1. US Open Tennis Tournament
The Scoop: More than 600,000 spectators come out to Queens in the late-summer heat to watch nearly two weeks of world-class tennis; all those fans make the Open the highest-attended annual sports event. The tournament at Arthur Ashe stadium and the hoopla surrounding it generates more than $400 million for the city’s economy.
Behind the Scenes: The Open’s related events include Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a tennis and music festival for kids and their families, and entertainment on the plaza adjacent to the stadium, like the colorful routine produced by Karin Bacon Events (pictured) in 2004. The stadium also includes a recently redesigned wine bar, Aces (featuring cuisine by Ed Brown of the Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center), and the Stadium Bar & Grill for American fare. The USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing typically hosts three daytime and two evening events per day. Aug. 29-Sept. 11
2. ING New York City Marathon
The Scoop: Even nonsports enthusiasts appreciate the spectacle the marathon brings to the city: 36,000 runners snaking through all five boroughs while more than 2 million spectators cheer them on. There are dozens of events surrounding the race, including a prerace health and fitness expo at the Javits Center and a postrace party.
Behind the Scenes: The New York Road Runners Club puts on the event, with help from 12,000 volunteers, nearly 3,000 police officers, and more than 250 staffers from the parks and recreation department. ING will be the title sponsor for the race for the third consecutive year. Nov. 6
3. Belmont Stakes
The Scoop: This mile-anda-half-long course in Belmont Park is considered the most difficult of the Triple Crown events—foiling all but 11 horses’ attempts to take all three prizes in the series. It dates all the way back to 1867, and the race has been run every year since then, except for 1911 and ’12.
Behind the Scenes: Tiffany & Company designs the trophy, which is topped with a silver horse modeled after Fenian, the 1869 winner. Each year brings a variety of prerace events, including a media party and a charity golf tournament. June 11
4. NYC Cycling Championship
The Scoop: This new race is only in its fourth year, but it is quickly gaining momentum, with more than 100,000 fans coming out to watch the contest in 2004. The cyclists race on a 1.2-mile course—covering a total of 62.5 miles during 50 laps—with the start and ending point near the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan. Events associated with the race include a health and
fitness expo, and a bike messengeronly contest.
Behind the Scenes: Threshold Sports owns and operates the race. Steve Griffith and Katie Centrella handle PR for Threshold. July 31
5. Heisman Trophy Awards Ceremony and Banquet
The Scoop: The idea to give an award to the most outstanding college football player was conceived by members of the Downtown Athletic Club, and the first award was given in 1935. Thanks to media hype, the Heisman tradition is an increasingly high-profile affair that involves more than a dozen different events, from cocktail receptions to the black-tie awards dinner, which is open to the public. Tickets cost upwards of $500.
Behind the Scenes: In 2004, more than 1,000 guests attended the dinner ceremony at the Hilton New York; ESPN televises the event live annually. Mid-Dec.
6. Verizon Millrose Games
The Scoop: New York’s biggest indoor track and field event has been a fixture in the city since 1908—making it the oldest sporting event in the history of Madison Square Garden. Nearly 100 indoor world records have been set or equaled and 119 Millrose winners are also Olympic champions. This year’s event features the return of Olympic athletes from the Athens games, college sports stars, and top high school athletes from around the country. The games also feature the Fastest Kid in New York races, always crowd favorites.
Behind the Scenes: Since 2004, the Millrose Games have been operated by Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc. Feb. 4
7. Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Scoop: Westminster limits the competition to the first 2,500 animals whose owners register them, although thousands more dog lovers would love to see their pets prance at this muchhyped dog show. It is the second oldest sporting event in America.
Behind the Scenes: MB-F Inc. is the show’s superintendent. The 129th annual dog show will be held at Madison Square Garden and the USA Network will broadcast parts of it live. Feb. 14-15
—Alesandra Dubin
Posted 02.23.05
Read about the rest of New York's Top 100 Events...
