1. BNP Paribas Open
#1 Sports Event
Also known as the Indian Wells Masters, the two-week tennis tournament is held every March in the Coachella Valley. Owned by Oracle C.T.O. Larry Ellison, the event is one of the largest on both the men’s and women’s tour, and is the most-attended tennis tournament in the world other than the four Majors. New in 2018: Organizers offered a $1 million bonus to any player who captured both the singles and doubles titles—though no players ended up claiming the prize. Next: March 4-17, 2019
Also known as the Indian Wells Masters, the two-week tennis tournament is held every March in the Coachella Valley. Owned by Oracle C.T.O. Larry Ellison, the event is one of the largest on both the men’s and women’s tour, and is the most-attended tennis tournament in the world other than the four Majors. New in 2018: Organizers offered a $1 million bonus to any player who captured both the singles and doubles titles—though no players ended up claiming the prize. Next: March 4-17, 2019
Photo: Jared Wickerham/BNP Paribas Open
2. Los Angeles Marathon
#2 Sports Event
The race course for the Skechers-sponsored event runs from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier, a scenic route that makes the marathon a destination for traveling athletes. About 24,000 runners from 50 states and more than 63 countries participate in the race, which wrapped up its latest edition in March. Next: March 24, 2019
The race course for the Skechers-sponsored event runs from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier, a scenic route that makes the marathon a destination for traveling athletes. About 24,000 runners from 50 states and more than 63 countries participate in the race, which wrapped up its latest edition in March. Next: March 24, 2019
Photo: Adrian Agudelo
3. Grand Prix of Long Beach
#3 Sports Event
North America’s longest-running major street race is held every spring in Long Beach. In April, the 44th edition of the event drew more than 185,000 spectators, the largest attendance in 18 years. The IndyCar Series race covers nearly two miles surrounding the Long Beach Convention Center, and Alexander Rossi took home the title this year. New this year was the inaugural historic Trans Am Challenge, which featured 32 classic American muscle cars from the 1960s. Next: April 12-14, 2019
North America’s longest-running major street race is held every spring in Long Beach. In April, the 44th edition of the event drew more than 185,000 spectators, the largest attendance in 18 years. The IndyCar Series race covers nearly two miles surrounding the Long Beach Convention Center, and Alexander Rossi took home the title this year. New this year was the inaugural historic Trans Am Challenge, which featured 32 classic American muscle cars from the 1960s. Next: April 12-14, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Grand Prix of Long Beach
4. U.S. Open of Surfing
#4 Sports Event (up from #6)
Held in Huntington Beach, the nine-day, fan-driven event brings together the world’s top surfers, skateboarders, and BMX-ers. In partnership with the World Surf League and owner IMG, along with title sponsor Vans, the annual event is one of the biggest sports festivals in the world, drawing about a half-million people every year. Related events include a kids-only surf party that raises money for the local Y.M.C.A., as well as a village featuring art exhibitions and creative workshops. Next: August 2018
Held in Huntington Beach, the nine-day, fan-driven event brings together the world’s top surfers, skateboarders, and BMX-ers. In partnership with the World Surf League and owner IMG, along with title sponsor Vans, the annual event is one of the biggest sports festivals in the world, drawing about a half-million people every year. Related events include a kids-only surf party that raises money for the local Y.M.C.A., as well as a village featuring art exhibitions and creative workshops. Next: August 2018
Photo: WSL/Morris
5. ESPY Awards
#5 Sports Event (up from #9)
ESPN celebrated the silver anniversary of its ESPY awards in July at the Microsoft Theater, handing out the honors among a sea of athletes and celebrities. The evening event, produced by Maggievision Productions, featured a retrospective video montage celebrating the milestone and was bookended by a variety of events around town. Sponsored by Capital One, the ESPYs also continued to show support for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was launched by the sports media company in 1993 with the late basketball coach Jim Valvano. Next: July 11, 2018
ESPN celebrated the silver anniversary of its ESPY awards in July at the Microsoft Theater, handing out the honors among a sea of athletes and celebrities. The evening event, produced by Maggievision Productions, featured a retrospective video montage celebrating the milestone and was bookended by a variety of events around town. Sponsored by Capital One, the ESPYs also continued to show support for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was launched by the sports media company in 1993 with the late basketball coach Jim Valvano. Next: July 11, 2018
Photo: Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
6. Tour of California
#6 Sports Event
The Tour de France-style cycling road race known as the Amgen Tour of California is created and presented by AEG. Top pros in men’s and women’s categories from around the world compete along a demanding course along hundreds of miles of California highways, byways, and coastlines each spring. This year marks the 13th edition of the race. Next: Spring 2019
The Tour de France-style cycling road race known as the Amgen Tour of California is created and presented by AEG. Top pros in men’s and women’s categories from around the world compete along a demanding course along hundreds of miles of California highways, byways, and coastlines each spring. This year marks the 13th edition of the race. Next: Spring 2019
