Sports Roots Run Deep in Rhode Island
Here at the Rhode Island Sports Commission, we like to say that Rhode Island is small in size, but big on sports. With professional teams like the Providence Bruins and Rhode Island FC, and college athletics like University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Providence College, there's almost always a home team to cheer for. And that's nothing new. Rhode Island has a rich sports history and has been home to a number of athletic firsts and records.
Newport was considered the cradle of "les sports elegants" as the home of polo, America's Cup yachting champions, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and U.S. Open Golf Championships.
- Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876.
- The first National Lawn Tennis Championship (precursor to the U.S. Open) was played in 1881 at the Newport Casino.
- In 1895, the state hosted the first open golf tournament.
Providence has been home to many teams over the years, and boasts two firsts in baseball and football.
- In 1879, the Messer Street Grounds, home to Major League Baseball's Providence Grays, became the first venue to install a screen behind home plate to protect fans.
- The Providence Steam Roller played the first NFL night game under lights in 1929.
And, we certainly can't forget that the Pawtucket Red Sox hold the record for the longest professional game in sports history. The April 18, 1981, game between the Paw Sox and the Rochester Red Wings started around 8 p.m. that night. Eight hours and 32 innings later, officials finally suspended the game around 4 a.m. The two teams, including players like Wade Boggs, Marty Barrett and Cal Ripken, Jr., returned to McCoy Stadium on June 23, where the final 33rd inning ended in a Paw Sox win.
Gaspee Days 5K Foot Race
Warwick
Enjoy the excitement of running before a pre-assembled cheering crowd in anticipation of the Annual Gaspee Days Parade!Over 1,600 runners each year flock to participate in this exciting event along the Parkway’s famed red, white and blue road stripe. Enjoy the excitement of running before a pre-assembled cheering crowd in anticipation of the Annual Gaspee Days Parade!Over 1,600 runners each year flock to participate in this exciting event along the Parkway’s famed red, white and blue road stripe.
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Gaspee Days 5K Foot Race
Come and bask in the splendor of beautiful fireworks stretched across the spring night sky! Every year, this display is set above the picturesque horizon of Narragansett Bay just off the coast of Salter's Grove in Warwick. For about 30 minutes, you'll enjoy a colorful show that lights up the nighttime sky. Several food and novelty vendors will be traversing the area for your entertainment as well. This display is graciously provided by the City of Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture, & Development. Come and bask in the splendor of beautiful fireworks stretched across the spring night sky! Every year, this display is set above the picturesque horizon of Narragansett Bay just off the coast of Salter's Grove in Warwick. For about 30 minutes, you'll enjoy a colorful show that lights up the nighttime sky. Several food and novelty vendors will be traversing the area for your entertainment as well. This display is graciously provided by the City of Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture, & Development.
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Come and bask in the splendor of beautiful fireworks stretched across the spring night sky! Every year, this display is set above the picturesque horizon of Narragansett Bay just off the coast of Salter's Grove in Warwick. For about 30 minutes, you'll enjoy a colorful show that lights up the nighttime sky. Several food and novelty vendors will be traversing the area for your entertainment as well. This display is graciously provided by the City of Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture, & Development.
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition. The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition.
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Providence College vs Creighton
The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition. The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition.
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Providence College vs Georgetown
Author
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker is the executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission, a division of GoProvidence. He earned a BS in Sports Event and Entertainment Management and a subsequent MBA in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University. Prior to joining the PWCVB, Jonathan held ticket sales and service roles with the Providence Bruins and Pawtucket Red Sox. Despite his love for Providence and the Ocean State, the Pennsylvania native admits to great hubris when it comes to Philadelphia sports franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What professional sports teams are in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is home to the Providence Bruins of the AHL and Rhode Island FC, a professional soccer team. Fans can also cheer on college teams at Providence College, Brown University, and the University of Rhode Island.
- What sports firsts happened in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has been home to several sports firsts, including the first polo match in the U.S. in 1876, the first National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1881, and the first U.S. Open golf tournament in 1895, all in Newport.
- Where was the first U.S. Open tennis tournament held?
The first National Lawn Tennis Championship, the precursor to today’s U.S. Open, was played at the Newport Casino in 1881.
- What was the first NFL night game?
The Providence Steam Roller played the first NFL night game under lights in 1929.
- What is the longest game in professional baseball history?
The longest professional baseball game was played by the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings in 1981. It lasted 33 innings, starting April 18 and finishing June 23 with a Paw Sox win.
- Did Providence have a Major League Baseball team?
Yes. The Providence Grays played in Major League Baseball in the late 1800s, and their home, the Messer Street Grounds, was the first ballpark to install a screen behind home plate to protect fans.
