Great River & Routes, IL Sports Facilities
Create exciting memories where majestic rivers and roads meetIntroduction
GREAT RIVERS AND ROUTES, ILLINOIS
Journey to the only place in America where the Mother Road of Route 66 Meets the Great River Road. Located just minutes from downtown St. Louis, the Great Rivers & Routes region of southwest Illinois is home to classic powerboat river racing, 100-pound plus catfish and one of the largest cycling tournaments in the Midwest.
Discover this scenic six county outdoor mecca nestled between the nation’s three great rivers – the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri – alongside four scenic byways. The region is staking its claim as a premier outdoor recreation and nature based adventure location and for good reason. With stunning kayak adventures on the Mighty Mississippi River to nationally-recognized catfish and bass river fishing tournaments to NASCAR races and F1 Powerboat racing, the options for sporting and leisure adventures is unlimited.
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“The City of Alton, the Alton River Dragons and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau have made the NCBA feel right at home since 2022. It was a no brainer to continue this relationship heading into 2024. Between the support, the field amenities, and the City of Alton’s and River Dragons staff, it’s been absolute pleasure to have them host.”
– Jimmy Henderson, Director of DI Baseball Operations
Owen Delesky
618-465-6676
odelesky@riversandroutes.com
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Local Activites in Great Rivers & Routes
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Great Rivers & Routes, Illinois Facility Spotlight
PLUMMER FAMILY PARK (EDWARDSVILLE)
Sports Covered: Baseball, Softball, Pickleball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Football
This 83-acre, tournament-quality facility features four lighted, full synthetic turf baseball/softball fields, 12 pickleball courts with lights and sun shades, and six multisport fields that are perfect for lacrosse, soccer, football, spike ball, ultimate frisbee, and more. The park also features a playground, concession stand, and paved walking trails.
Opening in the spring of 2025 will be a new expansion to the park which includes 4 large additional baseball/softball fields with lights, 2 of which will have 60/90’ dimensions from the mound for flexibility of age ranges, 13 more pickleball courts, the addition of 6 new beach volleyball courts, and parking for over 1400 visitors.
GORDON MOORE PARK (ALTON)
Sports Covered: Tennis, Golf, Softball, Football, Baseball, Softball
There is something for everyone at this 704-acre park, which is home to eight tennis courts, 10 ball diamonds, a 27-hole golf course, six picnic areas, six play areas, 19 soccer/football fields, and a kids’ interactive fountain. Lloyd Hopkins Field is home to the Prospect League baseball franchise, the Alton River Dragons.
GATEWAY CONVENTION CENTER (COLLINSVILLE)
Sports Covered: Meetings, Dance, Cheer, eSports, Wrestling
Conveniently located within 10 minutes of Downtown St. Louis and adjacent to major interstates, this highly accessible and versatile facility is perfect for gatherings both large and small with 23 meeting rooms. Featuring 105,000 gross total square feet, this multi-purpose convention center boasts outstanding services.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE (EDWARDSVILLE)
Sports Covered: Tennis, Cross-Country, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus is home to an array of venues, including synthetic turf and grass playing fields, a six-court outdoor tennis facility, the SIUE Cross County Course which can host 5K-10K races, Cougar Field (softball), Simmons Baseball Complex and Morris University Center (conferences, banquets). The Vadalabene Center features an indoor hardwood surface and a seating capacity over 4,000 and hosts basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Ralph Korte Stadium seats 3,000 and features a turf soccer field and an eight-lane track.
PRINCIPIA COLLEGE (ELSAH)
Sports Covered: Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming
Principia College offers numerous pristine athletic facilities including the Coach Crafton Athletic Center (indoor track and field, basketball, volleyball), the Natatorium (swimming), Hay Field House (basketball, volleyball), the Indoor Tennis Center, which also has six outdoor courts, Clark Field (football, rugby, outdoor track and field), and Cheatham Stadium (baseball).
GLAZEBROOK COMMUNITY PARK (GODFREY)
Sports Covered: Soccer, Baseball, Softball
Glazebrook Community Park has four lighted youth baseball fields, three lighted youth softball fields, and four lighted youth soccer fields. The concession stand is open during games in May, June, July, August, September and October.