From college basketball cathedrals to the continent’s oldest baseball grounds, the United States and Canada boast the largest collection of historic, titanic and electric sports venues on the planet. There are truly hundreds of incredible arenas and stadiums across the land, but there are only 51 venues that die-hard fans absolutely HAVE to see at least once before they die.

Here it is, in no particular order, the Ultimate Sports Bucket List…

1. Hinkle Fieldhouse

Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Butler Bulldogs, has cemented its place as a basketball mecca and capital of the phenomenon known as Hoosier Hysteria. The unique architecture of the Fieldhouse – featuring a red-brick exterior, window panes that allow in plenty of natural light and an arched steel-truss supported roof – helped the venue achieve National Historic Landmark status in 1987. Hinkle is also recognized for helping popularize the sport of basketball in the United States and shaping the design of future college basketball arenas.

2. Wrigley Field

Known as The Friendly Confines, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and home of the Chicago Cubs for more than 110 years. The venue’s iconic ivy-covered walls and terraced seating bowl makes it one of the most unique stadiums in the sport and a mecca for sports fans of all ages. Wrigley also stands out due to the fact that it didn’t host night games until lights were installed in 1988.

3. Rose Bowl

College football’s most venerated venue, Pasadena’s Rose Bowl is the host of the UCLA Bruins as well as the perennial Rose Bowl Game that gives the stadium its name. Opened in 1922, this century-old palace has been a staple in the sports world – not just college football – hosting five Super Bowls, the FIFA World Cup, and playing a part in two Olympic games.

4. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

Itself an icon of college basketball, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has been the home of the legendary Indiana Hoosiers since it opened in 1971. A powerhouse of the past, Indiana continues to don the red and white and thrill fans overcome with Hoosier Hysteria here at this remarkable venue. Featuring some of the steepest seating arrangements in the sport, Assembly Hall’s one-of-a-kind architecture and often packed out crowds help it to persist as the Big Ten’s most intense gameday atmosphere.

5. Bristol Motor Speedway

Despite being one of the smaller tracks on the NASCAR schedule, Bristol Motor Speedway is the 8th largest sports venue in the United States with seating in excess of 146,000. The small footprint and large capacity of the venue gives Bristol one of the best atmospheres in NASCAR, hosting both dirt track races and the marquee Night Race each fall. Located in the hills of eastern Tennessee, the track is nicknamed “The Last Great Colosseum” and has hosted college football and MLB games in addition to the usual stock car racing.

6. Allen Fieldhouse

Along with Hinkle Fieldhouse and The Palestra, Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball’s bona fide cathedrals. Named for former Jayhawk player and longtime coach Phog Allen, the arena is more than 70 years old and is a continuation of the legacy of James Naismith, founder of both the basketball program at Kansas and the game itself. The uninterrupted seating structure and notoriously loud crowds also help give the Jayhawks one of the best home records in college hoops.

7. The Sun Bowl

Carved into the dusty El Paso hills, the iconic Sun Bowl is indisputably the most unique venue in college football – and possibly the world. It’s an architectural oddity, perfectly nestled in a natural stadium-shaped basin that overlooks the city of El Paso and the rugged urban terrain of neighboring Mexico. For more than six decades, the venue has been home to the UTEP Miners and the annual Sun Bowl game for which it is named.

8. Centre Bell

The second-largest hockey arena in the world, Montréal’s Centre Bell replaced the historic Forum de Montréal as the home of the Canadiens in 1996. Although it’s only about 30 years old, the arena is a true palace for the storied NHL franchise and, despite its modernity, it remains a mecca for hockey fans across Canada and the world.

9. Providence Park

The field at historic Providence Park in Portland, Oregon has been used for athletics since 1893 and has existed as a stadium for close to a century. It has hosted everything from college football to greyhound racing and spent decades as a baseball stadium before being converted for soccer. Today, this one-of-a-kind venue is home to the wildly popular Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer and is the oldest ground currently used in the circuit.

10. The Palestra

The sport’s original cathedral, The Palestra has hosted more games than any other venue in college basketball. The home of the Penn Quakers, it has been an epicenter for basketball since it opened in 1927 and its unique design forever changed the trajectory of the sport. For close to 70 years, The Palestra was also the primary venue for tournaments between the Big 5, an agglomeration of Philly’s five – now six – DI colleges.

11. Gutterson Fieldhouse

Affectionately called “The Gut”, the University of Vermont’s Gutterson Fieldhouse is one of the most iconic and recognized arenas in college sports. The barn, which opened in the fall of 1963, features a dramatically vaulted wood-paneled ceiling that not only creates great gameday acoustics, but also embodies the outdoorsy vibes that the Green Mountain State is so well known for.

