NEW YORK, NY – What do running with the bulls in Pamplona, watching contestants scarf down record numbers of Nathan’s hot dogs and witnessing the newest Vince Lombardi trophy recipient at the Super Bowl all have in common? According to Robert Tuchman, they all belong in his new book, “The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live: An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Sports Experience of a Lifetime,” published by BenBella Books this month.

As president of Premiere Corporate Events, Tuchman spends most of his year traveling to a sports fan’s ultimate wish list of events conducting corporate outings. He spent two years researching details for his guide for sports travel fanatics who want to delve into a pilgrimage of live sports events but don’t know where to start.

“It doesn’t matter how large a screen fits into your living room,” says Tuchman, a 15-year veteran of the sports travel industry. “Absolutely nothing compares to the raw energy and excitement you’ll feel when you’re there live, cheering alongside thousands of fans.”

Using live appeal as the main criteria, Tuchman breaks down one hundred events in more than 30 states and 15 countries into an easily readable list format. His pick for the top place? The Masters Golf tournament in Augusta. In the 100th spot? A no holds barred Ultimate Fighting Championship in Las Vegas. Others in between include the Tour de France (#13), the Rose Bowl  (#26) and a basketball game at Harlem’s legendary Rucker Park (#76). The Cheerleading Nationals in Orlando received one of his honorable mentions.

Below are his top ten sporting events to experience during a lifetime:

1. Masters – “This is the one golf tournament you have to see at least once in your lifetime. Heck, this is the one event you have to see, period. It’s magical, and that’s why it’s Number One.”

2. World Cup – “The entire world stops to watch this one. The passion I witnessed in the streets is unparalleled.”

3. Super Bowl – “The Granddaddy of American sports, the pinnacle of live events.”

4. Summer Olympics – “Countries root for their athletes with nearly as much passion as they root for their World Cup teams. The immersion into the whichever local culture hosts this event every four years makes it truly memorable.”

5. Army vs. Navy Football Game – “They might not be the best teams in the country but they’re some of our best citizens playing one another in a game that oozes with history.”

6. New York City Marathon – “My personal, number one favorite event. There is nothing like the emotion of being part of millions of people cheering on thousands of runners trying to achieve their lifelong dreams.”

7. World Series – “Even today, this event holds a special place for people around the world. There’s nothing like baseball on a crisp October evening and the excitement you feel in the stands.”

8. Winter Olympics – “Another event that the countries stop to watch no matter what is of interest locally. Newer sports, such as snowboarding, make the Winter Olympics increasingly more relevant.”

9. Red Sox vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium – “You can feel the gravity of this game regardless of how many times they play each other each year and the fact it might just be another game in the standings. As far as rivalries go, nothing tops Yankees versus Red Sox.”

10. UNC vs. Duke Basketball Game at Cameron Indoor Stadium – “If you want to see what hatred and anger look like up close, you only need to sit in the stands at this game and see it in the faces in the crowd. This game means everything to everyone on the court, in the stadium and in the entire state.”

Copyright 2009 Premiere Global Sports. All rights reserved. From http://www.100sportingevents.com.
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