Springfield, IL Facilities for Sports Events
Located on iconic Route 66, Illinois’ historic state capital is the perfect location for your next sporting eventIntroduction
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
Springfield is home to a variety of impressive athletic facilities and attractions.
Knight’s Action Park & Route 66 Drive-in Movie Theatre features a 50-tee driving range, two 18-hole miniature golf courses for some wacky fun. With an arcade, Big Wheel, batting cages, go-karts and more there is family-friendly action for everyone
The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience is an educational exhibit open 365 days a year inside Gate 2 on the corner of Route 66 & Sangamon Avenue. The Experience, a self-guided tour, highlights businesses in 92 communities along Route 66 in Illinois beginning in Chicago and ending at the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, Illinois. Vintage billboards, a drive-in movie theatre, Legends Neon Sign Park and tribute to muffler men along Illinois Route 66 make up a large part of the Experience.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum was carefully designed with exacting historical detail. Amazingly well-preserved artifacts tell the entire life story of our nation’s 16th President. Dedicated to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the Presidential Museum, unlike any other in the U.S., features hi-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and multimedia programs, as well as a reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1861.
In 1861, Abraham Lincoln left his home of 17 years – the only home he ever owned – to serve as the 16th President of the United States. The Lincoln Home has been completely restored to its 1860 appearance and reveals much about Lincoln as husband, father, neighbor and politician. Tours of this national treasure are conducted by National Park Service Rangers. Free tickets are required for house tours and may be obtained at the Lincoln Home Visitors Center – which also houses a scaled model of 1860 Springfield.
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“Thanks to everyone who helped make the 8th Annual SCHEELS Capital City Pickleball tournament successful. Most people don’t realize the number of people it takes to host a major tournament. Thanks to the Springfield Park District staff who made it easier for us to undertake this project.”Â
— Jack Handy, Capital City Pickleball
Find Your Perfect Tournament Facility
Springfield, Illinois Sports Facility Spotlight
BANK OF SPRINGFIELD CENTER
Sports Covered:Â Cheerleading, Wrestling, Gymnastics
The Bank of Springfield Center is a world-class, multi-use facility with 44,000 square feet of column-free space, 21,000 square feet of meeting space and seating to accommodate 7,700 spectators. The Main Floor of the facility houses major events, including concerts, trade shows, graduations, wrestling and basketball tournaments. Additional facility amenities include a parking garage with space for 700, concessions, restrooms, water fountains, air conditioning, closed-circuit TVs and security for ensured spectator safety.
NELSON CENTER
Sports Covered:Â Hockey, Figure Skating
The Nelson Center is home to two indoor ice rinks open year-round, eight locker rooms and two concession areas as well as the Nelson Center Pool, a seasonal outdoor aquatic facility. Because the Nelson Center contains the only two indoor ice rinks within a 60-mile radius, the complex hosts a wide range of ice-related programs, events and activities. The Nelson Center Pool is supervised by professionally trained lifeguard staff. The facility includes pool lanes for lap swimming, a locker room, picnic tables, a slide, kiddy pool as well as a full concession stand.
Sports at the IL State Fairgrounds
Sports Covered:Â Motorsports, Archery
Host to the Springfield Mile, the greatest motorcycle spectacle in Motorsports racing and to the ARCA Menard Series stock car race, this one-mile long clay oval racetrack is located on the historic IL State Fairgrounds.
Additionally the grounds offer a newly renovated Coliseum for equestrian sports and the recently reopened Multi-Purpose Arena, an open air, 261,000 square foot space with capacity to seat 10,000+ spectators, ADA accessible, eight gate entrances and beautiful landscaping.
SPARTAN PARK
Sports Covered:Â Baseball, Softball
Located in nearby Chatham, Spartan Park is a spacious facility perfect for any baseball, softball or volleyball event. The facility includes four 315-foot down the line fields, one 180-foot field, one 225-foot field and three sand volleyball courts. Diamonds 5 & 6 are perfect for 7U-10U baseball and all softball play
SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe
Sports Covered:Â Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Football
The SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, opening spring 2025, will feature a 170,000 square foot indoor sports dome, multi-use diamonds with corner infields, a hitting center and food trucks, bar, pavilion and much more!