Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports

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Dec 11, 2025
Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports

Photo courtesy of Full Spectrum Photography


In the Midwest, few destinations blend athletic versatility, modern facilities and community-centered design as seamlessly as Janesville, Wisconsin. At the heart of this sports-powered momentum is the new Woodman’s Center, a state-of-the-art venue for indoor and ice sports events of all sizes. 


Whether you’re planning a regional tournament, a high-energy invitational or multi-day championship, Janesville offers a polished and professional environment — all wrapped in the warm hospitality that visiting teams and families remember long after the final whistle.
 

The Woodman’s Center: Built for Today’s Sports Landscape

Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports
Photo courtesy of Kim Hololek 

Designed with flexibility and spectator experience in mind, the Woodman’s Center is positioned to serve nearly every type of indoor sport. 


At approximately 140,000 square feet, the Woodman’s Center is intentionally engineered for high-performance indoor and ice sports, major tournaments, multi-court events and year-round athletic programming. 


With multiple configurable competition areas, professional-grade amenities and seamless access to lodging, dining and entertainment, the venue is quickly becoming a trusted host site for sports organizations across the Midwest and beyond.
 

Hitting the Courts 

The Robert & Delores Kennedy Convention Center supports basketball, volleyball, pickleball, wrestling and other combat sports, open gym and more with configurable courts and mats. High ceilings, clean sightlines and well-planned traffic flow ensure athletes stay focused while spectators enjoy a comfortable, engaging viewing experience. 


The Multipurpose Arena provides seasonally adjustable flooring, making it possible to host ice programming part of the year and transition to dry floor and turf sports the rest of the year.
 

Events Cool as Ice

Ice sports demand precision and Janesville delivers with the Mercyhealth Ice Arena and Multipurpose Arena. Two premier ice sheets elevate opportunities for hockey, figure skating, synchronized skating, learn-to-skate programs and year-round training. The Woodman’s Center is engineered for reliability, scheduling efficiency and crowd comfort. Its twin-sheet setup allows for simultaneous games or training sessions. 


With spacious locker rooms, team meeting areas, professional flooring and behind-the-scenes infrastructure built specifically for cold-surface athletics, the venue excels at hosting both recreational and elite-level tournaments.
 

Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports
Photo courtesy of Kim Hololek

Figure skating and off-season training groups also benefit from excellent acoustics, bright and consistent ice lighting and temperature-stabilized seating that ensures families can cheer comfortably for hours.
 

An Accessible Facility Designed for All Athletes — and Their Fans

Comfort is a key component of any successful sports weekend and Woodman’s Center was built to support both high-performance athletes and the families traveling with them.
 

Guests enjoy:

  • Wide concourses for easy movement
  • Indoor seating with modern amenities
  • On-site concessions and gathering spaces
  • Plenty of free parking for buses, teams and spectators
  • ADA-accessible layouts and clear wayfinding


The facility is also located five minutes from Interstate 39/90 and is directly connected to Uptown Janesville, a mall with retail, dining and family activities. Beyond the mall, even more restaurants, shops and amenities are within walking distance and hotels are located between one and five miles away — ideal for tournament blocks and multi-day stays.
 

Beyond the Woodman’s Center

Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports

While the Woodman’s Center anchors Janesville’s indoor and ice sports scene year-round, the city also shines as a destination for summer alternative sports.


During the warm months, athletes, families and spectators take full advantage of Janesville’s natural assets and extensive trail system. 


The city is home to nationally recognized water skiing, with events and exhibitions held along the scenic Rock River. Other popular water sports, including dragon boat racing and kayaking, also attract participants and spectators alike.
 

For land-based athletes, Janesville offers more than 30 miles of paved, interconnected recreation trails, ideal for cycling, running and roller sports. Mountain bikers, adventure riders and trail runners can explore additional off-road routes just minutes from downtown.
 

Janesville Makes It Easy

Sports groups love Janesville because everything is close, friendly and easy to navigate. With nearly 1,000 hotel rooms, dozens of family-friendly restaurants and walkable shopping and recreation options, the city is built for tournament-style travel. 
 

Janesville, WI: A Midwest Hub for Indoor, Ice and Alternative Sports

Organizers return year after year because the city delivers on what matters most: dependable facilities and a visitor experience that feels both polished and personal. It’s a flexible, high-quality location that checks every logistical box. 


The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) assists with bid preparation, marketing resources, community partnerships and organizational logistics — all designed to make hosting as smooth as possible.
 

For families, it’s an easy, enjoyable place to spend a weekend supporting the athletes they love. 
 

Whether your next event requires elite-ready ice, tournament-tested courts or a combination of both, Janesville is ready to welcome you — and help your event shine.

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