Admired for its beautiful landscapes, New Hampshire draws travelers from all over the country. Not only does it boast great family attractions and scenic views, but it also provides some of the best skiing and some of the most elite sports facilities in the Northeast. In the past few years, New Hampshire has boosted its sports credentials, with hundreds of races, marathons, bike races, Nordic and alpine ski competitions, college sports and high school tournaments. Sports planners will find everything they need to host a great sports event in New Hampshire, including world-class venues, warm hospitality and low-cost accommodations.
Manchester Sports Venues
Manchester, the state’s largest city, is also a passionate sports town and offers teams everything they could possibly want for their sporting event. No matter what kind of sport or how large the event is, Manchester can handle anything you throw at it.
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and the state’s only Major League-affiliated baseball team. The Cats play at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (formerly MerchantsAuto.com Stadium), which sits on the banks of the Merrimack River. It seats 6,500 spectators in the general seating bowl and offers two private 100-person party decks as well as a 300-person picnic area in left field.
Verizon Wireless Arena is home to the Manchester Monarchs, the primary American Hockey League affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. The indoor events arena seats 9,852 for hockey and just under 10,000 for basketball. The University of New Hampshire’s men’s hockey team plays some of its home games at Verizon. It has hosted the AHL All-Star Game, WWE Backlash and NCAA Frozen Four regional tournament.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum, an indoor sports arena, is home to the Manchester Memorial High School Crusaders and Manchester Central High School Little Green hockey teams. West Memorial Field is home to the New Hampshire Freedom, the state’s first and only full-contact, tackle women’s football team.
While most of the state’s best areas for winter sports can be found in the north, there is a good place for skiers and snowboarders to compete in Manchester. McIntyre Ski Area has been a part of the city since 1971, offering ski and ride lessons for over 40 years. Over the last couple years, McIntyre has made several improvements to its facilities, including a new lodge, new tubing lanes, updated lifts, more snowmaking, ungraded snow grooming equipment and several new programs. It is not only a great place for casual and family skiing, but also for competitive winter sports events. McIntyre features an elite racing team and is open to other teams who want to compete.
Sports Events in Nashua
Nashua, located in Hillsborough County, is the second largest city in New Hampshire. It has grown significantly over the years thanks in large part to its proximity to the Boston region. Nashua’s downtown is known as an entertainment and dining destination, as well as a popular shopping haven for locals and visitors alike. The town also has a passion for sports and recreation, which is evident in its various sports facilities and events.
Holman Stadium was built back in 1937 as a multi-purpose stadium. It hosted what is considered to be the first integrated U.S. baseball team in the modern era, the Nashua Dodgers. Now it serves as the home of the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Holman Stadium also has played host to various other baseball events, from high school level tournaments to collegiate and professional games. The stadium seats 4,375 spectators.
Nashua is home to Daniel Webster College and its Eagles athletic program. Sports planners can rent out any of the sports facilities on campus, including the Mario Vagge Gymnasium, where the basketball and volleyball teams compete; and Eagle Field, home of the soccer, lacrosse and softball teams. Conway Arena is where the Eagles play their hockey matches. It also hosts high school teams, local youth hockey organizations and figure skating clubs. The arena offers seating for 1,050 people, seven locker rooms, a fitness room, figure skating room and a large lobby and seating area ideal for establishing tournament headquarters.
Rivier College is home to the Raiders athletic program. The Muldoon Fitness Centers, the home of the Raiders, provides indoor space for basketball, floor hockey, indoor soccer and volleyball. Raiders Field is a state-of-the-art turf field located at the highest point in Nashua. It hosts men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Riv Beach, the latest addition to the campus, is where the school hosts its sand volleyball matches.
The Nashua Swim & Tennis Club is minutes from downtown, making it easily accessible from many area hotels and the airport. It features eight outdoor lighted clay courts, eight indoor hard courts, and a warm-up room. There is also an outdoor junior Olympic-sized pool great for youth league swim competitions.
Concord Sports Facilities
The capital of New Hampshire, Concord is centrally located along the Merrimack River. It offers a number of historic landmarks and other tourist attractions, plus a wide range of recreational activities and sporting events.
Concord Sports Center is a full-service multi-sport complex. It features 23,000 square feet of indoor synthetic grass fields, indoor baseball and softball batting cages and a large party room. The field area features two arenas available for any kind of sport, from lacrosse and football to soccer and baseball. There is a retractable netting system that allows sports planners to open the entire area for larger events. The facility can also be converted into three smaller fields if teams need a smaller space for competitions.
Douglas N. Everett Arena, an indoor ice rink, is open seasonally from October to March. It offers public skating for residents but also hosts figure skating competitions and hockey tournaments.
There are a number of community centers throughout Concord that can be used for a variety of sports events. Green Street Community Center, East Concord Community Center and Heights Community Center all feature gyms with bleacher seating, and each one can be rented out for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, boxing or cheerleading competitions.
Sports Tournaments in the White Mountains
Known for recreation, the White Mountains contain 48, 4,000-foot peaks as well as the highest mountain in the Northeast, Mount Washington. This area is a dream location for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. There is an endless list of ski resorts and mountain escapes where ski and snowboard teams can participate.
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center offers winter adventures on 28 miles of cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails. It consists of easy and rolling terrain for skiers of all ability levels. Trails are groomed with double tracks and a skating lane.
Cranmore Mountain Resort has been a popular winter sports destination in the White Mountains for over 70 years. It features 54 trails and glades, a state-of-the-art children’s learning center, a 10-lane, lift-serviced tubing park and much more. It offers terrain for all skill levels and is a perfect place to host a ski or snowboard competition.
Loon Mountain Resort is a prime spot for intense skiing and snowboarding. It offers 2,100 feet of vertical, a variety of terrain, and a number of lodging and dining options. Loon’s Adventure Center offers XC and snowshoe rentals and tours, ice skating and an indoor climbing wall. It is located just two hours north of Boston, making it easily accessible for sports teams and their fans.
Hosting a sports event in New Hampshire is both easy and enjoyable, thanks to its wide array of venues, friendly residents and reasonable accommodations. So choose New Hampshire for your next sports tournament and experience the pleasures of the Granite State.
