Located on the northern shores of Ohio, America’s sports & family fun capital offers world-class sports facilities, exciting attractions and the best venue for water sports: Lake Erie.
CVB/Sports Commissions Services Offered
- Volunteer Staff
- PR/Media Assistance
- Site Visits
- Transportation Assistance
- Lodging Services
- Grant Programs
- Welcome Bags/Gifts
- Itinerary Development
- Event Planning Assistance
Click on tab to see more information about a specific facility
- Lake Erie
- Cedar Point Sports Center
- Erie MetroParks
- Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
- Cedar Point Beach
- Andrew L. Fabens Memorial Park
- Sawmill Creek Resort
Lake Erie
One of the biggest attractions of the region, Lake Erie is an ideal spot to host a sporting event. The lake offers several natural venues for different water sports. The tributary rivers serve as courses for canoe and kayak competitions, while the open water provides a good setting for power boating and sailing events. Several bass and walleye fishing tournaments have been held at the lake every year.
Sports: Water sports, triathlons
Cedar Point Sports Center
The Cedar Point Sports Center is an exciting new recreational facility located a few short miles from Cedar Point Amusement Park geared toward youth sports.
Completed in spring 2017, phase one of the Cedar Point Sports Center is Sports Force Parks. This state-of-the-art sports complex hosts a large range of youth sports tournaments and other events. The facility features all synthetic turf fields that include 12 baseball fields, 11 softball fields, 8 soccer fields, 8 lacrosse fields, and an ADA-accessible community use field. Fans attending events can also enjoy an 18-hole miniature golf course, trampoline play structure, a ropes course and playground, concessions and a merchandise shop.
Phase two is the Cedar Point Indoor Sports Complex that will be completed in winter 2019. The indoor facility will offer 145,000 square feet of space with 10 basketball hardwood courts or 20 volleyball courts, championship arena with retractable seating, entertainment center, on-site café & concessions, meeting & event spaces, and an on-site sports medicine center. Whether it is hosting a large tournament or team practice, each event will be carefully executed with optimal skill and excellence in mind.
Sports:
Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, wrestling
Erie MetroParks
The Erie MetroParks consist of 12 parks that cater to different recreational events. Osborn MetroPark is home to soccer fields, trails, a tennis court, a pickleball court and a nine-hole disc golf course. Eagle Point is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing and offers several trails for running or walking events.
Sports: Baseball, soccer, softball, cycling, running
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
Located in Sandusky, Ohio, this versatile sports venue is the area’s largest convention center. The Kalahari Resort features 215,000 square feet of flexible space, with spaces ranging from executive boardrooms to an expansive ballroom. Each space has state-of-the-art A/V and communications technology, wireless internet, varied lighting, house sound and background music. The venue has the capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 people and offers the amenities to host any size sports event. Plus, guests can stay onsite in the 890-room hotel.+
Sports: Wrestling, cheerleading, gymnastics
Cedar Point Beach
Stretching a mile along Lake Erie, the Cedar Point Beach was the first attraction that popped up before any roller coaster. The beach still serves as a retreat for visitors, but it’s also a great spot for sports events. Several swimming and sand volleyball tournaments take place throughout the year, as well as running competitions.
Sports: Swimming, beach volleyball, running
Andrew L. Fabens Memorial Park
Located in Huron in the central shores region, Fabens Park is a multi-purpose facility that hosts a range of sports events. This large athletic park includes nine baseball/softball fields, five tennis courts, two batting cages, and a nature trail. The venue also offers visitors a concession stand, sheltered areas, picnic tables, grills and restrooms.
Sports: Baseball, softball, tennis
Sawmill Creek Resort
Located in Huron, the Sawmill Creek Resort features an award-winning golf course. The Golf Club, designed by world-renowned architect Tom Fazio, is an 18-hole, par 71 public course that offers stunning views of Lake Erie. Several golf tournaments and events have been hosted here, and yours could be next.
Sports: Golf
Things to do in Lake Erie Shores & Islands
Lake Erie Shores & Islands boasts a long list of amenities to host sporting events, as well as world class attractions that have been drawing visitors here for decades. Known as the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point Amusement Park is the place to go for adrenaline-soaked thrills. Located in Sandusky, the amusement park is home to 18 roller coasters. Outdoor enthusiasts will feel at home on the Lake Erie Islands. On Kelleys Island, you can hike coastal trails, kayak near cliffs, or visit the Glacial Grooves State Memorial. South Bass Island and its village of Put-in-Bay is iconic to explore. Check out The Boardwalk to enjoy some delicious food, or head to Massie Cliffside Preserve for beautiful views.
Love animals? Don’t miss African Safari Wildlife Park, the Midwest’s only drive-thru safari. You can feed exotic animals from your car, letting giraffes and zebras munch straight from the food cup in your hand.
Kalahari Indoor Waterpark
Take advantage of the many water activities available here, from fishing and sailing to jet skiing and paddleboarding. Even when the weather isn’t ideal, visitors can still have a tropical getaway at one of Lake Erie Shores & Islands many indoor waterparks, including Kalahari Resorts and Convention, Great Wolf Lodge and Maui Sands Resort.
Planner Perspective
Lake Erie Shores & Islands CVB has been instrumental in the development and success of the Santa Hustle race series. From its inception in Sandusky five years ago, the CVB has worked with us step by step to help our event flourish. We could not have had such quick and overwhelming success without their support and professionalism; they are truly an example of the kind of CVB that makes it happen.
Adrenaline Sports Management: Aaron B Del Mar (Founder & CEO)
How to Get to Lake Erie Shores & Islands
By Car: I-90 is the main highway that runs along Lake Erie and is one of the best ways to reach the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region. Cleveland is a little over an hour away to the east, Toledo is an hour to the west, and Detroit is two hours away.
By Air: The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is the closest major airport to Lake Erie Shores & Islands. It’s located about an hour away from the area and is served by most major airlines.
Contact Information
Company Name: Lake Erie Shores & Islands CVB
Sports Sales Manager: Chris Lewis
Title: Sports Tourism Manager
Phone: 419-624-6909
Email: chris@shoresandislands.com
Website: SPORTS.shoresandislands.com
