5 Top World Sporting Events You Won’t Want to Miss

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World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games—all great sporting events worth seeing live. Although I don’t closely follow sports myself, everyone enjoys a major sporting event—especially when you get to witness them firsthand as you travel the world, and they offer great opportunities for travelers to connect with new friends internationally and at home—so with the kickoff of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg today, I wanted to feature this guest article from Di Fly. [–Cody]

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For all of the advantages of watching great sporting events from the comfort of your sofa, nothing can quite compare to witnessing top athletes compete to the highest levels of excellence in real life. Whether it’s watching the lightning pace of a 100-metre runner or the supreme skills of a daring football winger, experiencing sport at the actual event is a unique opportunity that should not be missed.

Here are five top sporting events you will definitely want to savour in person.

FIFA World Cup 2010 – South Africa

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The 19th World Cup competition is shaping up to be an absolute belter. The first competition to be held on African soil is the most anticipated sporting event of the year. The usual bunch of contenders will be fighting for football’s most esteemed trophy including Brazil, Italy, Germany and Argentina. Who knows, England might even have a chance this year.

FIBA World Championships 2010 – Turkey

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If you want to see some of the greatest stars of the NBA play basketball but don’t fancy a travelling all over America, why not take a holiday to Turkey this year? 28 August sees the start of the International Basketball Federation World Championships, which this year will be held in the fabulous Eurasian country. Current Olympic champions, the USA have a point to prove against current holders Spain – this will be a spectacular event.

IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 – New Zealand

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The Rugby World Cup returning to New Zealand is like the Olympics coming back to Greece. Regardless of the origins of the game, no nation embodies rugby more than New Zealand, and the All Blacks will surely be favourites to lift the trophy on home turf. The 2011 World Cup will be the biggest sporting event ever held in New Zealand and a true spectacle to behold.

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships 2011 – Italy

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Beach volleyball is just like normal volleyball but with sand and skimpier uniforms. The Beach Volleyball World Championships occur every two years and the venue for the 2011 tournament is Rome. America and China are the teams to watch, but there will be plenty of hot action from the likes of Brazil, Sweden and Norway also.

The 2012 Olympic Games – London

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Two years until London hosts the Olympic Games for the third time and already the anticipation is building to fever pitch. The excitement in England’s capital is palpable and the greatest congregation of outstanding athletes ever seen will be present for the 30th Games of the Olympiad. 43 world records were set in Beijing in 2008, and the 2012 Olympics will surely see more records smashed as athletes reach new heights of sporting supremacy.

Will you be attending any of the World Cup matches in South Africa or basketball Championships in Turkey this year?

Feature image by vramak.