Every region of the country has an iconic sport or sports it’s known for. The Southeast has the bright lights of high school and college football. The Midwest has ice hockey on frozen ponds. But what about the Northwest?
The region certainly is known for its outdoor activities, with many waterways, mountains, and trails to explore. The area’s colleges boast several standout athletics programs, from the University of Washington Huskies football team (2023 national championship runner-up) to the nationally high-ranking University of Oregon Ducks track and field team. The region is home to many major- and minor-league professional sports teams as well. So, maybe there isn’t just one sport you think of when you think of the Northwest, as the region is home to such a wide variety. But if you’re looking to plan an event or tournament, you should be able to find a home for it here.
The Northwest offers myriad venues and experiences for traveling athletes and their teams. It has major metropolises like Seattle, Washington, capable of hosting even the largest tournaments, along with the off-field amenities to suit any taste. There also are smaller communities like Missoula, Montana, which provide first-class venues in a more laid-back setting.
Whatever you’re planning, give the Northwest a look. These cities and venues have a lot to offer any group. They make sure that while the action is on the field, athletes will be well taken care of off it.
Emerald City Amenities
If you’re looking to plan a big event or just want to have an extra-large pool of venues, accommodations, activities, and more, then look no further than the largest city in this region: Seattle. The city’s metro area encompasses roughly 6,000 square miles, offering just about everything attendees could want or need.
“Seattle has long been a go-to destination for a wide range of youth sporting events,” says Alex Webster, director of sporting events development for the Seattle Sports Commission. “Planners consistently appreciate how Seattle combines top-tier venues with a city that feels connected and authentic. Whether they’re planning for 100 teams or traveling with a dozen athletes, they find a professional, welcoming environment that’s built to support their needs.”
The Seattle area is known for hosting several national and international tournaments, such as the Junior League Softball World Series in nearby Kirkland and The Elite Clubs National League boys’ and girls’ soccer playoff tournaments in Redmond, Washington. The Seattle metro boasts many indoor venues as well, home to regional tournaments in basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and more.
Some of the metro’s marquee outdoor venues include 60 Acres Park in Redmond, one of the largest natural-grass soccer complexes in the country, and the Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila, Washington, well known for soccer, rugby, and other field sports. And for indoor venues, look to downtown and the Seattle Convention Center, recently expanded to include the Summit building (complementing the original Arch building) with more space for volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, cheer, and dance. North Pacific Juniors (NPJ) Volleyball Club hosted a January tournament using the entire convention center complex.
“Seattle was the perfect place to hold our tournament, which used both the Arch and Summit buildings,” says Alyssa Whitney, director of operations for NPJ Volleyball Club. “The easy accessibility across the Seattle Convention Center campus gave our event a smooth flow, and attendees loved the walkability of the city. Additionally, the Visit Seattle team added to our warm welcome with musicians outside the buildings each morning and a perks pass highlighting local businesses.”
Other indoor venues in the area include the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center for swimming. Additionally, the arrival of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken in 2021 has really upped the interest in ice hockey in the area. The Kraken Community Iceplex, the team’s practice facility, is now a hub for youth ice hockey and figure skating.
Because Seattle is already a major tourism destination, there is, of course, no shortage of off-the-field activities to choose from. From taking in views from atop the Space Needle to exploring the best eats at Pike Place Market, all of Seattle’s landmark attractions are within reach. Young athletes also might enjoy the opportunities to watch pro sports in any season with the Kraken, Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), and Seattle Storm (WNBA), plus several minor-league teams.
“Seattle’s also known for its food, culture, and green spaces,” says Webster. “Teams enjoy activities like paddleboarding on Lake Union or team dinners with a Puget Sound view. There’s a huge range of team-friendly accommodations across the city and region with ample properties close to tournament venues that are great for groups.”
An Excellent Track Record
Eugene, Oregon, is widely known as “Track Town”—and for good reason. Among indoor, outdoor, and cross country, the University of Oregon has won 33 national championships in track and field. The Ducks compete at Eugene’s Hayward Field, which is one of the crown jewels of the sport, hosting the state high school championships in addition to national and international events.
There is much more to Eugene than just track, however. The area also is known for two major youth volleyball tournaments, each with thousands of players participating. And there also are regional and national BMX cycling events held at Emerald Valley BMX. “Event planners appreciate the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon because it is such a special area for sport,” says J.B. Carney, senior director of the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission. “There is no other place like it in the world.”
Baseball is a popular sport in Oregon—both the University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis have championship-level programs—and Eugene’s Ted Norman Memorial Baseball Complex offers four state-of-the-art ball fields, as well as grounds with a concession stand, restrooms, and picnic areas. On the indoor side of things, the Moshofsky Center on the University of Oregon campus has 135,000 square feet of multipurpose space. That includes an artificial turf field, an indoor track, and enough room for 16 volleyball courts. For even more versatility, the 97,000-square-foot Bob Keefer Center accommodates everything from flag football to roller derby.
While not a large city, Eugene has plenty of other activities to offer before and after matches, especially for groups that want to be active outdoors. The area is rich with waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, and bigger thrills can be found along the coast with dune-buggy rides and sandboarding. Depending on the season, there are always University of Oregon Ducks athletic events as well.
“What happens outside the competition space is just as important as what happens on the field of play,” says Carney about the region. “Whether it is a world-class event or a youth tournament, you know it is going to be an event like no other.”
Looking East
In the eastern part of the Northwest, you will find smaller markets with abundant opportunities. Take Missoula, Montana, for instance, nestled in the scenic Northern Rocky Mountains. Big Sky Park is a baseball and softball destination, with nine fields across 154 acres. You will find plenty more at Fort Missoula Regional Park, with turf and natural-grass soccer fields, tennis courts, and baseball/softball fields.
Also lying in the foothills of the Rockies is Spokane, Washington, where Spokane Sports hosts dozens of events with thousands of athletes each year. The Podium, opened in 2021, is billed by the Spokane Sports website as “the country’s most versatile venue,” offering a 75,000-square-foot competition floor; a banked cycling track; and space for 16 volleyball courts, nine basketball courts, and 21 wrestling mats.
The Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, area has become a destination for cycling and running races. The North Idaho Sports Commission has brought Ironman and Ironkids competitions to the region, and it is a standout winter sports destination as well. In Boise, Idaho, the Simplot Sports Complex is well known for hosting soccer as the nine-time host of the Far West Regional Championships for youth soccer, which includes as many as 250 participating teams. But it also has played host to skateboarding and BMX qualifying events for the X Games, regional ice hockey tournaments, and softball events. And the surrounding area is a hit, too.
“It’s a vibrant, clean, and safe community with highly accessible outdoor spaces,” says Doug Holloway, parks and recreation director at the City of Boise. “These include a river for floating in the summer, 210 miles of trails in the Boise Foothills, a 29-mile greenbelt along the river, and more than 100 developed parks.”
