Sports

We've Got Game

When it comes to sports in Arizona, there’s no wrong way to play.

Adrenaline junkies can find their thrills shredding the slopes at ski resorts like Arizona Snowbowl or Sunrise Park, getting dirt under their tires mountain biking or gravel cycling, scaling cliffs on climbing adventures in Cochise Stronghold or the Granite Dells or even rafting the mighty Colorado River.

Traditionalists will gravitate to a vigorous volley on a resort tennis court or one of the state’s dozens of pickleball courts, or opt for a round of golf at an acclaimed course.

Outdoorsy types in search of a more laid-back endeavor might enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding the gentle waters of Arizona’s lakes and rivers, lacing up their sneakers for a trail run, seeing the sights on a hike along the Arizona National Scenic Trail or cruising an e-bike through urban greenbelts.

And, of course, there’s no harm in simply being a spectator. Fans of professional sports will be pleased to know that Arizona is home to four Major League teams — the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks — as well as the Phoenix Rising soccer club, and three state universities and one private university in the NCAA Division I.

Plus, the state hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends and is the Spring Training ground for 15 Major League baseball teams.

All this to say: Come winter, spring, summer or fall, Arizona scores big as a four-season sports playground.