State Spotlight:
Kansas

With its central location and variety of venues, Kansas is a game-changer when hosting sporting events. Add to that, the Sunflower State’s support of everything from soccer to swimming, and Kansas proves time and again to be a top-notch destination. “We offer an abundance of outdoor venues and indoor spaces that offer amenities to host successful events,” says Holly Leiker, director of national sales and sports events for Visit Hutch. “Due to the variety of venues across our state, Kansas communities have the ability to
host all types of events, from youth to professional.”

With its central location and variety of venues, Kansas is a game-changer when hosting sporting events. Add to that, the Sunflower State’s support of everything from soccer to swimming, and Kansas proves time and again to be a top-notch destination. “We offer an abundance of outdoor venues and indoor spaces that offer amenities to host successful events,” says Holly Leiker, director of national sales and sports events for Visit Hutch. “Due to the variety of venues across our state, Kansas communities have the ability to
host all types of events, from youth to professional.”

In Salina, we believe every sporting event should be as exciting as the teams who compete. With top-tier facilities, a welcoming atmosphere, and plenty of off-time activities, your athletes and spectators will enjoy the perfect mix of competition and leisure. Right in the center of the United States and the heart of Kansas, our space is crafted with care and made for you. Take advantage of our complimentary planning services and make us your first call. Plan your unforgettable event at VisitSalinaKS.org or contact us via e-mail at tbenien@salinakansas.org or phone at (785) 827-9301 x 130.

Anchored by Wichita’s welcoming spirit, central location, a passionate fan base and endless off field entertainment plus 71-plus venues, Kansas’ largest city is an ideal host for youth tournaments, college matchups and high profile events. A few of Wichita’s largest and top-notch facilities include INTRUST Bank Arena, Equity Bank Park, Park City Arena and Scheels Stryker Sports Complex.

Dodge City

Dodge City has an extraordinary coalition within all facilities across the town, which coordinate with each other to make each event successful and professional. After an event, the excitement and charm of the Old West are close at hand, offering great entertainment options.

Hotel Rooms: 1,200
Major Facilities:
  • United Wireless Arena is a 6,000-seat multipurpose arena
  • Western State Bank Expo houses a 90,000-squarefoot exhibit hall
  • Memorial Stadium is a 5,000-seat facility with a synthetic turf field for football and soccer, as well as an eight-lane track
  • Legends Park is a four-diamond baseball and softball facility
  • St. Mary’s Sports Complex features six full-size soccer gamepads and three junior-size fields
Contact:

Dodge City CVB, VisitDodgeCity.org.

Hays

Hays is located in the Heartland of Kansas with easy access via Interstate 70. Wide open spaces await sports teams and spectators here.

Hotel Rooms: 1118
Hotel tax rate: ranges from 15.75 percent to 17.75 percent depending on hotel area
Major Facilities:
  • Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex features eight baseball/softball fields and eight soccer/football fields
  • Gross Memorial Coliseum offers 322,979 square feet of space
  • Larks Park is a 1200-seat ballpark
  • Lewis Field Stadium is a 63620-seat football stadium
Contact:

Hays CVB, VisitHays.com.

Hutchinson

Hutchinson is 50 minutes away from a national airport and has a long history of hosting high-profile national sporting events. The city is large enough that it has the amenities to host top-level events, but small enough that the event won’t get “lost in the crowd.”

Hotel Rooms: 600
Hotel tax rate: 15.6 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Hutchinson Sports Arena features four regulation basketball courts and seating for 5,560
  • Fun Valley Sports Complex includes seven natural grass softball and youth baseball fields
  • Gowans Stadium is a 5,000-seat football stadium with eight-lane track
Contact:

Visit Hutch, visithutch.com.

Kansas City

Kansas City boasts new state-of-the-art facilities tailored for various sports such as basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball, enhancing the overall experience for both organizers and participants. Combined, these factors make the city an exceptionally appealing choice for hosting a wide range of sporting events.

Hotel Rooms: 2,000
Major Facilities:
  • Homefield Kansas Showcase Center is a multipurpose venue with 10 basketball courts or 12 volleyball courts and one outdoor football field
  • Homefield Baseball Complex includes eight collegiate-caliber lighted turf fields that can also host slow-pitch softball, soccer, and flag football
  • Compass Minerals Sporting Fields consists of eight lighted turf soccer fields and four lighted grass fields
  • Children’s Mercy Park is an 18,467-seat soccer stadium
Contact:

Visit Kansas City Kansas, VisitKansasCityKS.com.

Lawrence

Lawrence is located in the northwest part of the state. The city is quickly becoming a top destination for collegiate championships and youth tournaments.

Hotel Rooms: 1,300
Major Facilities:
  • Sports Pavilion Lawrence is a 181,000-square-foot indoor facility that houses eight full-size basketball or 16 full-size volleyball courts, an indoor soccer/sports arena, and a 200-meter indoor track Rock Chalk Park is a state-of-the-art facility featuring a nine-lane, 400-meter track
  • Youth Sports Complex features 23 soccer fields, five football fields, four baseball diamonds, and a practice area
  • Clinton Lake Softball Complex is a four diamond complex
  • Jayhawk Tennis Center boasts six indoor and six outdoor courts
Contact:

Explore Lawrence, explorelawrence.com.

