Unless you’re working in an online sports book taking bets, you can at least chill out and watch plenty of sports on New Year’s Day. Here are some of the best sports events to get you through your New Year’s Day hangover. If you need a little extra help, check out our best hangover cures.
Premier League Football
The Premiership features eight fixtures on New Year ’s Day. Four of the top five teams in the Premiership take to the pitch New Year’s Day. Top ranked Manchester United plays host to West Bromwich Albion in the first game of the day. Man City plays the ‘Pool, Fulham hosts the Tottenham Spur and the day closes with Birmingham City at Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal.
The NHL’s Winter Classic
It started as a gimmick a few years ago but the popularity of the NHL’s outdoor game has fans watching. This year’s game features two of the biggest stars in the NHL as Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins play host to Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field. Heinz Field is usually the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers but it will be turned into an ice rink for the Winter Classic.
College Football Bowl Games
The BCS Bowls kick off new years day with the “Granddaddy of ‘em All”, the Rose Bowl. This year’s game has the #4 Wisconsin Badgers taking on the #3 TCU Horned Frogs. TCU is the only non-BCS team in a BCS bowl this season. This game will divide the room with those who are pro-BCS and the rest who call for a painful death to the computerized ranking system.
In the evening the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will feature the Big 12 Champion, the Oklahoma Sooners taking on the Big East Champs, the UCONN Huskies.
Mix Martial Arts
The Dream Dynamite 2010 technically goes live on New Year’s Eve but because of the Time Zone differences most Europeans and North American’s will fire up their PVR’s and watch the show New Year’s Day. The card is stacked with Japan’s best fighters, including the Gracie Killer Kazushi Sakuraba.
The UFC has their New Year’s show on whichever Saturday is closest to New Year’s Day. This year UFC125 – Resolution falls on New Year’s Day. UFC125’s main event will feature a lightweight battle between Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and the only man ever to beat him, Gray “The Bully” Maynard.
I’ll be watching, as there is something soothing about watching another man suffer a concussion as it makes me feel better about my hangover.
