Diverse Sports Destination in DC’s Backyard: Stafford, Virginia
Take the next step and bring your future sporting event to Stafford, VA for spectacular attractions and state-of-the-art athletic facilities
Introduction
STAFFORD, VIRGINIA
Stafford County, Virginia, is becoming a go-to place for sports tournament rightsholders looking for a location with ample facilities for events, hotels, and other infrastructure to support players on and off the field. One of our goals as an organization is to make it easy and convenient for sports rightsholders to choose Stafford. The Stafford team also has a competitive incentive package for sports operators to take advantage of. They can help operators collect competitive, no-obligation bids from Stafford County hotels and sports facilities, as well as provide research and onsite visits at venues.
Stafford is home to a diverse palate of sports facilities, including diamond and rectangle fields, world-class golf courses, an Olympic-sized aquatics facility, and access to various watersports on the Potomac River.
All sports planners have at least one thing in common: they all understand the stress of organizing a sports event away from home. Sports planners have the difficult task of planning for where their athletes will play, sleep, dine and enjoy activities away from their competitive games. Planners also have the tricky job of accommodating their players’ families, making sure that everyone can have the chance to enjoy the away-game and the city’s surrounding recreational alternatives. Luckily, Stafford, Virginia provides various athletic venues and entertainment options that will allow everyone on your sports trip to experience a diverse arrangement of historic destinations, retail shopping, nature preserves and other leisure activities.
Looking for something to do when the competition is over? Stafford has amazing options for recreation and leisure experiences off the field. Whether you’re a history buff, love the outdoors, or simply need a place to put your feet up and relax, Stafford, Virginia has you covered. Stafford is the home of George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm; Georgian-style Chatham Manor; Stafford Civil War Park, which all played a huge part during the Civil War. Take some time to explore Government Island, an island which provided Aquia sandstone for the construction of the U.S. Capitol and the White House.
Looking for an arts and cultural experience? Block off the whole evening for dinner and a show at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, stroll the nearby historic downtown, or wander the grounds of a famous artist at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. If you’re hosting an adult competition, consider spending some down time sipping along Stafford’s breweries and wineries trail and taste local flavors from food trucks and restaurants. Whether looking to enjoy an afternoon or evening on the water, in the woods, or discovering new adventures around the community, Stafford has so many options for large and small groups looking to explore, gather, and unwind after a long day of competition.
LISA LOGAN
Assistant Director, Stafford County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
Telephone: 540-658-4580
Email: Tourism@staffordcountyva.gov
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Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“KBF is excited to continue our partnership and bring tournaments to Stafford County, Virginia for the KBF Trail Series and other Snakehead Fishing tournaments. The hospitality, amenities, water access, host venues, and world class fishing make Stafford County the perfect host for our event series.”
— Chad Hoover – KBF Founder/President
Find Your Perfect Stafford Facility
Facility Spotlight
EMBREY MILL PARK
Sports Covered: Soccer, football, field hockey, lacrosse
Situated in the heart of Stafford, the stately Embrey Mill Park is conveniently located near the county’s major thoroughfares, shopping centers, restaurants and hotels, making it the ideal stop for teams and their families. The impressive multi-sport complex houses eight fields — six synthetic, lighted rectangular fields and two lighted grass fields, and a recently added practice field with ample parking. Adjacent to the sports complex is the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Center, which houses an Olympic sized competition pool and athletic center.
JEFF ROUSE SWIM AND SPORTS CENTER
Sports Covered: Swimming, diving, water polo, water sports
This 76,000 square-foot world-class Olympic sized sports complex is equipped with a 50-meter by 25-yard competition pool with seating for more than 800 spectators and movable bulkhead, a 25-yard recreation pool, and a warm-water wellness pool. Additionally, the Rouse Center features a full-size basketball court, a group exercise studio, a fitness floor, restrooms, a full- service cafe and parking. The athletic facility presents 5,000 square feet of exercise space and workout equipment, strength and conditioning machines and free weights.
POTOMAC RIVER
Sports Covered: Kayak bass fishing, bass fishing, water sports
The water is open for any sports adventure. With creeks and tidal tributaries of the Potomac River, many sports have caught wave to our hidden gems. Kayak fishing, specifically for bass have put Stafford on the map for a hidden “fish town” and we have become the epicenter for snakehead fishing on the east coast.
DISC GOLF
Sports Covered: Disc Golf
Stafford boasts two challenging disc golf courses at Curtis Park and John Lee Pratt Park that wind through woods within the parks and feature 18-holes at each, offering year-round recreation and tournament play. Adjacent to Curtis Park is the Gauntlet Golf Club, which frequently partners to host two-round tournaments for unique and exclusive play.
CHICHESTER PARK
Sports Covered: Baseball and softball
Bring your upcoming outdoor sporting event to the spacious Chichester Park, a county park that offers five lighted baseball/softball diamonds and a concession stand. The vast park also features walking tracks, hiking and jogging trails with a natural mulch surface, a pavilion, restrooms, picnic areas with BBQ grills and tables and a new playground. Chichester Park promises protected spectator seating to enhance the fans’ experiences while watching nail-biting tournaments. The venue is conveniently near major transportation thoroughfares, making traversing to and from the park and other locations throughout Stafford stress-free.
GOLF COURSES
Sports Covered: Golf
The Gauntlet Golf Club and Augustine Golf Club are premier golf courses with turn-key services, on-site restaurant and bar, and beautiful atmosphere for any tournament.