Returning to Chicago for the first time since 1935, the 2021 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships will be co-hosted by Stardust Bowl of Addison and the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau (DCVB).
“Participants have asked us to take the Women’s Championships to venues throughout the country, particularly the Midwest, and we will make that happen over the next four years,” said USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy. “Stardust Bowl knows what it takes to deliver a successful event and, along with the DuPage CVB, will be gracious hosts when the Women’s Championships hits the Chicago area.”
The highly competitive host selection process began with a Request for Proposal by USBC in 2016 and was ultimately won as a result of the joint effort between Stardust Bowl and the DCVB.
“We’re thrilled to host an event that has such a great history,” Stardust Bowl owner Henry Barber said. “I know the competitors in the 2021 Women’s Championships will have a great time in DuPage County and our staff will be excited to welcome women bowlers from throughout the country to our center.”
Stardust Bowl is the largest bowling center in Illinois with 84 lanes and has a rich history as a key sports tourism partner and advocate for DuPage County. Just in the last five years, Stardust Bowl has welcome dozens of national, intercollegiate and youth events including the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open, 2015 Junior Gold Championships and multiple intercollegiate championships resulting in the welcoming of over 25,000 competitors and visitors to DuPage. These events collectively have representing over an estimated $26 million in economic impact.
The 2021 Women’s Championship will set the bar even higher for Stardust Bowl and the DCVB beginning in April and running continuously through the end of July. The championship is expected to welcome over 32,000 competitors and visitors, resulting in an estimated economic impact over $20 million.
Located just 12 miles from O’Hare International Airport and conveniently accessible by car and rail, DuPage lies just 15 miles west of the city of Chicago and delivers world class amenities, dining, hotels and entertainment to visitors year-round.
“Tourism in DuPage is a $2.5 billion industry that creates 22,000 jobs and pumps $42 million back into local government coffers annually,” said Beth Marchetti, executive director of the DCVB. “This is simply a great opportunity for us to showcase the area to thousands of visitors and while providing significant economic impact to our many communities.”
“Sports tourism isn’t a trend, it’s a $9.45 billion industry and it’s continuing to grow.” DCVB Director of Business Development Justin Roach said. “DuPage has a rich sports tourism fabric built on the tradition of hosting historic championship events at venues including the Oak Brook Polo Grounds and Medinah Country Club. The 2021 USBC Women’s Championship at Stardust Bowl will become another signature event our communities will be proud of hosting. We continue to enjoy and value the partnership Henry from Stardust Bowl and the Village of Addison brings to DuPage and look forward to 2021.”
Go to BOWL.com/WomensChamp to learn more about the USBC Women’s Championships and go to DiscoverDuPage.com for more information on DuPage County.
