Sporting events are a deep part of the world’s culture.  These worldwide events are a way in which countries identify themselves and their strength within the world.  Sporting events are held at the world, national, and state level.  Depending upon the type of sport, the events can draw millions of spectators from all over the world and unite them in sport.
In the United States, the most popular sporting event is football.  The National Football League, or NFL, is made up of 32 teams which represent cities or states within the United States.  The football season begins in August and the regular season ends in December.  Beginning in December, the highest ranking teams play against each other for a spot in the Super Bowl.  The Super Bowl is usually played the first Sunday in February.  The top team from the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference play each other.  The Super Bowl is the most attended, most watched sporting event in the United States.  This event brings in millions of dollars in advertising, tourism, and ticket sales throughout the United States and the world.
Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sporting events.  The World Cup of Soccer is held every four years.  Sixty four teams are selected from qualifying matches to compete in the World Cup.  These teams represent entire countries around the world.  The World Cup is on of the largest sporting events that is televised and watched throughout the world.  This sporting event unites the world in the common language of the sport.  Although the individual countries participating in the event do not speak the same language, the rules of the game are universal to all who participate.  Soccer opponents communicate through a wide use of signals and knowledge of the sport. 
The Olympic Games are perhaps the most highly organized international sporting event in the world.  Dating back to ancient times, the Olympic Games are held every 2 years with alternating summer and winter games.  Host nations are selected several years in advance in order to prepare for the sporting events, media, and world tourism that go with the traditional Olympic setting.  The Olympic Games are highly televised and reported on.  There are dozens of sporting events that are competed in both the summer and winter games.  Athletes are selected by their country based upon their world standings and competition experience within their particular sport.  The Olympic Games is the ultimate sporting event for any athlete.  Athletes represent their country and strive to be awarded a gold medal and break world records at the Olympic Games.
Sporting events draw the attention of millions of spectators all over the world.  Incredible amounts of money are spent on advertising, travel, and tickets to sporting events.  Athletes are revered by the world as representatives of their country’s strength and standing in society.  Native languages are set aside as athletes play against each other from a common set of rules on the field.  Sporting events unite the world in culture and experience through athletics.