Arizona’s New Top Tournament Destination | Sports Destination Management

Arizona’s New Top Tournament Destination

Share
May 13, 2019

The city of Surprise has everything you are looking for in a sports tournament destination, with nationally recognized facilities, year-round sunshine, plenty of fun things to do and an events team that is committed to making your tournament a success!

Nationally Recognized Facilities

Surprise Stadium, located in the heart of the city, is the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers and offers 13 Major League Baseball fields - perfect for hosting tournament play! Plus, the stadium was selected by USA Today as the number one Spring Training complex in the Cactus League in 2018! Not only did Surprise Stadium score first overall in the Cactus League, but the park also topped all 23 Arizona and Florida spring training facilities in the categories of facility and fan-experience! Hosting a tournament here provides a great opportunity for players to step onto the same fields where Major League dreams are made!

The Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex has also been deemed one of the United States Tennis Association ‘Facilities of the Year’. The 25 championship courts, with clubhouse and dedicated tournament operations facilities, make this one of the top tennis tournament venues in the country.

Elite Tournament Partners

Surprise hosts more than 100 events and tournaments each year – from amateur showcase events to collegiate tournaments to professional leagues. Our partners are some of the best tournament organizers in the business, and they know they can trust Surprise to provide premier facilities and top-notch customer service. Don’t just take our word for it; check out some of the partners we worked with in 2018:

  • Kansas City Royals (Spring Training)
  • Major League Baseball (Arizona Fall League)
  • Perfect Game USA
  • Prep Baseball Report
  • United States Tennis Association
  • Intercollegiate Tennis Association
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association 
  • Texas Rangers (Spring Training)
  • United States Tennis Association
  • USA Baseball
  • Wilson Premier Baseball

Ideal Location (and Weather)

We take tourism and hospitality to a whole new level in Surprise – plus, our location is traveler-friendly! Surprise is located in the Phoenix metro area, just 45 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which was named the “best experience in the United States for air travelers” by a popular frequent-flier website. Plus, the Valley of the Sun is the air hub of the Southwest. Seventeen airlines serve Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offering nonstop service to more than 100 domestic and 22 international destinations. Each day, there are more than 1,200 take-offs and landings, making it easy and affordable to get to and from Surprise. The airport is also rated the nation’s “Most Reliable” according to a 2018 Wall Street Journal ranking of America’s 20 biggest airports.

Driving? All roads lead to the City of Surprise. With easy access to Interstate 10 Highway and Arizona’s 101 and 303 loop freeways, it makes for an easy road trip from Southern California, Las Vegas, New Mexico and many other western cities.

Not only is it easy to get here, our incredible weather will make it hard to leave! With over 301 days of sunshine each year and an average yearly temperature of 73 degrees, Surprise is a perfect year-round outdoor sports destination. Our secret is desert landscape, regional parks, and friendly people. Surprise, Arizona is the championship environment that every tournament needs to keep teams coming back.

So Many Things to Do!

While game play is the major focus of most sporting events, we know it’s not the only thing that makes a tournament successful. Tournament goers need first class places to stay, fun and unique things to do, and fantastic food to eat. Surprise has all that, plus the added amenity of beautiful mountain hiking trails for players, and their families and friends, who want to get out and explore the landscape.

Surprise is proud to have new and diverse options for accommodations, dining, entertainment, and unique adventures that only can happen in the desert.

Surprise Stadium Complex is proud to have three hotels that call the complex grounds home. With another four hotels located within two miles of the complex, you can choose the experience your group is looking for and still be at the tournament in less than five minutes.

Nearby attractions like Lake Pleasant and the White Tank Mountain Regional Park showcase the truly unique Arizona landscape and offer biking, hiking and other outdoor adventures. Lake Pleasant is also a great spot for water skiing, boating and kayaking.

Plus, you’ll want to check out the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, which has Arizona’s largest collection of exotic animals; with more than 600 separate species, rides, a petting zoo and daily shows! Looking for indoor entertainment? Visit Uptown Alley! It’s a premier entertainment venue featuring bowling, laser tag, an arcade, restaurant and more!

We know athletes need to fuel up for their games. Whether it’s pre-match, post-game or just a place to fill up in between, there are a variety of great dining choices in Surprise. The city is home to two of the top French restaurants in Arizona, as well as our hometown brewery, State 48. With over 100+ restaurants in the city, we have you covered from Chick-fil-A to In-N-Out Burger to Oregano’s Pizza Bistro. There are about a dozen restaurants within walking distance of the Surprise Stadium complex; plus, most restaurants provide delivery to the area.

Book Your Event Today!

The city of Surprise is excited about the opportunity to partner with you and help you host your best event yet! We strive to provide the best facilities, partner support, customer service, and event expertise to ensure your event is successful and your players leave happy. Learn more by visiting ExploreSurprise.com or by calling 623.222.2822. We can’t wait to Surprise you!

(Click to Expand)