Around the World in 80 Sporting Events

Images from the past year's worth of events. — **^{Some of the sights from the past year’s 36 Sporting Events which brings my total to 54. (Created with Mosaically)}**

Two years ago this week I picked up my father from his Indiana home and we began making our way to Pinehurst, NC, for the 124th U.S. Open. That was Event No. 1 of my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.

Year 1 saw me attend 18 Events across three continents. In Year 2, I doubled my annual output to 36 Events and added a continent (South America!). I stand at 54 Events with No. 55 (2026 FIFA World Cup) rapidly approaching.

With, essentially, one year remaining before my self-imposed 60th birthday deadline to hit 80, I’m feeling confident 80 will happen. That said, some significant questions remain: Will the Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles be one of those or will it price itself off my list? Will Grapefruit League action happen next year or will the likely work stoppage in Major League Baseball leave me looking for a substitute? Who will be participating in the 2027 NHL Stanley Cup Finals? Because, you do realize, witnessing the Stanley Cup presented and skated is what Event No. 80 must be?

This is the annual point during this journey when I consciously – and very publicly – take a moment to acknowledge that none of this is possible without the support of my wife, Carol, daughter, Helena, and son, Jake. Not to mention Joe the Financial Guy (who chooses to remain anonymous) and all the names listed below who’ve provided support along the way. If you’d like to join the list of supporters feel free to send me an email (hilldouglast@gmail.com) or visit the Support The Sports Fan Project or the $80 for 80 Circle of Champions pages.

Thank you again and here’s to 26 – soon to be 25 – more to go!