From global spotlight events to hometown tournaments, Indiana proves it’s a true sports state
By Nicole Partis
Indiana has proven time and again that it shines on the biggest stages of sports. From national championships and All-Star weekends to world-class motorsports at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Hoosier State has cemented its reputation as a premier host for marquee events.
In the past two years alone, Indianapolis has proven itself to be a heavyweight host city thanks to an incredible array of events that came to town.
In 2024, the city welcomed the world with NBA All-Star Weekend, continued its tradition of excellence by hosting the NFL Scouting Combine and packed Lucas Oil Stadium for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. Add in rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament, championship events and the legendary Indianapolis 500, and Indy proved it could deliver on every stage.
That momentum carried into 2025 when Indianapolis doubled down with another record-breaking sports calendar.
Lucas Oil Stadium once again made headlines as it hosted WWE’s Royal Rumble, drawing tens of thousands of wrestling fans; the city reveled in an unforgettable Pacers and Racers celebration as the Pacers advanced to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals during the same week as the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500; and fans poured in for WNBA All-Star Game Weekend. The city also hosted multiple NCAA championships and regional tournaments.
Looking ahead, Indianapolis’ success shows it will continue to host the country’s biggest events.
Indiana’s sports story does not stop at the national spotlight, though. Across its cities and small towns, communities welcome tournaments, invitationals and local competitions that keep athletes, families and fans engaged all year.
Here are a variety of smaller events hosted across the state that will appeal to groups of all ages:
Circus at the Ballpark / Specialty Theme Nights: For a different spin on community fun, the Indianapolis Indians minor league baseball team has mastered the art of themed entertainment. Victory Field, set against the city skyline, is a summer staple not just for baseball but for specialty nights like Margarita Night or Circus at the Ballpark. On those evenings, the game itself blends with fan engagement. Stilt walkers wandering the concourse, acrobats dazzling between innings, and giveaways that keep crowds buzzing long after the final pitch.
Grand Park Events (Westfield/Kokomo Region): Grand Park has become the beating heart of youth sports in the Midwest. The sprawling 400-acre complex, packed with diamonds and fields, hosts marquee tournaments like the Circle City Cup, Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series, and the Grail and MidAmerica Invitational throughout June and July. Teams travel in from across the region, parents cheer from the stands, and vendors keep crowds fueled with everything from barbecue to shaved ice. For young athletes, it is a chance to test their skills on one of the premier amateur stages in the country. LIV Golf Indianapolis 2026 will take place August 21–23, 2026 at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, repeating as the host site of the LIV Golf League Individual Championship and marking the League’s second visit to the venue following a successful 2025 debut.
Indy Ignite (Fishers): The Indy Ignite are a professional women’s volleyball team that began play in the Pro Volleyball Federation in 2025, with the Fishers Event Center serving as their home court. As part of the nation’s premier pro volleyball league, the Ignite are Indiana’s first pro volleyball team.
Hilly Hundred (Bloomington): The Hilly Hundred Weekend is one of Indiana’s most popular and longest running, cycling events. Join more than 2,000 cyclists for two days of riding on the scenic back roads of Owen and Monroe County. Each day offers distances of 30 or 50 miles, with multiple rest stops and a lunch stop with live music. After you finish, enjoy ice cream and visit the Welcome Center for pictures from the day’s ride.
Indiana Sentinels Expansion Hockey (Columbus, starting 2025–26 season): In Columbus, hockey is about to carve a new niche. Beginning in the 2025–26 season, the Indiana Sentinels will take the ice as part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL). Playing at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena, the team will give the city its first professional hockey presence. The arena holds about 1,100 fans, offering an intimacy that promises an electric atmosphere.
Indiana USSSA Baseball & Softball Events (Westfield, Greensburg, Logansport): Youth baseball and fastpitch softball thrive across Indiana every summer, from small town fields in Greensburg and Logansport to the sprawling diamonds of Grand Park in Westfield. USSSA tournaments like the Easton HYPE NIT draw hundreds of players and families, filling bleachers and sidelines with the energy of a championship. Played under community field lights and fueled by hometown energy, these events capture the grassroots spirit of the game.
Junior Professional Golf Association Championships (West Lafayette): This past August, the JPGA Championships took place at the famed Purdue Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. The competition drew national attention in part to Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, competing in the event. The Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex was home to the 2021 PGA Tour’s “Boilermaker Classic” and has hosted many major collegiate events such as the 2024 NCAA Men’s Golf Regional, 2008 NCAA Men’s Championships and the 2003 NCAA Women’s Championships on the Pete Dye designed Kampen-Cosler Course.
