If you’re wracking your brains for inspiration on where to take that someone special, sporting events might not immediately spring to mind; but if you’re looking for passion and excitement this Valentine’s Day, then it might be time to branch out from the classic dinner-and-a-movie formula.
Or perhaps you’re looking to escape the gooey-eyed couples and have fun with your friends. Who needs romance when you’ve got your besties? Whatever your motivation this Valentine’s, we’ve got just the ticket!
Indoor Hockey World Cup (5-11 February), Field Hockey
Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
Perhaps the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria will be your chosen destination for the weekend before Valentine’s Day. It is the venue for the Indoor Hockey World Cup and – after the postponement and then cancellation of the last edition in Belgium – field hockey fans across the world will be falling in love with the international tournament once again. Each of the days is full of action with over 80 matches across the competition, and Saturday 11 February is the day of the final! Tickets for the final start at ZAR 500 (USD $29) or you could splash out on hospitality at ZAR 1,400 (USD $82) to benefit from VIP parking and a complimentary buffet with soft drinks, beers, wines, and ciders.
Delray Beach Open (10-19 February 2023), Tennis
Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Beach, Florida, USA
At first, attending a tennis event may not seem like the most romantic idea in the world – even if you will hear the word “love” every few minutes. The Delray Beach Open, however, isn’t a typical tennis event. Showcasing a combination of ATP 250 professionals and ATP Champions Tour legends, the 10-day event is also a feel-good festival of food and drink, as well as a celebration of competitive and entertaining sport. That the action takes place on the sunny Florida coast only serves to make it even more romantic! Couples looking to make their relationships sizzle just south of the Florida Panhandle can pick up a pair of single session tickets for USD $52 each.
White Turf (12 Feb), Horse Racing
Rennverein St. Moritz, St. Moritz, Switzerland
What could be more romantic than a special weekend away in the snow-capped Alps? The White Turf features different racing disciplines – such as horse and harness racing like skikjöring where riders on skis are pulled along – contested on a frozen lake in chic St. Moritz. Visitors can enjoy delicious food, plenty of bubbly, and atmospheric music. More than 30,000 fans attend over 3 Sundays in February ( 5 Feb, 12 Feb, and 19 Feb) to experience such a unique event with tickets starting at CHF 26 (USD $28). Why not enjoy some snow sports while you’re there or just skip to the après-ski? It’s the perfect opportunity to make your glamorous Valentine’s year!
Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship: England v Italy (12 February 2023), Rugby
Twickenham Stadium, London, UK
If you can’t make it to Venice or Rome this Valentine’s Day, why not add a bit of amore to a day in London instead? With Italy’s rugby union team set to descend on the British capital for their Six Nations clash against England on Sunday 12 February, Twickenham Stadium is the place to be. Both sides will be looking to make their mark on the tournament and hit their stride before the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, new England head coach Steve Borthwick will be hoping to enjoy a honeymoon period of his own, with this match coming just 2 games into his reign. For those who enjoy seeing red roses on rugby shirts, instead of in delicate bouquets, adult ticket prices start from GBP £72.
Super Bowl LVII (12 February 2023), American Football
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States
Dinner and a show? Make that a Honey Bear’s BBQ sandwich, the first live Rihanna concert in 5 years, and the most eagerly awaited game in the football season. The Super Bowl is coming to Glendale, Arizona this February, and you won’t find many more spectacular Valentine’s outings. This weekend’s conference championships will determine which of the Chiefs and the Bengals will book a ticket to State Farm Stadium, and whether they will face the 49ers or the Eagles when they get there. Only 2 teams can qualify for the sport’s biggest contest, but tens of thousands of fans will have the chance to cheer them on – and to party at halftime with a global music icon. Tickets start at USD $5,485.
Monday Night Raw (13 February 2023), Wrestling
Barclays Center, New York City, USA
WWE and New York City have always been a match made in heaven. A sport that combines the drama and physicality of pro-wrestling seems a perfect fit for the Big Apple – a city as famous for its grit and determination as its musicals. On 13 February, the love affair continues as Monday Night Raw visits Brooklyn, almost 30 years since the first WrestleMania was held in the city. Wrestling fans can enjoy this latest chapter in the WWE–New York relationship from USD $35. While real-life couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch are part of the Raw roster, there won’t be much love on show in the ring as WWE’s top stars aim to grapple their way to glory and championship gold.
Welsh Open (13–19 February 2023), Snooker
Venue Cymru, Llandudno, UK
Anyone who has ever heard the Welsh National Anthem sung at a sporting event will know that Wales is a passionate nation. This is especially true when it comes to sport, and that will certainly be the case when the Welsh Open takes place in Llandudno in February. Over the years, many of snooker’s greatest players have won the tournament, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson, and home favourite, Mark Williams. In 2023, reigning champion Joe Perry will defend his title in front of a snooker-loving crowd at Venue Cymru. While most weekend tickets are already sold out, many seats are still available for earlier in the tournament, with prices starting at GBP £11 for adults.
AC Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur, (14 February 2023), Football
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan, Italy
If you’re looking to treat your partner this Valentine’s Day, a trip to Milan – complete with a UEFA Champions League tie as mouth-watering as the local cuisine – could be the perfect romantic getaway. Serie A champions AC Milan will be taking on Tottenham in the first leg of the round of 16, so you’ll have the chance to see world-class players such as Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, and Olivier Giroud in action as both sides look to establish an all-important lead in the tie. And when you’re not watching the match, you can check out world-famous sights such as the Duomo and La Scala. Tickets are available from EUR €99.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Washington Wizards, (14 February 2023), Basketball
Moda Center, Portland, USA
There are several NBA games to take in on Valentine’s Day, and among the intriguing clashes thrown up by the fixture list is the Washington Wizards’ trip to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers. Both teams are vying for a Play-off place in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively, and a win in this game could prove vital to their chances, while a defeat at this stage of the season could likewise prove disastrous. Tickets are available from just USD $11, so you could pair this game up with a dinner date – or purchase concessions at the venue – without breaking the bank!
Daytona 500 (19 February 2023), Motorsports
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, United States
Put the date in Daytona and take your Valentine to the Great American Race! One of the most prestigious and lucrative events on the US motorsport calendar, the Daytona 500 has been entertaining fans since 1959. The race marks the beginning of the NASCAR Cup Series season, challenging drivers to cover 500 miles at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. Typically running for between 3 and 4 hours, the contest offers a great opportunity for NASCAR fans and newbies alike to enjoy an action-packed day out. Concession stands are provided, but couples looking for a Valentine’s picnic in the sunshine are welcome to bring their own food and drink. Tickets are available from USD $125.
For more information on these events, including ticket prices, click the links below:
- Indoor Hockey World Cup (5-11 February), Field Hockey
- Delray Beach Open (10-19 February 2023), Tennis
- White Turf (12 Feb), Horse Racing
- Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship: England v Italy (12 February 2023), Rugby
- Super Bowl LVII (12 February 2023), American Football
- Monday Night Raw (13 February 2023), Wrestling
- Welsh Open (13–19 February 2023), Snooker
- AC Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur, (14 February 2023), Football
- Portland Trail Blazers vs. Washington Wizards, (14 February 2023), Basketball
- Daytona 500 (19 February 2023), Motorsports
None of the above quite what you’re looking for? Find more sports events happening around Valentines on Koobit.