 1875 and 1902, African-American jockeys won 15 times, and the first female owner occurred in 1904.
The first televised Derby was in 1952.
6. NBA All-Star Game
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Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
The first NBA All-Star game was played in Boston in 1951. The game was also at Boston Garden in 1952.
The game is often criticized as the least genuine All-Star game of the four major North American sports. Its lack of defense frustrates many fans.
Taking a cue from the ABA, the NBA began its slam dunk competition and All-Star weekend (then just Saturday night) in 1984.
It has added to the festivities and created some legendary moments. Five-foot-seven Spud Webb winning the 1986 slam dunk contest in his hometown of Dallas, and Michael Jordan’s dramatic victory over Dominique Wilkins stick out.
Even the national anthem has created excitement. Marvin Gaye brought the house down at the 1983 NBA All-Star game at the forum in Inglewood, CA. His soulful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is the All-Star game’s most memorable performance.
5. Daytona 500
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John Harrelson/Getty Images
5) Daytona 500- The first official Daytona 500 occurred in 1959 after the opening of Daytona International Speedway. Originally, shorter races were held on what was called the Daytona Beach Road course. The original race was won by Lee Petty, the patriarch of the great Petty racing family.
In 1995, the Daytona 500 passed the Indianapolis 500 as the most watched auto race in the United States. Indy still attracts more attendees and international viewership. It was the first auto race to be covered in its entirety when CBS covered Daytona in 1979.
No one has won back to back at Daytona since Cale Yarborough in 1983-84.
4. NFL Draft
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e.g. ‘Chicago Blackhawks’, ‘Chicago Cubs’Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
The NFL Draft began in 1936 as a way to disperse college players to NFL teams equitably. Jay Berwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner the previous fall, was the first player picked. He elected not to pursue a professional football career.
The draft has always been held in New York. The 2010 NFL Draft was the first one held in primetime. Although tickets are free, fans must arrive early and wait on long lines to see who the next great NFL stars might be.
The first draft was nine rounds. There were as many as 17 rounds in the 1970’s.
3. NFL Opening Night/Weekend
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daytona 500
The NFL kickoff game on opening weekend began in 2002. It has included the defending Super Bowl champion since 2004. Created by NFL marketing executive John Collins, it provided the NFL with an additional $1.9 billion in revenue in the 14 months after its inception.
Like the Super Bowl, the game features a pregame concert and other pregame ceremonies. The defending Super Bowl champion is a perfect 6-0 in the opening night game.
2. Final Four
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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The NCAA Tournament began in 1939. When it first began, the NCAA took a back seat to the more prestigious, and East Coast based National Invitation Tournament.
The NCAA Tournament wasn’t televised until 1962. Only a condensed version of the championship game was aired on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. This was after the semifinals were edited out.
The tournament began to gain steam when John Wooden and UCLA rose to prominence. This led to NBC televising parts of the tournament beginning in 1969. In 1971, the Final Four was played at the Houston Astrodome. This was the first time it was in a domed stadium.
The 1979 game between Magic Johnson and Michigan State and Larry Bird and Indiana State put college basketball and the Final Four on the map as one of the biggest sporting events in the United States. It remains the highest rated college basketball game ever.
Three years later, the Final Four returned to a dome. Michael Jordan announced himself to the basketball world by hitting the game-winning shot for North Carolina at the Superdome in New Orleans. This was also the first tournament telecast by CBS.
The NCAA signed a $10.8 billion deal in April with CBS and TBS to broadcast its games through 2024.
1. Super Bowl
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Elsa/Getty Images
The Super Bowl has become so big, that over 200 countries now televise the Super Bowl. The commercials, half-time show, and events surrounding the week leading up to the game have become just as big as the game itself. The name was derived from late Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt after seeing his children play with a superball.
Super Bowl XLIV set the record for the most viewers with 106.5 million.
Rating of sports events | Forbes.ru
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Peter Schwartz
Author
On the eve of the Olympics in Vancouver, Forbes.com compiled a rating of sports events. Which of them earn the most?
