West Michigan Sports Commission

Vote now to help Gerald R. Ford International Airport win 'Best Small Airport' from USA TODAY 10Best. Individuals can vote once per day and voting ends September 23. ✈️

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What is the Best Small Airport for 2024? Voting for the Best Small Airport is open! Cast your vote daily to help pick the 2024 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Small Airport.

September is almost here and you still have a chance to get involved with upcoming events!

🏒 CCM Michigan Classic hosted by 200x85 - September 6-8
🥎 USA Softball Men's Slow Pitch Class D Northern National Championship - September 7-8
🏃 LMCU Bridge Run - September 15
🚴 The Dirty Mitten - September 21-22
🏃‍♀️ SHE RUNS Grand Rapids - September 28

🔗 Visit https://www.westmisports.com/events-calendar for more information on how to sign up to participate or volunteer at upcoming events!

The USTA Level 4 Open Dominant Duo takes place this weekend at Grand Rapids Racquet & Fitness (B16-18 and G12-14) and Hudsonville High School (B12-14 and G16-18).

See more upcoming events at https://www.westmisports.com/events-calendar.

As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games get underway tomorrow, we are excited to host The Hartford Nationals by Move United Sport in 2025 and 2026 - the largest and longest-running national sport championship event for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment or intellectual disability.

The 2025 event scheduled for July 11-17 will bring more than 400 youth and adults with a physical disability competing in at least seven sports, along with over 150 coaches from 34 states and the District of Columbia. Thanks for the great feature, Rapid Growth Media!

West Michigan to Host 2025 and 2026 National Adaptive Sports Championship Grand Rapids will host the 2025 and 2026 Hartford Nationals, showcasing adaptive athletes and highlighting the city’s commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and world-class sporting events.

Michigan Sports Academies hosts the West Michigan Soccer Cup this weekend! Over 250 teams from around the Midwest and Canada are expected to compete.

https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024-west-michigan-soccer-cup

Meet the four West Michigan athletes competing at the Paralympic Games from 13 On Your Side. The Paralympic Games start next Wednesday in Paris.

Who is representing Team USA from West Michigan in the Paralympics? Meet the hometown heroes who've earned their ticket to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games.

Total Package Hockey hosts the Grand Rapids Kickoff Classic this weekend at Southside Arena, Patterson Ice Center, and Kentwood Ice Arena.

https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024-grand-rapids-kickoff-classic

We're a month away from our 5th Annual Golf outing! Join us by signing your foursome up today.

📍 Thornapple Pointe Golf Club
📅 September 18 at 10 am
⭕ Event supports our Victory Lap Community Fund
🎁 Player gift from HOLO Footwear
🍿 Plus food, beverages, prizes, games and more!
🔗 Sign up today at

Annual Golf Outing — West Michigan Sports Commission Join us in our Winning Streak campaign to expand and improve the Meijer Sports Complex. Click here to learn more.

The Grand Rapids Cup, a boys and girls soccer tournament, hosted by Midwest United FC takes place at multiple venues in the area this weekend.

To learn more about this event view our website https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/grand-rapids-cup

How many medals did Michiganders take home from the 2024 Olympics? 13 On Your Side highlights the three Michiganders that took home a collective one gold and three bronze. 🏅

How many medals did Michigan win in the 2024 Paris Olympics? Michigan sent 13 athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympics and they returned home with four medals for the United States.

Game Day USA hosts their all-star weekend at the Meijer Sports Complex this weekend! Check out some of the best 8U - 14U baseball players.

https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/game-day-usa-all-star-weeked-grand-rapids

We're excited to announce Grand Rapids was selected by Move United Sport to host The Hartford Nationals in 2025 and 2026!

📅 Scheduled for July 11-17, 2025 - 68th year of the competition.
🏅 400 athletes with disabilities and over 150 coaches, from 34 states and the District of Columbia participated in 2024.
🥈 Second time event has been hosted in Michigan (Saginaw in 2011).

🔗 Read more on the announcement from SportsTravel Magazine

Grand Rapids to Host The Hartford Nationals in 2025 and 2026 Move United has selected Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the host site for The Hartford Nationals in 2025 and 2026. The 2025 event, scheduled for July 11–17, marks the 68th year of competition for the l…

Check out the latest Sports Events & Tourism Association SEEN episode featuring our own Mike Guswiler regarding our Sports Commission of the Year win!

It’s SEEN Saturday!

Join us as we interview Mike Guswiler, the President of West Michigan Sports Commission. His team was recently named Sports Commission of the Year, (population below 500,000) winner.

