Jeff Porter |
As avid supporters of all sporting events, EventPipe is thrilled to present this extensive guide to the best sports facilities in the US. Some of these locations you may consider for your next sports event or tournament, but also those that simply stand out for their impressive features or iconic status.
We believe in the power of sports to unite communities, build teams and create memorable experiences. Choosing the right facility for your sports event is a crucial step toward ensuring its success.
Whether you're a tournament operator, event producer, seasoned event planner or a sports enthusiast looking for the perfect venue, this sports facility guide is designed to assist you in making informed decisions and elevating your sports events to new heights.
We’ve added a curated selection of sports facilities that not only serve as exceptional potential event venues–but also include some stand-out sports facilities famous in their own right (shout out to the Big House in Michigan!).
Let the games begin!
Types of Sports Venues
From grand outdoor stadiums to versatile indoor complexes and the vibrant atmosphere of college campuses, the variety of sports venues in the US is abundant.
Indoor Sports Complexes
An indoor sports complex is a facility designed to host various sporting activities within an enclosed environment. These complexes are typically equipped with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of indoor sports, training programs and events.
Indoor sports complexes are versatile spaces that provide athletes with a controlled environment, shielding them from external weather conditions and allowing year-round access to sports activities.
Outdoor Sports Facilities
An outdoor sports facility is an open-air venue specifically designed and equipped to host various sporting events, practices and recreational activities. Unlike indoor sports complexes, outdoor facilities are exposed to the natural environment and the elements.
These facilities cater to a wide range of sports and are often characterized by specific features tailored to the requirements of outdoor activities.
Multi-Purpose Sports Complexes
A multi-purpose sports complex is a versatile facility designed to host a wide range of sports and recreational activities within a single venue. These complexes are characterized by their ability to accommodate diverse sporting events and often feature adaptable infrastructure to cater to different needs.
Unlike facilities dedicated to a specific sport, multi-purpose sports complexes are designed to be flexible, making them suitable for various athletic competitions, training sessions and community events.
Best Indoor Sports Complexes
Escape the elements and experience the pinnacle of indoor sports infrastructure with these renowned complexes.
Broadmoor World Arena
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sporting Facilities: Curling, figure skating, hockey, skating, speedskating
Learn More: https://www.broadmoorworldarena.com/
Cedar Point Sports Center
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Sporting Facilities Available: Basketball, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, dodgeball, esports, fencing, futsal, volleyball
Learn More: http://cpsports.com/
Fort Bend Epicenter
Location: Rosenberg, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, basketball, boxing, broomball, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, dodgeball, esports, volleyball
Learn More: https://thefortbendepicenter.com/
Highlands Sports Complex
Location: Triadelphia, West Virginia
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, Australian football, badminton, basketball, contact football, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://www.highlandssports.com/
Hoover Met Complex
Location: Hoover, Alabama
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, Australian football, baseball, basketball, contact football, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://hoovermetcomplex.com/
Legends Event Center
Location: Bryan, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Badminton, basketball, cheerleading, dance, dodgeball, esports, futsal, gymnastics, handball, volleyball
Learn More: https://bryanlegends.com/
Morristown Landing
Location: Morristown, Tennessee
Sporting Facilities Available: Artistic swimming, badminton, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, cycling, dance, diving, volleyball
Learn More: http://morristownlanding.com/
Rocky Mount Event Center
Location: Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, dodgeball, drone racing and volleyball
Learn More: https://rockymountevents.com/
Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery badminton basketball boxing cheerleading contact football lacrosse non-contact football soccer volleyball
Learn More: http://spookynooksports.com/
Warrior Ice Arena
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Fun fact: Boston Bruins Practice Facility)
Sporting Facilities: Hockey, skating
Learn More: https://www.warrioricearena.com/
Wintrust Sports Complex at Bedford Park
Location: Bedford Park, Illinois
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, dodgeball, esports, volleyball
Learn More: http://wintrustsportscomplex.com/
Yost Ice Arena
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sporting Facilities: Hockey, skating
Learn More: https://yost.umich.edu/
Need help managing housing for your next sports event?
Best Outdoor Sports Facilities
Embrace the thrill of the outdoors with these top-notch sports facilities, designed to host exhilarating events and championships.
Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, Australian football, cheerleading, contact football, cornhole, disc golf, drone racing, lacrosse, non-contact football and soccer
Learn More: https://www.officialmyrtlebeachsports.com/doug-shaw-memorial-stadium.html
Elizabethtown Sports Park
Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Sporting Facilities Available: Baseball, contact Football, field hockey, kickball, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball
Learn More: https://etownsports.com/
Grand Park Athletic Complex
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sporting Facilities Available: Baseball, kickball, soccer, softball
Learn More: https://www.officialmyrtlebeachsports.com/grand-park-athletic-complex.html
Horizons Edge Sports Campus
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Sporting Facilities Available: Australian Football, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cheerleading, Contact Football, Lacrosse, Non-Contact Football, Soccer, Volleyball
Learn More: https://horizonsedgeva.com/
Iron Peak Sports & Events Center
Location: Hillsborough Township, New Jersey
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, baseball, basketball, badminton, contact football, non-contact football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://ironpeakse.com/
Jackie Robinson Training Complex
Location: Vero Beach, Florida
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, Australian football, baseball, beach volleyball, contact football, cornhole, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball
Learn More: http://jackierobinsontrainingcomplex.com/
Michigan Stadium: “The Big House”
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sporting Facilities Available: Football, lacrosse
Learn More: https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/facilities-michigan-stadium-html
Paradise Coast Sports Complex & Entertainment Center
Location: Rural Estates, Florida
Sporting Facilities Available: Australian football, beach volleyball, cheerleading, contact football, cornhole, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer
Learn More: https://www.playparadisecoast.com/
Publix Sports Park
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, Australian football, baseball, cheerleading, contact football, cornhole, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer and softball.
Learn More: https://www.playpanamacitybeach.com/
Rose Bowl
Location: Los Angeles, California
Sporting Facilities Available: Football, soccer
Learn More: https://uclabruins.com/facilities/the-rose-bowl/1
Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater
Location: Albertville, Alabama
Sporting Facilities Available: Artistic swimming, baseball, basketball, badminton, contact football, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://sandmountainpark.com/
Tiger Stadium
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sporting Facilities Available: Football
Learn More: https://lsusports.net/facilities/tiger-stadium/
Make event housing easy for your next sports event.
Best Athletic Facilities In Colleges
Now let’s take a look at the best athletic facilities in colleges that not only inspire athletic prowess but also contribute to the overall collegiate experience.
Barton Hall - Cornell University
Location: Ithaca, NY
Sporting Facilities Available: Badminton, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, dodgeball, esports, fencing, track, volleyball
Learn More: Cornell Big Red
Bob Hannah Stadium - University of Delaware
Location: Newark, Delaware
Sporting Facilities Available: Baseball, kickball
Learn More: https://bluehens.com/sports/baseball
Charles M. Ruter Track and Field Complex - Western Kentucky University
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Sporting Facilities Available: Soccer, softball, track and field
Learn More: https://wkusports.com/facilities/charles-m-ruter-track-and-field-complex/7
Ford Hall of Champions - Texas A&M University
Location: College Station, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, badminton, bowling, boxing, cheerleading, cornhole, dance, esports, fencing, fitness training
Learn More: https://12thman.com/facilities/?id=4
Larry K. Durham Sports Center - University of Texas at El Paso
Location: El Paso, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Fitness training, jiu-jitsu, martial arts, weight lifting, wrestling, yoga
Learn More: https://utepminers.com/facilities/larry-k-durham-center/5
Midland College
Location: Midland, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Baseball, basketball, golf, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://www.gochaps.com/landing/index
Moody Coliseum - Southern Methodist University
Location: Dallas, Texas
Sporting Facilities Available: Basketball
Learn More: https://smumustangs.com/
University Arenas - Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, NY
Sporting Facilities Available: Archery, baseball, basketball, contact football, ice hockey, lacrosse, non-contact football, soccer, softball, volleyball
Learn More: https://www.rit.edu/arenas/
Tips to Make Your Sports Facility Event a Success
Organizing a successful sports event involves strategic planning and execution. Here are some tips to ensure your event reaches its full potential.
1. Choose the Right Sports Facility
Here are key considerations to help guide your decision:
- Event type: Different facilities are suitable for various sports, tournaments, youth fundraising or competitions. Ensure the facility is equipped to meet the specific requirements of your event.
- Cost and budget: Evaluate the cost of renting the facility and ensure it aligns with your event budget. Factor in any additional expenses related to amenities, equipment and staffing.
- Scheduling flexibility: Check the availability of the facility on your desired date and time. Some popular venues may have busy schedules, so plan well in advance to secure the venue for your event.
- Location: Consider the location of the facility in relation to participants, spectators and other stakeholders. Easy accessibility and proximity to transportation hubs can enhance the overall event experience.
- Venue size: Assess the size and capacity of the facility. Ensure it comfortably accommodates the expected number of participants, spectators and additional personnel or equipment.
- Infrastructure and equipment: Ensure the facility has the necessary infrastructure and equipment for the specific sport or activity. This includes appropriate playing surfaces, goalposts, nets, lighting and other required specialized equipment.
2. Prioritize Event Housing Management
Coordinating accommodations for event attendees, whether for sports tournaments, conventions, or corporate events, can be overwhelming, involving juggling hotel blocks, attendee details and real-time analytics. Prioritizing event housing management with EventPipe significantly contributes to the success of your sports facility event.
