Your official guide to Birmingham spectator sports
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Birmingham’s sports have always been a favorite form of entertainment for locals. Keep reading to learn about our various teams and sporting events you can watch around the city.
Birmingham Barons
Whether you’re from Birmingham or not, you’ve probably heard of the Birmingham Barons. The Barons are a Minor League Baseball team and Double-A affiliate of the White Sox. This means players from the Barons can advance their skills and move up through the organization until they for the MLB’s White Sox. Tim Anderson started play with the Barons, moved up to the Charlotte Knights (the White Sox Triple-A affiliate) and is now with the White Sox! The team currently plays at Region Field but used to play at the historic Rickwood Field and the Hoover Met. Their season is running right now so grab some tickets and go see a classic game of baseball. Oh, did I forget to mention Michael Jordan briefly played for this team?
Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham Legion FC is one of the city’s newest sports teams. Legion was named in 2018 in honor of Birmingham’s own Legion Field. The club is a member of the USL Championship and is Birmingham’s first and only soccer team. The team is locally-owned and sponsored by Nike and Red Diamond Coffee and Tea. You can catch Legion FC games at UAB’s BBVA Field.
Birmingham Squadron
The Birmingham Squadron basketball team is the latest and greatest to come to Birmingham. Squadron is the G-League affiliate of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The team will start play in October but won’t play any homes until December when renovations are complete at Legacy Arena. The season schedule will be released soon get ready. This team also allows players to develop their skills and play for the home organization. Some players are even signed to both Squadron and the Pelicans.
Birmingham Bulls
The Birmingham Bulls name has been in use since 1976, but the current organization is only four years old. This team was started as an expansion of the Southern Professional Hockey League in April 2017. The Bulls are the only Birmingham sports team that does not currently play in the city of Birmingham but instead in Pelham at the Pelham Civic Center.
Tragic City Rollers
One of the coolest pro sports to make its way to Birmingham is roller derby. The Tragic City Rollers are members of the Woman’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Due to the pandemic, The Tragic City Rollers took the 2021 season off but will be back swinging in 2022. Local sponsors include Paramount, Cahaba Brewing Company and The Collective.
Barber Motorsports Park
Barber Motorsports Park is the home of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, the Porsche Track Experience and the Mercedes-Benz Immersion Experience. Opened in 2003, Barber Motorsports Park features a 2.38 mile road course with 17 turns and varying elevations. The park was built by local philanthropist George Barber in addition to the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum.
Let us know what games and events you’re most excited about by tagging us @BhamNow
