2021 look back: Learning to appreciate sports travel again

I’ll admit that this time last year, I was feeling down about the prospects for sports travel in 2021.

The pandemic was still raging, and vaccines were only starting to be rolled out. Most sporting events were being held in front of limited or no crowds. Traveling just seemed like a bad idea.

Thankfully, a year has made a big difference in that regard. Looking back, my 2021 timeline — and the blog and social media posts to Itinerant Fan as the year progressed — show definitive steps forward in the quest to return to normalcy.

In February and March, I was writing optimistic posts about getting back to a stadium sooner than later. In April, I made my triumphant return to sports spectating. In July, I embarked on my first sports road trip in more than a year.

The fall felt as close to normal as it had in two years. I attended multiple college and pro football games. I got back to watching my beloved Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. And I took two more road trips, knocking five more venues off my list of places to visit (more on that below).

The past year was a difficult one personally, though. In October, I lost one of the biggest fans of Itinerant Fan, as well as everything else I did in life: My father. I think of him every day, of course, but especially when I travel, because it was one of the things he loved to do.

And, as we all know, things aren’t exactly back to normal. The year is ending on an ominous note, with game postponements and cancellations bringing back bad memories of what sports was like in 2020. Travel is experiencing the same kinds of disruptions.

So 2021 can either bring more cautious optimism, or a sense of déjà vu. Personally, I’m forging forward with travel aspirations for the coming year because, as the last couple years have taught me, simply planning travel can be soothing to the soul.

New venues visited in 2021

In 2021, I put an added focus on stadiums at the top of my sports travel wish list, because I didn’t want to be denied chances to see them like what happened in 2020.

So, as I continue to pursue a spot in Club 124 (that is, having seen a home game for every team in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB), I added six new venues to my list. They are:

Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
Chase Center (Golden State Warriors)
Moda Center (Portland Trail Blazers)
Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle Kraken)
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)
T-Mobile Arena (Vegas Golden Knights)

Meanwhile, I’m edging ever closer to completing my list. Here are my current counts:

MLB: 30/30
NFL: 21/32
NBA: 21/30
NHL: 27/32

I’m posting my progress over on Instagram! Follow me at @itinerantfan to keep track of my travels.

A new outlook on sports travel

Finally, I’ll share the biggest takeaway I’ve had from an up-and-down 2021.

I’ve always enjoyed traveling, but until the pandemic began I’m not sure I appreciated it as much as I should have.

Now, it feels even more exhilarating to hit the road and see new places … because I know what it’s like to not have it.

I’m grateful for every opportunity I have to travel now. As a result, I feel like my travels are even more rewarding. And because the last year has taught me this valuable lesson, I’ll chalk up 2021 as a good year of sports travel, all things considered.