Rhode Island Sports: Top Facilities and Sports Complexes
Impressive facilities and numerous budget-friendly options can be found throughout this New England sports hub.Introduction
RHODE ISLAND
The smallest U.S. state by area, Rhode Island has a huge slate of impressive facilities that makes it a perfect destination to host your next event. With beautiful facilities like the Amica Mutual Pavilion and the Rhode Island Convention Center, which can host a multitude of events from basketball to cheerleading to roller derby, Rhode Island has you covered.
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“The New England Regional Volleyball Association values its partnership with the Rhode Island Sports Commission. The collaboration with the CVB and Convention Center team has been exceptional. Their professionalism and expertise are unmatched, always prioritizing their clients and striving to elevate the attendee experience.”
– Dave Peixoto, Regional Commissioner, New England Regional Volleyball Association
“Rhode Island’s proximity to a significant segment of the US population and the numerous colleges and universities within the destination play a pivotal role in our decision to keep coming back to the Ocean State. Moreover, the robust team of event and tourism professionals is capable of fostering collaboration among multiple entities to deliver top-tier baseball and softball tournaments.”
– Mark Cooke, Owner & President, Firecracker Sports
Rhode Island Local Activities
Find Your Perfect Rhode Island Facility
Facility Spotlight
AMICA MUTUAL PAVILION
Sports Covered: Basketball, hockey, wrestling, cheerleading, gymnastics, multipurpose
While Providence has no shortage of impressive sporting venues, the Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP PVD) stands out as “the” destination for sports in Rhode Island. The AMP PVD features a 31,000-square-foot arena floor and a 25,000-square-foot concourse and can house a whopping 13,000 spectators. Though it was built in 1972, the arena underwent an $80 million renovation in recent years. It has played host to major tournaments such as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and is open to sports planners looking to think big. As an added bonus, the AMP PVD is perfect for event planning, as it connects directly to the Rhode Island Convention Center and the adjacent Omni Providence hotel.
RHODE ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER
Sports Covered: Basketball, cheer and dance, esports, gymnastics, pickleball, volleyball, multipurpose
If you’re looking for space, and lots of it, look no further than the Rhode Island Convention Center. Inside you’ll find a 100,000-square-foot exhibition hall, a 20,000-square-foot grand ballroom, and 23 multipurpose meeting rooms. For added convenience, visitors can connect directly from the RICC to the Omni Providence Hotel and Providence Place Mall. Over the years, the RICC has hosted major events in cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball, and much more, so the sky’s the limit when planning your next event.
Longplex Family & Sports Center
Sports Covered: Cornhole, basketball, flag football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball much more
Another major sports facility in the Ocean State is the Longplex Family & Sports Center, a 187,000 square-foot, three-story venue that features indoor and outdoor space for volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, flag football, inline and deck hockey, and basketball. The massive multipurpose facility is one of the largest indoor sports complexes in New England. The Longplex can host six youth soccer games at one time. It can host another six basketball or volleyball games, and its roller hockey rink is bigger than the rink used by the Boston Bruins!
Providence College
Sports Covered: Baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and much more
Providence College boasts some of the top athletic facilities in all of Rhode Island. Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility for the men’s and women’s soccer and men’s lacrosse teams. Situated adjacent to Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium is the Providence College Tennis facility. The nearby Schneider Arena serves the needs of the men’s and women’s hockey programs as well as many of Rhode Island’s youth, high school, and junior hockey programs.
BROWN UNIVERSITY
Sports Covered: Basketball, crew, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, water polo and much more
As one of the nation’s eight prestigious Ivy League schools, Brown University is renowned for its academics, but the university also boasts a variety of outstanding athletic venues that host regional and national events and allow sports planners plenty of options to meet their needs. Whether it’s the newly renovated multipurpose outdoor fields, a pool rental in the state-of-the-art aquatics center, use of the 20,000-seat stadium, or access to the boathouse situated along the Seekonk River, Brown University’s athletic facilities are top-notch and a favorite among sports planners.
PROVIDENCE CAREER & TECHNICAL ACADEMY
Sports Covered: Basketball, cheerleading, soccer, track and field, volleyball, wrestling, and much more
This school is home to some of Providence’s most state-of-the-art athletic facilities and offers seating for around 1,800 people in a 65,000-square-foot fieldhouse. Inside the gorgeous steel and glass building you will find space and amenities for sporting events such as track and field meets, basketball games/tournaments, cheerleading competitions, and much more – all just steps from the center of downtown.