With EventPipe, you can streamline the traditionally disjointed and manual process of managing event housing. The platform allows users to create, send and manage RFPs and contracts, launch customized booking websites, handle room blocks and sub-blocks, automate reporting and invoicing and explore additional revenue opportunities—all consolidated into one user-friendly interface.
EventPipe event housing management platform
Whether opting for the self-service SaaS platform or the professional services of EventPipe+, the platform aims to simplify the event housing process, saving time and energy for event producers, convention and visitor bureaus and housing companies.
By centralizing these essential tasks, EventPipe enhances efficiency, reduces stress and ensures that the intricate details of event housing are managed seamlessly. This not only creates a more organized and streamlined process for planners but also contributes to maximizing event housing revenue, making your sports facility event more successful overall.
3. Try Sports Event Networking
Sports event networking refers to the strategic process of creating and fostering connections within the sports industry during events. This networking involves bringing together athletes, organizers, sponsors and other event production specialists to exchange ideas, build relationships and explore collaborative opportunities.
It can take various forms, including organized networking sessions, business forums, social events and online platforms designed to facilitate communication and relationship-building within the sports community.
One such online platform is Playeasy, a social network developed specifically for the sports event and tourism industries. On the platform, users–whether they’re sports team managers, event producers, facilities, or promoters–can research sports event facilities, advertise their events, communicate and make bookings.
Sports event networking plays a crucial role in expanding professional connections, promoting collaboration and enhancing the overall experience for participants and stakeholders involved in sports events.
4. Get Insurance Coverage
Organizing a sports event comes with various risks and having appropriate sports insurance coverage is crucial to mitigate potential liabilities. Your organization likely has specific requirements for youth sports events and each venue may have its own insurance standards.
Check with your governing body and each venue to understand what insurance you’ll need. Some common insurance products include:
- General liability: This insurance provides coverage for bodily injury or property damage that occurs during the event. It's essential for protecting against common risks associated with sports events, such as participant injuries or damage to the venue.
- Participant accident insurance: If your event involves athletes or participants, consider obtaining participant accident insurance. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, accidental death benefits and other related costs for participants who may get injured during the event.
- Specialty sports insurance: Depending on the nature of the sports event, you may need specialty insurance tailored to specific risks associated with certain activities. This could include coverage for extreme sports, water-based activities, or other high-risk sports.
- Event cancellation insurance: Event cancellation insurance provides coverage if the event has to be canceled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies. It helps protect against financial losses resulting from the cancellation.
- Property insurance: If you own or are responsible for equipment, gear, or other property used in the event, property insurance can provide coverage for damage or loss due to theft, fire, or other perils.
- Commercial auto insurance: If the event involves transportation of equipment or participants using vehicles, commercial auto insurance is necessary. It covers liability and physical damage to vehicles used for event-related purposes.
Before securing insurance, consult with an experienced insurance professional to assess the specific needs of your sports event. Tailoring coverage to the event's unique risks and circumstances is crucial for comprehensive protection.
5. Measure Event ROI
Event ROI, short for Return on Investment, refers to the measurement and evaluation of the overall success of an event regarding the resources invested in its planning and execution.
This metric helps organizers evaluate whether the event achieved its objectives (financial or otherwise) and justified the investment. To measure event ROI, consider these metrics:
- Attendance Rate: Actual attendance vs. registrations
- Revenue Metrics: Ticket sales, exhibitor fees and sponsorships
- Brand Awareness: Shifts in brand recognition and perception following the event.
- Participant Satisfaction: Conduct surveys to assess the overall event experience.
- Engagement Levels: Measure how engaged your audience is through social media activity, participation in discussions and interaction with event content
- Networking and Relationships: Consider the quality and quantity of connections made
- Follow-Up Engagements: Measure post-event interactions, such as newsletter sign-ups or product inquiries
Achieving a positive event ROI means that your event yields more value—whether tangible or intangible—than the invested costs and measuring the effectiveness of your event involves considering numerous factors specific to your organization and event.
Enjoy the Best Sports Facilities
Whether you're organizing a local tournament, a regional championship, or a national competition, the venue plays a pivotal role in creating an atmosphere of excitement and competition. This list covered some sports facilities you might want to play in–and others you’d love to attend a game at!
As a dedicated supporter of all sporting events, EventPipe is passionate about bringing communities together, fostering teamwork and creating lasting memories through the power of sports. Our mission is to simplify the event housing process, so you and your team can get on with the game.
From customizable booking sites and group block management to streamlined RFP processes and simplified attendee booking, EventPipe offers a versatile platform that caters to the many needs of event producers.
Ready to level up your event housing management in 2024?
Chat with our team today.