Photo: Brian Hodes
7. L.A. Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala
#7 Sports Event (new to the list)
In just three years, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s annual gala has become a must-attend event among sports fans and philanthropists. Taking place at Dodger Stadium, the sold-out benefit drew 1,500 guests in 2017—up from 1,000 the year before—and raised $1.5 million; it also featured performances by Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire, while the 2018 event next month will have John Legend. Proceeds from the Blue Diamond Gala help the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation reach its goal of building 50 baseball fields in underserved communities. Next: June 11, 2018
In just three years, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s annual gala has become a must-attend event among sports fans and philanthropists. Taking place at Dodger Stadium, the sold-out benefit drew 1,500 guests in 2017—up from 1,000 the year before—and raised $1.5 million; it also featured performances by Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire, while the 2018 event next month will have John Legend. Proceeds from the Blue Diamond Gala help the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation reach its goal of building 50 baseball fields in underserved communities. Next: June 11, 2018
Photo: Jon SooHoo
8. Holiday Bowl
#8 Sports Event
Sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union, the post-season college football game has been played annually since 1978 and draws some 65,000 attendees. The latest match-up saw Michigan State defeat Washington State in the 40th edition of the game, which is televised each year. Attendees also gained access to the free Global Winter Wonderland FanZone, which had a beer garden, food trucks, and skills challenges. Next: December 2019
Sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union, the post-season college football game has been played annually since 1978 and draws some 65,000 attendees. The latest match-up saw Michigan State defeat Washington State in the 40th edition of the game, which is televised each year. Attendees also gained access to the free Global Winter Wonderland FanZone, which had a beer garden, food trucks, and skills challenges. Next: December 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Communications
9. Genesis Open
#9 Sports Event
The old Los Angeles Open—which also was previously named the Northern Trust Open and the Nissan Open—is one of the longest-running tournaments on the P.G.A. Tour, dating back to 1926. Hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, the annual golf event takes place at Riviera Country Club and is considered a social event as well, with opportunities to mingle with top golfers plus hospitality suites, food trucks, and wine decks. Bubba Watson won the tournament in 2018. Next: February 11-17, 2019
The old Los Angeles Open—which also was previously named the Northern Trust Open and the Nissan Open—is one of the longest-running tournaments on the P.G.A. Tour, dating back to 1926. Hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, the annual golf event takes place at Riviera Country Club and is considered a social event as well, with opportunities to mingle with top golfers plus hospitality suites, food trucks, and wine decks. Bubba Watson won the tournament in 2018. Next: February 11-17, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Genesis Open
10. Long Beach Marathon
#10 Sports Event
The marathon begins in Downtown Long Beach, and runners head toward the historic Queen Mary and then through Shoreline Village. Participants continue adjacent to the Pacific Ocean on the scenic flat beach path. In addition to the main event, related events also include a half marathon, a run/walk, a bike tour, a kids’ fun run, a health and fitness expo, and a finish-line festival. JetBlue is the title sponsor. Next: October 5-7, 2018
The marathon begins in Downtown Long Beach, and runners head toward the historic Queen Mary and then through Shoreline Village. Participants continue adjacent to the Pacific Ocean on the scenic flat beach path. In addition to the main event, related events also include a half marathon, a run/walk, a bike tour, a kids’ fun run, a health and fitness expo, and a finish-line festival. JetBlue is the title sponsor. Next: October 5-7, 2018
Photo: Courtesy of Long Beach Marathon
11. CareerBuilder Challenge
#11 Sports Event
The P.G.A. Tour tournament in La Quinta is now known as the CareerBuilder Challenge; it was previously sponsored by Humana, and before that, it went by the name Bob Hope Classic. Desert Classic Charities, the charitable entity that organizes the event in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, has contributed more than $57 million to a variety of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and the Eisenhower Medical Center. The event will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, and will include an 8,000-square-foot hospitality pavilion. Next: January 16-20, 2019
The P.G.A. Tour tournament in La Quinta is now known as the CareerBuilder Challenge; it was previously sponsored by Humana, and before that, it went by the name Bob Hope Classic. Desert Classic Charities, the charitable entity that organizes the event in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, has contributed more than $57 million to a variety of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and the Eisenhower Medical Center. The event will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, and will include an 8,000-square-foot hospitality pavilion. Next: January 16-20, 2019
Photo: Daniel Ennaco
