Ready to dive back into the hosting pool? Here’s a slew of great opportunities. The NAIA is taking bids on six national championships in football, men's soccer, competitive cheer & dance, men's wrestling, men's golf and women's beach volleyball.
All bidders should be ready to work within the parameters of the NAIA Championship Host Manual & Style Guide, available at this link.
NAIA Football National Championship
Seeking Site For 2023 & 2024
Deadline: June 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $30,000
Time of Year: December 16, 2023; December 21, 2024
Days of the Week: Tuesday (teams arrive) - Sunday (teams depart)
Number of Teams: Two
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans: Two teams (100+ players, coaches and trainers each), 3,000 - 8,000 fans
Facility Requirements: A stadium type facility with a seating capacity of 8,000 minimum and a synthetic playing surface. The field width shall be 80 yards and the length shall be 120 yards. The facility must contain an elevated press box that can house between 50 and 75 people with electric power and phone lines, while being able to accommodate television staging and talent, as well as an Instant Replay System. This press box must have closed off coaches' rooms, PA system and controls to electronic scoreboard. The facility must have platforms for TV cameras on the same side as the press box. Camera platforms should ideally be located between the 35- and 40-yard lines on both sides of the 50 yard line. Goal post must be collegiate and/or professional in dimensions.
Practice facilities must be available for the three days prior to the championship that contain the same playing surface as the championship game field. This is preferable but not mandatory.
Hotel Requirements: Centralized properties capable of accommodating several meetings and a banquet for 350-500 people
Average Length of Stay: Four nights
Room Block Needed: 200 per night divided between four hotels (two team hotels and two fan hotels)
Room Rate: The price range is $90-$115 regardless of room occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: The NAIA will be responsible for making team, officials, media and staffing reservations, team hotel assignments and arrangements for paying for rooms with the hotel.
Contact: Austin Bennett, NAIA Director of Championships, (816) 595-8109, abennett@naia.org
NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship
Seeking Site For: 2023 & 2024
Deadline: June 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $7,000.00 (Minimum)
Time of Year: November 28 - December 4, 2023
December 3 - December 9, 2024
Days of the Week: Tuesday - Monday
Number of Teams: 10 team single-elimination format
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans:
Participants - 400
Staff/Fans - 5,000 (approx.)
Facility Requirements: A stadium type facility with lights, seating capacity of 1000 minimum and a playing surface of Championship quality (natural grass or sport turf). The field of play shall be rectangular, the width of which shall not be more than 75 yards or less than 70 yards and the length shall not be more than 120 yards or less than 115 yards. The optimal dimensions are 75 yards wide by 120 yards in length. A back-up/alternate Championship field is also required. Must have a warm-up field located near game field. Four practice fields must be located within close proximity to championship venue and housing.
Hotel Requirements: Centralized property capable of accommodating several meetings and an opening banquet for at least 700 people.
Average Length of Stay: 4-5 nights
Room Block Needed: 200
Room Rate: The price range is $100-$130, regardless of room occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel
Contact: Anthony Goetz, Championship Sport Manager, (816) 595-8184, agoetz@naia.org
Event History:
- 2020: Blanchard Woods Park, Columbia County, GA
- 2018-2019: Orange County Great Soccer Complex, Irvine, CA.
- 2014-2017: Seacrest Soccer Complex, Delray Beach, Fla.
- 2012-13: Emory Folmer Complex, Montgomery, Ala., Central Alabama Sports Commission
- 2010-11: Orange Beach Sportsplex, Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission
- 2008-09 Ramirez Field, Fresno Pacific University
- 2007: College Boulevard Activities Center, Olathe Chamber of Commerce
- 2005-06: Embry Riddle University, Embry Riddle-Daytona Beach, Fla.
- 2003-04: Olathe District Activity Center, Olathe Chamber, Baker & William Jewell
- 2001-02 Lovers Lane Soccer Complex Ky., Bowling Green - Lindsey Wilson & SOKY
- 1999-00 Youth Soccer Complex N.M., Albuquerque CVB
NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance National Championships
Seeking Site For: 2024 & 2025
Deadline: June 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $5,000 (Minimum)
Time of Year: March 8-9, 2024; March 7-8, 2025
Days of the Week: Friday - Saturday
Number of Teams:
12 dance teams (maximum of 16 competitors on each team); 15 cheer teams (maximum of 20 competitors on each team)
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans: 500 athletes (competitors, alternates, head/assistant coaches), approximately 2,000 fans
Facility Requirements: Arena with bowl or raised seating. Floor space should be large enough to accommodate cheer matting (see below). Cheer must have 9 strips carpeted matting equaling 42 feet x 54 feet (1 3/8 inch thick). Dance should have a wood or marley floor with dimensions 40 feet x 53 feet. A separate warm-up space must be provided that is located in the same venue. An area for officials must be located without interruption from spectators and above the performance area. The competition floor and warm-up area must have appropriate lighting, visible timers and proper sound equipment. Spectator seating must be provided for a minimum of 2,000 people.
Hotel Requirements: One headquarters hotel within 15 minutes of the venue that has comfortable rooms, meeting rooms and a banquet hall. The banquet hall would potentially host a dinner for approximately 600 people. Overflow/alternate housing (1-2 hotels) for fans is also requested.
Average Length of Stay: 2 nights
Room Block Needed: 250
Room Rate: The price range is $90-$115, regardless of room occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: Participants will work directly with the hotel to make reservations and submit payment.
