Looking for a fun, sports-themed getaway with your buddies? Phoenix, Arizona is the perfect destination! There are plenty of things to do in this vibrant city, from watching a game at Chase Field to hitting the links at one of the many golf courses. In this blog post, we will provide some ideas for how to make your guys getaway trip to Phoenix an unforgettable experience. So pack your bags and get ready for some fun in the Valley of The Sun!
There is absolutely no shortage of activities and adventures here in Phoenix and it is also a global transportation hub so there are plenty of direct flights to major American and international cities too.
With beautiful scenery and clear weather year-round, the state of Arizona offers so much for anybody looking to do a group trip. However, what really makes Phoenix one of our top picks for a getaway with the guys is that over more than a century it has evolved to be one of America's best retreats for men looking to kick back and escape from their daily lives.
Much of this can be traced back to The Wigwam operated by Goodyear executive Paul Weeks Litchfield who operated a cotton farm in the area and opened the hotel in 1929. The resort became a popular destination not just for his sales executives but also drawing other tourists looking for a winter retreat from the cold weather of America's North East. Today, the property continues to draw thousands of guests each year and boasts three of the area's top courses with accolades including: "Most Challenging Valley Course" for 2013 and 2014 by the Arizona Foothills Magazine and "A Best Resort Course" in 2013 by Golfweek Magazine.
Are you and your group of guys ready to walk in these same footsteps on an epic sports-themed guys getaway?
Phoenix Is A More Than One City - Plan To Drive
There are some destinations like Chicago, Boston, New York, or Detroit where there is a defined urban area where everything is concentrated. Phoenix however is more like Atlanta or Los Angeles where the things you want to see are potentially an hour's drive away.
For instance, let's say you want to play golf at centrally located Arizona Biltmore Resort but see a Cubs spring training game in Mesa, that stadium is 16 miles away but Peoria Sports Complex (Padres) is 30 miles away. The same holds true for other aspects of your guys sports getaway in Phoenix.
As a result, you should absolutely plan to have a car to drive around since public transportation and ride share isn't going to cut it here.
Phoenix Is The Perfect Year-Round Sports Destination
Phoenix is in the small club of American cities that holds a professional sports franchise in each of the “big four” North American professional sports leagues: The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.
The state launched legal online and mobile sports betting in September of last year. Top sportsbooks in the state like Caesars Arizona sportsbook allows customers to bet on all of the major sports.
Traditionally, with the exception of Spring Training, Phoenix is unquestionably a football-first city. Even though the bad years, the Cardinals’ faithful have constantly filled up State Farm Stadium — which will host Super Bowl 57 next year on Feb. 12.
Arizona has returned to NFL relevance thanks to the emergence of 2019 first overall pick Kyler Murray. The Redbirds ended a six-year playoff drought last season and have +3500 odds of winning Super Bowl 57 at DraftKings.
However, in recent years NHL and NBA games have become very popular as well and are a great excuse for people to visit the city to see their favorite team during an away game. This is especially true for Canadian hockey fans looking to escape to the warmth of Arizona's Sonoran desert in the middle of an icy cold Canadian winter!
The Phoenix Suns have emerged as one of the NBA’s top teams over the last two years. They fell just two games short of winning the 2021 NBA Championship, and they finished this season with the league’s best record (64-18).
Led by Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, the Suns are in prime contention to compete for championships long-term. As such, the Footprint Center will be a must-see venue and rocking atmosphere for several years.
The Diamondbacks and Coyotes have been near the bottom of the standings in their respective leagues for a while now. Tickets to D-Backs and Coyotes games are very cheap, and you may be interested in planning a trip to Arizona when your favorite team is in town against one of the state’s sports teams.
You may notice that Coyotes’ home games are often filled with fans of opposing teams. It’s a popular tradition for tourists to support their favorite teams in Arizona while also enjoying the state’s many wonderful activities such as golfing and biking.
Phoenix - Scottsdale Is America's Winter Golf Capital
It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid golfer, an occasional player, or a beginner. There are so many beautiful courses throughout the state that suit anybody’s skill level, and it’s an absolute must-do activity during your stay here.
Perhaps no American state offers more luxurious and beautiful golf courses than The Copper State. Many folks who live in cold parts of Canada and the northern United States love coming down to Arizona during the winter so that they can enjoy playing at golf courses in pristine conditions.
As you would expect from such a premier golf destination, many of the courses here are private. If you are staying at a resort and want to play on their resort that makes things easy but many clubs are private but less than exclusive. For instance Boulders Resort in Scottsdale is one of America's top golf clubs but they do offer Non-Member tee times.
However, there are plenty of other great courses that are open to the public. This includes the TPC Scottsdale which holds the annual PGA Phoenix Open event, the Grayhawk Golf Club, and the Raven Golf Club.
Phoenix Raceway Is Home To NASCAR Championship Weekend
The Phoenix Raceway is home to the culmination of all the NASCAR racing series - Xfinity Series, Camping World, and Cup Series Championships ... all in one massive weekend celebration of motorsports.
If you are a fan of petrol-powered American muscle then this is certainly something that should be on your guys weekend getaway schedule.
Spring Training Is A Special Time To Visit Phoenix
Cactus League Spring Training is a special time of year in Phoenix for baseball fans since it is the only place on Earth where you have so many MLB teams playing in one place. In fact, there are 15 teams that play here every spring and this gives a great opportunity to see not just one or two games but potentially two games per day as well as various fan events to upcoming baseball stars and hall of famers alike.
These games also make for a perfect tailgating opportunity too!
Sports Memorabilia And Museums
As a place that has been a sports enthusiast's destination for more than a century, it is no surprise that the region has some fantastic showcases of sports memorabilia from virtually all corners of the sports world. For instance, the Penske Racing Museum features several Indianapolis 500-winning race cars and there's a replica of the 1963 Pontiac Catalina that Roger Penske drove to the winner's circle in the 1963 Riverside 250.
If you are more focused on football, the Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum contains plenty of items that celebrate the history of this legendary college football tradition.
There are plenty of great activities to enjoy in Phoenix when you're a sports fan. Not only do you have the opportunity to watch some amazing live sporting events, but there are also many fantastic museums and exhibits that showcase memorabilia from all corners of the sports world. If you're looking for a fun and action-packed guys getaway, Phoenix is the perfect destination.
