The most impactful sports venue in Minnesota isn’t home to a professional franchise. Instead, it’s a sprawling amateur sports campus in Blaine that has quietly become one of the state’s biggest economic wins.
The National Sports Center, located just 20 miles north of Minneapolis, spans more than 700 acres and hosts everything from soccer and hockey to golf, track cycling, and indoor events on the largest sport dome in the Western Hemisphere. But its real story isn’t just scale it’s value.
A $14.7 Million Bet That Became a Billion-Dollar Payoff
When Minnesota approved funding for the NSC in 1987, the state contributed a single $14.7 million investment. At the time, many residents doubted whether such a cost made sense for a youth and amateur sports complex.
More than three decades later, the return on that investment is staggering:
- $1+ billion total economic impact since opening
- $96 million per year on average (see economic impact report)
- Millions of annual visitors from across the country
2024: A Standout Year for Youth Sports Tourism
In just 63 events, the NSC generated:
$71 million in direct spending from traveling families
Money spent on:
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Retail
- Recreation
- Transportation
And that number does not include the economic multiplier effect the additional boost that occurs as money continues to circulate locally.
As youth sports tourism grows, so does the need for reliable lodging, scheduling, and team-travel support. That’s where EventConnect, the NSC’s trusted partner, plays a pivotal role.
As one of the National Sports Center’s key operational partners, EventConnect plays a crucial role in supporting the massive influx of teams and families who travel to Blaine each year. The platform streamlines team travel by managing hotel bookings for all NSC events, giving families access to best-rate guaranteed rooms and a simplified reservation experience that reduces stress during tournament weekends.
Event organizers benefit just as much EventConnect provides real-time reporting, compliance oversight, and hotel pickup visibility, making large-scale event management far more efficient. For cities and facilities, the platform delivers verified economic impact tracking, allowing stakeholders to confidently measure the tourism value generated by each event. And at the NSC, that impact is significant:
EventConnect’s data helps quantify the more than $71 million in direct visitor spending the facility generated last year.
Why the NSC Matters Now More Than Ever
At a time when communities across the country are exploring ways to attract visitors and stimulate local economies, Minnesota already has a proven, world-class model in its backyard.
The National Sports Center is more than a sports complex it’s a tourism engine, an innovation hub, and a prime example of how youth sports can rival the economic power of professional stadiums.
“There is no longer any question that sports tourism is a major generator of tourism revenue. Specific to amateur sports, the Wall Street Journal reported that it’s currently a $17 billion industry and will grow to $41 billion in the next five years,” said Todd Johnson, MASC Executive Director.
With EventConnect and the NSC continuing to expand their partnership, the future of sports tourism in Minnesota looks stronger than ever.
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