State Spotlight:
Wisconsin

Wisconsin has long been a premier sports destination, and the state has hosted countless successful sporting events of all types and sizes. That’s why the Badger State continues to draw world-class events like the Ryder Cup. “Wisconsin’s host cities have the experience, passion and knowhow necessary to bring virtually any event to life, not to mention a diverse array of venues to choose from,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers. “From our world-class outdoor recreation amenities to historic stadiums and state-of-the-art arenas, we have the perfect venue for nearly any type of sporting event, and we gladly welcome others to join in our spirited traditions.”

State Spotlight:
Wisconsin

Wisconsin has long been a premier sports destination, and the state has hosted countless successful sporting events of all types and sizes. That’s why the Badger State continues to draw world-class events like the Ryder Cup. “Wisconsin’s host cities have the experience, passion and knowhow necessary to bring virtually any event to life, not to mention a diverse array of venues to choose from,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee Anne Sayers. “From our world-class outdoor recreation amenities to historic stadiums and state-of-the-art arenas, we have the perfect venue for nearly any type of sporting event, and we gladly welcome others to join in our spirited traditions.”

Beloit

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Beloit is conveniently located along the I-90/I-43 corridor in Wisconsin, just minutes from the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Visitors here experience the charm of a small town while still enjoying easy access to the amenities of big nearby cities.

Hotel Rooms: 831
Hotel tax rate: ranges from 8.5 percent to 13 percent
Major Facilities:
  • ABC Supply Stadium features a turf playing surface and seating for more than 3000
  • YMCA Youth Sports Complex hosts baseball and softball with 11 fields
  • The Beloit Memorial High School Natatorium houses an eight-lane 25-yard pool
Contact:

Visit Beloit, VisitBeloit.com.

Eau Claire

Eau Claire is located just 75 miles east of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The area features rolling hills and river valleys of western Wisconsin.

Hotel Rooms: 2000
Major Facilities:
  • John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center houses eight courts
  • UWEC McPhee Physical Education Center has a six-lane, 25-yard pool
  • Eau Claire Soccer Park features six full fields and four youth fields
  • Carson Park is a 3800-seat ballpark and has two softball fields
Contact:

Visit Eau Claire, visiteauclaire.com.

Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac is located an hour from Madison, Green Bay, and Milwaukee. The area frequently hosts sports such as baseball, fishing, soccer, hockey, and bike racing.

Hotel Rooms: 1000
Major Facilities:
  • Lake Winnebago offers 28 miles for water sports
  • Fond du Lac Soccer Complex offers up to 23 fields
  • Herr-Baker Field is a 2500-seat stadium
  • Blue Line Family Ice Center houses two sheets of ice
Contact:

Destination Lake Winnebago, fdl.com.

Fox Cities

The Fox Cities is comprised of 19 communities nestled along the Fox River in northeast Wisconsin. The area offers some of the best indoor and outdoor sports venues in the country.

Hotel Rooms: 3600
Hotel tax rate: 15.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Community First Champion Center is a 164,000-square-foot indoor sports facility with four basketball or eight volleyball hardwood courts, a year-round NHL-size ice rink and seasonal arena
  • Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex features 15 grass soccer fields and four baseball diamonds
Convention Center:

The Fox Cities Exhibition Center includes 31,000 square feet of open floor space and is connected via skywalk to the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel, which features 388 guest rooms.

Contact:

Fox Cities CVB, foxcitites.org.

Green Bay

Green Bay is known around the world for its NFL football team, the Green Bay Packers. Not only do they know how to host events, but the city’s hospitality and affordability make it popular with event planners, and sports teams love the sports town atmosphere.

Hotel Rooms: 4500
Major Facilities:
  • New this year is Resch Expo, a 125,000-square-foot multipurpose facility
  • Schneider Stadium is a 2454-seat facility for football, soccer, and track and field
  • Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center has an eight-lane, 25-meter pool and fieldhouse that hosts basketball and volleyball
  • Mel Nicks Sports Complex has two ball diamonds
  • Kress Events Center includes a basketball/volleyball court and natatorium
  • Aldo Santaga Stadium is a 500-seat soccer facility
Convention Center:

KI Convention Center features nearly 80,000 square feet of space.

Contact:

Greater Green Bay CVB, greenbay.com.

Janesville

Janesville offers a variety of venues, great location, and affordable lodging.

Hotel Rooms: 978
Hotel tax rate: 13.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Janesville Trail System includes 30 miles of trails
  • Rock Aqua Jay Stadium hosts water skiing
  • Dawson Softball Complex offers four diamonds
  • Youth Sports Complex is a 90-acre park facility with 10 baseball/softball fields, four football fields and 10 soccer fields
Contact:

Janesville Area CVB, janesvillecvb.com.

