The 40 Greatest Sports Days of the Year
There are some days in the world of sports that are the equivalent of Christmas to a small child for sports fans.
These mega events come only once a year, but when they do, fans go crazy gearing up to watch them, sometimes even sneaking out of work early to get a good seat at the bar or in front of their own TV to catch all of the action.
Here is a list of 40 of the greatest days in sports each year.
No. 40: Coca-Cola 600
1 of 40This is one of the biggest annual races in NASCAR.
Not only is it big in terms of how many fans it attracts or how well-known the event is, it's also the longest race in NASCAR at 600 miles long.
No. 39: National Signing Day (College Football)
2 of 40While students may sign after or around this date, the first official day high school seniors can sign with their college team is an exciting one for sports fans.
On this day each year, usually the first Wednesday in February, fans get to watch and see what fresh new talent will be joining their favorite team.
No. 38: NBA Slam Dunk Contest
3 of 40When would it ever not be exciting to watch professional basketball players try to one-up each other in slam dunk skill and style?
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No. 37: First College Football Game of the Season
4 of 40Ah, the first game of the college football season. While usually not the most exciting game of the season by any stretch of the imagination, this game gets fans back into their teams' stadiums cheering for them and getting geared up to watch an entire season of great football.
No. 36: Indianapolis 500
5 of 40This is another one of the most famous race days in Formula One racing.
People from all over flock to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each year to watch this 500-mile race.
No. 35: MLS Cup Game
6 of 40While not everyone in the nation may be a huge fan of soccer, the MLS Cup championship game, held once a year, is exciting for soccer fans and non-soccer fans alike.
The skill and determination of each player and team in this game is truly exciting to watch.
No. 34: NBA Rookies vs. Sophomores
7 of 40This is one of the more fun side games the NBA puts together each year. Fans love watching the newest members of the NBA battle it out with guys who have had a year more of professional playing experience.
Always a surprise to see who will come out on top.
No. 33: Second to Last Day of the U.S. Open
8 of 40Like many of the great golf tournaments, the competition really heats up the second to the last day of this Open.
No. 32: Last Day of the Winter X Games
9 of 40Multi-day competitions are always fun to watch, but the last day can be one of the most fun, especially in the Winter X Games, when the men's SuperPipe final is usually held.
No. 31: College Rivalry Football Weekend
10 of 40Most of the games usually fall on the same weekend every year, whether we are talking USC-UCLA, Alabama-Auburn or Michigan-Ohio State.
Probably the most exciting weekend in college football, there are several great matchups for alums and fans of all ages.
No. 30: NFL Last Regular Season Game
11 of 40This day applies to any and all sports.
The last regular season game can be a make-or-break moment for most teams, determining whether they go on to the playoffs or end their season right then and there.
No. 29: US Open (Last Grand Slam Tennis Event)
12 of 40This is always an exciting one for tennis fans.
If someone wins the US Open plus the three Slams before it, he or she will be given the Grand Slam title for the year.
No. 28: MLB Draft
13 of 40OK, so maybe watching this event isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but the outcomes of it are.
This is the day fans find out what fresh talent will be joining their team.
No. 27: The First Day of Free Agency
14 of 40This day in sports can best be compared to a feeding frenzy of sharks.
The first day teams can begin talks with free agents is one of the most hectic and exciting with managers and owners trying to all compete for the same players to join their team.
No. 26: New Year's Day Football
15 of 40Is there a better way to spend the day recovering from New Year's Eve shenanigans than watching back-to-back football games with friends and family, all while eating great food?
No. 25: March Madness Bracket Day
16 of 40Oh what an exciting day this is, the day the teams playing in the NCAA basketball tournament are announced and brackets come out.
Who doesn't love getting that year's bracket in their hands and immediately going to research and contemplate who they see going where in the tournament?
No. 24: NHL Draft
17 of 40Again, like most of the other drafts, actually watching isn't that much fun, but seeing the outcomes from it is really exciting.
No. 23: Duke vs. UNC Basketball Game
18 of 40One of the biggest rivalries in college basketball every year, this is one of the top matchups to watch.
