JanSport Clear Mini Pack, Soundcore Space A40 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds and Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30. Photograph: Courtesy of: Urban Outfitters; Walmart; Ulta View image in fullscreen JanSport Clear Mini Pack, Soundcore Space A40 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds and Sun Bum Sunscreen Face Stick SPF 30. Photograph: Courtesy of: Urban Outfitters; Walmart; Ulta The Filter US Life and style I’ve attended 1,000+ sporting events. Here are my top five stadium essentials What you take with you, or leave at home, can have a big influence on how much you enjoy the experience
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I treat attending a sports event at a stadium much like going to an airport: check the rules, pack light and practical and prepare for the waiting that’s inevitable in a crowd.
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As a fan and a sports journalist, I’ve attended well over 1,000 sports events across four continents, from the World Cup and the Olympics to student and amateur fixtures. While you can’t affect the score, I’ve learned what you take to the stadium – or leave at home – can have a big influence on how much you enjoy the experience.
Some venues are fussy and inflexible about all kinds of items; others are more relaxed. Fifa’s very un-mellow Stadium Code of Conduct is 35 pages long . You don’t want to line up outside only to be sent back to your car to stow a forbidden item – or refused entry altogether, as could happen if you try to bring flowers (really) into Yankee Stadium .
I’ve been to soccer stadiums that don’t allow fans to bring in bottles of water – a source of controversy at this year’s World Cup ahead of the tournament – yet Wimbledon tennis-goers can take a bottle of wine or champagne into the All England Club. If the rules allow you to bring food and drink, you should take full advantage: why spend ages queuing for overpriced, mediocre meals or refreshments?
Though the World Cup is almost over, Major League Soccer in the US and Canada is back from a break, baseball and tennis are in full swing and the starts of the NFL, NBA, NHL and college seasons aren’t far away. Below are my top five recommendations for what to pack to help skip the stress and enjoy the game.
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Platypus Collapsible Soft Water Bottle from $14.95 $14.95 at REI $14.95 at Backcountry Photograph: Courtesy of REI $14.95 at REI $14.95 at Backcountry Hydration breaks are big news at this year’s World Cup – but aren’t just for players in the summer heat. Bringing your own bottle is a money saver given the outrageous concessions prices, and many stadiums have drinking fountains where you can fill up. I prefer collapsible bottles , as they’re lightweight and can be easily stuffed in a pocket when empty. I try to avoid metal containers that are heavy and may set off airport-style detectors on entry, so I like the lightweight, BPA-free Platypus soft bottle (34fl oz), which can be scrunched up to fit in a pocket. And it costs about th...