Sporting Events Galore Coming Up In Ohio: NBA, NHL, & NFL Games
If you’re planning a visit to Ohio, and if you happen to be a super passionate sports fan, there will not be a shortage of exciting events to check out during your time in the Buckeye State.
Ohio has at least one team in each of the “big four” North American professional sports leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB): The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball.
The state of Ohio is slated to launch legalized sports betting on New Year’s Day this Sunday. There will be several special offers from the available sportsbooks for new customers upon signing up. This will include a Caesars Ohio promo code in which you’ll get $100 in bet credit plus entry into a Cavaliers’ tickets draw if you deposit $20.
The Cavaliers and Blue Jackets commenced their respective regular seasons in October, and they’ll play through April. Cleveland is a virtual lock to qualify for the 2023 NBA postseason, but the Jackets are a long way to making the playoffs following a rough first half.
But still, there is a window of three and a half months there for visitors to see a Cavaliers and/or Blue Jackets home game during the visit there. If the Cavs go on a deep playoff run, you could have the opportunity to see a postseason game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
It’s too late to see a Browns home game this season, as their final two games will take place on the road (Week 17 at Washington Commanders and Week 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers). Cleveland has been eliminated from the playoffs, and the best they can finish is 8-9 for the second straight year.
But the Bengals are in a good position to win the AFC North and host at least one playoff game for the second straight year. They’ll conclude the regular season against the division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 (time to be determined).
If the Bengals can make another deep playoff run, perhaps the opportunity will be there for tourists to see yet another home postseason game or two in the Queen City.
The Guardians won’t kick off their 2023 regular season until Mar. 30, when they visit the Seattle Mariners. Their home opener will take place against that same Mariners squad on Apr. 7. As for the Reds, their season will open at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Mar. 30 — the first of a three-game set.
March Madness In Dayton & Columbus
Once again, the popular March Madness tournament will see some games played at the legendary University of Dayton Arena come March.
Every year, UD Arena hosts the “First Four” matchups, with the 2023 showdowns taking place on March 14 and 15. If you’re unable to attend these games during your visit to Ohio, you’ll have the opportunity to see the March Madness action in Columbus.
Nationwide Arena will be one of the arenas used for the subregional’s first and second-round matchups, to be played on Mar. 17 and 19. And there are several teams in the Buckeye State who could potentially go on a deep March Madness run — including the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Xavier Musketeers, and the Toledo Rockets.
Visit The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
There are plenty of can’t-miss historic sites, museums, and venues to check out during your stay in Ohio. If you’re a music lover, especially of classic rock and/or rock and roll, you’ll want to pay a visit to one of Cleveland’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2020, having opened in 1995. According to its website, more than 13 million people have visited the venue in its 27 years of operation.
Nearly 400 different music artists have earned inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The long and rapidly growing list includes Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Johnny Cash, Elton John, Janis Joplin, Santana, Joni Mitchell, and Santana.
This is the place to be if you wish to learn all about the rich history of rock and roll. There is countless information available, and you can learn about countless musicians/artists/bands, and songs that helped change the music industry forever.