A Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Visit All 124 Major Sports Stadiums
A Chicago cancer survivor, Ashvin Lad, 51, has achieved his dream of visiting all 124 major sports stadiums in North America. He completed his journey by attending an Islanders hockey game over the weekend. What made this moment even more special was that the Islanders were hosting a Hockey Fights Cancer event on the same day.
The Journey Begins
Lad’s journey started after he won his battle with testicular cancer in February 2000. Before his cancer diagnosis, he had only visited four of the 124 sports venues. After his recovery, he made a vow to live life to the fullest and see as much of the world as possible. He started traveling to different stadiums, attending games, and meeting new people.
Discovering Club 124
Lad discovered "Club 124," a group of people who keep track of their stadium visits, in the 2010s. He met a fellow journeyman in Chicago and was inspired to join the club. With his flexibility and resources, he started planning his stadium tours. He has spent around $100,000 on his travels and has enjoyed many memorable sports moments.
Memorable Moments
Some of the notable games Lad has attended include Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans in 2013 and Yankee Aaron Judge’s first-ever home run in 2016. He has also seen the Chicago Cubs’ three home games at Wrigley Field and has a reputation for helping kids at the ballpark with their homework.
Accelerating the Journey
In the 2020s, Lad accelerated his stadium visits, attending around 74 stadiums in a short period. He became an expert at "doubling" and often caught baseball, basketball, and hockey games on the same day or within 24 hours. He even attended an Eagles game in Philadelphia and then drove to Baltimore to watch a Ravens-Patriots game on the same day.
A Sense of Accomplishment
Lad feels a sense of pride and accomplishment after completing his journey. He has lived a life he never thought possible after his cancer diagnosis. He has learned to appreciate the beauty of sports and the joy of meeting new people.
Must-Visit Stadiums
Some of the must-visit stadiums, according to Lad, include:
- Sofi Stadium, Los Angeles
- UBS Arena, Long Island
- PNC Park, Pittsburgh
- Wrigley Field, Chicago
- Bell Centre, Montreal
- Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- Intuit Dome, Los Angeles
- Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
- PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
