How do you spend your recreational time? Some might say painting, playing an instrument, hiking, exploring new restaurants or watching movies. But if sports are your thing, then this article is just for you. In Ohio, sports are not just pass-time activities but a huge part of their culture, running deeper into history. It is home to major professional sports teams in baseball, basketball and football. 

With advancements in technology, several fans are taking the thrill of watching a live game a notch higher by placing bets online. Actually, ever since sports betting became legal in 2023, the number of online sportsbooks in the market has gradually increased, making it confusing for players to choose the best. 

Thankfully, there are sites that rank the sportsbooks, which makes picking the right one easier for you. For example, the selection by betting.us can help you to see some of the top OH betting sites. But how do you know what to bet on if you don’t know the upcoming sports events? Worry not because here are a few.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines basketball game

This is one of the biggest and highly anticipated games of the season in NCAA men’s basketball, mainly because of the underlying rivalry between the two states that is most famously associated with football. Beyond the baskets, the game is about history, pride and bragging rights. 

Buckeyes fans usually show up in large numbers, dressed in scarlet and gray to support their home team. In fact, every time their team scores, they all make a deafening roar. That kind of crowd energy and the intensity of the game make it an unforgettable experience that is incomparable to the other regular-season matches.

The face-off is going down on February 16, 2025, at Value City Arena in Colombus. The game is expected to be very competitive since Ohio State won their last match together. Michigan will be fighting to avenge their previous loss, while the hosts will be defending their victory. Secure your ticket early to avoid missing out.

The Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series

This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of event scheduled for March 1, 2025, and it will be marking NHL’s 43rd regular-season outdoor game. The Colombus Blue Jackets will be facing the Detroit Red Wings in the legendary Ohio Stadium, home for the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

This year’s edition is special for Blue Jackets because it will be their first-ever regular-season outdoor game and their third time to host a signature league with the city of Colombus. As for the Reds, they will be making their fifth appearance in the NHL outdoor games, having won two and lost two in their previous four appearances.

Plus, it is not just about the match but also about good vibes and tradition. Fanatics has designed special jerseys that reflect the history and culture of both Colombus and Detroit, based on inputs from both teams and the League. In fact, the jerseys are already available for preorder exclusively at all Blue Jackets and Red Wings team stores.

Oh, and why is it a big event? Because it is not every other Saturday that you get to watch hockey played outdoors and in an iconic stadium. Plus, you don’t know when they will match up the Reds and the Blues in a stadium series next. Being a special and rare event, its tickets are also in high demand, so if you are planning to attend, grab your ticket early through the official channels.

2025 MAC men’s basketball tournament

The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, has hosted the Mid-American Conference (MAC) men’s basketball tournament since 2000. This is a signature sports event that happens around March every year and has slowly been absorbed into the Ohio culture. It is a postseason tournament for the top eight MAC basketball teams that determine the conference champion and the recipient of the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The games are usually a pure expression of skill, passion, talent and hard work from college stars who are doing their best to earn a slot at a prestigious national competition. Since they are knockout matches, they are filled with different emotions, including joyous victories, sad defeats and a lot of suspense. The closer the teams get to the finals, the closer you also get to the edge of your seat because of the increasing tension. That thrill you experience is what makes it an event worth attending.

Did we even mention how the matches are full of surprises? Four seconds to the end of the match, your team might be leading by a point or two, and then boom, a buzzer-beater three-pointer goes in and changes the story. 

Also, a team’s track record for the season should not fool you into judging it, as it is not uncommon for teams that seem weak, according to the conference results, to carry the championship. You should try to catch this year’s edition, which will be running from March 13 to 15th.

Ohio seems to have something for everyone when it comes to sports this year. What we have mentioned here is just the tip of the iceberg because the list of sports events lined up is quite long. The fun fact is that each of those games gives, making them worthwhile. So, mark your calendars, grab your tickets on time and have fun.