Kenosha

Tuesday night racing at the Kenosha Washington Park Velodrome

Kenosha is a Wisconsin Harbor Town on the beautiful Lake Michigan shore with watercraft rentals, a lighthouse to climb, charter fishing, sailing charters, free beaches, festivals, and more.

Hotel Rooms: 1240
Hotel tax rate: 13.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Carthage College offers several venues for basketball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, football, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball
  • The Frank J. Petretti Fieldhouse features a 200-meter indoor track, three basketball courts, six volleyball courts, and four tennis courts
  • The De Simone Gymnasium has bleacher-style seating for up to 2200, and three basketball/volleyball courts
  • Washington Park Velodrome has a 333-meter track with 28-degree banked corners
  • Kenosha Boys and Girls Club Athletic Facilities includes four basketball courts, indoor soccer field, five baseball fields, and two football fields
Contact:

Visit Kenosha, VisitKenosha.com.

La Crosse

La Crosse is situated next to the Mississippi River between the picturesque limestone bluffs of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Aside from the numerous top-notch sporting facilities, the area offers a wide variety of tourism opportunities for any recreation, leisure, or sports advocate to enjoy before or after any sporting event.

Hotel Rooms: 2500
Major Facilities:
  • La Crosse Center boasts 100,000 square feet of space with a 21,0000-square-foot arena floor
  • Copeland Park is a minor league ballpark
  • Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex hosts track and field, football, soccer, and tennis
  • Fields for Kids Soccer Complex has 18 fields
Contact:

La Crosse CVB, explorelacrosse.com.

Lake Geneva

From golf to fishing, swimming to ice fishing, the Lake Geneva Region is a year-round sports destination. The Lake Geneva Region is home to three lakes and Geneva Lake is the second largest spring fed lake in Wisconsin.

Hotel Rooms: 2200
Major Facilities:
  • The area offers 20 tennis courts, 18 golf courses, two ski resorts, and three lakes.
Contact:

Visit Lake Geneva, visitlakegeneva.com.

Madison

Madison is an active, fitness-oriented community that is consistently ranked as a top place to live, work, play, and visit. The city offers more than 200 miles of trails perfect for running and biking.

Hotel Rooms: 10,000
Hotel tax rate: 15.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Alliant Energy Center features a 164-acre campus and four versatile venues
  • Kohl Center is a 17,000-seat multipurpose venue
  • Breese Stevens Field is an open-air playing field with seating for 4500
Convention Center:

Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center sits in downtown Madison and offers 280,000 square feet of event space along with incredible views of Lake Monona.

Contact:

Madison Area Sports Commission, visitmadison.com/sports.

Manitowoc

The Manitowoc area offers 20 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 13 beaches.

Hotel Rooms: 1000
Major Facilities:
  • Manitowoc Youth Baseball Complex at Citizen’s Park has four to six diamonds, an aquatic center, tennis courts, and pickleball courts
  • Manitowoc County Expo & Ice Center houses a rink and 16,000-square-foot expo center
  • Neshotah Beach offers beach access on Lake Michigan
  • Silver Creek Park has 36 holes of disc golf
  • Vietnam Veterans Park includes five diamonds.
Contact:

Manitowoc Area CVB, manitowoc.info.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee’s reputation as an attractive sports-friendly city continues to grow. It hosts a variety of events each year, ranging from basketball to ultimate frisbee.

Hotel Rooms: 6200 downtown; 19,000 in the Greater Milwaukee area
Hotel tax rate: 15 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Al McGuire Center at Marquette is a 125,000-square-foot multipurpose venue
  • Bradford Beach hosts soccer, swimming, and volleyball
  • Pettit National Ice Center hosts ice sports
  • Kern Center at MSOE hosts basketball, ice sports, soccer, track, and volleyball
Convention Center:

Wisconsin Center offers 189,000 square feet of space and is a multipurpose venue that hosts sports such as volleyball, basketball, cheer, and dance.

Contact:

Visit Milwaukee, visitmilwaukee.org.

Oshkosh

Oshkosh’s biggest draw is the water. The city is bordered by Lake Winnebago to the east and Lake Butte des Morts to the northwest, with the Fox River running through the middle of Oshkosh.

Hotel Rooms: 1047
Major Facilities:
  • Menominee National Arena is a 4200-seat multipurpose arena
  • Winnebago County Park has 18 soccer fields, rugby field, 36-hole disc golf course, ball diamonds, and tennis/pickleball courts
  • UW Oshkosh offers facilities for football, soccer, track and field, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling.
Convention Center:

The Oshkosh Convention Center has more than 25,000 square feet of space.