No. 22: The Second Saturday in College Football
19 of 40Yes, the first day of the NCAA season was already on this list, but the second game of the season is always one of the most exciting for any team.
The team has worked out a lot of the kinks in its play and is ready to take on some actual competition at this point. This is when you start seeing who the pretenders and contenders are.
No. 21: NFL Draft
20 of 40Not that the other days aren't important, but this is when all the highly anticipated players are drafted.
No. 20: NBA Draft
21 of 40Unlike most of the other drafts in professional sports, the NBA draft is fun to watch. That's not only because people want to see who is drafted where, but also since there are some pretty awesome suits worn to the event.
No. 19: Sunday of the Masters
22 of 40This is the most exciting day of golf all year.
Sunday at the Masters is when the competition really gets heated as players near the end of the tournament.
No. 18: Daytona 500
23 of 40Probably the largest NASCAR event, the Daytona 500 is like the holy grail of race days for fans.
No. 17: Thanksgiving Day Football
24 of 40Great football and great food—who wouldn't get excited about this day?
No. 16: SEC Title Game
25 of 40We all know this is the conference that reigns supreme. The winner of this game is virtually guaranteed a shot at the national title.
No. 15: Final Day of Wimbledon
26 of 40Wimbledon is one of the biggest tournaments in tennis. The last day is typically when the best of the best play one another, making for an exciting day of tennis.
No. 14: Conference Championship Week
27 of 40Sometimes this game includes rivals, but more importantly the stakes are high, as millions of dollars and bragging rights are all on the table. The build-up of fan excitement and activity really makes this an exciting day in sports each year.
No. 13: Final Game of the Stanley Cup Final
28 of 40The championship of the NHL playoffs is always a tough battle for who will win the Stanley Cup. It's emotional and exciting to watch.
No. 12: First Day of March Madness
29 of 40This may be one of the most exciting days of the tournament next to the actual championship game.
Everyone goes in full of hope, with no bracket dreams yet crushed, and watches hours and hours of basketball, even sneaking out of work early to make sure they catch all the action.
No. 11: MLB All-Star Game
30 of 40Like the NBA All-Star game, this is a gathering of some of the greatest players in the league. It's exciting to see players get a chance to play alongside people other than those on their team.
No. 10: MLB Opening Day
31 of 40Nothing brings to mind summer, beer and stadium food more than Opening Day for MLB.
No. 9: NBA All-Star Game
32 of 40This is one of the greatest showcases of talent in the NBA. Pairing up some of the best athletes in the league who usually don't get to play together is an exciting experience to watch.
No. 8: Final Game of the World Series
33 of 40The teams have played multiple games, and everything comes down to this last one. It's an exciting and nerve-racking game to watch.
No. 7: First Monday Night Football Game of the Season
34 of 40Football's been gone since February and the Super Bowl, but when it returns for the fall season, that first week of action is always so exciting since it hasn't been on in months, particularly the Monday Night Football game.
No. 6: Kentucky Derby
35 of 40The Kentucky Derby only comes once a year, but when it does, it causes everyone to stop what they're doing and watch.
No. 5: Championship Sunday in the NFL
36 of 40This may be the most action-packed day in the NFL all season long. With the Super Bowl lineup resting on these conference championship outcomes, these are intense and exciting games to watch.
No. 4: NCAA Final Four and Title Games
37 of 40The final games of the NCAA tournament. With all other teams eliminated, the title game boasts the last two battling it out for a national championship.
No. 3: BCS Title Game
38 of 40The two best teams in all the NCAA coming together to compete for a national championship is an exciting thing to watch.
No. 2: Final NBA Finals Game
39 of 40Especially if this is Game 7 of the series, this is one of the most intense and exciting games each year in professional sports.
No. 1: Super Bowl
40 of 40The king of all championships, the Super Bowl is the most exciting day of the year in sports.
Between great play from the two best teams in the league, hilarious commercials and the tons and tons of good food, it is by far one of the most entertaining times of the year.
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