Christmas Sporting Traditions
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by user Alex Holowczak
There are a variety of sporting traditions in the world - with some happening in the Festive period.
In England, we have football played on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, and generally there are about 4 games for each team over the week of the Christmas Holidays. In snooker, the UK Championship has been moved right up until the week before Christmas. The London Horseshow at Olympia shows one of the world's greatest Equestrian events.
On British TV, we see highlights of the World's Strongest Man. Dominated by Mariuz Pudianowski of Poland, it is always shown over the Christmas/New Year period and is watched by millions, astonishing considering it isn't even very popular.
Also, in Australia, there are the Boxing Day and New Year Test Matches (Cricket). A Test starts on December 26 at the MCG, and on January 2 at the SCG. They are known in cricketing circles worldwide. In recent years, other countries have copied this tradition.
Are there any special events like these in the United States? I know the NHL, NFL and NBA will carry on as normal, but I presume they have December 25 and January 1 off? What days do they have off? Are there any other sports that a US fan is treated to at Christmas that they wouldn't normally see (such as Strong Man in Britain)?
