The first rounds of March Madness will take the floor next week. That means cities nationwide get to experience the transformation of indoor arenas to basketball courts. Over the years, this process has become a science, helping venues change from homes for ice hockey, concerts and more, to hardwood palaces for DI players. Here’s how they do it.

Shakespeare wrote, "The course of true love never did run smooth” and the same can be said of prep for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One area has cut back on fan festivals amid claims of lackluster match assignments. Another threatened to cancel all matches over security costs and one axed its fan fest. Will it be “all’s well that ends well” or a tragedy?

The sound of gunshots, cannon booms and air horns have long been noted as triggering to combat veterans and those with sensory challenges. Until now, though, the issue has not touched the sports event sector. World Athletics recently announced big changes to its competition rules to allow for alternative start sounds. What should event owners know?

Fun fact: 36 percent of Team USA in Milan/Cortina represented athletes with NCAA ties. Not so fun is the fact that colleges continue to cut the programs that feed the Olympic pipeline. Cuts generally hit the so-called non-revenue sports like swimming, diving, gymnastics, wrestling and fencing, where no travel tournaments exist to showcase athletes.

Nobody can dispute the rise of flag football for girls and women, and now, investors are going all in with a new grant program to help cover the cost of equipment and coach education. More states are offering high school flag too. The only people not feeling the love are TV audiences who didn’t tune in to watch it showcased in the Pro Bowl Games.

When Los Angeles hosts the Summer Games, swimming and diving, just like figure skating and ice dancing at the Winter Games, will dominate media coverage. That always results in a bounce in participation - something event owners and rights holders count on and look forward to. Here are eight destinations ready to make waves in advance of Los Angeles.