Tucked between mountain trails and a thriving downtown, Boise is where natural beauty meets competitive spirit. From professional hockey and Division I football to large tournaments and outdoor endurance races, sports are part of daily life here. The community shows up with unmatched energy, creating an atmosphere athletes feel and event managers value. With high-quality venues, strong local support, and a city that knows how to host, Boise continues to prove why it is one of the best places in the country for event managers to bring their events to life.
A City That Knows and Loves Its Teams
Boise is a sports town through and through. Fans pack the stands for the Idaho Steelheads, a professional ECHL hockey team that plays at Idaho Central Arena in the heart of downtown. The Steelheads have sold out nearly every home game over the last several years while also selling out an NHL preseason game in 2023 and the USA Hockey-Hockey Canada Rivalry Series in November, 2024.
Summers belong to the Boise Hawks, a Pioneer League baseball team and longtime family favorite. Soccer fans have a new reason to cheer with AC Boise, the city’s professional soccer club competing in the USL League One, bringing fast-paced action and growing excitement to the Treasure Valley. And no conversation about sports in Boise is complete without the Boise State Broncos, the athletic teams of Boise State University. Whether it is game day at Albertsons Stadium, a Friday night hockey game in Downtown Boise, or a minor league matchup at Memorial Stadium, the passion for sports is visible, vocal, and citywide.
A Community Built Around Sport
In Boise, staying active is a way of life. Locals hike the foothills, bike the greenbelt, and play team sports nearly every day of the year. That energy spills over into the city’s packed calendar of races, tournaments, and sporting events. Fun runs, triathlons, and cycling races are just as much a part of the culture as youth leagues and school sports. This enthusiasm creates a strong foundation for planners, with a community that not only participates, but also volunteers, attends, and brings energy to every event.
Facilities That Meet Every Need
Boise delivers the full package for sports planners. Idaho Central Arena, directly connected to The Grove Hotel downtown, serves as a key venue for indoor sports, is home to the Big Sky Basketball Championships and hosts several youth gymnastics events each year.
On the Boise State University campus, ExtraMile Arena has hosted the DI Men’s March Madness Tournament, and is home to Boise State basketball and gymnastics, while Albertsons Stadium draws national attention with its iconic blue turf and role as the site for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Memorial Stadium, home to the Boise Hawks, hosts the IHSAA State Baseball Championships, and offers a classic summer baseball experience that keeps fans close to the action.
Beyond those anchors, Boise supports sporting events of all types. Event managers have access to massive grass field complexes, a two-sheet ice rink, several softball complexes and the Northwest’s premiere competition aquatics facility.
The city is home to the new Idaho Central Aquatic Center—an 8-lane, 50-meter Olympic-size pool with a 25-yard warm up pool just steps away, designed for regional and national swim competitions.
Other key youth sports infrastructure includes Boise’s 20-field soccer complex, Simplot Sports Complex, the city’s 2-sheet ice rink, Idaho Ice World, Optimist Youth Sports Complex, a 12-field football complex, and Willow Lane Athletic Complex, a six-field softball complex with lights and concessions.
For outdoor endurance events, most of Boise’s running and endurance events utilize the 30-mile Boise Greenbelt bike trail, Eagle Island State Park, which has hosted large cross country events and cyclocross, or Lucky Peak State Park, the starting line for Boise’s IRONMAN 70.3.
Whatever the sport, Boise is ready.
Ease of Planning and Strong Local Support
Boise makes the planning process smooth and collaborative from start to finish. Visit Boise provides dedicated event services, helping event managers with venue coordination, marketing, grant funding support, and media support. Logistics are easy thanks to a compact city layout, plus a variety of lodging options near major sports venues and family-friendly amenities across the region. Hospitality partners, from hotels to restaurants, understand the specific needs of sports teams and organizers.
Boise has successfully hosted high-profile events such as the USA Cycling Road National Championships, the Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships, and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, each supported by enthusiastic volunteers, local sponsorships, and seamless coordination. For planners who want both professional backing and genuine community engagement, Boise is uniquely equipped and committed.
A Destination That Delivers Beyond the Game
Boise stands out not just for what happens on the field, but for everything surrounding it. From the energy of game day to floating the river after a win, the experience extends beyond the competition. Families find it easy to explore, athletes feel at home, and event managers have the tools and community support to pull off events of all sizes. It is this full-circle experience that makes Boise a favorite for sports of every kind.
Start planning your next event with Visit Boise and discover what makes this city a true win for sports.
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