Features

The big push: Field hockey is ready to go prime time

Behind the scenes, organizers and club leaders say the sport’s growth has forced rapid evolution in how tournaments are designed and managed, turning field hockey weekends into complex, high-volume events. If you’re a planner who wants to get in on the action, here’s what you need to know.

The Olympic flame

While there is no shortage of symbols associated with the Olympic Games, likely none captures the spirit of peaceful competition more than the Olympic flame.

How to run safe and successful mixed martial arts events

To learn what it takes to host a safe and successful MMA event, we reached out to two representatives from the United States Fight League (USFL), a nonprofit sanctioning body overseeing youth and adult MMA competition. They say success starts with understanding what makes MMA different and planning accordingly, which is where these five practical tips come into play.

The Padel Phenomenon

Once considered a niche import from Europe and Latin America, padel is now carving out a meaningful presence in the American sports-event ecosystem. Participation is increasing, infrastructure is expanding, and organizers are starting to view the sport not as a novelty, but as a legitimate event and a viable business opportunity.

Meet the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

From state-of-the-art facilities to visionary planners, these All-Stars embody what it takes to make every sporting event a success. On the following pages, you’ll find the winners across our 10 categories.