Erie Sports Commission Has Wrestling, Cheer, Gymnastics, Hoops and More on Tap

The Erie Sports Commission will host four major events in January, covering nine event days and creating an estimated economic impact of nearly $1.4 million.

The Erie Warhawks will host the sixth annual Battle on the Bay Wrestling Tournament Jan. 6-7 at the Bayfront Convention Center. The event will see 16 teams from six states compete in its Duals Competition Saturday, Jan. 6, and more than 350 individual athletes compete in the Open Competition Sunday, Jan. 7, including an all-girls division.

Two events will be held beginning Friday, Jan. 12, starting with the Erie Gymnastics Center’s annual Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Invitational Jan. 12 through Jan. 15. They will welcome 1,800 athletes from across the region to the Bayfront Convention Center. The annual event is considered to be the largest co-ed competition in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the Eastern United States.

The 9^th Annual P.O2.NY International Basketball Showcase will also begin Friday, Jan. 12 at McDowell High School. The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend tournament will once again feature top JV and Varsity teams from Ohio, New York, Ontario and Pennsylvania through Jan. 14.

Champion Cheer Central will host its second Erie event of the 2017-18 season on Jan. 21, as the Erie Winter Beach Blast Cheer and Dance Championships take place at the Bayfront Convention Center. More than 75 teams are expected to take part in the competition.

“The Erie winter doesn’t stop patrons and participants traveling to sporting events,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “We have the facilities in Erie that make it possible to host large-scale events and tournaments all year, and we work to capitalize on that. We have some great partners in the Erie region who execute major events in the winter months. Sports tourism is alive and well in Erie County, even when the snow flies.”

For a full list of Erie Sports Commission events, visit www.ErieSportsCommission.com.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.