Most Likely Places to Spot Athletes Around the World

Aside from seeing them in a professional capacity during a game, the greatly diverging paths of professional athletes and the common man don’t often intersect. Except for, perhaps, on the rarest of occasions.

Their bloated bank accounts, generous annual vacation allotment and general celebrity allow them to travel and have access to places most of us never would. That being said, for those who would like to have a real-life encounter with a superstar athlete, there are ways to increase the odds.

The best way to do that is to familiarize with the places around the world they tend to congregate. Some are quite obvious, while others might surprise you. Let's take a look at some of your best bets.

At Their Alma Mater

Athletes are always proving you can, in fact, go home again. Famous alumni can be spotted on the sideline or in the stands supporting their university on a routine basis. 

JJ Watt, Houston Texans:

Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants:

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins:

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns:

On a Boat 

This one is pretty vague, as boats can be anywhere in the world. That being said, athletes love the #ImOnABoat hashtag a lot. Next time you see a boat, take a closer look—there’s a 93 percent chance a professional athlete will be there. 

Reggie Bush, San Francisco 49ers:

John Wall, Washington Wizards:

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals:

Floyd Mayweather Jr., boxer:

Charlie Whitehurst, Indianapolis Colts:

Hanging with Anna Wintour

She may not seem like a big draw for grown men, but Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour attracts her fair share of professional athletes. It probably keeps rapper/singer Drake up at night. 

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat:

Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants:

Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer:

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder:

At a Dallas Cowboys Game 

They may not actually be America’s team, but everyone knows the Dallas Cowboys have more celebrity fans/hangers-on than any other team in the NFL. 

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder:

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat:

At a Los Angeles Dodgers Game 

The Dodgers prime location in Los Angeles has made it a destination for celebrities and professional athletes, both from inside and outside the city. 

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder:

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder:

At the Christ the Redeemer Statue

One of the most easily recognizable landmarks in the world, the Christ the Redeemer state in Rio de Janeiro is a popular spot for athletes visiting Brazil. There are already tons of these on Instagram, but expect that number to increase exponentially during the 2016 Olympics.

Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles:

John Wall, Washington Wizards:

Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers:

Inside and Outside the White House 

Athletes end up at the White House for a variety of reasons; the most common, of course, is for championship celebrations. Whatever the reasons, though, the White House is one of the likely houses in the country for celebrity sightings.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks:

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat:

Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks:

Andy Murray, tennis player: 

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins:

Hanging With Macklemore 

Second only to Drake in terms of athlete hangers-on, singer Macklemore has become an omnipresent figure in the sports world, particularly in the Seattle sports realm.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers:

Kobe Bryant, Richard Sherman…etc.:

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks:

Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Fame:

Russel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks:

At the Eiffel Tower 

Among the landmarks around the world, your best bet for spotting professional athletes has to be the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat:

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder:

James Harden, Houston Rockets:

JJ Watt, Houston Texans:

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder:

Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer:

The Heisman House

It’s not easy to score an invitation to a soiree at the Heisman House, but if you can swing it, there is no better place in the country to rub elbows with legendary football players. Assuming the fellas are home. 

Hanging With Drake 

As always, the best place in the world to spot an athlete, particularly one on a winning team, is by Drake’s side. You haven’t really made it in sports until you’ve been befriended by Drake.

Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer:

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder:

Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns:

Novak Djokovic, tennis player: 

John McEnroe, former tennis player:

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: