College Towns + Sports Events = Class Acts

Homecoming. There is no other single tradition in the USA that brings back memories of autumn leaves, campus parties, classrooms and the absolute optimism and buoyancy of college years.

With their youthful vibes and deep-rooted traditions, college towns are unique destinations. They also offer (to nobody’s great surprise) excellent sports venues. Whether those are football fields, tennis courts, swimming facilities or anything else, college towns are ready and willing to host. Here are a few from across the map.
 

Alabama: Auburn

Home to Auburn University, a rich local history and a host of attractions and recreational activities, the Auburn-Opelika area attracts a wide variety of visitors each year. Auburn University draws in a large student population annually, with a record fall enrollment of 33,015 students in 2023. Known for unparalleled sporting experiences amidst a laid-back, small-town ambiance, Auburn-Opelika welcomes any sports event.
 

Beyond its charm, Auburn-Opelika is a sports enthusiast’s paradise, boasting premier sports venues and state-of-the-art accommodations for tournaments in tennis, swimming, softball, soccer and others. The destination offers easily accessible lodging, award-winning restaurants and entertainment options ensuring a delightful trip.
 

From golfing at the renowned Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course to mountain biking at Chewacla State Park to the diverse culinary scene, live music, a hip arts district and lots of family-friendly activities, this town has it all.
 

With lush greenery, gentle seasons and easy accessibility from major cities and airports, Auburn-Opelika is tournament-ready and budget-friendly. With walkable downtowns and a welcoming atmosphere, Auburn-Opelika invites visitors to experience the warmth of Southern hospitality, where every visit feels like coming home.
 

For more information, visit aotourism.com or contact visit@aotourism.com.
 

Arizona: Tempe

Tempe, Arizona, is located in the heart of the vibrant Metropolitan Phoenix/Scottsdale area, just minutes from the airport. Tempe has world-class venues to accommodate a variety of indoor and outdoor sporting events, including stadiums, gymnasiums, fields, pools and Tempe Town Lake, an ideal home for triathlons, such as IRONMAN Arizona, rowing regattas and other events.
 

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe is a fun college town with activities for athletes and their friends and families to enjoy before and after their events. Tempe is known for lively special events on the weekends, Broadway shows and other arts and culture, water recreation, Sonoran Desert hikes and trails, affordable shopping, globally influenced dining experiences, craft breweries, an energetic nightlife scene and more than 330 days of sunshine each year.
 

Arkansas: Conway

More than 125 years ago, business leaders in Conway, Arkansas wanted to grow the local economy, so they created a strategy to attract institutions of higher learning to the central Arkansas town. Now, Conway is home to the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College, earning the nickname the “City of Colleges” — as well as countless dividends from that century-old decision.
 

Today, Conway’s population of about 65,000 is young (with a median age of 27.3) and educated (nearly 40 percent of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree). And for many of the city’s residents, the role of sports and sports facilities continues to be important because, at its heart, Conway is a sports town.
 

Not only do all three colleges have their own athletic facilities, but the city and its residents realize the need for top-notch sports amenities for all ages, and those facilities continue to attract organizers who are looking to find a welcoming home for their tournaments and events.
 

Conway also has dozens of hotels to suit all budgets, and most were built within the last eight years. Restaurants abound, with more than 200 in the area, offering all types of cuisine at all price points.
 

Florida: Tallahassee

Tallahassee is where champions are made.
 

Just like sports themselves, hosting a successful sporting event takes practice, and Tallahassee, Florida has years of it at the youth, amateur, collegiate and professional levels.
 

The crown jewel of the Capital City is Apalachee Regional Park, which has hosted the NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships. As one of the nation’s only facilities dedicated specifically to cross-country events, the pristine, multi-surface course is ideal for athletes striving for personal bests.
 

Three distinguished universities and colleges in Tallahassee offer top-tier stadiums, training fields and arenas as options for hosting events. Facilities needed for world-class swimming, diving, basketball, cheerleading and soccer events are present at Morcom Aquatics Center, FAMU’s Alfred J. Lawson Multipurpose Center, the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and Seminole Soccer Complex.
 

Yet it’s more than the facilities that make hosting an event in Tallahassee so attractive. From assembling a bid team and assisting with site selection to securing hotel reservations and supervising event preparation, the Visit Tallahassee Sports team works directly with organizers to ensure events provide athletes and spectators with an unforgettable experience.
 

The professionals at Visit Tallahassee Sports invite event owners to let them see all that Florida’s Capital City has to offer.
 

