Are you scoring on regional tourism driven by youth sports?
May 13, 2025
Youth sports aren’t just about developing skills and promoting fitness—they’re also fueling the growth of regional tourism. Significant economic impact can be seen from the ever-expanding variety of athletic activities and the families and fans traveling to support them. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, as youth sports continue to increase regional tourism in powerful and unexpected ways.
More events = more opportunity
From local competitions to regional tournaments and national championships, the sheer variety of sports and volume of events have become major tourism drivers for cities of all sizes. Investments in sports complexes, arenas and outdoor venues to host youth sports competitions is on the rise and for good reason. The economic opportunities experienced by hotels, restaurants and other businesses is only limited by the availability of these facilities. Cities like Sioux Falls, SD, and Blaine, MN have seen major economic booms by hosting large youth sporting events.
Going beyond the players
These events bring large numbers of participants, coaches, and family members to the hosting city. As parents and siblings accompany their athletes, it frequently turns a simple sporting event into a multi-day trip. As many youth sports competitions occur over weekends, these families spend money on accommodations, meals, transportation, and local attractions, often extending their stays or expanding it into a family vacation. With U.S. families spending $30 to $40 billion annually on these sports, each event and attendee is an opportunity for your business or brand to gain sales and awareness.
The growth of travel sports leagues has also contributed to regional tourism. National leagues for sports are increasingly organized into regional divisions that require teams to travel across state lines for competitions. These leagues ensure events are well-attended and competitive, while also creating an ongoing flow of visitors to host cities throughout the year. For example, youth baseball tournaments held in the Midwest or youth soccer games in the South often draw hundreds of teams, creating vibrant regional tourism economies.
Sports & advertising: a winning combination
Beyond the direct financial benefits, youth sports tourism also offers long-term advantages for regional branding and development. Area businesses benefit from increased awareness and the opportunity to capitalize on sales even after those families have returned home.
Cities known for hosting successful sporting events attract investments in facilities, accommodations, and other infrastructure, creating a cyclical boost to the local economy. Communities may even embrace these events as part of their local identity, with local government and tourism boards actively promoting themselves as ideal youth sports destinations.
Drive the local experience
As parents and supporters travel to these events, many choose to experience the local culture. From sampling regional cuisine and exploring businesses to attending area celebrations, youth sports participants and their families increasingly seek out experiences beyond the sports field.
Regional tourism boards have tapped into this desire by promoting specific local experiences alongside their sporting events. In many cases, they work to integrate local communities with youth sports competitions, encouraging visitors to interact with the region in meaningful ways, creating memories and potential return visits.
Turning locations into destinations
In the age of digital connectivity, parents are also sharing their travel experiences and sporting victories on social media, offering additional exposure to the host cities and regions. These online platforms help create a ripple effect, encouraging other families to travel to similar destinations for their own youth sports competitions or for lower-cost vacations compared to more well-known destinations.
The intersection of youth sports and regional tourism is an exciting development for local economies. As families travel for tournaments, the financial impact on regional destinations grows, and cities gain national recognition as sports hubs. With an ever-expanding array of events and competitions, youth sports will continue to be a significant driver of tourism in 2025 and beyond, benefiting both the sporting world and the local economies that support it.
Your hometown team
With one of the largest digital, first-party audiences in the Midwest, Forum Communications Company is making a difference for our regional tourism partners and local businesses. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about how we connect with youth sports organizers and regional tourism organizations with custom, creative and effective advertising solutions.
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