12. Bosse Field

Located in Evansville, Indiana, Bosse Field is the oldest baseball stadium in the United States below the Major League level. Its been in use since 1915 and has hosted a myriad of professional ballclubs, in addition to an NFL team at one point. Bosse was a notable filming location for the 1992 movie A League of Their Own as well. Presently, the Frontier League’s Evansville Otters play each summer at these historic grounds.

13. Cameron Indoor Stadium

One of college basketball’s hardest tickets, a Duke Blue Devils game inside legendary Cameron Indoor is a thrilling experience. The Cameron Crazies set the tone and Duke fans follow, making the gym an intimidating place to play. The school has used this to their advantage, with the Blue Devils remaining a perennial contender well into each postseason. At the center of it all is Cameron Indoor, whose gorgeous bluestone walls literally and figuratively tell the story of Duke athletics.

14. PNC Park

The title for best outfield view in baseball arguably belongs to PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The impressive city skyline looms over right field, providing a dramatic backdrop for the Bucs. The stadium itself is a gem as well, built from local steel and limestone and, between its food-filled concourses and shady seating bowl, features one of MLB’s most top-notch fan experiences.

15. Yost Ice Arena

The second-oldest venue still in use in all of college hockey, Yost Ice Arena is one of the sport’s most intimate, historic and electric barns. The “Hinkle of Hockey” has been around for more than a century and has seen over fifty years of Michigan Wolverines hockey take place under its iconic roof. The arena’s cozy atmosphere, striking architecture and frenzied fans are all part of what makes game nights at Yost special.

16. LaVell Edwards Stadium

Opened back in 1964, the home of Brigham Young University football isn’t particularly notable in itself – but the views of the neighboring Wasatch Mountains it affords help it stand out significantly. Like most outdoor venues in the Salt Lake City area, the snow-capped peaks dominate the horizon and loom large over LaVell Edwards Stadium. The venue has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, improving the fan experience and growing alongside BYU, who now competes in the Big 12.

17. John J. Lee Amphitheater

Nicknamed “The Cathedral of Sweat”, the John J. Lee Amphitheater was constructed at the height of the Great Depression, first opening its doors in 1932. The venue’s unique architecture, including little nooks and crannies, small stained glass windows and large wooden doors all work in tandem to serve as a constant reminder to visitors just how special a game is at this marvelous relic from a bygone era.

18. War Memorial Stadium

The highest college football stadium in the nation, Wyoming’s home at War Memorial Stadium is a tough place to play. Laramie sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, lending the Cowboys their traditional greeting to opponents – “Welcome to 7,220!”

19. Finneran Pavilion

The reputation of Villanova basketball precedes them – the school’s title-winning ways may lead casual observers to assume they play in an enormous arena on a large college campus. But nothing could be further from the truth. A small school just west of Philadelphia, Villanova’s athletic centerpiece is the intimate Finneran Pavilion. With a capacity of just 6,500 and a quirky hyperbolic paraboloid roof to boot, getting inside the Pavilion for a Wildcats game is no easy task, as ‘Nova had some of the hottest tickets in the high-majors.

20. Labatt Memorial Park

Tracing its roots back to 1877, Labatt considers itself the oldest continually operating baseball grounds in the world. The stadium is adjacent to the Thames River in London, Ontario and has seen more than a dozen teams and hundreds of baseball stars compete on its field. Home to the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League, this is not just the most historic venue in Canada but it should also be one of the top-ranked parks on anyone’s baseball bucket list.

21. Intuit Dome

One of the newest pro sports venues, opened in fall 2024, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California is the revolutionary home of the LA Clippers. The venue pioneered the first double-sided halo board in an arena, taking up nearly an acre of space. A true facility of the future, the Dome also enables fans to play console-style video games on the big screen against other players, thanks to buttons next to each seat. All together, its next-level amenities make the Intuit Dome a type of sports arena all its own.

22. Portland Exposition Building

The Expo is a historic venue that dates back over a century. Constructed in 1914 and opened the following year, the Expo Building will become the oldest multi-purpose indoor arena in the United States following the impending demolition of iconic Matthews Arena in Boston. Its long history of hosting a mix of agricultural and sporting events makes the Expo Building a truly unique and special place for minor league basketball.

23. Fifth Third Arena

The sleek and snazzy home of the University of Cincinnati’s basketball team, Fifth Third Arena might just be the best venue in college hoops. While the Bearcats have called the place home since 1989, it wasn’t until a massive overhaul in 2018 that the arena was propelled to the top of the basketball world. It feels designed FOR the fans and FOR the players simultaneously. That’s a win-win – happy, engaged and close-to-the-action fans create a disturbing atmosphere for opponents, while comfortable and energized players equal results on the court. Add it all together, and it’s pretty clear that college basketball’s best fanbase and arena live here in Cincinnati.

