The Future of Sports Tourism Starts Here

Athletic fields and indoor courts have steadily emerged as anchors for economic development, drawing families, funding and visibility to mid-sized and growing communities. Sports tourism — once considered a byproduct of elite athletic competitions or large-scale tournaments — has evolved into a deliberate strategy for cities seeking to activate public spaces, generate year-round revenue and support broader community goals. From regional volleyball tournaments to weekend-long soccer showcases, these events attract families, fill hotels and restaurants and generate meaningful returns for cities aiming to activate underused land and boost year-round economic activity. In fact, reports indicate that the sports tourism industry generated over $52 billion in direct spending in 2023 alone, a figure that continues to rise as demand for youth and amateur competitions grows.

This shift comes at a time when municipalities face growing pressure to do more with less. Public officials are seeking facilities that serve multiple roles: spaces that attract visitors from across the region while remaining accessible and functional for locals. These needs, coupled with rising demand for youth and amateur sports opportunities, are reshaping how cities approach athletic infrastructure. The expectation isn’t just for state-of-the-art playing surfaces, but for venues that serve as gathering spaces, economic engines and quality-of-life enhancements all at once.

The following three projects, located in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska, reflect this changing landscape. Each represents a community-driven effort to design athletic venues that extend beyond the field or court — projects that serve as economic engines, civic gathering places and long-term assets for the people who call these cities home.

Turning Vision into Opportunity: Dubuque, Iowa

In Dubuque, Iowa, city leaders are exploring how youth and amateur sports can play a larger role in the region’s long-term economic strategy. With a strong base of tourism infrastructure already in place, the city sees an opportunity to capitalize on growing interest in travel sports and tournament-based programming. RDG partnered with the Dubuque Racing Association, Greater Dubuque, Dubuque Initiatives and the City of Dubuque to create an initial conceptual plan for a new youth sports complex, a proposed destination designed to serve local families while also drawing thousands of out-of-town visitors each year. The plan envisions a site activated with an expanded ImOn Arena, featuring a performance ice sheet and a large-scale addition as an indoor court sport facility. The existing baseball and softball fields, along with ample space for support facilities and parking, complement the development. At its core, the project emphasizes flexibility, user comfort and long-term economic benefit.

According to planning estimates, the facility could generate up to $20 million annually in direct and indirect spending, providing a significant boost to hotels, restaurants and retail throughout the region. Though still in early planning stages, this project demonstrates how communities can translate bold ideas into actionable, data-driven design strategies. With the right planning and support, Dubuque’s vision has the potential to become a year-round draw for athletes and families across the Midwest.

Elevating a Region Through Athletic Investment: Duluth, Minnesota

In Duluth, Minnesota, the city's commitment to youth sports and recreation is taking a bold step forward with the Athletic Venues Reinvestment Initiative (AVRI). This community-supported plan is a multi-year, city-led movement to establish Duluth as a leading regional hub for sports and recreation, while prioritizing improvements that enhance the experience for local athletes, families, and the broader community. AVRI is backed by a unique voter-approved 0.5% tourism tax, with up to $36 million earmarked specifically for improvements to existing athletic parks and complexes.

In partnership with the City of Duluth, RDG is leading the planning, engagement, and design vision for this transformative effort, helping shape the initiative from the start by facilitating inclusive community conversations, gathering input from more than 1,400 survey respondents, and evaluating existing facilities through the lens of long-term economic and recreational returns.

In addition to conducting market-based cost estimating and operational strategy, we’ve worked with the city to establish an implementation plan that prioritizes equity, access and flexibility. Proposed upgrades span from field renovations and facility enhancements to broader site improvements that enhance user experience and tournament functionality. By pairing long-range planning with short-term action, Duluth is sending a clear message: thoughtfully designed recreational spaces can be more than amenities, but rather engines for regional pride, health and economic impact.

Creating Year-Round Access: Kearney, Nebraska

In Kearney, Nebraska, a significant milestone has already been reached in the city’s recreational landscape. In September 2023, the community broke ground on the SportsPlex, a 209,000-SF indoor sports venue, one of the largest and most ambitious facilities of its kind in the region. Designed by RDG, the new complex officially opened in 2025 and now serves as a year-round destination for tournaments, practices, and community events. It features six hardwood basketball/volleyball courts, two full-sized synthetic turf fields, fitness areas and wellness amenities, concessions, locker rooms, and spectator seating.

This state-of-the-art venue is designed for adaptability, with spaces that can accommodate a range of activities, from weekend tournaments and club training to local recreational leagues and youth programming. The indoor configuration ensures consistent access regardless of Nebraska’s notoriously unpredictable weather, helping local athletes train year-round and providing a reliable home for multi-day events.

For Kearney, the complex represents more than bricks and turf. It’s a powerful symbol of the city’s commitment to growth, health and regional leadership. Once complete, the facility will offer residents a best-in-class space to play, while also serving to attract visitors, energize surrounding development and keep tournament dollars circulating close to home.

Designing for Economic and Social Impact

While each of these projects responds to its community’s unique needs, they share a common goal: using sports as a vehicle for broader impact. As more cities look to sports tourism as a tool for growth, these examples offer a useful lens. They show what’s possible when local priorities and smart design come together, and how a well-used field or court can offer far more than a place to play.

Looking ahead, the communities that will benefit most are those willing to think beyond traditional models of recreation. The projects gaining momentum today are those that recognize how sports intersect with broader issues, including public health, economic resilience, and civic identity. As demand continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which athletic facilities are imagined, funded and used — not just as venues, but as essential pieces of a community’s fabric.