Hawthorne’s $400M casino redevelopment was approved in 2020 but missed its 2021 opening target. See the verified 2026 status and key milestones.
2026 Update: Hawthorne Race Course Casino Development
read more
Select Page
Sports Planning Guide
Find the Perfect Sports Venue
Sports Planning Guide is your go-to resource for organizing seamless and successful sporting events. Whether you’re scouting the perfect venue, navigating logistics, or looking for expert insights, we provide the tools, guides, and industry trends to help you plan with confidence.
Site InSpections
State Guides
Get the Magazine
All-In-One Resource
Sports Planning Guide Magazine
Sports Planning Guide Magazine is our annual, all-encompassing guide to everything the sports event planner needs. Insightful feature articles, state guides, and site inspections provide you with 488 pages of sports event planning goodness.Â
Featured Destination
Ocala/Marion County
Located in North Central Florida, Ocala/Marion County is a premier athletic hub and Horse Capital of the World®. Less than two hours from major airports, including Orlando and Tampa, this destination seamlessly blends top-tier facilities with local charm. From world-class equestrian competitions to baseball tournaments and swim meets, year-round sunshine and stunning natural wonders ensure a memorable experience. Discover why thousands of athletes choose Ocala/Marion County’s dynamic venues for national-level play in a truly breathtaking setting.
St. Pete–Clearwater is America’s only sports destination offering 35 miles of sugar-white beaches alongside world-class museums, dining, family fun, and endless sunshine. With warm emerald waters as your backdrop, it’s the perfect place to compete, unwind, and make memories before and after your next sporting event.
Featured Destination
St. Pete Clearwater, Florida
Sport Focused
Where2Play Guides
Planning a sports event just got easier. Our Where2Play (W2P) guides bring together top-tier facilities from our annual Sports Planning Guide (SPG) into concise, sport-specific collections for organizers like you.
Explore these curated resources today and get one step closer to hosting an unforgettable sporting event.
Indoor Sports
Baseball & Softball
Soccer & Lacrosse
Location Focused
SPG State Guides
Explore our State-by-State Sports Planning Guides to discover top venues, local resources, and expert insights for hosting a successful tournament or competition. Whether you’re looking for world-class stadiums, multi-sport complexes, or hidden gems, our guides provide everything you need to plan with confidence. Select a state to get started!
Stay in the know
Trending in Sports
Stay ahead of the game with the latest trends shaping the sports industry. From emerging event planning strategies to cutting-edge venue developments, we bring you insights that keep your playbook up to date. Whether it’s new technology, changing regulations, or innovative tournament formats, this is your hub for what’s trending in sports.
Featured Partner
Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Sports Teams for Planners
A planner-focused look at youth travel sports teams: benefits, drawbacks, costs, and safety policies that impact tournaments, venues, and hosts.
See All
Explore & Connect
Fields & Facilities
Discover the best venues for hosting unforgettable sports events. From state-of-the-art stadiums to versatile multi-sport complexes, we explore top facilities, upgrades, and must-know details to help you find the perfect fit for your next tournament or competition. Whether you’re scouting locations or seeking expert facility management insights, this is your go-to resource.
Featured Partner
Elite 8: The Best Olympic Training Centers in America
Explore 8 Olympic and Paralympic training sites planners can tour or book—plus what each offers for camps, clinics, and events. Subscribe for more today.
10 of the Best Hockey Venues in the United States for 2026
10 best hockey venues in the United States for tournaments—sheet counts, travel notes, and planning takeaways. Subscribe to SPG for updates.
See All
Learn & Execute
Faces of Sports Tourism
Our interview series offers a unique platform for event planners, sports events rights holders, and enthusiasts to gain insider perspectives from industry leaders. Whether it’s discussing the intricacies of organizing international competitions or exploring innovative strategies for boosting local economies through sports tourism, our interviews are designed to inform, inspire, and engage.
Featured Partner
Faces of Sports Tourism: Wayne B. Moss
How NCYS Executive Director Wayne B. Moss Is Advancing Safety, Access and Community Impact Through Youth Sports
Faces of Sports Tourism: Christine Lawson
From the $200 million reinvention of Levi’s® Stadium to fan-first planning that spans transportation, technology and community engagement, Christine Lawson shares how Santa Clara is preparing to leave a lasting impression on the world.