Rising costs are reshaping who gets to play youth sports and forcing destinations to rethink the future of sports tourism
Youth Sports’ Biggest Threat is Inequality
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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
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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
iTIP
Team Iowa invites you to experience why the Hawkeye State has become a trusted destination for sporting events of every size. In Iowa, event organizers find more than facilities — they find welcoming communities, passionate fans, affordable value, and partners who understand sports. From iconic events like MLB at the Field of Dreams and the Dew Tour to national championships and youth tournaments, Iowa delivers memorable experiences both on and off the field.
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
US Sports Congress Returns to Punta Gorda for Landmark 20th Anniversary Event
The US Sports Congress will celebrate a major milestone this December as sports tourism professionals from across the country gather in Punta Gorda, Florida, for the organization’s 20th anniversary event, taking place December 6–9 at Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor.
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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
Seven Premier Multi-Sport Indoor Arenas in the East
Event planners searching for some of the top venues in the eastern U.S. need look no further as Sports Planning Guide takes a look at seven of the best.
New and Historic Indoor Sports Arenas in the Midwest
SPG covers seven renowned indoor sports arenas in the Midwestern United States, all of which are primed to host any event. From the court to the ice, pro wrestling rings and more, indoor arenas play an important role to the tourism industry with their adaptability for...
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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: Brenda Hilton
How Officially Human Founder Brenda Hilton is confronting the officiating crisis and calling for accountability across youth sports
Faces of Sports Tourism: Josh Dill
Insights from Frisco’s sports tourism leader on driving economic impact, enhancing fan experiences and turning a city into a national sports destination