Why Go to Lansing?
Michigan is a great state, and its capital is no different. Stocked with top-notch restaurants, shopping centers, sports complexes and the Michigan State University campus, you really can’t go wrong when booking an event in the Greater Lansing region. The city it exciting and versatile, providing venues for lacrosse, basketball (the Breslin Student Events Center) and soccer (the Hope Sports Complex). Lansing also has complexes that offer skating, wrestling, mixed martial arts, rodeo, equestrian and cheerleading space. No matter what sport you enjoy playing, rest assured there is a quality facility for it in the Greater Lansing region.
What Can We Do When the Buzzer Sounds?
Photo Credit: Tom Gennara
When the game ends, players, coaches and fans need something to do. Luckily, Lansing is a one-of-a-kind setting your team will remember forever. Kids can tour the State Capitol building, visit Impression 5 Science Center or learn about the state’s rich history at the Michigan Historical Museum. Adults will love a plethora of art galleries and theaters, especially those on the campus of Michigan State University. Speaking of MSU, there’s nothing more thrilling than catching a basketball game at the Breslin Center or a football game at Spartan Stadium. Other outdoor activities include a trek to the beautiful Shigematsu Memorial Garden, while a peaceful stroll along the trails of the W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Boasting premier nightlife and a number of enticing daytime options, Greater Lansing is the place to be.
X Factors
- A full-service, hands-on sports commission that serves as an extension of your team through the entire planning and event execution process
- Home to a vibrant sports community including Michigan State University and multiple professional sporting teams
- Development of impactful programs that will lead to long-term growth of your sport in the community and leave a lasting legacy and impact on the region.
- In-kind services and financial assistance that will serve to make your event more profitable and impactful for participants and spectators
- Access to a team of event professionals dedicated to making your next event your best event
Planner Perspective
How Are the Venues?
Hope Sports Complex
Photo Credit: Ron Johnson
Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, archery, ultimate Frisbee, Quidditch
Hope Sports Complex boasts 47 acres of flexible field space that can be arranged in any layout including lights and a championship artificial stadium turf field for soccer and lacrosse. What truly separates this facility is the great food offered onsite at Cleats Bar & Grille. With a professional and dedicated staff, you can’t go wrong booking an event at Hope Sports Complex.
Aim High
Photo Credit: Greater Lansing CVB
Sports: Basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, roller derby
The 54,000 square foot complex offers five hardwood basketball courts, six volleyball courts, a full service concession stand and ample spectator seating. The flexibility of the facility is unique, offering the ability to divide each court with drop down curtains. For access to the full 54,000 square feet leave the curtains up for a more flexible space.
Summit Sports and Ice Complex
Photo Credit: Greater Lansing CVB
Sports: Hockey, curling, ice skating, roller derby, fencing, lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer
The Summit is a 180,000 sq. ft. facility offering many programs, activities and events for all ages. Explore the full range of skating activities from figure skating and hockey to learning to skate and public skating. A large on-site field house is ideal for soccer, flag football, volleyball, gymnastics, roller derby or lacrosse. The Summit offers food, catering services and a full-service pro shop and is convenient to downtown Lansing as well as all major expressways.
Suburban Ice
Photo credit: Ron Johnson
Sports: Hockey, ice skating
Suburban Ice provides programs for everybody, from Learn to Skate to FUNdamentals of Hockey. Kids can learn to skate through public skating sessions and an abundance of hockey leagues and camps. The facility contains two rinks—one accommodating up to 1,200 spectators, the other as many as 600. The facility offers a heated spectator area and ample lobby space to accommodate multiple vendors.
Lansing Center
Photo Credit: Greater Lansing CVB
Sports: Basketball, wrestling, cheer, dance, archery, volleyball, roller derby, and gymnastics
Situated in the heart of Lansing, this venue has been a favorite for event planners for over 25 years. With over 270,000 square feet of total space, Lansing Center boasts impressive versatility. A sky bridge from the convention center connects to a parking garage and hotel accommodations, while the city’s nightlife is just a short walk away. Its location near the Michigan State campus is a major advantage for Lansing Center.
Breslin Center
Photo Credit: Greater Lansing CVB
Sports: Basketball, volleyball, wrestling
Breslin Center is the big events complex in Lansing, as it plays home to the Michigan State University men’s and women’s basketball teams and hosts a variety of musical concerts, conferences and World Wrestling Entertainment shows. The venue has been open since 1989 and contains 16,280 seats. The facility is currently undergoing a $50 million renovation.
East Lansing Soccer Complex
Photo Credit: Greater Lansing CVB
Sports: Soccer and ultimate Frisbee
With two stadium fields, six recreation fields, ample concessions and adequate parking, East Lansing Soccer Complex is a must see. A high-tech scoreboard and audio system make the prospects of hosting a tourney here even more enticing while press boxes and covered benches put this facility at the top of the list of Lansing athletic venues.
East Lansing Softball Complex
Sports: Softball
Photo Credit: Ron Johnson
Conveniently located on Abbot Road just off the Grand River, this facility boasts four playing field and can hold up to 200 spectators at each field. All dugouts are fenced and full concessions operate regularly. East Lansing Softball Complex benefits from its setting, too, as it is near a plethora of restaurants and shops in the downtown area.
How Do I Get There?
By Air: Capital Region International Airport is just three miles northwest of downtown Lansing. Visitors can also fly into Detroit Metropolitan Airport (90 minutes away), Flint’s Bishop International Airport (35 minutes) or Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids (50 minutes).
By Car: A number of major highways lead into East Lansing including; interstate 69, I-96, US 127 and M-43, M-99 and M-143 all run through the city. Lansing is 90 minutes from 90% of the state’s population situated in the heart of the Midwest.
