The best games to gift to your sports fanatics this year

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There’s always that one person that’s notoriously difficult to buy gifts for, who is always the last person on your holiday shopping list. Say no more — we’ve got you covered this year. The most obvious gift to give this season is the one of experience, and what experience could be better than watching your favorite team play?

The year’s biggest sporting events are just around the corner, so you’ll want to snatch up tickets quick before you lose out on your perfect gift. Here are the upcoming games to give to the sports nuts in your life — let’s just say that tickets to one of these matchups will crown you MVP of the holidays.

NHL Winter Classic

Sure, you could get the hockey fan in your life tickets to an NHL game for the holidays — or, you could one-up every other gift-giver in your life with tickets to the upcoming NHL Winter Classic. What makes the event bigger and better than any ol’ NHL game? For starters, it’s played outdoors, this year at Citi Field, reminiscent of games when the league first started. Plus, this season’s game is an intrastate rivalry between the New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres — sure to heat up an otherwise cold winter night. And it certainly helps that the game is on New Year’s Day, perfect for ringing in 2018.

NHL Winter Classic; January 1, 2018; Citi Field, New York City

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers is tackled by Linebacker Ryan Anderson #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) — Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers is tackled by linebacker Ryan Anderson #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

College Football National Championship

The perfect antidote to post-holiday blues is obviously college football and bowl season. Everyone this year will be watching to see if the Clemson Tigers can hold on to their championship post-Deshaun Watson, so naturally the college football fans in your life will want to see the action in person.

College Football National Championship; January 8, 2018; Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New Orleans

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view as New England Patriots Super Bowl Championship banners and an American flag are displayed on the field during the national anthem prior to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) — The Super Bowl LI Championship game in 2017.

Super Bowl LII

It’s hard to compare any other gift to tickets to the Super Bowl — and for good reason. We don’t need to tell you how coveted tickets to each year’s Super Bowl are (and depending how certain late-season games shake up, the 2018 game is sure to be one for the history books), so just do yourself a favor and buy you and your lucky (gift) receiver tickets now. Your recipient will be talking about this game until next holiday season.

Super Bowl LII; February 4, 2018; US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 19: A close up shot of the Official NBA Spalding All-Star basketball during the 2017 NBA All-Star Game on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) — The 2017 NBA All-Star Game on February 19, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NBA All-Star Weekend

The 67th NBA All-Star Weekend is already one of the most talked-about upcoming sporting events, thanks to the format change. This year’s game will be the first time that the East Conference won’t play against the West Conference; instead, two captains with the most votes will draft players regardless of conference. Imagine the shockwaves when your favorite players from opposing conferences join forces — this is not a game to be missed, and certainly one your NBA junkie family member won’t soon forget.

2018 NBA All-Star Weekend; February 16 - 18, 2018; Staples Center, Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: A ceremonial opening day base lies waiting in the infield for the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won the game 2-1. (Photo by Paul Spinelli/MLB Photos via Getty Images) — A ceremonial Opening Day base.

MLB Opening Day

Opening Day is especially special this year: For the first time since 1968, all 30 teams will play on the same day. So whatever team your baseball nut roots for, you can get in on the league-wide buzz and find an opener near you.

MLB Opening Day; March 29, 2018; various stadiums

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Players and coaches of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate with their trophy following their 71-65 victory against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) — Players and coaches of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrate with their trophy following their 71-65 victory against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four Championship.

March Madness

Your NCAA-obsessed friend or family member likely has their team’s games already on the calendar — so why not get them tickets to the Final Four tournament in San Antonio? After all, the whole country will be watching to see whether or not North Carolina will hold on to their title for a second year, or if another upset is on the table. Give them the gift to experience the drama of the Final Four in person.

Final Four Tournament; March 30 - April 2, 2018; San Antonio

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Sergio Garcia of Spain celebrates after defeating Justin Rose (not pictured) of England on the first playoff hole during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) — Sergio Garcia celebrates after defeating Justin Rose on the first playoff hole during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament.

The Masters

Last year’s Masters Tournament ended in a sudden-death playoff between Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, after the two golfers completed the 72 holes in nine-under-par, with Garcia declared as the winner. What upset could happen in this year’s tournament? Get tickets for the golf fanatic in your life so they can see if Garcia can hold on to his title for a second year (it only took him 74 starts in other championships to get there).

The Masters, April 5 - 8, 2018; Augusta Golf Club, Augusta, GA