Spectator Sports

Maine has spectator sports for everyone, whether you enjoy watching summer sports like auto racing or baseball or winter sports such as hockey or downhill skiing.

Stock car racing has a long history in Maine. Weekend races can be found at asphalt and dirt tracks from Scarborough to Caribou. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, American-Canadian Tour and Pro All-Star Series races are held on Maine race tracks from May through September. There are two drag strips in the state, offering weekend racing between cars, trucks, motorcycles and even snowmobiles.

Horse racing, too, is enjoyed throughout the state. Exciting weekly harness races are held throughout the spring, summer and fall at tracks in Scarborough and Bangor. Races also take place at nine agricultural fairs throughout the state from July through October. The Maine Harness Horsemen's Association has a calendar of events for all tracks.

The Portland Sea Dogs, Maine's only professional baseball team, play at Hadlock Field from April through September. The Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, show their family pride with a 37-foot-tall replica of Fenway Park's Green Monster. Team mascot Slugger is always fun to watch between innings; Be sure to try a Sea Dog Biscuit ice-cream sandwich.

Summer baseball is also played in Sanford where the Sanford Mainers compete in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The Mainers feature top college players from all N.C.A.A. divisions and always draw a crowd to historic Goodall Park.

Winter in Maine means spectator sports both outside and in. Winter biathlon venues in Presque Isle and Fort Kent annually host World Cup, Junior World Cup, Can-Am Series and U.S. National Team events. The Maine Winter Sports Center provides information about biathlon events in Maine. 

Professional skiing and snowboarding tours stop at Maine mountains each year and feature Olympians, X-Games athletes and U.S. National Team members. Visit http://www.skimaine.com/ for the schedule of events. Winter also brings top dog-sled teams to Maine for races in western and northern Maine.

Hockey fans can get their fix at a Portland Pirates game. The American Hockey League team is affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. There isn't a bad seat at the Cumberland County Civic Center, where the Pirates play from mid-October through late April.

The Maine Red Claws are primed for another exciting season at the Portland Expo Building. The NBA Development League team features former college stars. It's affiliated with the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats. Team mascot Crusher the Lobster pumps up the crowd and leads fun promotions during breaks in the action.

The Division I teams of the University of Maine in Orono lead the state's college sports action. Click here for information about college sports throughout Maine.

Looking for something...unique? The North American Wife Carrying Championships in Newry and U.S. National Toboggan Championships in Camden are two competitive events with a lighter side for spectators.