The Midwest is a sports fanís paradise, with must-see rivalries in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NASCAR matched by the NCAAís Big 12, Big Ten and Missouri Valley Football conferences. The growth of prestigious programs has translated into continual hotel developments, venue improvements and multi-use complex expansions throughout the region.
With plentiful event planning resources to support myriad sports year-round, complemented by signature “Midwest nice” hospitality, all that’s left to decide is which destination is the perfect fit for any event.
Greater St. Cloud, Minnesota
Greater St. Cloud, Minnesota is an ideal destination for sports event planners, offering versatile facilities and top-notch venues.
River’s Edge Park in Waite Park, ideal for hosting tournaments and multi-sport events, features four baseball and four softball fields, six pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area. Just a short drive away, the Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) provides two sheets of ice for hockey, two baseball fields and a par-30 executive golf course, making it a solid choice for year-round events.
For indoor gatherings, the River’s Edge Convention Center offers a spacious, flexible environment suited to various sports competitions or showcases. The area’s colleges and universities also feature state-of-the-art venues for larger tournaments and specialized events.
“With top-of-the-line facilities, convenient and affordable accommodations and professional staff to help you succeed, Greater St. Cloud is the perfect fit,” says Craig Besco, Sports Director at Visit Greater St. Cloud.
Sarpy County, Nebraska
Sarpy County, Nebraska, is game for whatever competition event owners have in mind.
Werner Park is home to the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The unique stadium also hosts more than 60 special events annually, including corporate events, concerts and charity walks.
The CHI Health MultiSport Complex Nebraska has 12 all-turf and lighted fields for regional and national qualifying events, tournaments and leagues in soccer, lacrosse, fast-pitch softball, baseball, flag football and rugby. The Gordon Lozier Athletic Center, the home venue for Bellevue University Bruins volleyball and basketball teams, has hosted conference tournaments and NAIA opening round contests.
Multiple regional quadball and softball tournaments, including the Northern Nationals, have been played at Papillion Landing. In addition, Bellevue Soccer Complex and Gretna Crossing Park have fields ideal for a variety of sports.
“Sarpy County Tourism has everything you need to create unforgettable experiences for sports events, tournaments and regular season play,” says Alex Schiphoff, Athletic Events Coordinator for the Sarpy County Tourism Office.
Hamilton County, Indiana
Hamilton County, Indiana, conveniently located just north of Indianapolis, is within an easy day’s drive of more than50 percent of the U.S. population with a large selection of high-quality sports facilities.
The 400-acre Grand Park Sports Campus is a destination like no other, with 31 multi-purpose fields and 26 diamonds. The golf courses in Hamilton County are championship-ready, having hosted junior, collegiate and professional championships under the USGA, PGA and LPGA.
Hamilton County is also home to two professional arenas that can host anything from basketball to hockey, with seating from 2,500 to 7,500. A collection of other venues rounds out the offerings for travel sports, boasting more than 150 multi-purpose fields, 80 diamonds and 40 hard courts with more than 5,000 hotel rooms ready to welcome athletes and spectators.
“No matter the sport, Hamilton County is ‘Where Champions Play,’” says Carl Daniels, Director of the Hamilton County Sports Authority.
Mattoon, Illinois: Emerald Acres Sports Connection
Emerald Acres Sports Connection is the newest premier multi-purpose sports tourism venue in Mattoon, Illinois.
Scheduled to open in late 2024, the 140,000-square-foot indoor field house offers eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts, a family entertainment center and onsite medical lease space. The outdoor facilities, which are set to open in spring 2026, will include up to 12 multi-purpose turf fields, four 400-foot and four 300-foot baseball/softball diamonds and up to 20 diamond sports fields.
In addition to delivering premium sports and program experiences, the 150-acre mixed use development will be complemented by walkable hospitality and retail. The Decatur and Champaign airports are only 45 minutes away, and the centrally located city of Mattoon is an easy drive from St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago.
“The forward-thinking, program-driven design has already established Emerald Acres Sports Connection as our region’s leading travel destination for organized events,” says Tyler Yoder, General Manager of Emerald Acres Sports Connection.
Great Lakes Bay, Michigan
The top-notch, versatile fields, courses, courts and complexes within the Great Lakes Bay region of Michigan make it an easy win.
Comprised of Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties, the Great Lakes Bay region is rich with freshwaters favoring walleye and bass fishing tournaments. Another distinction is the Greater Midland Tennis Center, the largest indoor/outdoor tennis and pickleball facility in the Midwest, which hosts the Dow Tennis Classic.
The LPGA Tour Dow Championship takes place at Midland Country Club every June. In addition, the Great Lakes Loons, the High-A minor league farm team for the LA Dodgers, play at Dow Diamond in Midland. The Dow Event Center in Saginaw is home of the Ontario Hockey League’s 2024 Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Spirit.
“Whether you’re here for the trophy or the love of the game, Great Lakes Bay has the perfect venue and team of sports-savvy experts for flawless execution,” says Tim Shelton, Director of Sports Tourism at Go Great Lakes Bay.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, the largest man-made lake in the U.S., offers four distinct seasons with unique recreational experiences.
One of the biggest attractions is the lake itself, which was created more than 80 years ago with the construction of the Bagnell Dam. Since that time, this premier vacation destination has been voted as the Best Recreational Lake and Best Lake for Watersports by USA TODAY for its trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking, floating and watersports.
Popular events include the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, featuring some of the fastest boats in the world. The area is also renowned for golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jack Nicklaus, plus hundreds of miles of hiking trails, two state parks and numerous caves.
“Regardless of how you experience Lake of the Ozarks, we hope it becomes your home away from home,” says Lagina Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association.
Columbia, Missouri
Centrally located in the heart of mid-Missouri, Columbia offers diverse sports facilities to host a range of high-performance events year-round.
Columbia is home to the University of Missouri Tigers and numerous high school state championship events, not to mention NCAA and NAIA cross country regional and national championships at Gans Creek Cross Country Course.
The 2021 PDGA Tim Selinske US Masters Championships took place at Harmony Bends, the first HouckDesign course in Missouri, which will also host the 2025 PDGA World Amateur Championships. Columbia Sports Fieldhouse has four indoor hardwood courts for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, with an additional four basketball/volleyball courts to be added by May 2025.
Easily accessible via Interstate 70 and Highway 63, Columbia also offers an array of hotel, dining and shopping options.
“We’re excited to show you what Columbia has to offer and help make your sporting event one to remember,” says Adam Ziervogel, Tourism Sales Manager at the Columbia CVB/Sports Commission.
Overland Park, Kansas: AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk
Open since October 26, 2024, AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk, in Overland Park, Kansas, has the first-class amenities supported by industry-leading expertise to make events of any size successful.
Anchored by a 420,000-square-foot, multi-sport complex, Bluhawk features eight basketball courts (convertible to 16 volleyball/pickleball courts), an NHL-size hockey rink, indoor turf area and esports arena. During downtime, families enjoy sports simulators, laser tag, bowling, an arcade and a roll glider.
The venue, home to the University of Kansas Hockey Club, is already scheduled to host a range of competitions for basketball, volleyball, 5v5 soccer, hockey, figure skating, wrestling, dance/cheer, pickleball, flag football and gymnastics.
Coming soon is the Boundary, a district within walking distance featuring retail, hotels and restaurants. According to Vice President of Venue Management Patrick O’Brien, this concept will dramatically improve the tournament experience for athletes and families alike, all just 40 minutes from Kansas City International Airport.
“The attention to detail in terms of participant and viewer experience makes AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk a premier destination for any occasion,” O’Brien says. SDM
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