Top 5 - Sporting Events

Football stadium © Creative Commons / Lawrie Cate

Football, Brazil

If South Africa's eardrum-shattering vuvuzelas are symbolic of the passion behind this year's World Cup, then surely it can only be matched by the deafening roar of the crowds in a Brazilian football stadium. In the nation that gave birth to one of soccer's greatest legends, Pele, the great game is worshipped with religious-like zeal throughout Brazil. There's no better way to experience this infectious mania than during the state championships when stadia are packed with carnival-like bellowing, singing, jumping and dancing fans. Unbeatable.

Wimbledon, England

With the hopes of the nation resting on Andy Murray's shoulders, could 2010 be the year the Scotsman clinches victory on the grass courts of SW19? Fans keen to end their 74-year wait for a home-grown triumph are sure to be in optimistic mood and with temperatures set to soar throughout the first week of action, Murray Mount is bound to be packed with sun-baked, warbling faithfuls.

Singapore Grand Prix

Enjoy the sights and sounds of screeching tires, roaring engines and sleek racing cars as you feel your adrenalin levels spin into over drive for the thrilling, flood-lit, night race on 26 September. As Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button pit their wits against one another on the Marina Bay circuit, known as "the jewel in the Formula One crown", the atmosphere is sure to be electric.

New York Marathon

Around two million New Yorkers are expected to line the streets of the Big Apple on 7 November to cheer on 35,000 runners for the city's annual foot race. Official cheering zones and more than 100 lives bands are dotted along the route, which covers all five city boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Manhattan's Central Park.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival

The world's leading paddlers meet for this colourful, three-day competition starting on 23 July set against the backdrop of Hong Kong's magnificent Victoria Harbour. Teams of 20 to 22 paddlers will take their place in 10m-long (32ft) dragon boats before thrashing their way while beating their drums to the finishing line. Onlookers can watch the action, whilst enjoying a wealth of live entertainment and plundering the mouth-watering food and drink stalls along the waterfront.