State Spotlight:
South Dakota

South Dakota may be best known for its iconic landmarks, but it’s also a standout destination for sports of every kind. With state-of-the-art facilities, stunning natural backdrops, and a central Midwest location, the Mount Rushmore State makes hosting events both convenient and unforgettable. Add in a welcoming atmosphere and communities that rally behind athletics, and South Dakota delivers the perfect balance of competition, camaraderie, and memorable experiences for athletes and fans alike.

State Spotlight:
South Dakota

The Monument in Rapid City is the entertainment mecca for the Black Hills Region. Courtesy Visit Rapid City

South Dakota may be best known for its iconic landmarks, but it’s also a standout destination for sports of every kind. With state-of-the-art facilities, stunning natural backdrops, and a central Midwest location, the Mount Rushmore State makes hosting events both convenient and unforgettable. Add in a welcoming atmosphere and communities that rally behind athletics, and South Dakota delivers the perfect balance of competition, camaraderie, and memorable experiences for athletes and fans alike.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is centrally located between North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, making it an ideal location for sporting events in the region.

Hotel Rooms: 970
Major Facilities:
  • Matchbox Sport Recreation Center hosts volleyball, indoor soccer, and pickleball
  • Moccasin Creek Sports Complex is a multiplex outdoor facility featuring soccer and softball fields
Contact:

Aberdeen Area CVB, VisitAberdeenSD.com.

Huron

Huron is in east-central South Dakota. The small town offers great facilities.

Hotel Rooms: 360
Major Facilities:
  • Huron Arena boasts 15,000 square feet of multi-use space
  • Kunhart Field Softball Complex houses six softball diamonds
  • Mt Dew Softball Complex has four softball fields
  • Roger Kasa Baseball Complex features six baseball fields
  • Memorial Baseball Field is a 1500-seat park
Convention Center:

Huron Event Center provides more than 34,000 square feet of space and hosts sports such as basketball and volleyball.

Contact:

Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau, huronsd.com.

Rapid City

Rapid City is situated on South Dakota’s Black Hills. The city offers major advantages such as exceptional athletic venues, group-friendly lodging, and an abundance of things to experience off the fields.

Hotel Rooms: 4,500
Major Facilities:
  • Dakota Fields offers 12 full-size fields
  • Central States Fairgrounds encompasses 45 acres of versatile space offering a large outdoor arena
  • Star of the West Complex has eight softball fields and seven lacrosse fields
  • Parkview Sports Complex includes six softball fields and 12 tennis courts
Convention Center:

The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is a 250,000-square foot venue that hosts basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, and wrestling.

Contact:

Visit Rapid City, visitrapidcity.com.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota’s largest city is a mecca for sports events, from youth to collegiate and professional. Conveniently located in the Midwest, the city continues to add new sports venues and develop premier sports complexes with lodging, dining, retail, and fan experiences.

Hotel Rooms: 5,358
Hotel tax rate: 9.5 percent plus $2 per room, per night
Major Facilities:
  • Denny Sanford PREMIER Center is a 12,000-seat multipurpose indoor venue
  • Sioux Falls Stadium is a 4500-seat ballpark
  • Howard Wood Field is a 10,000-seat facility with two football fields or one soccer field and a 400-meter track
  • Scheels Iceplex offers three sheets of ice
Contact:

Experience Sioux Falls, ExperienceSiouxFalls.com.

Watertown

As South Dakota’s fifth largest city, Watertown has more multipurpose space, ball fields, and holes of golf than almost any market its size. However it’s biggest asset is its people.

Hotel Rooms: 902
Major Facilities:
  • Prairie Lakes Wellness Center has five basketball courts in two separate gyms
  • Premier Softball Complex includes five fields
  • Koch Complex features seven lighted fields
  • Anza Soccer Complex boasts two full-size soccer fields
  • Foundation Fields has four baseball fields
Contact:

Watertown CVB, visitwatertownsd.com.