In terms of revenue, hardly any sporting event can compete with the Olympic Games or the World Cup. But it can take weeks to collect all the revenues due – from broadcasts, tickets sold and sponsored ads. Therefore, Forbes took the income that a sporting event brings in one day as the basis for compiling the Forbes rating. The Summer Olympic Games were in 2nd place, the Winter ones – only in 7th. Football championships take 3rd (world) and 4th (European) places. The remaining six positions in the ranking went to events that are primarily of interest to Americans. Their participants are horses, cars and students.
Fotobank Getty Images
National Football League Super Bowl
Event duration: 1 night
Daily revenue: $420 million
One year and two years ago, the Super Bowl was watched by 98.7 million and 97. 5 million viewers, respectively, and became the most watched sports event in television history in USA. The right to show a 30-second spot during the broadcast costs $2.8 million this year. Watching the Super Bowl off TV is almost impossible: only 1% of $500 tickets are distributed more or less freely (through a lottery).
Fotobank Getty Images
Summer Olympics
Event duration: 3 weeks
Daily revenue: $230 million
With $3.9 billion in earnings, the Beijing Games nearly became the first sporting event in history to raise $4 billion
REUTERS Event duration: 1 month Daily revenue: $120 million World Cup organizers in South Africa predict that TV and sponsorship revenues will exceed those of the previous tournament (2006) by $600 million. REUTERS 2010 Event duration: 3 weeks Daily revenue: $110 million The European Tournament is the most favored corporate sponsor, spending a total of $200 million on the last championship in 2008. Fotobank Getty Images Event duration: 1 week Daily revenue: $106 million A streak of at least five games makes the Fall Classic the world’s highest-grossing annual sporting event (last year there were six games between the Yankees and the Phillies). Fotobank Getty Images Event Duration: 1 day Daily Revenue: $100 million Even though 4000-seat ticket prices dropped by 73% last year, the great American races still grossed almost $30 million from attendees alone. Fotobank Getty Images Event duration: 2.5 weeks Daily revenue: $93 million The Winter Olympics brand will only be strengthened after the Vancouver games begin next week. Fotobank Getty Images Event duration: 3 days Daily revenue: $90 million The college league left NBA professionals and entire sports (eg hockey) on the sidelines. Daily revenue for the NCAA Main Event is almost double that of another iconic brand in college sports, the cup football championship. Fotobank Getty Images Event duration: 1 week Daily revenue: $75 million MLB has turned its All-Star Game into a week-long marathon that has been attended by virtually every baseball Hall of Famer in recent years. Fotobank Getty Images Event duration: 1 day Daily revenue: $67 million Last year, bets on the Kentucky Derby alone reached $103 million. The organizer, Churchill Downs, got 3% of bets placed locally and 7% elsewhere. The most unusual sporting events of this summer 3 828 3 162 4 13819 9 2559 5 36759 1 203 4 14463 Archived list Unusual concerts in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. 12+ Jazz, medieval and classical music on the organ. See schedule Derby in Kentucky 0+ First Stage Triple Crown The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world that still retains all the aristocratic rules of the sport. Palio of Siena in Italy 0+ Italy’s largest horse race The Palio of Siena is one of the most colorful festivals in the city, which attracts guests from all over Italy and also from other countries. Historical regatta On a warm Italian Sunday morning, September 7, 2014, the historic gondolier regatta – Regata Storica – will begin with a parade on the Grand Canal in Venice. Most of the ships lavishly decorated with flowers and ribbons – gondolas, caorlin, peot and other bucintoros – are built in our time, but imitate old models quite accurately. Rowing Race – Oxford vs Cambridge On April 6, 2014, the calm waters of the legendary Thames will be disturbed by swift speedboats – an annual rowing race takes place here, in which student teams from two world-famous universities compete – Cambridge and Oxford.
Soccer World Cup
The championship, which takes place every four years, generates 90% of FIFA’s budget revenue.
European Football Championship
World Series of Baseball League (MLB)
Daytona 500 car racing
Winter Olympic Games
It is expected that the 2010 Olympics will collect 60% more than the previous games in Turin (Italy).
Collegiate Basketball League (NCAA) Final Four
MLB All-Star Week
All five living presidents of the United States appeared in the stands.
Derby in Kentucky
The most unusual sporting events of this summer
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In addition to the races themselves, fairs and various street shows are held.
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