State Spotlight:
New Hampshire

With its mix of mountain terrain, lakeside recreation, and well-equipped athletic facilities, New Hampshire offers an ideal setting for sports events across every season. The Granite State has built a strong reputation for outdoor competition, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to trail running, cycling, paddlesports, and field sports during the warmer months. Its location in the heart of New England also makes travel convenient for teams and spectators throughout the Northeast, while charming downtowns, scenic venues, and year-round recreational opportunities give visitors plenty to experience beyond the competition itself. n

State Spotlight:
New Hampshire

Manchester is home to the annual Shamrock Shuffle and Lil' Leprechaun Run. Courtesy Jeffrey Hastings/Frame of Mind Photography

With its mix of mountain terrain, lakeside recreation, and well-equipped athletic facilities, New Hampshire offers an ideal setting for sports events across every season. The Granite State has built a strong reputation for outdoor competition, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to trail running, cycling, paddlesports, and field sports during the warmer months. Its location in the heart of New England also makes travel convenient for teams and spectators throughout the Northeast, while charming downtowns, scenic venues, and year-round recreational opportunities give visitors plenty to experience beyond the competition itself. n

Concord

Located just 90 minutes north of Boston, Concord is less than one hour from ocean beaches, stunning lakes, and the mighty White Mountains. Concord features state-of-the-art theater and music, unique restaurants, and tax-free shopping, and the city limits contain pristine forests and riverside beaches.

Hotel Rooms: 1,000
Hotel tax rate: Nine percent
Major Facilities:
  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway seats 100,000 for NASCAR races
  • Memorial Field and Douglas N. Everett Arena accommodate baseball, football, and hockey
Contact:

Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, concordchamber.com.

Lakes Region

The Lakes Region is in central New Hampshire, about two hours from Boston and about one hour from the Manchester-Boston Regional airport. The area is known for its scenic beauty, clean lakes, and beaches.

Hotel Rooms: Approximately 40 properties
Hotel tax rate: 8.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Plymouth State University offers ice arenas, basketball courts, fields, indoor pools, and
    tennis courts
  • Gilford Village Field includes four lighted tennis courts, a lighted basketball court, a soccer field, and two baseball diamonds
  • Stonewall Park in Gilford has an enclosed baseball diamond and dugouts, and bleachers
Contact:

Lakes Region Tourism Association, lakesregion.org.

Manchester

Nestled in south-central New Hampshire along the Merrimack River is Manchester. The largest city in northern New England, Manchester is just 20 miles from the Massachusetts border and 58 miles from Boston.

Hotel Rooms: 1,858
Hotel tax rate: 8.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Home to the Minor League Baseball team, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Delta Dental Stadium is a ballpark with a capacity of 6,500
  • SNHU Arena is a multipurpose venue that seats up to 9,852 for ice hockey and 11,140 for basketball
  • McIntyre Ski Area is a local ski hill with 11 trails, two lifts, two magic carpets, and conveyor-served snowtubing
  • JFK Memorial Coliseum is an indoor ice rink
  • West Side Ice Arena is an indoor ice rink
  • Derryfield Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course
Contact:

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, manchester-chamber.org.

Nashua

Nashua stands out as a unique and attractive destination for sporting events due to its combination of accessibility, facilities, and local charm. Conveniently located near the Massachusetts border and just an hour’s drive from Boston, Nashua is easily accessible via major highways like Route 3 and I-93, making it an ideal location for regional events.

Hotel Rooms: 1,228
Hotel tax rate: 8.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Holman Stadium is a 2,800-seat ballpark
  • Mine Falls Park includes six soccer fields, one softball field, roller hockey rink, basketball courts, and baseball fields
  • Greeley Park has baseball/softball fields and tennis courts
Contact:

Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, nashuachamber.com