Idaho: Boise

When people think of Boise, the first thing that often comes to mind is the famous blue turf at Albertsons Stadium, and while the blue turf has become iconic, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Boise is a thriving city that embraces its university and events. There is an awesome “college town” vibe in Boise but event owners can still find all the amenities they would look for in a big city.
 

With over 1,800 hotel rooms downtown, James Beard nominated restaurants and over 100 parks, Boise has and continues to develop a reputation as one of the best destinations in the country. Boise State may have put this city on the map, but now, people are experiencing the rest of what makes Boise so special.
 

The Boise convention and Visitors Bureau understands the importance of having separate branding, but it would be foolish to not collaborate with BSU as often as possible. The staff works with the university on events like the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, NCAA March Madness tournament games and a litany of intramural and club sports events and tournaments. Working together has resulted in tremendous impact for the city and the ability to host exciting events for visitors and locals.
 

Illinois: Springfield

The staff of the Springfield Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau has had an excellent working relationship with its colleges for a number of years. The staff works with coaches, athletic directors and facility managers to host a wide assortment of events on and off campus.
 

NCAA Women’s Golf Regional and GLVC Volleyball Championship (Great Lakes Valley) are just a few of the offsite events with which the organization has worked. Golf coach Michael Leotta and volleyball coach Kamille Jones have provided valuable insight on what the coaches and student athletes look for in the event.
 

Millikin University, 30 minutes east of Springfield in Decatur, has collaborated to host a NCAA DIII Wrestling Regional at BOS Center. Their insights in previously attending and competing in the event are invaluable, and Springfield’s staff looks forward to bidding on future nationals with them.
 

Springfield has taken its relationship with the UIS facility management team to a new level since the university is starting to see the value in having on campus events. Among the events springing from this cooperative approach have been the US Boomerang Nationals as well as a homegrown international rugby event. These niche sports have helped to raise the university’s profile in the community.
 

Indiana: South Bend

Sports often serve as an introduction to South Bend Mishawaka through its most iconic attraction: The University of Notre Dame. Images of the Golden Dome and the historic football program resonate with many, especially during fall Saturdays when they appear on national television.
 

Visiting campus isn’t just for spectators. Notre Dame regularly opens its doors to outside events. Compton Family Ice Arena, for example, bustles with activity during hockey season.
 

There’s nothing quite like bringing an event to elite facilities on one of the world’s most beautiful and well-known campuses. It makes for an experience that competitors won’t soon forget.
 

Notre Dame, however, is just one piece of the larger puzzle. It anchors a collegiate community that includes Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College, Indiana University South Bend and Bethel University. All these local institutions offer access to top-notch facilities on campus settings, whether the sport to be hosted is gymnastics, basketball, pickleball or table tennis.
 

South Bend Mishawaka’s sterling relationship with Notre Dame and other area colleges and universities makes it an
exceptional sports destination. Event owners can ask themselves: Are you ready to add your event to this tradition?
 

Louisiana: Baton Rouge

Louisiana’s capital city is home to many historic education institutions, including Louisiana State University (LSU) and Southern University. This city is alive with youthful energy, cultural diversity and Southern charm, making it an exceptional place for students to live and learn, as well as a perfect site to host tournaments, championships and more.
 

As Louisiana’s second-largest city, Baton Rouge has an estimated population of 227,000 residents, with sizable student populations at its two largest universities, LSU’s (34,000) and Southern (8,317), contributing to the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Compared to other college towns in the United States, Baton Rouge offers relatively low living costs, translating into affordability for traveling athletes and their families and friends.
 

The Baton Rouge atmosphere is enjoyable, with diversions like concerts, festivals, outdoor activities and plenty more to do when the games are done. Historical landmarks, amazing restaurants and unparalleled views of the Mississippi River make every visit a big win.
 

Across both universities, athletics reign supreme: Southern University has won 26 team National Championships since 1941, and LSU earned 51 team National Championships since 1933; the most recent titles were the women’s basketball and baseball championships in 2023.
 

In Baton Rouge, visiting athletes, teams and spectators can experience the capital of competition and culture.
 

Louisiana: Ruston

Home to two universities, Ruston and Lincoln Parish is known as Louisiana’s College Town, offering a variety of interactive attractions, cultural experiences and sporting events year-round.
 

Located in North Central Louisiana, Lincoln Parish boasts both Louisiana Tech University, known for its innovations in engineering and business technology, and Grambling State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with a history of producing legendary athletes, coaches and marching bands.
 

