Packed US schedule set to captivate sports fans

Disruption to sport in the early part of the year has left fans starved of action, but that will hopefully be a distant memory over the coming months.

While it remains to be seen whether spectators will be allowed to attend, the opportunity to watch live broadcasts is undoubtedly the next best thing.

Read on as we take a closer at look at what fans in the United States and Canada can look forward to later this year.

Chiefs and Texans kick-off new NFL season

The NFL is an integral part of popular culture in the US and the start of the season is one of the most eagerly awaited dates in the calendar.

The 2020 NFL Kick-off Game will be no different in that respect, as the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans.

People across the country will be placing sport bets on the NFL season opener which always attracts a massive television audience.

Staged just a few days after Labor Day, the event also features a concert and other ceremonies that launch the new campaign in style.

US gunning for revenge against Europe

The top US golfers will be gunning for revenge during September as they go head-to-head with their counterparts from Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Europe has dominated this match-up in recent years, winning nine of their last 12 meetings, but the US will be confident of regaining the prestigious trophy on home soil.

The Ryder Cup traditionally produces plenty of drama and has created some of the most memorable moments in the history of golf.

The fabulous Whistling Straits course at Haven, Wisconsin, will host this year’s renewal which will captivate sports fans around the world.

Ice hockey and basketball set for October launch

The top-class action keeps coming during October as both the NHL and NBA get their respective new seasons underway.

For the NHL this will be the last campaign featuring 31 teams, with a new Seattle franchise set to join the party for the 2021/22 season.

Players across each sport will put their bodies on the line over the following months, playing 82 games during the season followed by play-offs.

This makes both competitions a gruelling test of endurance and sets them apart from many other sports across the world.

Runners take centre stage in Chicago and New York

The US hosts two iconic Marathons during October and November, with Chicago and New York welcoming thousands of runners to their respective races.

More than 45,700 competitors completed the 2019 race in Chicago, while over 53,600 people crossed the finish line in New York.

Each Marathon features elite runners and amateur participants, with both events helping to raise millions of dollars for charity every year.

Both events form part of the World Marathon Majors which are widely recognised as being amongst the most prestigious events for long-distance runners.

Breeders’ Cup returns to Keeneland

The Breeders’ Cup will return to Keeneland in 2020 for a two-day meeting that brings together the best horses in the world.

The racetrack successfully staged the event five years ago, with more than 95,000 people packing the stands over the two days.

Around 4.6 million viewers watched the NBC telecast of the 2015 Breeders’ Cup, while over $150 million was wagered on the event.

With a plethora of top-class races taking place during the meeting, the Breeders’ Cup is the standout horse racing event in the North American sports calendar.

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