with David Broughton, Research Director for Sports Business Journal.
Casper, Wyoming – Welcome to the Wild Side
Casper offers rocky climbs, great rides, and snowy runs, surrounded by open plains shaped by wind and wildlife. Rooted in cowboy history, driven by athletes, and energized by local creators, Casper captures the spirit of the West. Visit Casper, a joint powers board, brings travelers to Natrona County to support the local economy and improve quality of life.
One of Casper’s top sports spots, the WYO Sports Ranch, is a hub for training, rec sports, events, and community activities. Built for athletes, clubs, organizers, families, and local groups, the center focuses on five main areas: youth sports training programs, clinics, and camps; fitness and performance training; youth leagues; tournaments and events; and space rentals for family gatherings.
Behind-the-Scenes Innovation
Designed with extra practice space and community events in mind, the 131,000-square-foot WYO Sports Ranch has quickly turned into a statewide gathe...
with Danny Bonifas, Director of Sports and Events, and Gerald Taylor, Sports Sales & Events Manager for Richmond Region Tourism.
with Greg Fante, President and CEO of Louisville Sports Commission.
with Mick Hogan, World Rugby Consultant.
with Collin Smith, Director General for the International Skating Union.
Keep these numbers handy for your next presentation, pitch or stakeholder conversation.
We've all been there. You're building a board presentation, preparing for a conversation with an elected official or making the case for a new opportunity—and you know there's a number that would help make your point. That's where the 2026 State of the Industry Report comes in.
The report is packed with data about the size, reach and impact of sports tourism. But you don't need to memorize every number. You just need to know which ones to keep handy—and when to use them.
Consider this your sports tourism data cheat sheet.
Here are eight numbers worth keeping in your back pocket and a few ideas for when they might come in handy.
1. $274.5 BILLION IN TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
When someone asks: “How big is sports tourism, really?”
Sports tourism generated $274.5 billion in total economic impact, demonstrating the scale of an indus...
Key Difference Makers: What Sets Each Destination Apart
Each month, we end our Facility Showcase article with the destination's "key difference maker" and how it highlights the importance of a sports facility in the article. Be it a phrase, motto or just a core value; every facility has something to offer, but the destinations that really stand out are the ones that know exactly what makes them different. It might be a service mindset, a great downtown location, a strong partnership, or a sports legacy that visitors can feel as soon as they arrive.
That is what makes these key difference makers so important. They are not just facility highlights. They help explain why event owners, athletes, families, and visitors should pay attention to each destination and what makes each market a strong fit for sports events. The 2026 Sports ETA State of the Industry Report puts that opportunity in perspective, with 339 million sports tourism travelers, 124.3 million room n...
with Bonny Bernat, STS, Senior Sports Development Manager for Visit Winston-Salem, and Ernie Pages, Kernersville Parks and Recreation Director.
The NCAA’s new Host Bid Portal opens October 1, 2026, and September is your opportunity to prepare.
Sports ETA is excited to share a full calendar of nine (9) NCAA-led training sessions designed to help destinations learn the new portal, understand its functionality and prepare for the upcoming NCAA championship bid process.
If NCAA championships are part of your destination’s event strategy, these are sessions you’ll want on your calendar!
Here’s what you need to know:
The training is divided into three sections, with three date options offered for each. Destinations are encouraged to attend one session from each section, three sessions total to experience the full training progression before the portal opens October 1.
SEPTEMBER NCAA HOST BID PORTAL TRAINING
SECTION 1: New Bid Portal Orientation | 60 minutes
Get introduced to the new portal, key timelines, the October 1 opening and available support resources.
Wednesday, September...