Utah Sports

Utah Sports: A Hub for Both Pro & College Action

It’s only fitting I include this section about Utah sports.  That’s what brought me here from Canada many years ago.  A scholarship to play for the University of Utah Utes football team.

I’m still here and sports are still a daily passion of mine.

Utah sports teams provide some of the hottest professional and college sports action … along with world-class outdoor recreation … in the nation.  They play in some of the best venues in the nation with passionate fan bases that make most games an event.

Utah Jazz: The Heart of Utah’s Pro Sports Scene For Decades

Back when my wife and I were still going to college, we used to go to Utah Jazz games in the old Salt Palace.  They were basically run out of New Orleans.  Tickets were so easy to come by we could even get $5.00 student discount tickets in the nose-bleed seats.

The Jazz were terrible and the NBA didn’t enjoy the interest it does now.  They rarely drew big crowds so we could almost always move down to a better seat.

Today the Jazz play in the Delta Center and have become a successful NBA franchise.  I have my own opinion about their current suckage (tanking to get high draft picks) but they still pack the fans in.  Those tickets in the rafters cost a little more.  The lower seats cost a small fortune.  Even so, the place is packed just about every night.

Great players have come and gone.  I’m still a Jazz fan but never watch the NBA now as I lost interest when players making $40-$50 million a year started kneeling during the anthem.  Combined with the current ownership’s philosophy of sucking for draft picks and I’ve been out on it as I’ve gotten older.

They tell me a night at the Delta Center is still an experience in itself packed with 19,000 fans roaring for their team.  With a dedicated local following and an ever-changing roster, the Jazz continue to be a major part of Utah’s sports identity.

Utah Hockey Club: The New Kid in Town

Utah’s sports landscape changed dramatically in 2024 when the NHL announced the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City.  Now known as the Utah Hockey Club (a temporary name as the franchise develops its brand), the team plays at the Delta Center and brings major-league ... the best in the world … hockey to the state.

Utah has long had a hockey culture with the Utah Grizzlies leading the charge in minor-league play.  A long-time (since I played it as a kid) hockey fan, even I am surprised at how passionate this fan base has already become.  These games have become packed-house, must-see affairs in only their first year in Utah.

Real Salt Lake: Get Your Soccer Fix Even in Utah

Are you a soccer fanatic?  You can feed your passion by attending a Real Salt Lake (RSL) game.  It seems only yesterday that they started playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium as an expansion team. But that was 2005. 

A member of Major League Soccer, they moved into a beautiful new made-for-soccer stadium in 2008 now called America First Field.  Like most Utah outdoor sports stadiums, it has majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains.

Since joining the league in 2005, RSL has built a loyal fan base while winning the MLS Cup in 2009.  Their stadium provides an electric atmosphere with fans chanting and waving flags throughout the game.  If you're a soccer fan, catching a match at America First Field is a must.

Utah Royals: Women’s Professional Soccer Arrives, Leaves & Returns

Women’s professional soccer is making a comeback in Utah.  The Utah Royals, part of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), returned in 2024 after a brief hiatus.  They also play at America First Field bringing high-energy women’s pro soccer back to the Beehive State.

With equally passionate fans and talented athletes, the Royals are another choice to spend your dollars on if women’s soccer is your thing.

Utah Warriors: Rugby’s Rising Presence

Rugby might not be the first sport you think of when you hear Utah sports but the Utah Warriors are helping to change that.  Competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), the Warriors play at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.

With Utah’s deep rugby culture and strong community support, the Warriors continue to grow their footprint.  The Polynesian community supports the team very well and the game draws a variety of fans who love its intensity and physicality.

Salt Lake Bees: America’s Pastime Has a Long History in Utah

Baseball has a long history in Utah, and the Salt Lake Bees keep that tradition alive. The AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, the Bees will move to The Ballpark at America First Square in Daybreak.  This beautiful new stadium is just now being completed.

I loved the old ballpark they played in … Smith’s Ballpark … with its stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains and its rich history.  With the owners’ inclination to get out of Salt Lake City and its increasingly sketchy location, the move seemed inevitable.

Catching a game on a summer night has always been an enjoyable experience and I’m sure that will continue at the new ballpark.  The Bees provide an affordable, family-friendly way to enjoy America’s pastime while watching future MLB stars in action.

Utah Grizzlies: Hockey’s Minor League Powerhouse

Long before the NHL arrived, there were the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.  They were followed by the Utah Grizzlies who play in the ECHL (a minor league comparable to AA baseball).  The Grizzlies bring fast-paced, hard-hitting hockey to the Maverik Center in West Valley City.

The Grizzlies have a strong loyal following and continue to be a cornerstone of Utah’s winter sports scene.  They’re a reasonably-priced alternative to the NHL.

College Sports: Tradition and History

Utah boasts some of the best college sports programs in the country. From successful football teams to championship-winning gymnastics squads, the college sports scene here is vibrant and deeply competitive.

University of Utah Utes

• Football: The Utes football team joined the Pac-12 Conference in 2011.  They won two conference championships and competed in two Rose Bowl games.  They now compete in the Big 12 in Rice-Eccles Stadium.
• Basketball: The Utes men’s basketball team has a rich history although not so much lately.  This history includes a 1998 NCAA Championship appearance and multiple Final Four appearances.
• Gymnastics: The Red Rocks gymnastics team consistently ranks among the best in the nation and has won numerous national championships.  They pack the Huntsman Center every home meet. 

Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars

• Football: BYU won the 1984 National Championship and remains a strong force in college football.  They also now compete in  the Big 12 Conference.
• Basketball: With one of the biggest arenas in the nation, BYU’s basketball program draws a dedicated following because of its affiliation with the LDS Church.

Other Utah College Programs

• Utah State University (Aggies) – Logan
• Weber State University (Wildcats) – Ogden
• Utah Valley University (Wolverines) – Orem
• Southern Utah University (Thunderbirds) – Cedar City
• Utah Tech University (Trailblazers) – St. George
• Westminster College (Griffins) – Salt Lake City
• Snow College (Badgers) – Ephraim

Each of these schools fields competitive teams across a variety of sports making Utah a prime destination for college athletics.

Utah’s Olympic Legacy 

One of Utah’s biggest sports claims to fame?  The 2002 Winter Olympics.

Salt Lake City successfully hosted the 2002 Winter Games cementing itself as a winter sports hub.  Many of the Olympic venues, such as Utah Olympic Park in Park City, are still in use today hosting world-class competitions and training athletes for future games.

With a strong winter sports culture, Salt Lake City was recently awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics Games.

Final Thoughts: A Thriving Sports Scene

Utah is more than just breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures.  It has a thriving sports community.  Whatever your interest, there’s always something happening in the Utah sports world.  It offers excitement, tradition and a chance to be part of something special.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Wasatch Mountains

Lake Powell

Zion National Park

Arches National Park

Great Salt Lake

Monument Valley