New England has a full slate of can’t-miss sporting events and attractions coming in 2020
It’s no secret that the New England area has wielded an elite hold over the sporting landscape for much of the 21st century. The Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and University of Connecticut Women’s basketball program have all dominated their relative sports in recent times, while the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics are two of the most iconic teams represented within the NHL and NBA, respectively. The oldest professional ballpark and indoor ice hockey rink call the New England area home. With so many accolades awarded throughout the years, naturally the area has become a hotbed for tournament action and sporting events, with tournament and sports planners drawn to the fantastic facilities the region has to offer. While 2020 could very likely see even more title games held in New England, here are nine great events, attractions and spectacles that definitely should be on your radar this year when visiting the area.
2020 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament
Annually held at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the American Athletic Conference sees 12 teams vie for an automatic bid into the 2020 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. With the competition at the Mohegan Sun taking place from March 6-9, fans are usually treated to the University of Connecticut’s dominant women’s basketball program putting on a show in their home state. The tournament will be televised on the ESPN family of networks.
Boston Marathon
Located south west of Boston,the town of Hopkinton claims the starting line for the Boston Marathon, which has been held annually on Patriots’ Day since its inception in 1897. The starting point for this historic run is gorgeously framed thanks to the scenic beauty found throughout the town. Check out the Garden of Hope, explore the town’s shops and find the best spot to witness the iconic start of the race, which will be held on Monday, April 20, in 2020. Then head over to catch the finish on Boylston Street in Boston’s spectacular Copley Square.
Connecticut Golf Show
Golf fans will be sure to flock to Hartford’s Connecticut Convention Center for three days in March when the Connecticut Golf Show comes to town from March 20-22. A ticket to the show will ensure a free round of golf and access to more than 110 exhibitors from the local, regional and national golf industry, including golf club manufacturers, product inventors, golf courses, private clubs, destination resorts and more. Enjoy family-friendly contests and tests of skill, like the long drive, putting, chipping and closest-to-the-pin games, all the while getting a first look at the newest clubs, attending instructional seminars and enjoying free lessons.
Harlem GlobeTrotters
The Original Harlem Globetrotters will return to the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut on February 15, and then continue on to the Tsongas Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell on February 19 as part of the high-flying squad’s Pushing the Limits World Tour. Experience these electrifying athletes in person and get as close to the action as possible with the Magic Pass, which lets fans learn tricks, shoot hoops and take pictures directly on the court before the game. The crowd will also be treated to the gravity-defying feats of the Flying Globies trampoline dunk team during breaks in game action.
New England Saltwater Fishing Show
The largest salt water fishing show in the Northeast returns to the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence from March 27-29, 2020. Event participants can register to win a free fishing charter trip with B.J. Silvia through Flippin’ Out Charters, while the show features two free non-stop seminars with field experts throughout each of the three days, who’ll be on hand to present topics like lure-making, fluke fishing tactics, how to fish from a kayak, the best spots to fish on Cape Cod and more. Stock up for the season with the latest innovations and bring the family along, where kids will love learning at the Kids Casting Area, available for the final two days of the show.
Rowing At Lake Quinsigamond
Worcester, Massachusetts’ Lake Quin sigamondishometosomeof the finest collegiate rowing events in the nation. The lake will play host to both the New England Rowing Championships and the National Invitational Rowing Champion ships in early May 2020. Held annually since 1961, the New England Rowing Championships offer 14 events for men and women from qualifying colleges throughout the entirety of New England’s six states. More than 1,200 competitors and 36 schools participate in the regatta each year. Both events are core parts of the USRowing Collegiate Series.
Special Olympics Massachusetts Winter Games
Held by Special Olympics Massachusetts Each Marchin Central Massachusetts and the Greater Worchester Area, the Winter Games are a multi-weekend set of season-ending state tournaments. Competition will begin with a Juniors Basketball Tournament on March 1, 2020, for ages 8-15 and will conclude with an alpine skiing competition held on March 14-15. The Games will also feature action in floor hockey and ten pin bowling, with play spread across three age groups: juniors, seniors (ages 16-21) and masters (ages 22-plus).
Springfield Sportsmen’s Show
As the undisputed king of pure sportsman shows in the Northeast, the Springfield Sport men’s Show will take place February 21-23, 2020 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The 37th annual edition of this prestigious event features the best from the realms of sports fishing, hunting, boating and adventure recreation. Get hunting and fishing tips from the pros, including big game hunter and TV star Dick Scorzafava, author of Bowhunter, Radical Bear Hunter and Spies in the Deer Woods. Join the “Carp King” David Pickering or top bass pro Sheron Brown. The show will provide hunting and fishing seminars and plenty of opportunities to scoop the latest and greatest gear for your next adventure. U.S.
Synchronized Skating Championships
The national champions of the United States will be determined at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, held at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island from February 26-29, 2020. Teams who qualify for the competition compete at one of eight levels between juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate, adult and masters. Wednesday, February 26 will serve as a free skate official practice day for the novice and masters levels, with the competition beginning in earnest the next day.