Photos: Timothy A. Clary/Getty Images (Belmont Stakes); Chris Trotman/Getty Images (Cycling); Martha Cooper (US Open)
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
The Scoop: More than 600,000 spectators come out to Queens in the late-summer heat to watch nearly two weeks of world-class tennis; all those fans make the Open the highest-attended annual sports event. The tournament at Arthur Ashe stadium and the hoopla surrounding it generates more than $400 million for the city’s economy.
Behind the Scenes: The Open’s related events include Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a tennis and music festival for kids and their families, and entertainment on the plaza adjacent to the stadium, like the colorful routine produced by Karin Bacon Events (pictured) in 2004. The stadium also includes a recently redesigned wine bar, Aces (featuring cuisine by Ed Brown of the Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center), and the Stadium Bar & Grill for American fare. The USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing typically hosts three daytime and two evening events per day. Aug. 29-Sept. 11
2. ING New York City Marathon
The Scoop: Even nonsports enthusiasts appreciate the spectacle the marathon brings to the city: 36,000 runners snaking through all five boroughs while more than 2 million spectators cheer them on. There are dozens of events surrounding the race, including a prerace health and fitness expo at the Javits Center and a postrace party.
Behind the Scenes: The New York Road Runners Club puts on the event, with help from 12,000 volunteers, nearly 3,000 police officers, and more than 250 staffers from the parks and recreation department. ING will be the title sponsor for the race for the third consecutive year. Nov. 6
3. Belmont Stakes
The Scoop: This mile-anda-half-long course in Belmont Park is considered the most difficult of the Triple Crown events—foiling all but 11 horses’ attempts to take all three prizes in the series. It dates all the way back to 1867, and the race has been run every year since then, except for 1911 and ’12.
Behind the Scenes: Tiffany & Company designs the trophy, which is topped with a silver horse modeled after Fenian, the 1869 winner. Each year brings a variety of prerace events, including a media party and a charity golf tournament. June 11
4. NYC Cycling Championship
The Scoop: This new race is only in its fourth year, but it is quickly gaining momentum, with more than 100,000 fans coming out to watch the contest in 2004. The cyclists race on a 1.2-mile course—covering a total of 62.5 miles during 50 laps—with the start and ending point near the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan. Events associated with the race include a health and
fitness expo, and a bike messengeronly contest.
Behind the Scenes: Threshold Sports owns and operates the race. Steve Griffith and Katie Centrella handle PR for Threshold. July 31
5. Heisman Trophy Awards Ceremony and Banquet
The Scoop: The idea to give an award to the most outstanding college football player was conceived by members of the Downtown Athletic Club, and the first award was given in 1935. Thanks to media hype, the Heisman tradition is an increasingly high-profile affair that involves more than a dozen different events, from cocktail receptions to the black-tie awards dinner, which is open to the public. Tickets cost upwards of $500.
Behind the Scenes: In 2004, more than 1,000 guests attended the dinner ceremony at the Hilton New York; ESPN televises the event live annually. Mid-Dec.
6. Verizon Millrose Games
The Scoop: New York’s biggest indoor track and field event has been a fixture in the city since 1908—making it the oldest sporting event in the history of Madison Square Garden. Nearly 100 indoor world records have been set or equaled and 119 Millrose winners are also Olympic champions. This year’s event features the return of Olympic athletes from the Athens games, college sports stars, and top high school athletes from around the country. The games also feature the Fastest Kid in New York races, always crowd favorites.
Behind the Scenes: Since 2004, the Millrose Games have been operated by Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc. Feb. 4
7. Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Scoop: Westminster limits the competition to the first 2,500 animals whose owners register them, although thousands more dog lovers would love to see their pets prance at this muchhyped dog show. It is the second oldest sporting event in America.
Behind the Scenes: MB-F Inc. is the show’s superintendent. The 129th annual dog show will be held at Madison Square Garden and the USA Network will broadcast parts of it live. Feb. 14-15
—Alesandra Dubin
Posted 02.23.05
Read about the rest of New York's Top 100 Events...
Photos: Timothy A. Clary/Getty Images (Belmont Stakes); Chris Trotman/Getty Images (Cycling); Martha Cooper (US Open)
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
US Open Tennis Tournament
ING New York City Marathon
Belmont Stakes
NYC Cycling Championship
