Describe a sports event you’d like to attend as part of the audience

Welcome back, everyone, to another episode of the IELTS TIME Podcast. I’m your host, and today we’re tackling a cue card that sends shivers down many people’s spines — especially if you’re not a big sports fan. The prompt is: Describe a sports event you’d like to attend as part of the audience. You should say: what the sports event is, where it will take place, what you would need to do to attend it, and explain why you would like to attend this event as part of the audience.

Let’s be honest: this is a difficult one. If you don’t follow sports closely, or if the only game you ever watch is what’s on TV now and then, it’s easy to feel stuck. You might worry that you sound fake or uninspired, or that you have nothing meaningful to say.

But that’s exactly why today’s episode is so useful. We have Joseph and Ivanna, and they’ll show you just how strong, thoughtful, and natural your answer can be, even when you don’t know a lot of the big-name events or care deeply about sports.

So, without further ado, let’s hear from Joseph first.

A sports event I’d really like to attend as part of the audience is a live professional tennis match, ideally one of the major tournaments. I watch tennis occasionally at home, especially the highlights, but I’ve never experienced the atmosphere of a match in person.

These events are usually held in large, dedicated tennis centers on stadium courts. While mostly outdoor, the biggest courts now have retractable roofs for indoor play during bad weather, and they tend to draw huge crowds. To attend one, I’d need to check the match schedule in advance because the timings can be quite unpredictable. Tennis matches don’t always finish on time, so planning around them takes a bit of flexibility. I’d also need to book a ticket fairly early, choose a seat with a good view of the court, and probably arrive well before the match starts to avoid the long queues at the entrance.

The reason I want to attend is that tennis is one of the few sports I genuinely enjoy watching, even if I’m not a diehard fan. On TV, the game looks calm and controlled, but I know that in person you can feel the intensity much more — the sudden silence before a serve, the sound of the ball hitting the racket, and the quick shifts in momentum. I’ve always been curious to experience that contrast between the quiet moments and the bursts of energy from the crowd.

If I could watch a big match live, I think I’d feel a mix of excitement and focus. Tennis crowds tend to be quite respectful, so I imagine the atmosphere would allow me to actually follow the match closely rather than just reacting to the score. And because I do understand the basics of the game, I think I’d appreciate the technique and the strategy a lot more when seeing it up close.

Overall, attending a professional tennis match would be a memorable experience for me — not because I’m obsessed with the sport, but because it’s something I genuinely enjoy in moderation and would like to see from a completely different perspective.

That was Joseph, and I think he nails exactly what this prompt is testing — not just your ability to describe a sports event, but your ability to talk about personal experience and subtle motivation, even if you don’t live and breathe sports. He comes across as balanced: he watches tennis occasionally, he understands enough about it to appreciate what’s going on, but he doesn’t pretend to be a fanatic. That honesty really strengthens his answer.

He talks through what he would need to do to actually go — checking schedules, booking tickets early, choosing seating, arriving ahead — and this shows examiners that he’s thought practically about the logistics, not just fantasizing. Then, when he explains why he’d go, he captures the contrast between watching on TV and being there live: the hush before a serve, the sound of the ball, the change in momentum. That kind of sensory detail is exactly what elevates an answer.

He also reflects on how he’d feel — a mix of excitement and focused calm — which makes it personal without being dramatic. And finally, he sums up the meaning for him: it’s not about obsession, but about experiencing something he admires from a fresh perspective. That’s the kind of nuance examiners love hearing in a top-scoring response.

Alright, now let’s switch over to Ivanna, who has a very different take. She’s not a huge sports fan — and that’s exactly what makes her perspective so compelling.

Even though I’m not a big fan of sports in general, one event I’d genuinely like to attend is a professional women’s football match. I don’t follow any particular teams, but the atmosphere looks lively and supportive, and I’d like to experience that for myself.

These matches are usually held in large modern stadiums, and to attend one, I’d need to do a few practical things. First, I’d have to check the schedule online because the dates and times vary quite a bit. Then I’d book a ticket in advance, since popular matches tend to sell out quickly. I’d also need to sort out simple details like transportation, maybe leaving early to avoid the rush, and deciding whether I want a seat closer to the field or somewhere higher up where I can see the whole pitch. None of this is complicated, but it does require a bit of planning.

The main reason I’d choose this event is that it feels meaningful even for someone who isn’t naturally drawn to sports. Women’s sports have become much more visible recently, and I like the idea of supporting that progress. For me, the appeal isn’t the technical side of the game — it’s the sense of community and positive energy that live events create.

If I actually attended, I think I’d feel pleasantly surprised. I’d probably be excited by the crowd’s reactions and the general buzz in the stadium. Even if I didn’t understand every tactical move, I’d still enjoy being part of something that brings people together and celebrates teamwork and resilience.

Overall, attending a women’s football match would be a refreshing experience for me, and the preparation required is simple enough that I could easily make it happen if I decided to go.

That was wonderful — let’s dive into Ivanna’s response. Ivanna’s take is honestly one of my favorites, because it completely dismantles the idea that you must love sports to talk about them effectively in the IELTS exam. She doesn’t pretend to be a huge fan — instead, she’s thoughtful and grounded. She clearly thinks through what it would take to attend: checking online schedules, buying tickets, planning logistics like transport, and picking her seat. That practical realism demonstrates maturity, and it’s exactly what examiners want to hear.

But where she really shines is explaining why she would go. For her, the appeal isn’t the tactics or the play itself — it’s about representation, progress, and being part of something meaningful. She frames it in a genuine way, showing that she respects what women’s sports symbolize.

Then, when she imagines her feelings, she doesn’t default to clichés like “it’ll be the most exciting day ever.” Instead, she imagines a calm excitement, a buzz in the air, a sense of togetherness. She even admits she might not understand every tactic — but that’s fine because it’s the shared energy that matters to her. That kind of honesty paired with emotional insight is exactly what makes her response stand out.

So there you have it — two very different but equally strong responses to a cue card that many people find intimidating. Joseph showed us how you can lean on a sport you occasionally enjoy, bringing in sensory detail, logistics, and personal reflection. Ivanna demonstrated that you don’t need to be a die-hard fan at all: you just need to be thoughtful, genuine, and clear about why the event matters to you.

If you’re worried about prompts like this, take heart: even if sports aren’t your thing, you can still deliver a nuanced, powerful answer. It’s all about using real motivations, imagining the practical steps, and reflecting on your feelings.

Thanks for tuning in today. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and give us a five-star rating! It helps other learners find the podcast, Until next time, keep practicing, stay confident, and good luck with your IELTS speaking!