24. Madison Square Garden

The fourth venue to bear such a name, Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan is known as the “World’s Most Famous Arena” – and indeed it is. The current building, constructed in 1968, is the oldest NBA facility and second-oldest in the NHL. As the home of the New York Knicks and Rangers, in addition to St. John’s college basketball occasionally, MSG is also a popular concert venue. Between the myriad of events it hosts each year, the arena is frequently seen on the world stage and is a cultural icon.

25. League Stadium

Huntingburg’s League Stadium was built in 1894, making it the second-oldest baseball field in the nation. It rose to prominence in the 1990s when it was used heavily in the film A League of Their Own, and it’s now home of the summer collegiate Dubois County Bombers.

26. Fenway Park

Baseball’s oldest venue, Fenway Park blends historic Boston charm and modern baseball expectations in a spectacular way. Built in 1912 in the Fenway neighborhood for which it’s named, the park is both a remnant of the jewel box era and a model for stadium preservation. From the Green Monster to Jersey Street, there are many quirky qualities that help make this America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.

27. Franklin Field

Philadelphia’s Franklin Field holds the distinction of being the oldest sports venue still in use in America. Opening way back in 1895, the venue has stood the test of time as the home of the Penn Quakers football, lacrosse and track teams. Franklin Field even hosted the Philadelphia Eagles for a time, including the pre-Super Bowl NFL title game in 1960.

28. Climate Pledge Arena

Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, along with the adjacent Space Needle, the interior of Climate Pledge Arena – formerly known as KeyBank Arena – was completed gutted and rebuilt from 2018 to 2021. The venue’s all-new look is highlighted by its twin videoboards, a unique feature in pro sports. Today, the historic building is the home of the Seattle Kraken and is technically the oldest arena in use in the NHL.

29. The Corn Palace

A cultural oddity, The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota is a utilitarian space for local sports, concerts and other events on the Great Plains. The exterior of the building is adorned with murals made from kernels and grains, featuring a new design every year. Inside, the building serves as a tourist attractions and as the home of both Dakota Wesleyan University’s and Mitchell High School’s basketball teams.

30. Ingalls Rink

Ingalls Rink, home of Yale’s hockey teams, was designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen, with his futuristic and flowing style evident in the construction of the arena’s concave roof, supported by a massive 300-ft backbone. This humpback shape has also lent the rink its most common nickname: the Yale Whale. Visitors to the Whale will enjoy the throwback atmosphere that the venerable venue provides.

31. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest sports venue on the planet, is renowned for being the host of the annual Indy 500. The colossal grounds are known as “The Brickyard” due to its original brick-paved track, while The Pagoda at the finish line is the centerpiece of the speedway’s unique architecture.

32. Folsom Field

Opened in 1924, Colorado’s Folsom Field is not only an historic college football facility, but also features dramatic mountain views. This legendary horseshoe sits more than a mile above sea level at the foot of the Rockies, hosting rowdy fans of the Silver and Gold for over a century.

33. Public Auditorium

Cleveland’s ornate Public Auditorium, a longstanding performing arts and exhibition center, has recently become the newest addition to the NBA G-League’s unique collection of venues. Built back in 1922 and home to the Cleveland Charge since they moved in during the 2024-25 season, the century-old auditorium is an architectural wonder that makes for one of the best basketball ambiances in the world.

34. John Cook Arena

The arguable capital of the sport, Nebraska’s John Cook Arena can seat close to 10,000 fans for college volleyball and has been its far-and-away leader in attendance for several years. Formerly the home of Nebraska’s basketball teams, the venue is now the most modern and electric facility in all of volleyball.

35. Williams Arena

With a uniquely Midwest-inspired architectural style, Williams Arena has been the home of Minnesota basketball since it opened in 1928. The arena has seen plenty of history under its arched roof over the last hundred years, including NCAA postseason title games and regionals. Nicknamed “The Barn”, Williams Arena is the second-oldest gym in the Big Ten.

36. Oracle Park

Featuring a unique design and breathtaking vistas of the San Francisco Bay, Oracle Park has become one of Major League Baseball’s finest gems over the last quarter century. Few ballparks can match the sheer beauty and charming character of these contemporary confines, with retro brickwork and an iconic California style prevalent throughout the stadium. The proud home of the San Francisco Giants since the turn of the millennium, Oracle Park only gets more and more impressive as the years wear on, aging like fine Napa Valley wine.

37. Lambeau Field

Despite being in the smallest market in North American pro sports, the Green Bay Packers’ colossal home venue is a beloved one, with Wisconsinites from all over the state heading into historic Lambeau Field on fall weekends. It’s the oldest active stadium in the NFL and is famous for its occasional whiteout snow game.

