Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Virginia Tech and Tennessee recently agreed at play a football game at Bristol Motor Speedway during the 2016 season. The meeting, which would be the first between the two teams since 1937, could take place in front of up to 160,000 fans. Here is a look at some other instances of a sport being played at a unique venue.
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Rangers vs. Flyers
The Rangers took on the Flyers in the NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2, 2012. The Rangers topped the Flyers 3-2 in front of 46,967 fans thanks to a Henrik Lundqvist save on a penalty shot with a minute remaining.
North Carolina vs. Michigan St.
North Carolina and Michigan State played in front of a stunning backdrop aboard the <italics>USS Carl Vinson </italics>aircraft carrier on Nov. 11, 2011. North Carolina won, 67-55, in the unique game in front of 8,111 fans and President Barack Obama. A 2012 matchup between Georgetown and Florida aboard the <italics>USS Bataan</italics> in Jacksonville was cancelled due to weather, and in 2013, the concept was scrapped entirely because of logistical difficulties.
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Nadal vs. Federer
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal opened the tennis season on Jan 2, 2011, by hitting tennis balls on a court laid in the water of Doha Bay, Qatar. The two faced off to promote the Qatar Open. "It was good fun. It was so different. You're always excited and nervous to see how it will turn out. It is always nice promoting an event and an entire tour with Rafa," Federer said of the event.
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Capitals vs. Penguins
The Capitals and Penguins braved the elements in the NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field on Jan 1, 2011. The teams played through rain and gusts of wind, and Washington edged out a 3-1 victory on the back of two goals from Eric Fehr.
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Michigan vs. Michigan State
"The Big Chill at the Big House," a rematch of the "Cold War" outdoor game between Michgan and Michigan State, set a world hockey record with an announced attendance of 113,411 at Michigan Stadium on Dec. 11, 2010. The Wolverines shut out the Spartans 5-0.
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Illinois vs. Northwestern
Northwestern and Illinois faced off in a college football game at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20, 2010. The game, which saw both teams heading toward the same end zone, ended with the Fighting Illini on top, 48-27.
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Notre Dame vs. Army
As Illinois and Northwestern faced off at Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium played host to a game between Notre Dame and Army in front of 54,231 fans on Nov. 20, 2010. The Fighting Irish took the victory, 27-3. On Dec. 30, 2010, the first annual PInstripe Bowl was held, between Syracuse and Kansas State, and Yankee Stadium has hosted the bowl game every year since.
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Germany vs. USA
The opening game of the 74th IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship set a world record for largest crowd at a ice hockey game at the time with 77,803 spectators at Veltins-Arena, normally a soccer venue, on May 7, 2010. Germany won 2-1 in overtime.
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Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Both the men's and women's hockey teams got in on the action at Camp Randall Stadium on Feb. 6, 2010. In front of 55,031 fans, the Wisconsin women won 6-1 over Bemidji State before the men defeated Michigan 3-2.
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Bruins vs. Flyers
Over 39,000 fans piled into Boston's famous Fenway Park on a frigid 39-degree day for the Winter Classic between the Flyers and Bruins on Jan. 1, 2010. The hometown fans went home happy after Marco Sturm knocked in the game-winner to give Boston a 2-1 overtime victory.
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Blackhawks vs. Red Wings
The Blackhawks and Red Wings battle in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, 2009. The Red Wings prevailed 6-4.
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Nuggets v. Suns
The NBA got into the outdoor act on Oct. 11, 2008, when the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns faced off in an exhibition game at Indian Wells Garden, located just outside Palm Springs, Calif.
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Fever v. Liberty
The WNBA hosted the first ever regular season outdoor game in pro basketball history when the Liberty took on the Fever at Arthur Ashe Stadium on July 19, 2008. The venue is host to the U.S. Open.
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Reda vs. Abbas
New York City's Grand Central Terminal is swarming with thousands of busy commuters each day, but in Jan. 2008 it hosted a squash tournament. In this match, Egypt's Anwar Reda took on countryman Mohammed Abbas.
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Sabres vs. Penguins
The Sabres and Penguins faced off in the NHL's first Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo on Jan 1, 2008. The Penguins won the overtime shootout for a 2-1 victory in front of 71,217 fans.
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Nadal vs. Federer
This isn't a trick photo; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer faced off on a customized half-clay, half-grass court on Palma de Mallorca, Spain on May 2, 2007. Nadal won the "Battle of the Surfaces," 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (12-10).
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Agassi vs. Federer
Andre Agassi and Roger Federer had many memorable outings, but none as unique as the their time atop the the Helipad of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai on Feb. 23, 2005. The court, which measures 321 meters (1,053 feet) high, is not recommended for anyone with Acrophobia.
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Shock vs. Liberty
Due to the 2004 Republican National Convention, the New York Liberty were kicked out of their home at Madison Square Garden and forced to play at Radio City Music Hall on July 24, 2004. The venue was unique in that it only allowed fans to view the action from one side of the court.
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Roger Beames, Ice Golfer
Scotland's Roger Beames putts on the third white during his victory at the Drambuie World Ice Golf Championships in Uummannaq, Greenland in March 2002. The tournament, which takes place every March, is played with a fluorescent orange ball with glaciers and icebergs as hazards.
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Michigan vs. Michigan State
The game, referred to as the "Cold War," was played on Oct. 6, 2001 in front of 74,544 fans, which at the time set a world record for largest crowd at a ice hockey game. The two in-state rivals ended the game locked in a 3-3 tie.
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Horse Racing
Horses and jockeys compete in a general practice of the Palio horse race on Piazza del Campo in Siena, Tuscany. The Palio races, which take place twice a year on July 2 and Aug. 16, are traditional horse races that started in 1656 and are dedicated to Virgin Mary and to Madonna of Provenzano.
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Raptors vs. Bulls
The Raptors called SkyDome home from their inaugural season of 1995 through 1999 before moving to the basketball-friendly Air Canada Centre.
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Empire State Building Run-Up
Perhaps no footrace is more unique than the annual Empire State Building Run-up, held since 1978, in which the participants complete the 1,576-step run from the lobby to the observatory deck of New York City's largest building.
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Golf
Astronaut Alan Shepard truly made sports a global enterprise with he played golf with a Wilson six iron head attached to a lunar sample scoop handle during a trip to the Moon on Feb. 6, 1971.
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Bears vs. Packers
With both teams boasting identical 8-1 records, the Packers and Bears faced off in front of 49,166 fans at Wrigley Field on Nov. 17, 1963. The Bears outmatched Vince Lombardi's Packers squad, defeating Green Bay 26-7 in front of the home fans.
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