SportsTravel Magazine

Summer is here, and new opportunities abound. Find your next sports event through the SportsTravel Bid Bowl, sponsored by Sonesta Hotels & Resorts. Open RFPs are listed for sports events looking for their future hosts. Get summer started right by finding your next event.

https://bit.ly/3NQThKz

Sponsored: Known for its year-round sunshine, stunning mountain backdrop, rich cultural heritage and resort-style amenities, Greater Palm Springs offers world-class venues that cater to premier sporting events, from iconic tennis tournaments and championship golf to hockey and lacrosse. Rooted in an inclusive spirit that has come to define the local community, the destination continues to foster a sports experience where individuals can elevate their game.

Visit Greater Palm Springs

https://bit.ly/4wSJqpo

A major sports weekend is ahead in Oklahoma City. The We're Women's College World Series is back at Devon Park, and while a very familiar face is missing, the defending national champions are among the contenders hunting another title.

And speaking of title defenses, the Thunder have designs on a second straight NBA championship — if it can get past the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals at Paycom Center on Saturday night.

Visit OKC

https://bit.ly/4acqg3Z

Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania, is rapidly expanding its sports profile, with its blend of accessibility and outdoor recreation. The next sign of its growth: joining PA Sports & Events as the organization's 15th member, and first addition since 2024.




Cumberland Valley Pennsylvania

https://bit.ly/43xxoEm

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has named Eric Engelbarts II, STS as its new president and CEO, after years running the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, which he will remain involved with in the new role.

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/eric-engelbarts-named-president-and-ceo-of-happy-valley-adventure-bureau/

X Games is planning for a significant event expansion and has hired a former NFL executive to help get there. The action sports series that has been revived in recent years by Olympian Jeremy Bloom has announced the hiring of Tom Kiley as senior vice president of global market development, a key leadership role responsible for driving the company’s global expansion strategy, securing host city partnerships, and scaling MoonPay X Games League (XGL) worldwide.

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/x-games-hires-tom-kiley-to-lead-global-expansion/

Flag football is inching toward the goal line of a big score. The sport has received a formal recommendation to become the next major NCAA championship, with the first event expected as soon as spring 2028. SportsTravel's Jason Gewirtz runs through the details, including the timeline to a championship.

https://bit.ly/4dAgo4W

The NFL has two marquee events it takes on the road every year: the Super Bowl and the Draft. This week it announced new destinations for both of them, with the former coming to a stadium that isn't finished being built and the latter coming to a city for the first time. SportsTravel Managing Editor Ted Keith has all the details.

https://bit.ly/4ur2fOU

https://bit.ly/3PAHhOh

It's time to nominate!

We are accepting nominations for the 2026 SportsTravel Awards. If you've organized, hosted or been involved with an event worth honoring, or if you opened or renovated a significant sports venue — or if you can make the case as the best sports host city — we want to hear from you.

Nominations are being accepted for:

🏆 Best Amateur Sports Event
🏆 Best Collegiate Sports Event
🏆 Best Professional Sports Event
🏆 Best New Sports Event
🏆 Best New or Renovated Sports Venue
🏆 Best Sports Host City

To nominate, tell us what we need to know to make our final ballot. Nominations are due July 1, 2026, with winners announced at the TEAMS Conference & Expo in Birmingham, Alabama, October 26–29, 2026.

To nominate, visit us here: www.sportstravelawards.com