Since 2020, Baton Rouge has hosted over 180 sporting events, bringing in 107,700 attendees that generate an estimated economic impact of over $111,000,000 to the capital city region.
Reasons to Compete in Baton Rouge
Unique Culture
Baton Rouge boasts a one-of-a-kind culture, where the rhythms of Mardi Gras, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, and other festivities bring the city to life. Home to family-friendly attractions like the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and beloved restaurants such as Phil’s Oyster Bar, it’s the perfect setting to pair the excitement of your sporting event with a touch of Southern charm, creating an unforgettable experience that extends far beyond the playing field.
Location & Travel
Conveniently located along Interstates 10 and 12, Baton Rouge offers a variety of easily accessible travel options. If you’re arriving by plane, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport provides frequent flights on American, United, and Delta to and from five major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Washington, D.C. (DCA). Once you’re in the city, getting around is simple, with the Capital Area Transit System serving downtown, plus convenient options like Uber, Lyft, and bike rentals for a more active way to explore.
Hotels
Baton Rouge offers an extensive selection of 8,500 hotel rooms, 2,000 of which are committable, within East Baton Rouge Parish. Located just minutes from outstanding shopping centers and restaurants, our hotels are ready to deliver exceptional service to both your competitors and their families.
Raising Cane's River Center
The Raising Cane's River Center, a locally owned landmark, features an arena with 8,900 permanent seats, a 70,000-square-foot exhibition hall, and a spacious 26,000-square-foot column-free ballroom. With more than 200,000 square feet of total event space, this state-of-the-art convention center has hosted a wide range of sporting events, from wrestling and volleyball to bowling and ice hockey, demonstrating its versatility and excellence.
Services
We will build a genuine partnership with your sporting event by offering financial support or tailored incentives for qualifying events. Beyond these incentives, we can coordinate site visits to potential sporting facilities, provide complimentary promotional materials, and deliver comprehensive event marketing and publicity support. Our dedicated team will work closely with venues and hotels to ensure seamless arrangements for you and your participants, going the extra mile to create an unforgettable experience.
We take pride in offering unique local experiences that leave a lasting impression, such as lively second lines, opportunities for competitors to capture moments with a baby gator, and curated gifts from local artisans. After your event, we’ll also provide a detailed end-of-event report, including insights into economic impact and additional key outcomes.
Sporting Events Hosted by Baton Rouge
Previous tournaments and sporting events hosted in Baton Rouge have included:
- The Louisiana Marathon
- US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships
- Tiger-Rock Martial Arts World Championship
- United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships
- USA Track and Field Masters Outdoor Championships
- Marucci World Series
- National Pro Fastpitch Softball Championship Series
- National Collegiate Waterski Championships
- and many more!
Economic Power of Sports
The global sports tourism market was valued at USD $587.87 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% from 2023 to 2030. (Grandview Research)
Economic Impact Statistics
- The average economic impact per event is over $2 million
- During sporting events, the average cardholder spend increases 63% (Zartico, US Youth Soccer Regional Championships)
- The average increase in restaurant spending is 24% (not including QSR) (Zartico, US Youth Soccer Regional Championships)
- In youth amateur sports, the average participant brings 2.3 additional people with them (Destinations International Event Impact Calculator)
