KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Local tourism officials say sporting events continue to draw thousands of visitors who spend millions of dollars in the Kalamazoo area.
Discover Kalamazoo Sports helped host 50 plus sports events in 2024, which resulted in a new all-time record of $30.3 million in estimated direct visitor spending.
They says more than 38,000 youth, amateur, college and professional athletes competed in various sports events and tournaments held in the Kalamazoo area, contributing to the region’s local economy by discovering Kalamazoo through a combination of activities such as lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, recreation, space rental, and other business services.
Ice hockey, figure skating, wrestling, and tennis accounted for 53% of room nights in 2024.
The following notable sports events were held in Kalamazoo in 2024:
Among the events highlighted by Discover Kalamazoo Sports:
Teenage CrossFit Games hosted by The Pit Fitness Ranch, with approximately 200 athletes and various event personnel, over 900 hotel room nights, and an estimated direct economic impact of $416,896.
MHSAA Team Wrestling Finals hosted by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, with approximately 1,000 athletes, coaches, and various event personnel, over 500 hotel room nights, and an estimated direct economic impact of $737,361.
MYWAY Wrestling Individual State Championship hosted by Michigan Youth Wrestling Association, with approximately 5,000 athletes, coaches, and various event personnel, over 2,000 hotel room nights, and an estimated direct economic impact of $4.9 million.
Kiss Soccer Tournament hosted by TKO Premier, with approximately 3,000 athletes, coaches, and various event personnel, over 1,000 hotel room nights, and an estimated direct economic impact of $2.4 million.
Other big sporting events in 2025 include:
USA Hockey will host the 2025 14U Tier II National Championships at Wings West & Wings Event Center April 2-April 6.
The 2025 Michigan Color Guard Championship will be held March 29. This is the second year this event will be held at Western Michigan University’s University Arena.
The K-Town Shakedown Roller Hockey Tournament will return April 11-13 at Wings Event Center. This is the first time the event has returned to Kalamazoo since 2020.
The Ziegler Kalamazoo Marathon will return this spring on Sunday, May 4. The start and finish will be downtown at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place, and the route will be throughout Kalamazoo.
The USTA Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championships will continue for its 82nd year and will be hosted at Kalamazoo College’s Stowe Stadium, Western Michigan University’s Sorensen Courts, and other surrounding sites.
The 2025 Kick-off Classic Synchronized Skating will be held at Wings Event Center from November 21-23.
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