Sports in Cincinnati
Sports are taken extremely seriously in Cincinnati. Everyone roots for the Reds and the Bengals, but college basketball is where the city becomes divided. One of the most intense college rivalries is the Crosstown Shootout, the annual matchup between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Since the 1980s, the game has alternated between each school's home court.
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Who Dey
The term always refers to the Cincinnati Bengals and can be used as a cheer or a greeting among Bengals fans. At Bengals games fans screaming "Who Dey!" often leads to an entire section chanting the Who Dey chant: "Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think going to beat dem Bengals?" The answer is an extended "Nobody!" The chant is most often used at Cincinnati/Cleveland and Cincinnati/Pittsburgh games. This chant was originally used in the 1981 AFC Championship Season, predating the common use by the Saints of the similar "Who Dat?" chant.
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Cincinnati Bengals, One Paul Brown Stadium (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-621-8383, . For more than a decade, the Bengals were the punchline of a joke about the NFL. No more, though. Since the hiring of Head Coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals have gone on to win the AFC North Division and have gained respect within the NFL. In his first season (2003), Lewis led the Bengals with an 8-8 record compared to the 2002 record of 2-14. The Bengals have since posted an 8-8 record in 2004 and an 11-5 record with an AFC North Division Championship. Since their turnaround, a visit to a Bengals game is recommended ? if you can get a ticket. Their new home is Paul Brown Stadium, named for the Hall of Fame founder and owner/first head coach of the team in their American Football League days. �
Great American Ball Park is located close to Cincinnati's Waterfront
Cincinnati Reds, 100 Main Street (Great American Ball Park; Corner of Main Street and Second Street), ☎ +1-(513)-765-7000, . The "Big Red Machine" has always been a leader in professional baseball since its formation as the first professional baseball team. The team earned their nickname during the 1970s, when the team made six post-season appearances and won two World Series with the likes of Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Perez and manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds' new home is Great American Ball Park, located on the downtown riverfront near the site of the stadium it replaced, the now-demolished Riverfront Stadium. Tickets run $7 - $67, with most seats $22 or less. If you are on a budget, the Reds allow spectators to bring in their own food and drink. Drinks must be non-alcoholic, and in a sealed, clear plastic container. No cans or glass may be brought in. Coolers must be soft-sided and be able to fit underneath your seat. �
ECHL Hockey Cincinnati Cyclones, U.S. Bank Arena (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-421-PUCK, . Hockey has a long legacy in Cincinnati. In the fifties, Cincinnati was home to the Cincinnati Mohawks, five time winners of the International Hockey League's Turner Cup. In the seventies, Cincinnati was home to a WHA team, in the Cincinnati Stingers, and an AHL team, in the Cincinnati Swords. Then came the Cyclones (1990-2004, 2006-present), and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997-2005). The Cincinnati Gardens was frequented by the likes of Barry Melrose, Don Biggs, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky on a pretty regular basis. Now, the second incarnation of the Cincinnati Cyclones play in the ECHL and are 2007-2008 ECHL champions. Crowds run 1,000-3,000 on a weeknight and 4,000-9,000 people on a weekend, far below the capacity of 12,000, so tickets should be easy to come by. However, crowds have grown significantly during the latter part of the 2007-2008 season. Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Championship game has the largest crowd in seven years to see an ECHL championship game, with 8,676 in attendance. Game 6, and final game, had 12,722 in attendance, a league record for a post-season game. $10-$20. �
University of Cincinnati Bearcats, 2700 Varsity Way, . The University of Cincinnati has a strong tradition in basketball and an emerging tradition in football. The two-time national champion basketball team plays their games at Fifth Third Arena, formerly the Shoemaker Center. The football team plays at Nippert Stadium. Football tickets are $25-$35. �
Xavier University Musketeers, 3800 Victory Parkway, ☎ +1-(513)-745-3411 ( , fax: +1-(513)-745-3063), . Box Office Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM. The XU basketball team plays at the Cintas Center, on the Xavier campus just northeast of downtown. �
River Downs Racetrack, 6301 Kellogg Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-232-8000, . Cincinnati's racetrack is River Downs. Free admission and free parking everyday. River Downs has a unique 110 channel in-house television system in place that allows the viewers access to race replays of every race, advance viewing of upcoming simulcast race conditions and preview shows, changing odds formats and program changes. free admission and free parking everyday. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cincinnati