Contact:

Oshkosh CVB, VisitOshkosh.com.

Pleasant Prairie

Located between Milwaukee and Chicago, along Interstate-94 and Lake Michigan, it’s easy to explore Pleasant Prairie – a destination known as an ideal venue to host regional, national, and international competitions. The largest municipal recreation facility in America, Pleasant Prairie RecPlex, is located here.

Hotel Rooms: 450
Hotel tax rate: 13.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • The 900-acre Pleasant Prairie RecPlex boasts more than 300,000 square feet of space and features six lighted ball fields, fieldhouse with eight basketball courts/12 volleyball courts, 50-meter aqua arena, 110-acre spring-fed lake, two NHL-sized ice rinks, and more
Contact:

Pleasant Prairie CVB, VisitPleasantPrairie.com

Racine

Racine County is located between Chicago and Milwaukee. The area offers a small-town vibe but is close to major cities.

Hotel Rooms: 1400
Hotel tax rate: 8 percent
Major Facilities:
  • North Beach has 50 acres of open space with some permanent volleyball courts
  • SCORe Soccer Complex offers 60 acres of open field space for soccer, lacrosse, and football
Contact:

Real Racine, realracine.com.

Stevens Point

The Stevens Point Area is a popular spot for sports events and tournaments. Home to some of the best fields, gyms and rinks in Wisconsin and coupled with its central location, Stevens Point is a natural fit to host state, regional, and national competitions.

Hotel Rooms: 1274
Hotel tax rate: 13.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • SentryWorld Sports Complex includes six tennis courts that can also be used for volleyball, pickleball, and more
  • Ice Hawks Arena has a 1000-seat ice rink
  • Sentry Curling Club features four sheets of ice
  • Zenoff Park hosts baseball and softball
  • Portage County Youth Soccer Complex features 11 fields on 30 acres
Convention Center:

The Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center is one of the largest convention facilities in the region with nearly 30,000 square feet of space.

Contact:

Central Wisconsin/Stevens Point Sports Commission, stevenspointarea.com.

Waukesha

Waukesha’s location in Southeast Wisconsin, directly off I-94, makes it a very attractive destination for sporting events. Halfway between Milwaukee and Madison, less than three hours drive from Wausau, Green Bay and LaCrosse and only 90 minutes north of Chicago/suburbs means ease of travel.

Hotel Rooms: 1237
Hotel tax rate: 13 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Waukesha Natatorium is a 27,000-square-foot natatorium with a 25-yard by 30-meter pool
  • Heyer Park-Woyahn Tennis Complex has 16 hard courts
  • Saratoga Sports Complex includes four diamonds
  • William Oliver Sports Complex has four diamonds
  • Center Court Sports Complex houses five basketball courts and eight volleyball courts
Contact:

Waukesha Pewaukee CVB, visitwaukesha.org.

Wausau

Surrounded by woods, lakes, and hills, the Wausau area offers the combination of big city amenities with small town hospitality.

Hotel Rooms: 2000
Hotel tax rate: 8 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Wausau Curling Center has eight total sheets of ice
  • Granite Peak Ski Hill offers 68 runs
Convention Center:

Central Wisconsin Expo & Convention Center is a 55,000-square-foot venue that has hosted a variety of sports.

Contact:

Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB, visitwausau.com.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells offers easily accessible, multiple flexible sports facilities, and a premier family vacation destination.

Hotel Rooms: 8000
Hotel tax rate: 12.25 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Woodside Sports Complex consists of six synthetic turf multipurpose fields, four synthetic turf baseball/softball fields, and two grass/sod fields
  • Woodside Dells Dome is a 90,000-square-foot column-free multipurpose center that can accommodate up to 10 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, two softball fields, or one full-size soccer field
  • Mauston Sports Complex has eight all-turf baseball/softball fields
  • JustAgame Fieldhouse is a 53,000-square-foot complex with six basketball courts and 10 volleyball courts
Contact:

Wisconsin Dells CVB, wisdells.com.

Wisconsin Rapids

Just a few hours’ drive from Chicago, Minneapolis and all of Wisconsin is Wisconsin Rapids. The area offers abundant outdoor recreation and beauty.

Hotel Rooms: 450
Hotel tax rate: 13.5 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Central Wisconsin BMX is recognized as one of the top tracks in the Midwest
  • Rapids Area Sports Complex is a multi-sport quadplex facility with state-of-the-art turf
  • Historic Witter Field is a 1500-seat ballpark
Contact:

Wisconsin Rapids Area CVB, VisitWisRapids.com.