Visiting the States: including basketball in your holiday

This is a collaborative post

When you go to the United States with your family, there may be various trips and sights that you each want to go on. Older children and teens may be especially interested in the number of sporting events on offer. One that you may want to include can be basketball. While watching it can be fun, there may also be social and cultural reasons that can be discussed as a family.

Booking to see a game

Although basketball may sometimes be played in the UK, it’s much more prevalent in the US. Tickets may not be all that hard to come by, as you can book here to see which NBA games are scheduled during your trip. This can allow you to pick one that is closest to where you are staying. You may even want to see a specific team, meaning looking at those games can help you to choose where and when to go. Ticket prices and venues may vary, so it can be helpful to have a budget set out before you promise this to your children. Seats may also sell out quickly, especially for more high-profile games, so acting fast can be key.

Crossing the ocean

One reason for viewing a basketball game in the States can be due to the increasing popularity of different sports back home. More and more people are taking an interest in activities that aren’t common where they live. In a recent survey, 54% of British people interviewed were aware of the NBA games being played in the UK, showing how basketball may be on the rise. 

Other sporting events, such as the NFL and MLB, were also mentioned, at 94% and 49% respectively. There was also a mention that the NBA and NFL may consider bringing games to the UK on a more permanent basis. Due to this, it can be good for your family to see these sports played on US soil, especially if your children have already mentioned wishing they could see more at home.

Basketball and poverty

There are a number of areas across the United States which suffer from severe poverty. In the 1990s, midnight basketball was used in these inner-city areas, between 10pm and 2am, to try and reduce the amount of crime and drug-taking. Certain cities still use this as a hopeful deterrent today. The aim was to give young men an alternative to these behaviours, promoting teamwork and hope. 

You may want to look into basketball museums, as well as use this to discuss poverty and the choices people make with your own children. There may be basketball courts located near your accommodation as well, allowing you and your family to play alongside the people who live there and learn more about them free from judgement.

Basketball is a sport that many can enjoy. When in the States, you may find that it is available on a wider scale than at home. Sports can help to bring people together, whether that be making new friends while on holiday, or simply allowing your family to spend quality time together.