Covering 267,000 square miles, the Lone Star State can seem infinite in places—especially when traveling across its vast western reaches. Encompassing expanses such as Big Bend National Park and the Texas Panhandle, the West/Central Texas region is also home to the mighty Permian Basin, center of Texas oil and gas production.
While naturally attracting energy-related meetings and events, the area is also fueled by a love of sports and outdoor adventure. This is Friday Night Lights country—home to the true story of the Odessa high school football team that inspired the novel, movie and television series. From Abilene to Wichita Falls, the appetite for athletic endeavors is as boundless as the region’s frontiers, giving groups a competitive edge for agenda-boosting activities.
Sporting Chances
Scenes for the Friday Night Lights movie were shot at 15,000-seat Grande Communications Stadium, part of the multi-venue Scharbauer Sports Complex in energy capital Midland.
With grass seating for another 3,000 fans, the stadium serves as home field for two Midland high school football teams, along with Midland-Odessa FC, a.k.a. the Sockers, in the National Premier Soccer League, and the West Texas Drillers adult tackle football team. The complex also includes the 5,000-seat Security Bank Ballpark, home of the Minor League Midland RockHounds baseball team.
“The ballpark and stadium also host many regional tournaments,” said Brad Barnett, executive vice president of tourism and facilities for the Midland CVB. “With 50 city parks, outdoor space for relaxation and recreation is easy to find. Nearby Big Bend National Park is a favorite destination for pre- or post-conference outdoor excursions, along with the impressive hiking trails at the I-20 Wildlife Preserve and Sibley Nature Center.”
Generating some 60 percent of travel and tourism dollars in Midland, sports tourism was a focal point of the bureau’s rebranding in May 2016, which included a new name, VisitMidland, and increased emphasis on raising awareness of the city’s athletic and entertainment assets and hosting capabilities. The city is also scheduled to break ground and commence construction on a new, larger convention center this month (see Latest & Greatest).
Multi-venue Midland County Horseshoe Arena & Pavilion offers versatile configurations for sporting events, large conventions, tradeshows and concerts. Located at the Rock the Desert music festival site, RTD Skatepark is a 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art skateboarding facility offering party space and lessons, plus art and music events.
More Texas-size high school and college football action awaits at 15,000-seat Shotwell Stadium in centrally located Abilene, three hours west of Dallas. With recent renovations such as new high-performance synthetic turf, the multipurpose field also hosts concerts and events.
“Our award-winning venues are outshined only by our dedication to customer service, ensuring all groups are winners when they choose to play in Abilene,” said Nanci Liles, executive director of the Abilene CVB.
With venues that include the 1,000-seat “Starplex of the West” outdoor entertainment pavilion and 30,000-square-foot Coliseum, the Expo Center of Taylor County is a versatile choice for horse shows, exhibitions, conferences and more. Another unique option is Action Zone, an indoor and outdoor training facility offering teambuilding programs and boot camps.
In Lubbock, Texas Tech University offers major group-accessible sports venues. Over the past decade, $135 million in renovations has transformed 60,454-seat Jones AT&T Stadium into a preeminent football facility, with amenities including 47 luxury suites and function and meeting space. The university’s Rawls Course is among the top-ranked public golf courses in the country.
“The combination of 263 days of sunshine annually along with Texas-sized hospitality from our Lubbock Sports team ensures a seamless experience that athletes and groups deserve,” said John Osborne, president and CEO of Visit Lubbock.
With more sporting venues at Lubbock Christian University, the city’s recreational facilities include the recently opened APEX Event Center, housing eight full-size basketball and volleyball courts. Home of the annual Ironman 70.3 triathlon, Buffalo Springs Lake is for water sports, biking, hiking and more, function facility included.
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Natural Fits
Earning numerous accolades, including “Best Western Cowboy Town” from True West magazine in January 2016, Amarillo sits close to otherworldly Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Second only to the Grand Canyon in size, this rugged wonderland, running 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and 800-plus feet down in its deepest parts, is a supreme choice for mountain biking and other activities.
Western adventure tour operator Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West outfits groups for horseback rides to the canyon’s rim. Programs at Palo Duro Canyon Adventure Park include bouldering, rappelling and the “Big Zip” zipline across nearly a quarter-mile of canyon. Groups can also rent space in the park’s Mack Dick Group Pavilion.
“Our great combination of Western heritage and outdoor and sports activity make Amarillo a unique stop,” said Dan Quandt, vice president of the Amarillo CVC. “Another great pairing for groups is following the mile-long hike through thousands of years of history at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, with the outdoor musical drama TEXAS, now in its 52nd season, at the outdoor Pioneer Amphitheatre.”
In El Paso, completed projects funded by the city’s $500 million Quality of Life Bond Program include downtown’s new $78 million Southwest University Park. Home of the El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A baseball team, the 7,500-seat ballpark, with flexible space for another 2,000 people, offers the Santa Fe Pavilion and Big Dog House for events and functions.
“Sports event planners have discovered El Paso is sun-soaked, warm and always ready for kickoffs, tip-offs and starting guns,” said Destination El Paso CEO and General Manager Bryan Crowe. “Adding to excellent venues for basketball, track and field, baseball and soccer, as well as some of the best golf in the Southwest, the City’s investment has given us $500 million to work with for more fields, parks, courts, lanes, pools and diamonds.”
Other venues include the 12,000-seat multipurpose Don Haskins Center, home of University of Texas at El Paso basketball and other sports, and the Judson F. Williams Convention Center, twice renovated in the last decade and hosting a wide variety of sporting events.
Minutes from downtown El Paso, Franklin Mountains State Park is the nation’s largest state park in an urban setting, offering 125 miles of multiuse trails and spectacular three-state views, and into Mexico. World-renowned for rock climbing, Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site offers 860 acres of ancient huecos, or rock basins.
Another recreational hub is Wichita Falls.
“From ice hockey and indoor football to annual events such as the Hotter’N Hell Hundred bicycle race and Texas Ranch Roundup, Wichita Falls has plenty of activities and events to entertain groups,” said Lindsay Greer, director of the Wichita Falls CVB and executive director of the city’s three-venue Multi-Purpose Events Center (MPEC).
With 6,500 permanent seats and space for an additional 3,500 temporary seats, the convention-capable Kay Yeager Coliseum is home of Nighthawks arena football and Wildcats hockey, and can be used for group games of flag football or broom hockey. Adjacent Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall offers 57,141 square feet of usable floor space, with a 50,000-square-foot indoor stall barn and 1,200-seat indoor arena at the pedestrian bridge-connected J.S. Bridwell Agricultural Center.
Wichita Falls also offers an 18-mile hike and bike trail encircling the city, kayaking on Lake Wichita and a new Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
