Rockford Region Sports

Our Region Builds Champions

Rockford has been a pioneering sports town since the mid-1980s, when it opened its first of many multi-purpose sports complexes. Decade after decade, we’ve set the standard for hosting sports tournaments with our unparalleled venues, accessibility and drive market, and the tourism and hospitality professionals that proudly call the region home. Thanks to its marketing and sales results and industry leadership, GoRockford has garnered five national awards for its industry work since 2016, created a growing variety of locally-produced events and driven millions in economic impact to the region from booked and hosted sports tourism events.

UW Health Sports Factory volleyball nets

Our facilities portfolio includes the state-of-the-art UW Health Sports Factory (UWHSF) designed for championship caliber basketball, volleyball and much more with its 105,000 square feet of competition space. The Sports Factory, as its known by residents and visitors, is located just across the Rock River--a national events venue in its own right--from the 160-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront that opened in 2020 and the 7,500-seat BMO Center.

Head across town to Loves Park where you'll find Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, which features 26 outdoor fields--including six with turf and lights for night games. The venue also comes equipped with the 2,500-seat Wedgbury Stadium and the 200,000+ square foot Indoor Sports Center. The complex remains a regular site of national soccer, baseball, softball, Ultimate, rugby, football, lacrosse and wrestling events. Need more fields of play? Mercyhealth Sportscore One, the facility that opened in the mid-1980s to jumpstart the region's entry in sports tourism, offers 17 natural grass soccer fields and eight baseball/softball diamonds in northwest Rockford.

MHSC2 Aerial

Need more world-class sports venues? Check out the one-of-a-kind West Rock Wake Park and take a ride around the cables at historic Levings Park. Additional unique venues in the Rockford region include the wide-body Rock River for rowing, skiing and other water sports and region-wide high school field houses, including the Auburn High School's field house that features full indoor track and field capabilities that allows it to host national meets.

Sports Facilities

Tournament Housing

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Play Rockford

Event Grant Application

Event Grant Application/Organization Information

The intent of the grant is for new business development and not intended to become subsidies for long-standing events.

The GoRockford Grant Program is designed to assist host organizations in attracting events or group sports events which will bring significant out-of-area economic impact to the Rockford region. The applicant must demonstrate that "but for" the grant award, the event will not be successful.

Organization Name*:

Address*:

City*:

State*:

Zip*:

Fax*:

Phone*:

Website*:

Email*:

Contact Person

First Name*:

Last Name*:

Title*:

Address*:

City*:

State*:

Zip*:

Phone Number*:

Email Address*:

General Event Data

Name of Event*:

Date(s) of Event*:

Total Attendees Expected*:

Total Hotel Room Nights Expected*:

include per night room flow

Number of attendees for the last two events*:

Are you able to give attendee zip codes to GoRockford after your event?*:

Yes No

To demonstrate economic impact, GoRockford requires a list of attendee zip codes. This data is critical in measuring the reach and success of your event. Please provide as comprehensive a list as possible.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds can be used to off-set facility costs, advertising, and promotions of the vents.

Amount of financial assistance requested?*:

$

$3,000 max

Please explain how these funds will be allocated*:

Please provide a narrative of the event*:

1) How you plan to promote the event (marketing plan). 2) What promotional considerations will GoRockford receive in return for the sponsorship.

Allocation Criteria

Grant allocations are based on the event’s ability to demonstrate success in the following areas: room night stays in the region; total visitors; off-season (need time) impact; branding and marketing reach from the event and event organization; and opportunities for area residents to participate (driving growth of sports and social impact locally).

Applicants who are awarded grant funding must sign a GoRockford letter of approval that states event grant terms. This letter will outline terms including, but not limited to, appropriate use of funding, marketing return on investment afforded to GoRockford, and providing a post event economic impact report that reflects team registration and hotel pick-up.

Authorized Signature*:

Please type your name here as your signature

Applicant Title*:

Date*:

* Indicates a required field.

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