You don’t need to love sports to live in the US, but knowing the basics helps with small talk, office events and making friends.
| Sport | Season | Big event |
|---|---|---|
| American football (NFL) | September–February | Super Bowl |
| Baseball (MLB) | April–October | World Series |
| Basketball (NBA) | October–June | NBA Finals |
| Ice hockey (NHL) | October–June | Stanley Cup |
| Soccer (MLS) | February–December | MLS Cup |
Football in one paragraph
Two teams try to move the ball down the field. The offense has four tries (“downs”) to go 10 yards. A touchdown is 6 points, followed by an extra point or two-point try. A field goal is 3 points.
Baseball in one paragraph
Teams take turns batting and fielding over nine innings. A run scores when a batter goes around all four bases. Games are long and relaxed; people chat, eat and cheer.
College sports
University football and basketball draw huge crowds. If you’re a student, going to a game is a classic way to feel part of campus.