Manhattan

Manhattan offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities with college-town energy. Additionally, Manhattan’s central location in the heart of the Midwest makes it easily accessible for teams and fans from surrounding states.

Hotel Rooms: 1,300
Hotel tax rate: 16.65 to 17.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Anneberg Sports Complex features fields for baseball, softball, and soccer
  • Anthony Recreation Center has four basketball courts or four volleyball courts
  • CiCo Park is a 97-acre facility featuring five ball fields and Bishop Stadium, which is used for football and soccer
  • Eisenhower Complex includes three baseball
Contact:

Visit Manhattan Kansas, visitmanhattanks.org.

Olathe

Olathe is an affluent suburb of Kansas City. The city is 40 miles from Kansas City International Airport and a short drive from multiple states.

Hotel Rooms: 1586
Hotel tax rate: 15.475 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex features nine synthetic turf fields
  • College Boulevard Activity Complex includes 12 tennis courts, one football field, one soccer field, two baseball fields, two softball fields and one Miracle League T-Ball field
  • Olathe District Activity Center has one football field, one soccer field, two baseball fields, two softball fields, and an eight-lane synthetic surface track
Contact:

Olathe CVB, olathe.org/sports.

Overland Park

Overland Park is home to some of the best youth sports venues in the Midwest, including the 12-field Scheels Soccer Complex and, less than a mile away, Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex, which boasts 24 baseball and softball diamonds.

Hotel Rooms: 4,731
Hotel tax rate: 18.1 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Scheels Soccer Complex has 12 lighted turf fields
  • Blue Valley School District Athletic Complex houses baseball and softball stadiums, as well as a turf football stadium
  • Blue Valley Recreation boasts 24 baseball and softball fields
  • Elite Tennis and Wellness features nine outdoor tennis courts, 26 lined pickleball courts, and four dedicated pickleball courts, all of which are domed
  • AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluehawk offers a 1,500-seat ice rink, a 3,200-seat championship
    arena, eight hardwood basketball and 16
    volleyball courts, and a 32,000-square-foot
    multipurpose turf area
Convention Center:

The Overland Park Convention Center offers 97,500 square feet of space. The venue has hosted basketball, cheer and dance, fencing, futsal, taekwondo, gymnastics and weightlifting.

Contact:

Visit Overland Park, visitoverlandpark.com.

Salina

Salina blends big city opportunities with a small city feel in a central location. The downtown has undergone an extensive streetscape renovation and throughout the Salina area you’ll find exceptional restaurants, venues, hotels, and unique attractions, including a world-class zoo and wildlife museum.

Hotel Rooms: 2200
Hotel tax rate: 17 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Salina Fieldhouse is a 65,000-square-foot facility with basketball courts, volleyball courts, and indoor soccer field
  • Dean Evans Stadium is a 650-plus-sat ballpark
  • Magnolia Soccer Complex, Dean Evans Stadium, and Berkley Family Recreation Area combine to feature 16 lighted diamonds and 12 soccer fields
  • Graves Family Sports Complex accommodates soccer, football, and track
Convention Center:

Tony’s Pizza Events Center features a 6500-seaat arena and a convention hall.

Contact:

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, VisitSalinaKS.org.

Shawnee

Shawnee is situated on the westernmost side of the Kansas City metro area.

Hotel Rooms: 476
Hotel tax rate: 17.65 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Mid-America Sports Complex hosts baseball and softball with 10 fields
  • Stump Park hosts soccer
  • Kansas City Ice Center hosts hockey
Contact:

Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, visitshawneeks.com.

Topeka

Topeka is at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Highway 75, making it an ideal destination for traveling teams from numerous cities.

Hotel Rooms: 2732
Hotel tax rate: 16.15 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Washburn University Indoor Track and Field houses a 200-meter banked track and field
  • Kossover Tennis Center has 18 courts
  • Sunflower Soccer Association offers 11 natural grass soccer fields and one turf field
Convention Center:

Stormont Vail Events Center features 75,000 square feet of flat floor space and hosts sports such as arena football, basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.

Contact:

Visit Topeka, visittopeka.com.

Wichita

With 71 sports venues, Wichita is a popular destination for athletics. Two of its largest facilities is INTRUST Bank Arena and Stryker Soccer Complex.

Hotel Rooms: 8100
Hotel tax rate: 16.25 percent
Major Facilities:
  • INTRUST Bank Arena is a 329,850-square-foot multipurpose venue
  • Stryker Sports Complex is a multipurpose facility that hosts soccer, football, rugby, and lacrosse
  • Wichita Hoops features 12 basketball courts
  • Wichita Sports Forum is a 148,000-square-foot multipurpose facility with six basketball courts, 10 volleyball courts, indoor and outdoor beach volleyball courts, and a turf soccer field
  • Riverfront Stadium is a multipurpose venue
Convention Center:

Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center has 200,000-plus-square feet of space.

Contact:

Visit Wichita, VisitWichita.com.