Athletics are an economic engine

In this month’s edition of Insights, we dive into a rising economic force that’s gaining ground across the country and right here at home: sports tourism. 

From youth soccer tournaments and pickleball championships to the University of Montana and the Air Force Academy’s women’s soccer exhibition match, Northwest Montana is turning athletic events into engines of economic activity.

What’s clear from reporter Taylor Inman’s feature is that these events aren’t just filling fields and courts — they’re filling hotels, restaurants, and shops across our region. More importantly, they’re creating connections between visitors and our communities that often last beyond a single weekend. The lure of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake has people tagging on a few more days and yearning to return.

As Discover Kalispell and local organizations like Flathead Valley United and the Two Rivers Pickleball Club invest in marketing, camps, clinics, and tournaments, they’re helping reshape the seasonal economy — and they’re doing it with smart, forward-thinking strategy.

The notion of the “tourna-cation” might sound lighthearted, but the numbers tell a serious story. With millions of visitors traveling for sporting events each year, and many of them choosing to extend their stays, sports tourism is proving to be a vital and sustainable pillar for our local economy.

Thanks for reading, and as always, thank you for supporting local journalism and the businesses and organizations building a stronger, more vibrant Montana.