Game On Charleston
This West Virginia city has a lot to offer just about anyone, but it truly excels in the area of sports facilities and accommodations. From university venues to edgy outdoor parks, each and every facility available in Charleston strives to show its cutting-edge capabilities by welcoming athletes and sports planners from near and far. Planners can rest easy knowing that whatever sport, whatever necessary amenities, Charleston more than likely has something perfect for them.
The community itself is that of a bustling, prosperous city. Arts and culture, good food and loads of attractions help ensure that visiting athletes have a fully rounded experience and enjoy not just their games but the city around them as well.
Having fun in Charleston
Charleston’s bustling city environment means plenty of entertainment and attractions are clustered close together in this populous metropolis. Whatever you are looking for in your time off, chances are you’ll find it in Charleston
In the arts and culture sector, the Artwalk Tour allows visitors to explore downtown Charleston and see some of its best public art installations. The Clay Center for Arts and Sciences offers kids a chance to explore and create in a dynamic museum environment. Charleston also offers live music seven nights a week. Groups visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day can experience free concerts at Live on the Levee on Friday evenings. Located at Haddad Riverfront Park, this event features both national and regional acts in a scenic, family friendly atmosphere.
For a peek at the state’s history, visit the State Capitol building and receive a tour full of West Virginia history. The neighboring West Virginia State Museum offers a highly immersive experience of West Virginia history as well.
Shopping at the Charleston Town Center, one of the largest indoor malls in the Eastern United States, is another great way to pass time, as is visiting the Bridge Road shops and boutiques.
X Factors
- Dedicated incentive fund for rights fees, as well as other economic incentives for event recruitment
- Social media promotion of events, with a proven track record of growing attendance
- PR services for all groups and events coming to town
- Assistance with sponsorship recruitment
- Complimentary site visits
- Event signage
- Volunteer recruitment for event staffing
- Discounts to local restaurants and attractions
Planner Perspective
Charleston offers excellent facilities
Charleston Civic Center
Sports: Indoor sports
This large venue is sought after not just by athletes, but entertainers and convention planners as well. Sports event planners will look no further than the Coliseum for their perfect venue. This vast arena within the Civic Center has over 30,500 square feet of event space, with comfortable seating for up to 13,500. The area is capable of turning into a facility for just about any indoor sport, from basketball to hockey and beyond. Plans for renovation are becoming a reality as well, as the facility is looking to expand and update its mechanics and technology.
University of Charleston Laidley Field
Sports: Football, soccer, track and field
This facility is home to the University of Charleston’s Golden Eagles. As such, it is kept in excellent condition and offers a stellar collegiate-level stage for your next event. The field, made of artificial turf, is available for football or soccer games. Track and field events will also find a welcoming home at this venue, which has concessions, restrooms, locker rooms and a sky box. Local high schools and middle schools use the facility for track, football and band competitions. Other groups are welcome to book Laidley for their next big game.
Magic Island
Sports: Outdoor sports
Magic Island was once an actual island in the Kanawha River, but today it is attached to land. It still disappears beneath the river every now and then, giving it the “Magic” title. Magic Island is a full-blown park that often hosts communal gatherings and activities like a movie night. The five-acre park has tracks for running and two sand volleyball courts. As a popular downtown venue, Magic Island has hosted many sport events, including the WV Games and SportFEST. Martial arts, jet skiing and cornhole are featured in those events, so chances are Magic Island is up for whatever you throw its way.
Little Creek Park
Sports: Baseball, softball, soap box derby
This charming park in South Charleston has five baseball/softball fields and one soccer/football field. Little Creek is also known for hosting the Soap Box Derby youth racing program, which offers kids the chance to build and race their own soap box car. The park has the only soap box car track that is lighted for nighttime racing. The park also has hiking trails, a playground and 11 sheltered rest or picnic areas available for rent.
Friends of Coal Fields at Trace Fork
Sports: Soccer
Friends of Coal at Trace Fork is a soccer complex in Charleston’s southern region. Project developer Kanawha-Charleston, a non-profit organization devoted to creating more high-quality soccer fields in the Charleston area, built six soccer fields for the complex, including one with artificial turf, lights for games at night and an electronic scoreboard. A restroom and concessions building is also on the premises, along with several sheltered areas for relaxing or eating.
Charleston Tennis Club
Sports: Tennis
This club is the premier location for tennis in the Charleston area. It features 13 outdoor tennis courts (four hard and nine Har-Tru) and six indoor courts. The top-notch facility also offers a two-mile hiking trail, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center with machines and free weights, an outdoor pool, basketball court, playground, picnic areas, a tennis pro shop and a clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining. No other tennis facility in the area has such extensive amenities.
Appalachian Power Park
Sports: Baseball
This ballpark is home to minor league baseball’s Charleston Power. Like the team, Appalachian Power Park was named for the many energy sources in West Virginia. The field can be rented from the team by planners looking for a top-notch baseball venue. Up to 4,500 fans can be seated, and the field itself measures 330 feet to left field, 400 feet to center field and 320 feet to right field. The park has also hosted concerts and competitions like the World Championship Chili Cook Off and American Cornhole Championship.
Coonskin Park & Schoenbaum Stadium
Sports: Outdoor sports
Located only 10 minutes away from downtown Charleston, this park is brimming with activity. It has acres of woodland with trails for hiking and biking, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, an Olympic-size swimming pool, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, picnic areas, a playground and Schoenbaum Stadium, a 3,000-seat soccer stadium with artificial turf and an electronic scoreboard. Nearby, the park has an amphitheater where concerts are held.
How to find Charleston
Being the capital of West Virginia, Charleston is served by major modes of transportation. As a result, it is easy to travel to from all directions.
By Car: Interstates 64, 77 and 79 all meet right in the middle of Charleston, making access via major roadways simple and easy.
By Air: Charleston’s Yeager Airport is serviced by four major airlines; Delta, Spirit, United and American. Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia, 62 miles away, is the second nearest airport.
