Category: Feature Story

Feature Story — SportsTravel — News, Insight and Analysis for the Sports-Event Industry

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Former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, whose perfect 10 floor routine last year was a viral internet sensation, is among those who have committed to compete at the inaugural Aurora Games in August in Albany, New York. Associated Press/Ben Liebenberg

Aurora in Albany in August

Named after the Roman goddess of the dawn and conceived as a way to celebrate women’s sports, the inaugural Aurora Games are scheduled to take place August 20–25 in Albany, New York. The sports festival will feature more than 125 professional athletes competing in six sports—basketball, tennis, figure skating, gymnastics, ice hockey and beach volleyball—on […]

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The U.S. soccer team poses for a photo before an international friendly soccer match against Ireland in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

U.S. Women’s Soccer Victory Tour Brings Champions to Fans

What some programs or leagues or teams wish would happen over a period of years hit the United States women’s national soccer team within a month’s time. Already going into the FIFA Women’s World Cup with the label of favorites and defending champions, the team not only successfully defended its title, but did so with […]

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The Adrian Phillips Ballroom at historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jesery, was the site of the opening celebration for the EsportsTravel Summit.

Headlines Made at EsportsTravel Summit in Atlantic City

The EsportsTravel Summit brought 300 esports event organizers, destinations and suppliers together for an event that featured several significant announcements, including the first research into the travel impact of esports events and the launch of a new music and esports festival from the founder of the Vans Warped Tour. Attendees at the Summit, held June […]

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5 Takeaways from the IAAF Global Running Conference

The IAAF recently held its 2019 Global Running Conference in Lanzhou, China, a gathering of more than 400 road racing event organizers and running industry stakeholders to discuss the state of running and trends to watch. The two-day forum organized by the international track-and-field federation was timed around the Lanzhou International Marathon, an event that […]

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Panama City Beach
An overview rending of the Panama City Beach Sports Complex.

5 Sports Venues to Watch

As the demand for spaces to host sporting events continues to grow, destinations across the country are examining their inventory, identifying needs and building accordingly. They are constructing ice arenas, soccer fields and baseball diamonds, hoping these venues will serve as a one-stop shop for traveling teams and their families. Here are five new sports […]

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US New Zealand Soccer
United States' Rose Lavelle, right, is congratulated by Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath, left, after scoring during the first half of an international friendly soccer match against New Zealand on May 16 in St. Louis. Photo: Jeff Roberson/AP Images

A World of Opportunity

Excitement is rising for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be staged June 7–July 7 in nine cities in France. As of March, more than 500,000 tickets had been sold, 23 percent to ticket buyers in the United States—and there’s good reason for the strong American interest. The 2019 tournament will mark the […]

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Full Sail University will open a dedicated sports arena in May called "The Fortress." Photo: Full Sail University

The Fortress Enters the Esports Stage

The largest esports arena to be constructed on a U.S. college campus is scheduled to open this month at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The private, for-profit school has invested $6 million into what it is calling “The Fortress,” an arena that will house its Armada esports team. The venue will also host […]

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Tokyo 2020 Athlete Visit
Tokyo 2020 has been collecting electronic devices to convert into Olympic and Paralympic medals. Photograph: Tokyo 2020

Playing for the Planet

The simple acts of swinging a tennis racket, throwing a football or kicking a soccer ball have complex consequences. From the carbon footprint of attendees driving to the U.S. Open and the materials used to make athletes’ uniforms to the straws in spectators’ drinks and the cans discarded by fans, sports events have a wide-reaching […]

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Bill Tuiloma, Fanendo Adi
Photograph: AP Images/John Minchillo

MLS Grows Once Again

It might be too early to compare Cincinnati’s early success in Major League Soccer to what Atlanta United FC accomplished in its first two years, but the impact of the league’s newest entry can’t be underestimated. After beginning play in 2017, Atlanta United emerged as MLS Cup champions in 2018. While Atlanta United shares Mercedes-Benz […]

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The 2108 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships were staged in Cleveland. Photograph: Rich Cruse/USAT

From Participant to Permanent Resident

There are many ways to judge the success of a sports event. The most direct, of course, is attendance and the economic impact that visitors provide the host city. Then there are the residual effects, which include those who enjoy the destination so much they decide to return—perhaps even permanently. While rare, this is just […]

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