Both universities continue to expand their enrollment and campus footprint, in addition to investing in student success, athletic excellence and community engagement. The energy, culture and innovation created on these campuses spill over into the community, resulting in public art projects, entrepreneurial endeavors and cultural experiences.
 

This can be seen firsthand in Ruston’s 25-block historic downtown district, where visitors will find student-painted murals, alumni-owned businesses and university flags on every corner. The thriving downtown also offers game day shuttles and weekend pep rallies during the football season, in addition to other university-partnered events all year long.
 

The area continues to build a reputation as one of the south’s premier places for sports by offering unmatched youth and collegiate sporting facilities. One of the newest baseball facilities in the area is J.C. Love Field. Centrally located on the Louisiana Tech campus, this brand-new stadium features a seating capacity of 2,000, many of which are chairback seats for added comfort.
 

The Ruston Sports Complex is another notable facility, sitting on 185 acres and offering state-of-the-art fields and courts. Learn more at ExperienceRuston.com.
 

Minnesota: St. Cloud

Sports planners can ditch the typical and head to the heartland for an unforgettable experience. St. Cloud, Minnesota isn’t the average college town. It’s a triple threat, with St. Cloud State University (go Huskies!), Saint John’s University (Johnnies!) and the College of Saint Benedict’s (Bennies!) boasting remarkable facilities and a college town atmosphere that will have visiting athletes and spectators cheering for more in central Minnesota.
 

Picture this: Cheerful crowds packed into the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, or energetic fans going wild at Husky Stadium. There are top-notch facilities for ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and an aquatic center that will make a splash with any swimmer.
 

Plus, the recently expanded esports arena at SCSU is a gamer’s paradise, perfect for hosting that next big collegiate esports tournament. A short drive away, St. John’s University in Collegeville and the College of St. Benedict’s in St. Joseph offer even more athletic venues and that classic collegiate charm.
 

Sound like a slam dunk? It gets better. St. Cloud offers cozy cafés, vibrant nightlife and enough outdoor adventures to keep everyone entertained. All this is available to those who ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.
 

Every level of athlete has a home in Greater St. Cloud. With its convenient location, affordable accommodations and the dedicated staff at Visit Greater St. Cloud, all players, organizers, families and more have an unforgettable experience in Minnesota’s college town trifecta! Reach out to learn more at visitstcloud.com.
 

Pennsylvania: Happy Valley

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, promises an array of activities that will delight families attending sports tournaments. Explore destination dining venues offering culinary adventures for all tastes. Discover unique shopping locations brimming with treasures waiting to be uncovered. Dive into the region’s rich cultural tapestry at museums showcasing art, history and innovation. Families can enjoy an array of attractions tailored for all ages, from interactive exhibits to thrilling entertainment options.
 

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Happy Valley boasts a wealth of outdoor activities, from scenic hikes to tranquil nature reserves, providing a perfect balance of relaxation and exploration. Visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant music scene and festive events that bring the community together in celebration.
 

Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to cheer about with various tournaments and events held throughout the year. And for those seeking a tranquil retreat, Soaring Eagle Wetland offers a serene oasis with inclusive access to nature.
 

Whether visitors are marveling at breathtaking mountain vistas, casting a line into pristine streams, or embarking on a family-friendly adventure, Happy Valley welcomes them with open arms. Plan a visit today and experience the magic of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.
 

Texas: El Paso

El Paso invites event owners to kick off their next tournament in the Sun City, where passion for sports meets state-of-the-art facilities and hospitality. In far West Texas, El Paso stands as a premier destination for sports events, boasting facilities tailored to accommodate athletes, fans and enthusiasts alike. Whether someone is planning for a series of baseball games, soccer matches or swimming competitions, El Paso has multi-use sports facilities to suit crowds of all sizes.
 

Dive into action at the Eastside and Westside Natatoriums. Each facility features a 50-meter competition-ready pool and spectator seating to accommodate over 700 spectators. Athletes of all ages and skill levels will find everything they need to make a splash. Cheer on players at the Eastside Sports Complex. Sprawled across 42.2 acres, the Eastside Sports Complex offers seven sodded, irrigated competition flat fields, one championship-style field and a shaded seating area that accommodates up to 500 spectators.
 

But it’s not just about the games. El Paso’s hospitality extends beyond the field, with accommodations, dining and entertainment options to suit every taste and budget. From boutique hotels to family-friendly eateries, El Paso is primed to host tournaments, competitions and sports showcases that will leave a lasting impression and provide everything event owners need to make their next sports event a resounding win. SDM