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Come Play in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, better known as Sportsman’s Paradise, and home to both Louisiana State University and Southern University sports teams. With numerous facilities that can accommodate sports ranging from baseball and soccer to waterskiing and golf, the Red Stick takes sports and recreation to the next level. In addition to professional venues, Baton Rouge offers several recreational options through various parks including skating, biking, boating, and kayaking, to name a few.

We're ready for you to come play in Baton Rouge!

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 unique culture, where the rhythms of Mardi Gras, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival and other vibrant festivities make the city come alive. Home to several family-friendly attractions like the Louisiana Art & Science Museum and delectable restaurants like Phil's Oyster Bar, we'd look forward to pairing the excitement of your sporting event with a touch of Southern charm, creating an unforgettable experience that extends beyond the playing field.

 

Location & Travel 

Situated conveniently along interstates 10 and 12, Baton Rouge offers a range of travel options that are easily accessible. If you're arriving by plane, our airport ensures ease with frequent flights via American, United, and Delta to and from five major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Washington DC (DCA). Within the city, seamless transportation is at your fingertips, ranging from the Capital Area Transit System (downtown) to convenient services like Uber and Lyft, as well as bike rentals for a more active exploration option.

 

Hotels

Baton Rouge offers an extensive array of 8,500 hotel rooms (with 2,000 committable) within East Baton Rouge parish. Nestled just minutes away from bustling shopping centers and delightful restaurants, our hotels stand ready to offer exceptional service to both your competitors and their families.

 

Raising Cane's River Center

The Raising Cane's River Center, a locally owned gem, houses an arena with 8,900 permanent seats, an expansive exhibition hall covering 70,000 sq. feet, and a spacious, column-free ballroom spanning 26,000 sq. feet. Offering a grand total of 200,000+ sq. feet, this cutting-edge convention center has played host to a diverse set of sporting events, ranging from wrestling and volleyball to bowling and ice hockey, showcasing its versatility and excellence.

 

Services

We will create a genuine partnership with your sporting event by offering financial assistance or tailored incentives for qualifying events. In addition to these incentives, we extend the courtesy of arranging site visits to potential sporting facilities, providing complimentary promotional materials, and comprehensive event marketing and publicity support. Our dedicated team will liaise with venues and hotels to ensure seamless arrangements for you and your team, going the extra mile to create an unforgettable experience. We take pride in offering unique experiences such as lively second lines, opportunities for competitors to capture moments with a baby gator, curated gifts from local artisans, and more, leaving a lasting impression. Post-event, we provide a comprehensive end-of-event report, encompassing insights into economic impact and beyond.

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

    • 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)

Contact Us

Visit Baton Rouge Staff Member Jason Suitt

Jason Suitt Director of Sports Development

Sporting Events hosted by Baton Rouge

  • 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!