Known for being friendly, safe and fun, North Dakota can appeal to the likes of any visitor. There is always something to do and a lot to learn, especially considering North Dakota’s colorful history. Along with its passion for the past, North Dakota is dedicated to embracing the present, offering attractions, activities and amenities that cater to sport teams, coaches and families.
Fargo Sports Facilities
Fargo is part of the larger region of Fargo-Moorhead, two cities divided by the Red River. Its location along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota makes Fargo a central destination that is easy to access from the West and the Midwest. Fargo touts itself as a hospitable place, with plenty of sports facilities that meet the needs of planners. And with over 45 hotels and motels in the area, there are plenty of reasonably priced rooms to hold all visitors for a tournament.
North Dakota has a reputation as being an avid hockey state, and Fargo embraces the sport just as much as any other city, if not more. Scheels Arena is a 5,000-seat hockey arena, with 1,000 bleacher seats, 300 club seats, and 3,000 reserved spots. It is home to the USHL hockey team, the Fargo Force, and is used to host high school sports events and many other tournaments.
While hockey is certainly popular in Fargo, sports of all kinds are enjoyed there. Pepsi Soccer Complex features 10 fields, two of which are lighted for nighttime play. Despite there being no fixed seating, there is plenty of open space to set up temporary bleachers as well as room for tournament headquarters, concessions and booths.
Bison Sports Arena is home of the North Dakota State University men’s and women’s basketball teams. It also features an indoor race track for running competitions, and can be configured to handle wrestling and volleyball matches. It can seat around 6,000 spectators for basketball and wrestling, and includes 2,200 upper-level seats for track and field events.
Fargo also a number of baseball facilities. Mickelson Field is an eight-diamond complex located right on the Red River. It has five irrigated fields and two lit fields, and the venue is home to Fargo’s Little League Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball. Also located along the river is Lindenwood Complex, which features seven diamonds, six of which are youth league softball fields and one a full-sized baseball field.
Sports Events in Bismarck
The capital of North Dakota truly captures the spirit of Western hospitality. It has loads to do, and there never seems to be a dull moment in this bustling town. Bismarck is proud to offer some of the best sports facilities in the state, from elite multi-purpose venues to scores of local parks and fields. It also boasts 2,400 hotel rooms all minutes away from the airport, making it easy and convenient for guests to get around. Bismarck is happy to cater to all sports planners, no matter the size or kind of tournament they are hosting.
Bismarck Civic Center Arena is located right in the heart of downtown, just off I-94 and 10 minutes from the airport. It is also within three blocks from some great hotels. It seats 10,100 people for concerts, 8,600 for basketball, volleyball and wrestling, among other indoor sports. Attached to the Civic Center is the 48,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, which can be used for tournament headquarters or even transformed for other sporting events. The possibilities are endless.
Mandan Community Center is home to one of North Dakota’s largest indoor aquatic centers, which features an Olympic-size pool and a massive water slide. The Main Hall Arena is a 14,700-square-foot facility that can hold 950 people for any number of tournaments.
VFW Sports Center is where hockey players and ice skaters skaters come to play. Home to the Bismarck Bobcats hockey team of the North American Hockey League, it features two separate ice rinks and is available for hockey games, figure skating competitions, open public skating and curling. Open from November to March, it hosts hundreds of recreational leagues and tournaments.
The Bismarck Community Bowl is part of Bismarck State College, home of the Mystics athletic teams. The Bowl features an artificial playing field used for both football and soccer; natural grass fields; a nine-lane track; high, long and triple jump areas; locations for shot put, discus and javelin; a pole vault area; and enough seats for 6,000 spectators.
Grand Forks Sports Venues
There is one phrase to describe this northern city in North Dakota: Simply grand. And when it comes to sports and outdoor activities in Grand Forks, that message rings true. Not only is it home to the talented athletes of the University of North Dakota, but Grand Forks also has a community full of passionate, competitive people who will go out of their way to make sure you and your sports team have everything you need for your tournament. And with 1,600 rooms throughout the city, sports planners should have no trouble making sure their teams are well accommodated.
One of the finest hockey facilities in North Dakota, Ralph Engelstad Arena is home to the UND hockey team. It seats 11,000 to 13,000 people for a hockey match. Apart from this NHL-worthy arena, the venue also features a 50,000-square-foot expansion called the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The extension offers four regulation-size practice volleyball and basketball courts, which can all be converted into one main court.
Alerus Center is where the UND football team plays its home games. But it is not reserved just for football. It has been known to host soccer, wrestling, basketball, rodeos and snowcross, providing a multitude of options for any sports planner. In fact, it is one of the largest sports facilities of its kind, with seating for up to 21,000 people.
Ulland Field is the place to play baseball. It holds 16 diamonds and can host up to 100 teams at one time. The primary fields are Kraft and Strauss, where the professional and collegiate teams compete. There are also grandstands, concessions and plenty of parking for all family and friends.
As mentioned before, the University of North Dakota is a major part of Grand Forks, offering dozens of top-of-the-line sports venues. One popular facility is Memorial Stadium, with an artificial turf field, an eight-lane 440 meter Regupol running track and seating for 9,600.
North Dakota’s central location, warm hospitality, affordable prices and elite sports facilities make it an ideal location for your next sports tournament. So if you are in the market for a quality place to host your next sports event, no matter what it may be, consider friendly North Dakota.
