State Spotlight:
North Dakota

North Dakota doesn’t discriminate when it comes to venues and the type of sports it hosts. Whether it be with its sought-after venues or its varied terrain, the Peace Garden State is sure to exceed the expectations of planners, athletes, and spectators alike.

State Spotlight:
North Dakota

North Dakota doesn’t discriminate when it comes to venues and the type of sports it hosts. Whether it be with its sought-after venues or its varied terrain, the Peace Garden State is sure to exceed the expectations of planners, athletes, and spectators alike.

Bismarck

Bismarck offers the best of both worlds: metro amenities along with wide-open spaces and a friendly hometown atmosphere. The area offers 3500 acres of parks and more than 100 miles of recreational and interpretive trails offer additional outdoor adventures. This fall the area will open the new Dale Pahlke Arena on the Dakota Community Bank & Trust Rodeo Grounds, and early next year the Mandan Tennis Center.

Hotel Rooms: 3500
Hotel tax rate: 10 percent
Major Facilities:
  • BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center houses an eight-lane, 50-meter pool and separate dive well
  • Mandan Aquatic Center has an eight-lane, 50-meter pool with separate dive well
  • MDU Resources Community Bowl includes an artificial surface playing field for football and soccer, natural grass fields, nine-lane track, and more
  • VFW Sports Center hosts hockey, figure skating, roller derby, curling, and golf
  • Capital Ice Complex has two rinks
  • The 84,000-square-foot Starion Sports Complex has two indoor rinks and a gymnastics facility, as well as a turf football field and eight-lane track
  • Cottonwood Park has a 20-diamond softball complex and youth baseball field
  • Clem Kelly Athletic Complex features 10 ball diamonds and one soccer field
Contact:

Bismarck-Mandan CVB, NoBoundariesND.com.

Fargo

Wedged between the land of 10,000 lakes and the wild, wild west, Fargo doesn’t fit either mold. Instead, it rises from the prairie, surprising visitors with its size, unexpected nightlife, and the sheer niceness of the people.

Hotel Rooms: 5433
Hotel tax rate: 10.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • FARGODOME is a multipurpose indoor facility
  • Hulbert Aquatic Center houses a 10-lane pool
  • North Softball Complex boasts 18 softball fields
  • Scheels Arena houses a hockey rink
Contact:

Fargo-Moorhead Athletic Commission, fargomoorhead.org.

Grand Forks

Grand Forks is situated in eastern North Dakota and is one of the largest cities in the state. The city boasts top-notch venues like Ralph Engelstad Arena and Alerus Center, as well as a variety of complimentary services for event organizers.

Hotel Rooms: 2,100
Hotel tax rate: 10 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Ralph Engelstad Arena is a 400,000-square-foot multipurpose venue
  • Alerus Center is a 100,000-square-foot multipurpose venue
  • Betty Engelstad Sioux Center hosts volleyball and basketball
  • ICON Sports Center features two USA Hockey-sanctioned hockey rinks
  • Frederick “Fritz” D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center includes a 100-yard artificial turf field and 300-meter, eight-lane track
  • Scheel’s Sports Complex includes four baseball/softball diamonds
Contact:

Greater Grand Forks CVB, visitgrandforks.com.

Minot

Located in central North Dakota, Minot offers a wide range of sports complexes for hockey, soccer, baseball, basketball, and more.

Hotel Rooms: 2600
Hotel tax rate: 10.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Maysa Arena houses three ice rinks
  • Minot Municipal Auditorium hosts basketball and volleyball
  • Minot State University Athletic Dome is a multipurpose indoor venue with a capacity of 10,000
  • Corbett Field is a 950-seat ballpark
  • Optimist Soccer Complex includes three soccer fields
  • Jack Hoeven Park has four baseball fields
  • Sertoma Sports Complex and South Hills Complex each feature eight baseball/softball fields
Convention Center:

North Dakota State Fair Center is a 250,000-square-foot venue that hosts sports such as hockey, curling, and wrestling.

Contact:

Visit Minot, visitminot.org.