Tri-Cities, Washington: Discover the Unexpected | Sports Destination Management

Tri-Cities, Washington: Discover the Unexpected

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Jan 09, 2025 | By: Staff Member

 

Visit Tri-Cities, WA

Welcome!

In the Tri-Cities, 300 sun-filled days offer visitors a year-round outdoor playground and an extended sports season. Centrally located to four major Pacific Northwest metropolitan cities, Tri-Cities is a land of discovery that offers a thriving culinary scene, hundreds of world-class wineries and vast outdoor activities. Our community partners and long-standing Sports Council have a proven track record of welcoming sporting events and providing a one-stop-shop resource for event organizers.

At first glance, the Tri-Cities may seem like an unexpected sports destination, but its unique blend of outdoor beauty, diverse athletic opportunities and growing infrastructure make it an emerging hub for sports enthusiasts of all types.

Unlimited Outdoor Adventure
Surrounded by stunning landscapes and the convergence of the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers, the Tri-Cities has produced an aquatic playground second to none. The area's inviting waterways beckon water lovers to enjoy boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding and kayaking year-round. Along the river, visitors have countless opportunities for walking and cycling on 27 miles of manicured trails or exploring unpaved paths for off-road adventures.

Visit Tri-Cities, WAThe Heart of Washington Wine Country
After savoring just one of the local premium wines, visitors will understand why this area has rightfully been trademarked the "Heart of Washington Wine Country.” Tri-Cities boasts more than 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius, producing some of the finest wines in the world. Thanks to the climate and geography of the area, unforgettable grape-to-glass experiences live here.

Unwind with Sunny Skies
With a high-desert climate, the Tri-Cities enjoys mild winters and hot, dry summers — ideal conditions for year-round training and events. Athletes and teams rely on the Tri-Cities' climate for outdoor tournaments March through November, taking advantages of the favorable temperatures from the spring through late fall. The area's sunshine and warmth make it an attractive spot for both indoor and outdoor sports.

Unforgettable Family Fun
Days of bracket play can easily be ramped up with a friendly competition of axe throwing, mini-golf, or a bit of edutainment. The planets and stars align for visitors who seek a ‘geekishly’ fun STEM experience. Step into an active archeological dig site, learn about WWII and top-secret scientific advancements made during the Manhattan Project or just sit front row to unravel mysteries of the universe at the CPCCo Planetarium, with the most advanced state-of-the-art projection system in the Pacific Northwest.

Experience Triathlons and Endurance Events
The region has become well-known in the endurance sports community, particularly with the IRONMAN 70.3 event held in Richland. The combination of the Columbia River's calm waters, stimulating bike course through vineyards and rural roads and of course, the  scenic runs has made this event a popular stop on the global triathlon calendar. Additionally, the region regularly hosts marathons, cycling events and duathlons, attracting athletes seeking both challenge and beauty.

Tournament Hot Spot: Emerging Sports Culture
There is a constant desire to increase the investment in sports infrastructure in the Tri-Cities. New sports complexes and improved parks and developments aimed at supporting athletic activities have helped position the area as a rising star in regional sports tourism.

Tri-Cities hosts numerous state and athletic conference championships throughout the year. The National Softball Association (NSA) of Washington’s popular annual Ice Breaker tournament, an event boasting approximately 100 teams, is played across six softball facilities during April. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has brought the State High School Cross Country Championships to the Tri-Cities every November for the last 36 years.

Visit Tri-Cities, WAThe Tri-Cities is also home to the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) for junior college action with the Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships, hosted at the state-of-the-art Columbia Basin College Student Recreation Center. Tri-Cities is also home to a 15-field soccer complex in Pasco, new pickleball facilities in Kennewick and a nationally recognized BMX Track in Richland.

Tri-Cities was home to the 2024 National Horseshoe Pitchers Association’s World Tournament which will be returning in 2027 to the renovated Three Rivers Convention Center’s 60,000 square feet of new, unobstructed space. IRONMAN also will be returning to utilize the natural landscape for its 70.3 event in September 2025.

 

Contact Information:
Contact the Sports Development department to see how your tournament can start here!
(509) 735-8486
Sales@VisitTri-Cities.com
www.VisitTri-Cities.com

 

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