Monaco, the home of glitz, glamour and excess… well at least the European summer home of all that.
This weekend the principality will play host to the marquee event on the Formula 1 calendar as 19 drivers chase a Dutch guy around the streets of Monte Carlo for around two hours.
For any sports fan it is a true must see event, one that has to be attended in person if at all possible.
Whether it is an opportunity to take in the charm and history around one of the most famous venues or seeing the absolute peak of these massive global contests that the whole world tunes in for, these are the best of the best.
And while we do big sporting events pretty well here, be it an AFL game, State of Origin or even the Boxing Day Test, these are on a much, much bigger scale outside of our little bubble.
So get out your passport, plan out the travel itinerary and make sure that you can get to these 10 must see sporting events from around the world.
1 – Monaco F1 Grand Prix
Of course we were going to start with the F1’s.
While the racing is not the best anymore because the cars have become so damn big, spending the weekend going around the parties on the yachts, taking in the stunning scenery and just enjoying the history of the Grand Prix makes it compulsory.
The track is full of photogenic spots including Casino (turn four), the Grand Hotel Hairpin (turn six), the Tunnel and the Pool section all leading up to the sprint up the hill to the finish line.
And the winner gets to take a dive into the pool, which produced the best photo of Daniel Ricciardo’s career in 2018 after his stunning win.
2 – Football World Cup
There really is nothing like the World Cup, the biggest sporting event going around it is a month of madness around the host country.
Whether it is taking place in a traditional football powerhouse country like Germany in 2006 and Brazil in 2014 or an emerging nation like South Africa in 2010 or Qatar in 2022, it is a proper circus.
Australia got to find that out first hand when the Women’s World Cup came to town in July 2023.
Whether you are following your home country around for their Group Stage games or just wanting to get in to see some of the game’s biggest stars, a World Cup is a carnival like no other.
And if you can’t get to a World Cup in person, the local live sites offer up a decent alternative from time to time.
3 – The Summer Olympics
Does this really need any further explanation?
It’s 16 days of non-stop sport with a whole lot of different events.
Fancy going to the rowing in the morning, beach volleyball in the afternoon and swimming at night?
Why not!
This year you can even see some famous monuments to break up the sport.
4 – The Masters
Golf’s most famous tournament, from one of the most exclusive clubs is well worth the effort.
Getting in as a fan is the hard part, it might actually be easier to train yourself up and try to win the tournament.
But once you are there, it is an experience like no other with no phones allowed on course and some incredibly cheap food and drink.
Park up on Amen Corner and take it all in.
5 – Wimbledon
Along the same lines as The Masters, the tradition, history and spectacle of the year’s third Grand Slam makes this a must attend event.
If you are lucky enough to get on Centre Court to see the stars of the show then great, but even a grounds pass offers plenty of joy.
Perhaps you can park on Henman Hill and take in matches on the big screen, or enjoy the off-Broadway Showcourts where sometimes some madness unfolds.
Plus there is usually some Aussie qualifier out on those side courts if you are feeling patriotic… just don’t call out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”.
6 – The Super Bowl
American Football might not be for everyone, but the Super Bowl is more than just the game, it is a LONG day for the fans.
From the tailgating outside of the stadium, the pregame festivities and the halftime concert, not to mention the game itself and celebrations after it is a spectacle not to be missed.
The only downside of attending in person is you miss all of the ads on the TV broadcast.
But you do get to see the big game in person.
With a rotating cast of host cities, you can pick your preferred destination too, mainstays like Miami and New Orleans will always be a good time, while the new regulars of LA, Las Vegas and eventually Tennessee will make the game and the lead up to it well worth the trip.
7 – Argentina’s Superclasico
The temptation for many football fans who forget the game exists outside of Spain and the British Isles is to say an Old Firm Derby or Man U-Liverpool is as good as it gets.
But there is something special about a South American derby and it does not get much better than in Buenos Aires between Boca Juniors and River Plate.
After all, there is a reason why some say that England invented football but South America taught us how the game should be played.
Whether it is at La Bombonera or the Monumental de Nunez, this is as good as club football gets.
8 – Tour de France
Not only is the Tour De France an iconic cycling event, it’s also an excuse for fans to tour through regional France in the summertime.
There are worse ways to spend a trip.
Whether it is through the mountains, along the long open roads or through quaint little towns, there is a whole lot more to France than just Paris and Cannes.
And there’s no shortage of interesting spots for the history buffs as well.
9 – An Ashes Test at Lords
Recent unpleasantness between the Aussie team and the Nigels in the fan base aside, the pinnacle series in Test cricket at the home of the sport is not something that can be missed.
Whether its one day or a whole Test, get there.
10 – Winter Olympics
There was a lot of debate over which event would complete the list, with some notable ones just missing out including the Rugby World Cup, the Stanley Cup Final and MLB World Series but the “other” Games are well worth the trip.
Admittedly the conditions might not always be conducive to pleasant experiences in the outdoors, but you know what you are signing up for.
While Australia might not be a cold weather powerhouse, getting to see the best of the best in these sports is phenomenal up close.
Who knows, you might even see the next Miracle on Ice.