Virginia Beach continues to set the standard for excellence in sports tourism. The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has been recognized as the No. 1 “All-Star Destination Partner,” and the Virginia Beach Sports Center has been named the No. 1 “All-Star Indoor Sports Venue” in SportsEvents magazine’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards.

These awards recognize destinations and venues that excel in hosting premier sporting events and creating a positive impact for athletes, visitors, and the local economy. From world-class competitions like the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships to annual staples like the NHSCA National Wrestling Championships, Virginia Beach has built a reputation as a go-to destination for sporting events of all sizes.

The Strategy Behind Virginia Beach’s Sports Tourism Success

The rise of Virginia Beach as a leader in sports tourism didn’t happen by chance. For nearly a decade, Victus Advisors has worked alongside the City of Virginia Beach and the CVB to develop a long-term sports tourism strategy, conduct feasibility studies, and help guide the evolution of the Virginia Beach Sports Center into an award-winning venue.

Key milestones in this collaboration include:

  • 2016-2017: Early feasibility studies and economic impact analysis identified the need for a major indoor sports complex to attract sports tourism and generate hotel nights. The concept evolved to include a competitive indoor track, which positioned the Virginia Beach Sports Center as a premier national facility.
  • 2020: The Virginia Beach Sports Center opened, providing a state-of-the-art venue that has since generated tens of thousands of hotel nights annually.
  • 2023-2024: Updated market and facility studies identified new opportunities for Virginia Beach’s next wave of sports venue investments, including action sports, ice hockey, and tournament baseball/softball.
  • 2024: Victus Advisors played a key role in transitioning venue operations to a new management partner, ensuring long-term sustainability and performance.

What’s Next for Virginia Beach Sports Tourism?

With this latest recognition, Virginia Beach is well-positioned to continue growing as a premier sports tourism destination. The City is actively exploring new investments in sports facilities that will further solidify its reputation and expand its ability to attract top-tier events.

As Virginia Beach looks to the future, we are excited to continue working with the City and CVB to build upon this success and support the next phase of growth. Congratulations to Nancy Helman, Dani Timm, and the entire Virginia Beach team on this well-deserved recognition!

For more insights on how cities can develop high-performing sports venues, stay tuned for updates from Victus Advisors.