“High school athletes across the state have come to know Rutherford County as a place where championships are made,” says Richard McWhirter, Assistant Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).
The facilities and programs in the area are favorites with several youth sports associations, groups who come back year after year. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau team works closely with sports associations to make each event as easy—and as much fun—as possible. This special combination of dedication, experience and great facilities make Rutherford County the sports capital of Tennessee.
In fact, Rutherford County has been in the news quite a bit as a great place to live, as well as being an ideal spot for youth sporting events. Sporting News named Murfreesboro one of the Best Sports Cities in the U.S., with “first-rate facilities and award-winning services.” Murfreesboro also made the list as one of Livability.com’s Top 10 Soccer Cities as well as one of America’s 100 most livable cities.
What Makes Us So Sporty?
Our central location, just minutes from Nashville, with easy access to four interstates and proximity to Chattanooga, makes us a perfect destination for families and teams that travel by car. That’s especially important to organizations like the TSSAA.
“Rutherford County, at the center of the state, provides an ideal location for TSSAA State Championships,” says McWhirter. “No qualifying team has to travel too great a distance, and the CVB works closely with hotels and venues to make sure teams’ needs are met during their stay.”
Rutherford County has world-class facilities ideal for hosting sporting events of all kinds—baseball, softball, soccer, football, golf, tennis, track and field, volleyball, cheerleading and dance, equestrian events and even disc golf. For bowlers, the Smyrna Bowling Center hosts the annual TSSAA State Bowling Championships for Division I and Division II Schools.
The Tennessee Youth Baseball Association (TYBA) has been hosting youth baseball tournaments in Murfreesboro for more than 17 years and in Rutherford County for 31 years. “It has been a real pleasure working with people who have a heart for youth sports and who dedicate their resources to make a pleasurable experience for participants coming into our great city,” says Rick Adams, director of TYBA. “Sometimes there is not enough credit or words to say “Thank You” for the job you do, Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau.”
When players and families need a little down time, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Five golf courses, trails and parks provide space to enjoy nature. Historic sites help visitors learn about the past, and more than 400 restaurants, local breweries, wineries and distilleries offer surprising culinary adventures.
If you’re all about bringing home the perfect souvenir, you’ll be surprised by the variety of the shopping possibilities. The Avenue is one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the state, and there are more unique options at the Fountains. Downtown boutiques in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and Eagleville combine friendly, personal connections and great shopping.
Whether yours is a large group or a small one, Rutherford County has lodging options for every budget. Our 62 hotel options offer 5,500 rooms ranging from moderate to luxury.
We Score Big on Facilities
The Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Murfreesboro and Smyrna Parks and Recreation Departments have the combination of experience and world class facilities required to win big at youth sporting events.
Our exceptional facilities for multiple sports are a primary reason that we host Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) championships. One of the area’s greatest assets is MTSU, host to many athletic events, especially TSSAA championships.
TSSAA is the only high school athletic organization in the United States to have an Olympic-style spring championship tournament for seven sports (baseball, softball, track and field, team and individual tennis and soccer). Since its inception in 1997, the TSSAA Spring Fling was held in two other cities before moving to Rutherford County, where it has remained since 2006.
Soccer is a huge part of our sports story. Some of the most prestigious events in the country are held at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex. The 130-acre athletic complex is a frequent host for the Tennessee Soccer State Championships and the TSSAA Championships. Siegel Park has also hosted tournaments produced by the Kings Hammer developmental soccer program as well as the largest youth soccer event in the state with USYS Southern Regionals. The 2022 regionals drew 260 teams to Murfreesboro. Amenities include one lighted stadium field, seven lighted turf fields, ten lighted regulation-size grass fields, and two non lit regulation size grass fields.
In February, the complex introduced its newest addition, an 110,000-square-foot, multi use indoor facility with synthetic turf. Not exclusive to soccer, the indoor space has potential for hosting other events indoors to expand its usage when available.
If tennis is your game, you’ll find 24 outdoor tennis courts and an eight-court indoor facility at the Adams Tennis Complex.
Cedar Stone Park in Smyrna offers four 225-foot lighted, full synthetic turf baseball fields, while area high schools provide additional space for tournament baseball. Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department sites StarPlex Field and McKnight Field also host softball and baseball tournaments.
One of our most unique and exciting venues is the David Price Miracle Field, another Parks and Recreation site. A special needs baseball field and playground, Miracle Field hosts spring and fall leagues with volunteer helpers who assist players during at-bats and running the bases. Miracle Field has areas designed for all ages and capabilities to play, with sensory components, sliders, gliders and ziplines.
Sports Destination Management recognized the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau for innovation in sports tourism and named the CVB as a Champion of Economic Impact for its 2022 National Homeschool Soccer Championship.
Hosts With the Most
Great youth sporting events don’t just happen magically. It takes a team dedicated to making them succeed. The Rutherford County CVB team cultivates strong relationships with both local tourism partners and event planners to plan and support tournaments.
The CVB team provides a variety of services to sports groups, including negotiating venue and service contracts, arranging lodging room blocks, entertainment and attraction information and player party assistance. Visitors can rely on the CVB team for service provider referrals, public relations assistance, welcome bags and more.
Whatever your sport, you’re sure to find a winning combination of service, knowledge, amenities in Rutherford County, TN. And don’t forget our friendly vibe, polite and welcoming locals.