Contact: Courtney Fegter, Championship Sport Manager, 816-595-8156, cfegter@naia.org
Event History:
- 2022-23: Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center; Ypsilanti, Mich.
- 2019-21: Lee Lohman Arena, St. Ambrose University; Davenport, Iowa
- 2017-18: Abe Lemons Arena, Oklahoma City University; Oklahoma City, Okla.
NAIA Wrestling National Championship
Seeking Site For: 2024 & 2025
Bid Deadline: July 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $5,500.00 (Minimum)
Dates: March 1-2, 2024; March 7-8, 2025
Days of the Week: Friday - Saturday
Number of Participants: 280 wrestlers (32-man bracket @ 10 weight classes, double elimination)
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans: 500-600 Athletes & Coaches, 3,000 - 5,000 fans
Facility Requirements: Ability to hold (8) mats (minimum) simultaneously. Head table, warm-up area, weigh-in room, dressing rooms, training rooms, (8) digital scales, (8) score clocks (3- or 4-sided), award platform, PA system, media area, concession area and ticket sales area. Minimum seating capacity of 3,000.
Hotel Requirements: Centralized property capable of accommodating several meetings and a banquet for 400-500 people.
Average Length of Stay: 4-5 nights
Room Block Needed: 250-300
Room Rate: The price range is $90-$115, regardless of room occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel
Contact: Marc Burchard, Championship Event Manager, 816-595-8153, mburchard@naia.org
Event History:
- 2020-21: Hartman Arena, Park City, KS
- 2018-19: Jacobson Event Center, Des Moines, IA,
- 2014-17: Kansas Expocentre, Topeka, KS, Hotel - Capitol Plaza
- 2012-13: Jacobson Event Center, Des Moines, IA, Hotel - Marriott
- 2011: US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, Hotel - Crown Plaza
- 2009-10: Abe Lemons Arena, Oklahoma City University
- 2005-08: Tyson Events Center, Sioux City, IA, Hotel - Marina Inn
- 2004: Swarthout Fieldhouse, Great Falls, MT
- 2002-03: Bison Fieldhouse, Great Falls, MT, Hotel - Holiday Inn
- 1999-01: Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO
NAIA Men's Golf National Championships
Seeking Site For: 2024
Bid Deadline: June 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $5,000 (Minimum)
Time of Year: May 21-24, 2024
Days of the Week: Monday-Friday (Monday is official practice round)
Number of Teams: Maximum of 156 golfers in field (approximately 30 teams & 6 individuals). Field cut to top 17 teams and 40 individuals after 36 holes.
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans: 400-500 daily
Facility Requirements: A well-kept course that can withstand one practice round and four days of competition. Preferably a Par 72 and 6800 yards minimum. Municipal Course or Private Course. Golf carts provided to staff, officials and coaches only. (Possibly parents with medical hardships and doctor's letters).
Hotel Requirements: One headquarters hotel within 15 minutes of the golf course that has comfortable rooms, meeting rooms, and a banquet hall for a dinner for approximately 330 people. Overflow/alternate housing (1-2 hotels) for fans is also requested.
Average Length of Stay: 6-8 nights
Room Block Needed: No less than 120
Room Rate: The price range is $90-$115, no matter occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel.
Contact: Anthony Goetz, Championship Sport Manager, (816) 595-8184, agoetz@naia.org
Event History:
- 2021-22: TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois, St. Ambrose University/Visit Quad Cities
- 2019: Las Sends Golf Club, Mesa, AZ, Benedictine Mesa/Visit Mesa
- 2016-18: TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois, St. Ambrose University/Visit Quad Cities
- 2014-15: LPGA International, The Sun Conference/Daytona Beach CVB
- 2012-13: Creekside Golf Club, Cascade Collegiate Conference/Corban University
- 2009-11: TPC Deere Run, St. Ambrose University/Visit Quad Cities
- 2007-08: Indiana National Golf Club, Swan Lake Resort
- 2004-06: Prairie Highlands Golf Course, Olathe Chamber of Commerce
- 2002-03: Matanzas Woods Golf Club, Embry-Riddle/PCGR
- 2000-01: Isleta Eagle Golf Course, Albuquerque CVB
- 1999: PGA National, Palm Beach County
- 1998: Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa Sports Commission
NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball National Invitational
Seeking Site For: 2024 & 2025
Bid Deadline: June 1, 2022
Rights Fee: $2,500
Time of Year: Mid to late April
Days of the Week: Thursday-Saturday
Number of Teams/Format: Six Team - The format of the tournament will include one day of pool play taking place on Thursday. Teams will then be re-seeded into a 6-team single elimination bracket taking place Friday and Saturday.
Estimated Number of Participants & Fans: 150 players, coaches, & staff, 500-1,000 fans for the duration
Facility Requirements: The facility shall include all facilities and equipment necessary for beach volleyball; including standards and nets for one court, adequate spectator seating of 500, lights, electronic scoreboards, press box area, concession stands, rest rooms, meeting rooms, box office, parking lots, sound systems, signs, etc.
Hotel Requirements: Centralized property(s) capable of accommodating several meetings and an opening event for at least 150 people.
Average Length of Stay: 3-4 nights
Room Block Needed: 100
Room Rate: The price range is $90-$115, regardless of room occupancy
Hotel Pre-Registration: Participants will be responsible for making reservations and paying for rooms directly with the hotel
Contact: Anthony Goetz, Women's Beach Volleyball Sport Manager, 816-595-8184, agoetz@naia.org
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