How Wichita knocked off bigger cities to become America’s top sports host
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wichita captured SportsTravel’s 2025 Best Sports-Event Host City award.
- The city hosted 100+ events from July 2024–July 2025 with estimated $61M impact.
- Local facilities, central location and community partners secured repeat national events.
Wichita has been recognized as the nation’s Best Sports-Event Host City in the 2025 SportsTravel Awards, an honor presented this week during the TEAMS Conference & Expo in Columbus, Ohio.
The award, organized by SportsTravel magazine and Northstar Meetings Group, was determined through votes from the publication’s readers. Wichita was selected over other finalists including Atlanta, Boise, Charlotte, Des Moines and Milwaukee.
Jason Gewirtz, managing director of Northstar’s sports division and publisher of SportsTravel, said Wichita stood out for the volume and diversity of events it hosted over the past year.
“Wichita hosted national championships in the Olympic movement, every major collegiate organization and the largest youth sports organizations, which is an accomplishment few other destinations were able to achieve,” Gewirtz said in a statement.
The recognition comes after a busy stretch for Wichita’s sports calendar. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the city hosted more than 100 events with a combined estimated economic impact of $61 million, according to Visit Wichita. That includes the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, NCAA men’s basketball tournament games, the NAIA wrestling national championships and the finale of The Basketball Tournament at Koch Arena.
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development for Visit Wichita, said the award reflects the city’s growth as a host for large-scale competitions.
“We know now more than ever that Wichita doesn’t sit on the sidelines. We get in the game,” Howell said in a statement. “From the residents, fans, business owners and hospitality workers to the volunteers and community partners who all played a part in turning national sporting events into unforgettable experiences, this recognition is a testament to our city’s heart and we’re ready for what’s next.”
Wichita’s appeal as a host city has been buoyed by its facilities, including Intrust Bank Arena, Koch Arena and Scheels Stryker Sports Complex, and by its location in the center of the country, which helps reduce travel costs for teams and fans.
In recent years, the city has drawn a mix of professional, college and youth events that have brought national exposure and repeat business. The next wave of major competitions includes continued hosting duties for the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup and return visits from collegiate championships.
While Visit Wichita leaders see the award as validation of long-term efforts to position the city as a sports destination, it also places new expectations on Wichita to maintain the momentum — especially as more mid-sized cities compete for the same events.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
.jpg)