Executive Summary
- Ripken Baseball signed 10-year extension with Pigeon Forge through 2035, building on nine-year partnership
- Complex has generated $320 million economic impact since 2016 opening with 750,000+ unique visitors
- Facility expanded to 10 fields in 2023, hosting teams from 30+ states and multiple countries
- Partnership delivers 480,000 room nights annually while providing residents upgraded sports facilities
- Nine-month tournament schedule attracts nearly 10,000 youth baseball and softball teams
Partnership Extension Solidifies Sports Tourism Investment
Ripken Baseball and the City of Pigeon Forge have committed to continue their sports tourism partnership through 2035, extending an agreement that has generated substantial economic returns since The Ripken Experience® Pigeon Forge opened in March 2016.
The 10-year extension builds on a track record that includes nearly 10,000 youth baseball and softball teams playing 30,000 games over nine years. The complex has welcomed more than 750,000 unique visitors, generating 480,000 room nights and an estimated $320 million in total economic impact for the city.
“Our partnership with the City of Pigeon Forge has created one of the greatest destinations in all of youth sports,” said Bill Ripken, co-founder of Ripken Baseball. The facility’s location atop a ridge overlooking Pigeon Forge, with the Smoky Mountains as a backdrop, provides teams with both competitive play and tourism appeal.
Facility Growth Enhances Tournament Capacity
The complex began with six turf fields modeled after historic and modern Major League ballparks, including designs inspired by Oriole Park at Camden Yards, BB&T Ballpark, and Fluor Field. In 2023, Ripken Baseball expanded operations through a partnership with the city to include four additional renovated fields at Wear Farm City Park, bringing total playable fields to 10.
This expansion has supported the facility’s nine-month tournament schedule, which attracts teams from more than 30 states and several countries. The events remain free to spectators and consistently rank among the region’s top tourism drivers.
Field layouts replicate the journey from Minor to Major Leagues, designed to provide teams with Big League experiences while teaching players “the Ripken Way” approach to baseball fundamentals.
Municipal Benefits Beyond Tourism Revenue
Mayor Kevin McClure emphasized the partnership’s value extends beyond economic impact. “Ripken Baseball has been a valuable partner for nearly a decade, and this extension allows us to continue that momentum,” McClure said. The agreement provides Pigeon Forge residents with access to upgraded sports facilities and year-round recreational opportunities.
The facility operates under Ripken Baseball’s broader network, which includes eight locations across seven states as part of the Unrivaled Sports family of properties. The Pigeon Forge location joins facilities in Maryland, South Carolina, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Ohio.
Looking Ahead Through 2035
The extended partnership positions Pigeon Forge to maintain its sports tourism momentum as youth baseball participation continues growing nationally. With established infrastructure supporting 10 fields and proven ability to attract teams from across multiple regions, the facility is positioned to build on its current economic impact levels.
The agreement also provides operational stability for tournament organizers and teams that have made the Pigeon Forge location part of their annual competition schedules, supporting predictable planning for the youth sports ecosystem.
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