You get to hear the roar of the crowd, experience the raw emotion, and see your favorite players in the flesh. Of course, what I am talking about is a live sporting event, and for the sake of this article, I will be discussing a professional sporting event. The sport does not matter, because all the items I have stated so far apply, no matter the sport. However, I am bringing this list to you, to prepare you before you go to a live professional sport. So, without further ado, my list of information you should know before going to see live professional sports:
1. You will overpay. For everything.
Seriously... Be prepared to pay $7 for a fountain drink. I hope, for your wallet's sake, the drink comes with free refills! I know it is ridiculous, but it's part of the experience, right?
2. Eat before going to the arena.
Like I said in the first point, you will overpay for everything. So, if a drink costs $7 I don't even want to think about what a full meal would cost. Come with your belly full, before you enter the arena.
3. Absorb the atmosphere.
The atmosphere is part of the experience, and lets face it, that is the whole reason you are going to the game to begin with. So stand up, shout, and get hyped in your own way to contribute to the arena atmosphere. If you get too hyped, you may even end up on the jumbotron!
4. Go with a group.
Surely someone in your group will know what to do, but if not, at least you will all look clueless together. Plus, this is an event that is made to share with people you care about, so be sure to bring them along!
5. Be sure to wear your team's colors!
This makes telling which side you are routing for so much easier. However, if your team loses, you have to make the walk of shame out of the arena.
6. Go to a home game.
Make sure the team you are cheering for is the home team, because most of the people in the building will be cheering for them! However, sometimes this simply can't be done. If you find ourself looking like a fish out of water in a strange arena, just try to avoid the "stink eye" from the home fans.
7. Visit the souvenir shop.
This is a shop that you might be able to score some nice team gear that you would not be able to find anywhere else, like a team Christmas sweater or sandals.
8. Be prepared for vulgar language.
Alcohol and angry sports fans never make a good combination, so be prepared for more than one f-bomb throughout the night. (Note: If you are that person that is shouting all that vulgar nonsense, please stop. You are tacky, and no one likes you. Even your friends are embarrassed.)
9. Pick your seat strategically.
Where you decide to sit will affect the experience you have in every way. For example, you are much more drawn into the game sitting court-side at an NBA game than you are in the nosebleed seats at any sporting event. Unfortunately for most of us, court-side isn't an option, but that doesn't mean we can't find great seats!
10. Parking is horrible.
The arena may hold thousands of people, but I assure you, the parking deck does not. Also, avoid parking in dimly lit, unsafe places; you want to come back to a car in the same condition you left it in.
11. Have fun!
Leave all your to-dos, your worries, and whatever else that may be on your mind at home. Let this time be a release and a time to relax. This is a sports game, not a prison cell, so do not go and be miserable!
