Championship Glory: The Greatest Events in Sports

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No matter what sports you follow, there are those special days every year that you look forward to more than any other.  Whether it be a series, a three-day tournament, or a winner take all single game, every sport has a main event that all eyes follow, closely.

There are numerous events that qualify but some stand out more than others as the greatest spectacles in sports.

10. The Stanley Cup

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You will be hard pressed to find more passion or more history than what is found in winning the Stanley Cup. Since 1892, it has been one of sports most sought after prizes and draws passionate crowds and national interest.

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Boston Bruins

2010: Chicago Blackhawks

2009: Pittsburgh Penguins

2008: Detroit Red Wings

2007: Anaheim Ducks

2006: Carolina Hurricanes

2005: Season Cancelled due to Lockout

2004: Tampa Bay Lightening

2003: New Jersey Devils

2002: Detroit Red Wings

9. The World Cup

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No event captures more international interest or participation than the World Cup. Every four years the world watches as countries across the globe sends their squads to capture this prestigious honor.

 

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2010: Spain

2006: Italy

2002: Brazil

1998: France

1994: Brazil

8. The Indianapolis 500

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One of racing's oldest and most prestigious events, the Indianapolis 500 draws interest and participation from drivers across the ranks of all racing series. The winner "drinks the milk" and takes home a great achievement.

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Dan Wheldon

2010: Dario Franchitti

2009: Helio Castroneves

2008: Scott Dixon

2007: Dario Franchitti

2006: Sam Hornish Jr.

2005: Dan Wheldon

2004: Buddy Rice

2003: Gil De Ferran

2002: Helio Castroneves

7. The Masters

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The chase for the green jacket ascends on Augusta every year and has the following of the Golf community and the world. This tournament has made some great and made some greats, fail.

 

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Charl Schwartzel

2010: Phil Mickelson

2009: Angel Cabrera

2008: Trevor Immelman

2007: Zach Johnson

2006: Phil Mickelson

2005: Tiger Woods

2004: Phil Mickelson

2003: Mike Weir

2002: Tiger Woods

6. The World Series

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America's pastime meets every fall to decide its champion in one of sports most grand events.  The seven game series means nearly two glorious weeks of deciding the champion of baseball.

 

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2010: San Fransisco Giants

2009: New York Yankees

2008: Philadelphia Phillies

2007: Boston Red Sox

2006: St. Louis Cardinals

2005: Chicago White Sox

2004: Boston Red Sox

2003: Florida Marlins

2002: Anaheim Angels

2001: Arizona Diamondbacks

5. NCAA Basketball: The Final Four

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March Madness ends with some of the most exciting three games in sports called the Final Four.  The champion must survive a 68-team tournament to become the national champion of college basketball.

 

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Connecticut

2010: Duke

2009: North Carolina

2008: Kansas

2007: Florida

2006: Florida

2005: North Carolina

2004: Connecticut

2003: Syracuse

2002: Maryland

4. The NBA Finals

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The NBA Finals are the prize for the two teams that survive the 82 game season and playoffs. This seven games series tests the ability to win at home and on the road to become the champ!

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Dallas Mavericks

2010: LA Lakers

2009: LA Lakers

2008: Boston Celtics

2007: San Antonio Spurs

2006: Miami Heat

2005: San Antonio Spurs

2004: Detroit Pistons

2003: San Antonio Spurs

2002: LA Lakers

3. The Daytona 500

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The Great American Race... that says it all doesn't it? In this test of driving skill and motor muscle, 43 cars face off with manufacturer bragging rights and driver glory on the line.

 

 

 

 

Recent Winners

2011: Trevor Bayne

2010: Jamie McMurray

2009: Matt Kenseth

2008: Ryan Newman

2007: Kevin Harvick

2006: Jimmie Johnson

2005: Jeff Gordon

2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

2003: Michael Waltrip

2002: Ward Burton

2. The BCS National Championship

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Few events bring out as much excitement and passion than college football. Though the process of deciding who plays in this game will always be controversial, the game itself is one of the best. Young men from around the country dream of bringing the national title to their school and it makes for one amazing sporting event.

 

 

Recent Winners

2010: Auburn

2009: Alabama

2008: Florida

2007: LSU

2006: Florida

2005: Texas

2004: Title Vacated by USC

2003: LSU

2002: Ohio State

2001: Miami

1. The Super Bowl

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Far and away, the number one sporting event in the world, the Super Bowl has captured our desire for sport and glory for 45 years and is only getting bigger. Two teams that survive the rigors of a 16 game season and playoffs face off in a winner take all spectacle that has become the greatest sporting event the world has even seen.

 

 

Recent Winners

Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl XLII:  New York Giants

Super Bowl XLI:   Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl XL:   Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl XXXIX: New England Patriots

Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England Patriots

Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots