2024
DELAWARE GUIDE
Delaware is a Sports Epicenter With top-rated facilities and a passionate fanbase, Delaware is the perfect spot to host your next tournament
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EVENT READY FACILITIES www.SportsPlanningGuide.com
DELAWARE: The First State for Sports
With picturesque beaches, top-rated facilities and a passionate fanbase, Delaware is the perfect spot to host your next tournament. By Jason Paha
Bob Carpenter Stadium
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DE Turf
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hile much of the sports tourism world struggled to recover from the effects of the pandemic, Delaware has seen the opposite transpire. Since 2020, the First State has witnessed an explosion in sports tourism, as visitors from across the country are flocking to this small coastal state to enjoy its diverse range of sports and outdoor activities. In essence, Delaware, the oldest state in the country and a state renowned for its rich history and stunning beaches, is also a sports tourism hub. According to Delaware’s recently released 2021 travel numbers, tourism that year had a $4 billion impact on the state’s Gross Domestic Product. The state recorded 28.3 million visitors with 83 percent of those being repeat visitors. These numbers are phenomenal considering the state’s facilities were still hampered by lingering effects f rom the pandemic. With 2023 in full bloom and 2024 looming, those numbers are expected to be exponentially higher going forward.
Sports tourism is thriving
A sizable reason behind Delaware’s tourism surge has been sports travel. With facilities bringing athletes and families back post-pandemic with a multitude of tournaments, the state’s restaurants and hotels also rebounded quicker than expected. One of the main drivers of this surge has been the rise of outdoor activities. With many indoor facilities closed or operating at reduced capacity in 2020 and 2021, people turned to outdoor sports to stay active and engaged. In Delaware, this led to a rise in interest in sports like golf, tennis and pickleball. Delaware’s commitment to hosting high-quality sports events helped fuel the sports tourism explosion. The Delaware Tourism Office has worked closely with event organizers to attract a wide range of sports events to Delaware. These events have included everything from youth sports tournaments to national championships and have helped to put Delaware on the map as a premier sports destination. State-of-the-art sports facilities, including soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and golf courses were built to meet the growing demand from enthusiasts. The stadiums and arenas were designed not only to attract local teams and events but also to attract national and international events. Lacrosse, in particular, has become one of the most SportsPlanningGuide.com
popular sports in the state as Delaware features a variety of strong youth programs and excellent facilities. According to USA Lacrosse, Delaware is one of the top states in the country for youth participation. It also boasts one of the highest high school lacrosse participation rates in the country, with more than 75 high school teams fielding both boys and girls squads. On the collegiate level, Delaware is home to some of the top NCAA Division I lacrosse programs in the country, including the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. In addition to strong programs, Delaware also features fabulous lacrosse facilities, including the DE Turf Sports Complex in Frederica, which sports 12 synthetic turf fields and hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year.
Excellent location
Another factor contributing to the rising interest in sports tourism has been the state’s central location on the East Coast. Delaware is situated within easy driving distance of major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., making it a convenient destination for sports teams and fans from these cities. In addition, Delaware’s location on the coast has made it a popular destination for sports fans. The Delaware Running Festival, a longtime competition that attracts runners of all ages, benefits from the state’s picturesque settings as it offers majestic views along the riverfront and through downtown and ends with brilliant post-race festivities in a lovely park setting. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate visiting Delaware thanks to its hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. The state is home to several state parks, including Cape Henlopen State Park and Trap Pond State Park, which offer miles of scenic trails and opportunities for camping, fishing, and boating. Delaware’s climate is a major attraction for sports tourism as the state has an active and adventurous outdoor lifestyle deeply ingrained in its culture. From surfing and kayaking on the coastline to hiking in the beautiful state parks throughout the state, sports fans always find something to do regardless of the season. Delaware’s beaches are also a draw. The state features more than 30 miles of pristine coastline, with some of the most popular beaches including Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, and Dewey Beach. They offer guests the chance to enjoy a variety of water sports, from swimming and surfing to kayaking and paddleboarding. Sports Planning Guide
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The Finest Facilities Can Be Found in
DELAWARE Whether your sport takes place indoors or outdoors, Delaware has you covered
By Christopher D. Silbernagel
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ome to a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, Delaware has a history of hosting major sporting events, both on the professional and collegiate level. Here are some of the best facilities in the state, all of which are poised to host your next event.
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Chase Fieldhouse
Abessinio Stadium Wilmington, DE
Opened in 2020, Abessinio Stadium is a state-of-theart facility located on the grounds of Salesianum School near Brandywine Park. Abessinio Stadium has a capacity of 5,000, with two grandstands, a modern press box, a suite that overlooks the field and two terraces. The stadium is named in honor of Rocco and Mary Frances Abessinio, who in December 2018, announced a historic $16-million gift to Salesianum School.
• www.salesianum.org/ abessinio-stadium • 302-654-2495
Chase Center on the Riverfront Wilmington, DE
As the name suggests, Chase Center on the Riverfront offers scenic views of the Christina River that flows through the City of Wilmington. Chase Center has over 70,000 square feet of space, including two ballrooms and a 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall for conferences, trade shows and of course indoor sporting events. The center has plenty of history as well, originally being used as a shipbuilding facility during WWII before being transformed into its modern state.
• www.centerontheriverfront.com • 302-425-3929 • info@centerontheriverfront.com SportsPlanningGuide.com
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Chase Fieldhouse Wilmington, DE
The 161,000-square-foot Chase Fieldhouse is home to the 76ers’ G League team the Delaware Blue Coats. The enormous facility houses three full-size NBA courts, which can be converted into a 2,500seat arena and six smaller courts for volleyball and futsal, an indoor 100 x 70 yard turf field and three outdoor turf fields. Chase Fieldhouse also houses a Nemours PT Clinic and Titus Sports Academy, an elite program for athlete development.
• www.thechasefieldhouse.com • 302-351-4954 • info@thechasefieldhouse.com
Kirkwood Sports Complex New Castle, DE
Founded in 1974, Kirkwood Sports Complex has been at the forefront of community youth athletic development for decades. The complex features 15 outdoor, multipurpose fields for soccer, field hockey and dozens of other sports. Field surfaces range from beautiful Bermuda grass to one, highquality turf field within an indoor arena. There is also plentiful on-site parking.
• www.kirkwoodsports.org • 302-322-4220 • info@kirkwoodsports.org
DE Turf Sports Complex Frederica, DE
Located between the cities of Dover and Milford, DE Turf Sports Complex features 12 multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse, football, rugby and more. Opened in 2017, each field at the complex is expertly maintained by groundskeeping staff. DE Turf also has plentiful parking, along with amenities including the Del-One Pavilion, concessions and multiple restroom points.
• www.deturf.com • 302-330-8873 • info@deturf.com 226 6
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Sea Colony Tennis
Bethany Beach, DE Sea Colony has 30 tennis courts, including 14 clay courts, 10 hardcourts and 6 indoor courts as well as 16 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts. Along with a full-service pro shop, Sea Colony offers lessons, clinics, camps, and tournaments for all ages and abilities year-round. Their certified staff has over 100 years of teaching experience, having coached beginners to world class touring pros. In addition, Sea Colony is the only resort in the United States to win the coveted USTA Facility of the Year Award three times.
• www.seacolony.com • 302-539-4488
Sandhill Fields
Georgetown, DE Located just a half hour away from the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Henlopen State Park, Sandhill Fields features eight outdoor, multipurpose fields for tournament play. The facility also has several outdoor pickleball courts. Along with plentiful parking, Sandhill Fields also has walking and running trails built into a forested area, making for excellent time away from tournament play or for additional training.
• www.sandhillfields.org • sandhillfields@gmail.com
University of Delaware Newark, DE
Creating a university-town vibe in the City of Newark, the University of Delaware has multiple facilities for dozens of sports. Delaware Stadium is home to Fightin’ Blue Hens football and lacrosse, sporting a capacity of 22,000 after recent state-of-the-art renovations. The multipurpose Bob Carpenter Center seats 5,000+ for sports like basketball and volleyball. There’s also the 2,500-capacity Fred Rust Ice Arena for ice hockey, Grant Stadium for soccer and track & field and more.
• bluehens.com • 302-831-1395 SportsPlanningGuide.com
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