Mike will share nuggets of wisdom from his time in the industry, along with suggestions and advice for teams looking to set themselves up for success.

Tune in as we highlight another hardworking team in the Sports Tourism industry!

🎙️Listen now:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2244915/15316633

BIG thanks to our SEEN sponsor, Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Men's USA Softball State Championship for Slow Pitch Class D/E is this weekend at the Meijer Sports Complex!

For more information about this event visit the website, https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/mens-slow-pitch-class-d-e-state-championship

Kent County residents voted 'yes' on the Sports and Entertainment Facilities proposal which will increase the hotel tax. Proceeds from the new tax revenue will go toward helping pay for new facilities and attractions including the Acrisure Amphitheater and the proposed soccer stadium. 🗳️

Read more via 13 On Your Side

Did Kent County voters pass the hotel tax proposal? The option to put this proposal to voters was made available through legislation signed by Gov. Whitmer in April.

The Michigan Titanium presented by HexArmor takes place on Sunday, August 11.

Get involved by racing, spectating, or volunteering!

The 2024 presented by HexArmor Athlete Guide is now live!

Here is all the info you will need to have a successful race weekend. The 2024 participant list is also available at the end of the guide. This will also be emailed, please check your spam folders later today if you do not see it.

ATHLETE GUIDE:https://mititanium.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MiTi-2024-athlete-guide.pdf

New designs show reimagined public riverfront next to Acrisure Amphitheater City officials have unveiled new designs for riverfront trails and greenspace to surround the Acrisure Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids, which tie in to broader plans for public access along the Grand River.

Players from around the world will be in Grand Rapids starting tomorrow for the Professional Disc Golf Association Amateur World Championship. Competition starts August 6 and will be held at Brewer Park, Johnson Park, GR Rotary North DGC, and Fallasburg Park!

Volunteers are needed for the event!

See the event schedule and sign up to volunteer at: https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/pdga-amateur-disc-golf-world-championships

The Men's Majors Fast Pitch Softball National Championship is happening at the Meijer Sports Complex! Some of the best men's fast-pitch teams from across the US will be competing this weekend.! 🥎

For more event information check out our website https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/mens-majors-fast-pitch-national-championship

Ever stopped to think about the cumulative impact of sports tourism? Take a listen as WMSC President Mike Guswiler talks about the power and positive impact of sports tourism, the latest on the Meijer Sports Complex expansion campaign and what the Destination Kent proposal is about on "West Michigan Weekend," a weekly iHeartRadio public affairs program.

Listen here📣:

West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio) | iHeart Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors. Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.

We won't be wearing bee costumes, but we'll be cheering on Caledonia native Alena Olsen and the USA women's rugby team in the quarterfinals at 3:30 pm! 🇺🇸🏉

Olympic rugby player Alena Olsen’s parents dressed up as bees to support her Team USA women’s rugby sevens hasn’t won a medal in 100 years, but one Caledonia woman is hoping to change that.

This weekend is the AYBT boys and girls youth basketball tournament! For more information about this event check out our website! https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/aybt-nationals

The Perfect Game USA End of Summer Bash is coming up starting July 25! We hope to see you at the complex this weekend! For more information check out the website! https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/batl-end-of-summer-bash

This weekend is the Brawl for the Ball boys basketball tournament for grades 3rd-11th. This will take place at multiple locations! 🏀 To learn more about this tournament visit our website! https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/brawl-for-the-ball

The Olympics starts in one week! See which athletes on Team USA have ties to West Michigan via 13 On Your Side.

Who is representing Team USA from West Michigan in the Olympics this year? Meet the hometown heroes who've earned their ticket to Paris this year.

Get ready for an electrifying weekend with the Michigan Spartan Race Event! 💪 Check out our website there is still time to sign up to participate and to volunteer! https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/michigan-spartan-event-weekend

Step onto the mat at the thrilling all-ages Jiu Jitsu Championship in Grand Rapids! This is hosted by the American Grappling Federation ! Mark your calendars for July 13, 2024, and head over to MSA Fieldhouse, for an electrifying day! For more information about this event check out our website, https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/grand-rapids-jiu-jitsu-championships

Stay up to date with the Beer City Open Pickleball and Major League Pickleball by streaming the games online or heading down to Belknap Park! https://www.majorleaguepickleball.net/watch/

This weekend is the wheelchair lacrosse tournament held by Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. To learn more about this event check out our website, https://www.westmisports.com/event-list/2024/frenzy-fest