Milwaukee Wisconsin is A Smashing Sports Success
Introduction
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee prides itself on being a place that welcomes all people. Regardless of who you are or what you celebrate, Milwaukee has something for you. From catching a show at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to savoring the music at Summerfest, the extraordinary culture of Brew City is one that can be experienced at any time throughout the year.
This lovely Midwestern city also is home to a slew of great sports facilities, many of which house major sporting franchises. From Fiserv Forum (home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks) to American Family Field (home to Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers), Milwaukee has beautiful new facilities that fans love.
Looking for fun activities in the area? Participate in urban outdoor activities like kayaking down a river through the heart of downtown, playing at one of 1,400 acres of beaches, or biking along 145 miles of trails. Visit 15 downtown museums like the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum, the educational America’s Black Holocaust Museum, or get hands-on at Discovery World Science and Technology Museum. Watch Milwaukee’s six professional sports teams like the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers or AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Attend a festival, as here in the City of Festivals, festival season lasts all year long. From the roar of a crowd at a Summerfest show to celebrating different cultures at events like Mexican Fiesta, there’s truly a fest for everyone in Milwaukee. Eat and drink unique treats like craft sodas, frozen custard, and cheese curds and explore venues like Milwaukee Public Market and 3rd Street Market Hall.
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“We had an excellent experience with Milwaukee in almost every aspect. The most positive aspect of Milwaukee was the total city support across the board for our event. On the attendee side of things, our members by far most enjoyed the overall appearance and walkability of the city. We will definitely be returning to Milwaukee, and I would recommend hosting an event in Milwaukee to colleagues.”
— Brian D’Amico, Director of Events for USA Triathlon
Find Your Perfect Milwaukee Facility
Facility Spotlight
Wisconsin Center
Sports Covered: Multipurpose
Located in downtown Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Center is a premier convention center and multipurpose facility that houses sporting events, conventions, meetings, banquets, concerts and more. One of the world’s most architecturally beautiful and technologically advanced convention facilities, the center has enough space to hold 1,000 vendors and 10,000 consumers. Opened in 1998, the center has 188,695 square feet of contiguous, state-of-the-art exhibit space and a 37,506 square-foot ballroom with capacity for 3,150 diners and ample utilities for corporate theater. An additional 39,364 square feet of meeting space can be partitioned into as many as 28 meeting and breakout rooms equipped for satellite links, video teleconferencing, data transmission and other telecommunications and audio-visual technology.
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
Sports Covered: Basketball, hockey, soccer, roller derby
Built in 1950, The UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is a major (8,910 permanent seats and 12,700 capacity) sports and entertainment venue that features 41,700 square feet of floor space. With no obstructed-view seats, the arena’s configuration puts every patron close to the action. It has hosted college and professional basketball, hockey, circuses, concerts, motorsports, banquets, ceremonies, and assemblies of all kinds. Part of a larger downtown campus that includes the Milwaukee Theatre and Wisconsin Center, the arena has undergone some upgrades including a new locker room, major concession upgrades and 21st century lighting, scoreboard and video technology. The arena is home to the UW-Milwaukee Panthers men’s basketball team, the Milwaukee Admirals professional hockey team, the Milwaukee Wave professional indoor soccer team and the Brewcity Bruisers amateur roller derby league.
Fiserv Forum
Sports Covered: Basketball
Fiserv Forum is more than just the new home for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks and the Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball team. Designed to reflect the heritage, history and personality of Milwaukee, the state-of-the art, 714,000-square-foot arena is the hub of entertainment in Wisconsin. Opened in 2018 in downtown Milwaukee, Fiserv Forum is a $524 million arena sporting a seating capacity of 17,341 for basketball and 18,000 for concerts. It features 34 suites, three clubs, enhanced acoustics for both concerts and sporting events, state-of-the-art performer dressing rooms, more than 9,000 LED fixtures and 34 large public restrooms (19 women, 15 men). In ensuing years, the 30-acre district surrounding Fiserv Forum will become the largest development project ever undertaken in downtown Milwaukee.
American Family Field
Sports Covered: Baseball
Home to Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers, American Family Field is considered one of the best ballparks in the MLB. This retractable roof ballpark opened in 2001 and sits on 265 acres. Featuring North America’s only fan-shaped convertible roof which can open and close in less than 10 minutes, American Family Field also sports large panes of glass which allow natural grass to grow. The park contains 38 permanent concession stands, and 66 restrooms (33 for men and 33 for women). It has hosted many major events including the famous 2002 MLB All-Star Game, which ended in a tie.
Pettit National Ice Center
Sports Covered: Ice skating, speed skating, hockey
This indoor ice skating facility contains two international-sized ice rinks and a 400-meter speed skating oval. Dedicated in 1992, it is one of only 30 indoor 400-meter speed skating ovals in the world and is the official training site for U.S. Speed Skating. The $13 million facility arena is 155,000 square feet with the area of ice surfaces covering 97,000 square feet. The arena seats 2,500 for major events on the Oval and has a 150-person capacity Hall of Fame Room overlooking the ice arena, perfect for meetings or gatherings.
Uihlein Soccer Park
Sports Covered: Soccer, field hockey, Ultimate frisbee, table tennis, cornhole, lacrosse
This park provides soccer players with an incredible experience both on and off the pitch. Built in 1994, the 4,000-seat stadium is Milwaukee’s Premier indoor/outdoor soccer complex. Enjoy soccer, field hockey, and Ultimate frisbee games on 13 outdoor fields, or watch an indoor soccer match take place on one of three indoor turf fields. Table tennis, cornhole, and lacrosse events are also regularly hosted at the facility.
The Rock Sports Complex
Sports Covered: Baseball, biking, hiking
The Rock is a sports and entertainment facility that attracts over 125,000 visitors a year. This destination features attractions for all seasons including six major league baseball replica fields, Snowpark and the Umbrella Bar. Activities at The Rock range from weekly live music and food trucks to regional baseball tournaments and local league games. A recent thruway and integration of the region’s spectacular Oak Leaf Trail provides easy access to the Milwaukee County parks system for bikers and hikers. Experience the vibrant, positive community setting that makes The Rock a valued presence in Franklin. Please feel free to contact us for more information or to file a complaint.
State Fair Park
Sports Covered: Events
The Wisconsin State Fair Park is a fairgrounds and exhibition center in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb west of Milwaukee. It has been the location of the Wisconsin State Fair since 1892. The fairgrounds are open year-round, hosting various expeditions (many of them agricultural). It also contains venues such as the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest continuously operating motor speedway in the world, and the Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic training facility which is independently owned.
Milwaukee County Parks
Sports Covered: Biking, hiking, golf
With over 150 parks, miles of scenic trails, 15 golf courses, beer gardens, dog parks, beaches, community centers, botanical gardens and nature trails, Milwaukee’s parks have something for everyone.
What are you waiting for?
Let Sports Planning Guide help you plan the perfect event.
Marissa Werner, STS
Director of Sports Milwaukee
Telephone: (414) 287-6232