St. Louis for Sports Fans

Got Game?

One of America’s best sports cities, St. Louis is always a fan favorite

St. Louisans think their community deserves the designation every year, but the editors of ESPN The Magazine recently named St. Louis the “Ultimate Sports City.” Indeed, sports fans always have something to cheer about in St. Louis.

Busch Stadium has drawn rave reviews for incorporating the best of baseball tradition with the newest amenities for the best fans of the game. Great sight lines, dining and fun off-field activities entertain the 2006 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals fans inside. The love affair between the team and the town is so great that The Sporting News named St. Louis the “Best Sports City for Major League Baseball.”

The NFL’s St. Louis Rams own the turf and the hearts of St. Louis football fans at the Edward Jones Dome at America’s Center®, and the NHL’s St. Louis Blues own the ice at Scottrade Center.

Marquee motorsports are found at Gateway International Raceway. The NASCAR Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals are some of the top events held at the complex, which includes a lighted, 1.25-mile oval and a championship drag-racing facility.

Forest Park is home to St. Louis Aces World Team Tennis, as the top names in the sport visit the Dwight Davis Tennis Center for exciting on-court action each July. In September, St. Louis serves as one of the host cities for the statewide Tour of Missouri pro bike race and festival.

In addition to sports in the pro ranks, minor league and college teams are also a big hit in St. Louis. College basketball is at the top of the sports menu when the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament takes place at Scottrade Center each March. The winner earns an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Ticket information is available at www.mvc-sports.com.

Spring sporting events include the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, held in April. Runners of all abilities participate in a half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K run/walk, children’s fun runs and a health and fitness expo. For more information, visit www.gostlouis.org.

The University of Missouri and the University of Illinois continue their football rivalry with great gridiron action over an event-filled Labor Day weekend. The game is played on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at the Edward Jones Dome at America’s Center. College football teams also take the field at the dome when the Gateway Classic brings traditionally black universities to St. Louis for the popular game each September, along with a series of events throughout the weekend. For more information, visit www.gatewayclassic.org.

High school gridironers also meet at the Dome with each Thanksgiving weekend dedicated to the Show-Me Bowl. Click on www.mshsaa.org for details. In December, Scottrade Center hosts the St. Louis High School Basketball Shootout every December.

For information on all of the Gateway City’s sporting events, visit the Award-winning St. Louis Sports Commission’s web site at www.stlouissports.org.

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