Best Fall Sporting Events In Detroit

It's no secret that the Motor City is one of the most voracious and frenzied sports cities in America. And as many sports fans will tell you, fall can be one of the most exciting times of the year for anyone - from a die-hard fan to a casual observer looking to pop in for a quick game. Detroit is home to not only major teams in the four top professional sports, but also close to two of the country's top collegiate programs, as well. Here are some of the best ways you can spend your time this fall enjoying top-notch sports in Motown.

Detroit Tigers Playoffs
Comerica Park
2100 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 962-4000
www.detroit.tigers.mlb.com

There really is nothing that can beat a pennant chase involving your favorite team. Heading down to the ball park on a warm, sunny afternoon or cool, crisp autumn evening can be a magical and transformative experience. Fall is the best time for some incredible baseball as teams gear up for the playoffs and make a move for the postseason. The Detroit Tigers have amassed a wildly talented team this season and all signs point to another great playoff berth. Comerica Park is consistently ranked as one of the best ballparks in the country, so take the family out this fall for a baseball experience they'll never forget.

Autumn also marks the start of hockey season each year, and where better to celebrate the start of another year of great hockey than in the heart of Hockeytown itself: Detroit, Michigan. This fall (and the next few coming falls) will mark one of the final seasons that the Detroit Red Wings - one of the Original Six NHL teams - will play within the historic Joe Louis Arena along the waterfront of the Detroit River. Since 1979, the Wings have played within "The Joe," but starting in 2017 (anticipated), they'll move to their new Midtown location. Come absorb all of the fall history of the Red Wings and Joe Louis Arena one last time... before it's too late.

Is there anything more synonymous with autumn and fall weather than football? Despite a storied history of failure and poor management, the Detroit Lions have one of the most faithful fanbases for a sports franchise in all of the country. Throughout the last few years, the Lions' fortune has changed and the club looks poised to finally earn a little respect with some higher caliber play. Ford Field is an amazing facility, conveniently located right alongside the Detroit Tigers and Comerica Park, in case you were interested in stopping by for a double header. Tailgating in downtown Detroit during a Lions game has become a rite of passage for many fathers and their children, and fall, at the beginning of the season, is the best time to get out there and enjoy the temperate weather.

Related: A Breakdown Of Detroit Neighborhoods

University of Michigan Wolverines Football
Michigan Stadium
1201 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 647-2583
www.mgoblue.com

In the world of college football, there is little that can compare to the long history and legacy of the Michigan Wolverines. Constantly being touted as the winningest program in the country and having the largest fanbase of any college team, it's almost inconceivable to consider yourself a college football fan and not have made the trip to Ann Arbor for a Saturday game at some point in the fall. Recent years have seen the Wolverines falter a bit and some of the team's charisma has faded, but die-hards will still fill up the parking lots in droves and sell out the largest football stadium in the country, which seats more than 100,000 fans for each game.

On the banks of the Red Cedar River in East Lansing, there's a college football team that has been making a lot of noise in the past few years. The Michigan State Spartans have stepped out of the shadow of their fierce rival in Ann Arbor and have taken the national spotlight as one of the nation's best teams. Known for their ability to have a good time, each fall game in Spartan Country is a mini festival of football, autumn activities and great food and drinks. The tailgates in East Lansing are legendary, with the entire campus being transformed into one big party. There's never a better time than on the warm, clear Saturday mornings to enjoy a drink, a bratwurst and a chance to see one of college football's top teams play in one of the best conferences within the NCAA.

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