38. Yankee Stadium

With a fanbase stretching all around the globe, the New York Yankees aren’t just a baseball team – and Yankee Stadium isn’t just a sports venue. The team is practically a way of life for many, and their home is a cathedral. Since its debut in 2009, Yankee Stadium II has been a shrine to the past and a paragon of the future, honoring more than a century of baseball history while embracing all the virtues of modernity.

39. Memorial Gymnasium

An architectural anomaly, Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium has been a one-of-the-kind sports venue since its construction in 1952. Its peculiar design and the intense atmospheres it creates has made the home of Commodore basketball a true bucket list arena for followers of college hoops. The gym has seen a smattering of electric moments and has hosted several postseason tournaments over the more than seventy years that the building has been in use.

40. Ralph Engelstad Arena

The nearly 12,000-seat home of North Dakota hockey, Ralph Engelstad Arena is often categorized as the most beautiful sports venue in the country. Built with exquisite materials such as granite, leather and Cherry wood, the venue has been called “The Taj Mahal of Hockey.”

41. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Now more than a century old, LA Memorial Coliseum has hosted USC football since it opened in 1923. A National Historic Landmark, the venue has hosted the Olympics twice – and will do so for a third time in 2028 – as well as NFL football, soccer and even baseball. At the end of the day, the Coliseum is undeniably the West Coast’s most legendary outdoor stadium.

42. Dudy Noble Field

Mississippi State’s humble home has frequently been heralded as college baseball’s finest facility, even before Dudy Noble Field was completely rebuilt in 2019. Throughout its history, the park has welcomed the biggest crowds in college baseball, even setting the all-time NCAA on-campus attendance record.

43. America First Field

Home to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, America First Field is located in the shadow of the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains, which tower over the east stands and dominate the view for many fans on matchday. Due to its unique geography, the stadium is one of the highest parks in the league at 4,450 feet above sea level. With seating enough for approximately 20,000 fans, America First Field has been fortunate to host a large slate of high-profile events over the last two decades. From the MLS All-Star Game to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, these marquee contests have solidified the stadium as the premier soccer venue in the Great Basin.

44. Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega is the longest track in NASCAR and is nearly synonymous with the sport. It’s ingrained itself in popular culture, thanks to movies like Talladega Nights, and has hosted some of the craziest and most chaotic moments in stock car racing. The sprawling complex, which seats 80,000 spectators for highly-anticipated Cup Series races, is conveniently located between Atlanta and Birmingham.

45. Alfond Sports Arena

With perhaps the most easily recognizable roof structure in college hockey, the University of Maine’s Alfond Arena is a true landmark facility. From its hyperbolic paraboloid ceiling to the intensity of the Black Bears games that unfold underneath it, this venue in the Bangor suburbs is a must-see bucket list rink.

46. Beaver Stadium

Smack dab in the middle of the Keystone State, the steel facade of Beaver Stadium stands tall against the rolling autumn landscape of the central Pennsylvania hills. And on seven Saturdays each fall, the roars of the Penn State faithful resound across an otherwise peaceful Happy Valley from inside this colossal college sports mecca. Named for former university president and Pennsylvania Governor James Beaver – who was also a Civil War hero – the stadium is the second largest in the nation and the fourth largest in the world.

47. Charles Schwab Field

The annual home of the College World Series, Charles Schwab Field has continued the legacy of its predecessor, Rosenblatt Stadium, in helping to make Omaha synonymous with college baseball greatness. Each June, fanbases from across the nation descend upon the stadium and city to cheer on their boys, resulting in consistently electric atmospheres at this 24,000-seat ballpark.

48. Churchill Downs

America’s home of horse racing, Churchill Downs is a place of legends. The facility was built in 1875 and is steeped in lore and tradition, creating an experience like no other. The track, of course, is notable for hosting more than 150 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel in the coveted Triple Crown.

49. Camden Yards

It’s the ballpark that forever changed baseball. Ushering in a new era of stadium design, Camden Yards revolutionized the game-going experience when it opened to fans in 1992. Home of the Baltimore Orioles – one of the most storied MLB clubs – the park’s iconic retro-classic design would soon spread across the league and set the standard for baseball venues across the nation. Now, more than three decades later, Camden Yards is still one of the most beautiful and beloved ballparks in America.

50. Kibbie Dome

Built originally as an outdoor venue, Idaho’s iconic Kibbie Dome was fully enclosed in 1975 and has since cemented its place in the hearts of college football fans across the country. It features some of coolest architecture in the sport and has often been considered the best venue in FCS.

51. Harry A. Gampel Pavilion

The UConn Huskies basketball programs – both men’s and women’s – have been amongst the most successful in college hoops and collectively boast some of the best home court advantages. And with both teams playing just half the season under the eye-catching geodesic dome at the on-campus Gampel Pavilion – spending the other half in Hartford – seeing the Huskies in action in their hometown of Storrs is not an easy ticket, but one well worth the hassle.