Bloomington-Normal Sports Facilities for Tournaments
With top-notch facilities and incredible attractions, this Illinois hotspot makes tournament-planning easy.Introduction
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, IL
Looking for the perfect day or evening getaway? Explore Bloomington-Normal. This charming area is home to a variety of great attractions. The only public zoo on Historic Route 66, Miller Park Zoo began around 1900 and features a Sumatran tiger, snow leopard, river otters, and a recently updated Animal Building, as well as varieties of viewing opportunities.
Families can also visit the rest of Miller Park while there, which features paddle boats, disc golf, and a full-scale train to explore. Children’s Discovery Museum is a three-story building that provides interactive learning activities in a safe, fun, inclusive and engaging environment. Kids can enjoy the two-story climber, get creative with art, theater, and music exhibits, or learn about agriculture, healthcare, and gardening. There’s so much to see and do – including a visit to the Gift Shop to keep the learning fun going!
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“Bloomington-Normal has a rich tradition of hospitality and first-class sporting events. Thanks to the partnership with the Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission, our association has hosted and grown its championships in the community for the past 50 years. If you choose Bloomington-Normal to host your event, it will be popular, well-supported, and highly respected by the community.”
— Beth Sauser, Associate Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association
Local Activites in Bloomington-Normal
Find Your Perfect Tournament Facility
Bloomington-Normal, IL Sports Facilities Spotlight
CHAMPION FIELDS
Sports Covered: Baseball, softball
This complex features up to 10 diamonds for tournament use. This facility, located adjacent to Normal’s Maxwell Park has hosted 10 ASA/USA National Tournaments in the past two decades. The fields feature covered dugouts, bleacher seating, a P.A. system and scoreboards. There are also two concession stands, a connected dog park, and two playgrounds for entertaining younger siblings.
Hancock Stadium, CEFCU Arena at Illinois State University
Sports Covered: Multisport
The Redbird Athletics complex boasts a 14,000-seat football stadium/multipurpose facility in the heart of Normal. The FieldTurf playing surface, LED scoreboard and state-of-the-art sound system provide a memorable gameday experience. Other amenities include a modern press level, 5,500-square-foot indoor club, and a spacious covered concourse. CEFCU Arena will feature a fresh court this fall for hosting basketball, volleyball, and occasionally gymnastics. The arena can hold up to 10,200 enthusiastic fans and feature the 50th Illinois High School State Girls Basketball Finals in 2025.
SHIRK CENTER AT ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Sports Covered: Multisport
The Shirk Center is a true multisport, recreation and wellness center that regularly hosts basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and track events. The main arena seats 2,400 and additional expansion for 400 spectators. The attached facility space features a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track, two batting cages, and four courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton.
Grossing Motors Arena
Sports Covered: Multisport
This venue has a top seating capacity for sports around 7,000 spectators and features 24 private suites, two party suites, and plentiful concessions. The new home of the ECHL’s Bloomington Bison starting in fall 2024, the arena is home to two sheets of ice for hockey and figure skating and can be pro decked to suit competitive dance/cheerleading, basketball, and wrestling.
CORN CRIB
Sports Covered: Baseball, lacrosse, soccer, softball
The Corn Crib opened in 2010 and has been home to numerous semi-pro and collegiate renditions of Normal Cornbelters Baseball. The stadium also hosts concerts, festivals, and has been a featured venue for kickball, collegiate soccer, and other youth sports. It can seat 4,200 spectators.
Submit the Form For More Info From the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission