Best Practices

Best Practices is your go-to resource for expert strategies, actionable tips, and proven insights to elevate every aspect of your sports event planning. From choosing the right venues to optimizing team logistics, our articles are designed to help you create unforgettable experiences for athletes, fans, and communities alike.

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Lincoln, Nebraska

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All roads lead to Lincoln! Whether it’s youth tournaments, state high school championships, collegiate tournaments or professional games and matches, sports are a really big deal in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Specifically, youth sports continue to grow and the grand opening of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex in 2025 means that athletes and their families from across the region will continue to visit Lincoln for years to come for tournaments and a great time in the community.

Housing eight fully turfed fields, the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, in the shadow of downtown Lincoln, boasts two championships fields, one for baseball and one for softball, plus five youth fields that can be used for baseball and softball. The complex is a space for players of all backgrounds and abilities to come together and play, expanding opportunities that will have a positive impact on youth throughout the region. Visit sandhillsglobalyouthcomplex.com for more details.

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Worst Practices – Site Visits and FAMs

In any successful endeavor, planning is critical. However, even the best laid plans can go awfully awry.

Recreation Facility Developers Saving Tennis from Distinction

While the U.S. is producing fewer and fewer pro tennis champions, it’s also producing more and more youth players who, with the right facilities, could help save American tennis.

Renovating Your Facility: Go Green and Save Green

Think twice before you throw away those old wooden bleachers; and don’t be so quick to buy brand new fencing for your facility.

Tour de Crystal Lake: A Big Event in a Small Community

Crystal Lake flawlessly hosts this huge event, bringing in 400 cyclists and 2,000 spectators in 2013, despite being a small community. Here’s how they pull it off and what you want to know about Tour de Crystal Lake.

Michigan Sports Complex Funded Solely on Donations

The West Michigan Sports Commission raised $6.8 million for Phase I of the Art Van Sports Complex, future home to a multi-field baseball/softball facility, without spending any tax dollars.

Baseball for All: The Miracle League

The Miracle League allows anyone with any disability to play ball. This is made possible by volunteers, sponsors and unique complexes across the country.

Olympic Dismissal Doesn’t Stop International Softball

The decision to dismiss softball from the Olympics was made in 2005, although the sport was readmitted for the 2008 games.

Best Practices for Activation and Outreach

Sports Planning Guide gives you a best practices guide on how to keep important sports contacts motivated and interested step-by-step.

How to Develop a Sponsorship Prospect List: Phase 1

One thing, if done well and early, can help prevent the logjam that is most sponsorship campaigns and help you sell more of what you so desperately need.

Sustainable Sports Events Continue to Expand

Green is a magic word. In business, it is discussed on a daily basis. Sustainability is an integral cog in corporate responsibility. And while many industries have adopted sustainable practices, sports events still seem to be lagging.

This is Who We Are: Building a Sports Identity

So how does one begin to build a sports brand? It tends to start with facilities and what the city can handle.

11 Tips for Tapping into Fundraising Success

Fundraising can be fun, but it can also be a total chore. It can make you feel utterly exhilarated as you edge toward your goal, or it can make you feel constantly behind the clock and harried.

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!