Many sports fans travel to events throughout the United States. Often, travelers fly in just for specific events, from the Kentucky Derby to the Daytona 500. Airports play a huge role in allowing fans to attend these sporting events. We take a look at the top five airports that are perfectly located for sports fans in the US.

5 5. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), in Boston, Massachusetts

Located just 5.8 miles or a 15-minute drive from Fenway Park, Boston Logan is ideally located for sports fans. Fenway, built in 1912 and home of the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest baseball stadium and features the famous Green Monster, a 37-foot-high wall in left field to prevent home runs. Additionally, TD Garden ("The Garden"), where the NBA's Boston Celtics and NHL's Bruins play, is about 5 miles from the airport.The airport's proximity to downtown Boston gives sports fans the flexibility to catch a sports event in Boston and travel back home. Boston Logan was the 16th busiest airport in the United States in 2022, serving just over 36 million passengers. Delta Air Lines and Cape Air use the airport as a hub offering flights across the Northeast, North America, and Europe.

4 4. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Sky Harbor is a significant airport for sports fans due to its proximity to the Footprint Center and Chase Field. Footprint Center is home to the NBA's Phoenix Suns 41 home games and is located just 4.2 miles away from the airport. The Arizona Diamondbacks of the MLB play their 81 home games at Chase Field, right by Footprint Center, taking nine minutes on average to drive to from the airport.

Many Southwest Airlines aircraft parked at at Phoenix Airport.
Photo: Markus Mainka I Shutterstock.

Travelers arriving on runway 08 at PHX get a clear view of Chase Field and Footprints Center as they are just along the final approach path. The airport's proximity to the sports venues gives travelers much flexibility for flying in and out to see an event. Sky Harbor Airport was the 12th busiest airport in the United States in 2022, serving just over 44.3 million passengers. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines use the airport as a hub and offer flights to destinations across North America, South America, and Europe.

3 3. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

Located just blocks from downtown, arriving passengers get a clear view of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Harry Reid is just 3.6 miles or a ten-minute taxi ride from one of America's newest football stadiums, Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) are the sole users of the stadium where they play their nine regular season home games. Allegiant Stadium is slated to host the Super Bowl for the first time on February 11th, 2024.Las Vegas will also host the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 19th, 2023. The race will be located downtown and just a few blocks south of Harry Reid Airport. The pits and the paddock area will be just a four-minute drive from the airport, making it an effortless commute for sports fans flying in to see the Formula 1 race. Harry Reid International Airport was the ninth busiest airport in the United States in 2022, serving 52.6 million passengers. The airport serves as a hub for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, which offer flights across North America.

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2 2. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has been affiliated with sports throughout its history. The airport is named after one of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali, who hails from the city. Louisville is also home to America's oldest continuously held sporting event, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.The famous racetrack is just 3.3 miles or a ten-minute drive from the airport. Due to the close proximity of the airport, fans routinely fly in and out of Louisville on the same day of the Derby. On the first Saturday in May, tens of thousands flock to Louisville to watch the Kentucky Derby, which typically draws a crowd of 155,000 and is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. The airport served just under four million passengers in 2022 and can be reached commercially by Allegiant, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United.

1 1. Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) in Daytona Beach, Florida

The Daytona Beach Airport has sports written all over it, as the airport is directly next to the famous Daytona International Speedway. Here fans can watch the Daytona 500, the most prestigious NASCAR race and its season-opening event.

An aerial view of Daytona Beach Airport.
Photo: Daytona Beach International Airport 

The famous speedway is located just 0.3 miles away or a three-minute drive from the airport terminal. On Presidents' Day Weekend, tens of thousands flock to the city to watch the Daytona 500, typically drawing a crowd of 101,000 people. The airport served 554,000 passengers in 2022 and features flights with Avelo Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.