What is the Virginia Sports Tourism Grant Program?
The Virginia Sports Tourism Grant Program is administered by the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The purpose of the program is to provide funding to bring competitively bid high-quality youth, amateur, collegiate and select other sporting events, which will bring a positive economic impact to the Commonwealth.
Who is eligible:
Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs/CVBs or Chamber of Commerce),Nonprofit sports support organization – 501 (c), Sports Venues – i.e. convention center, event venue, sports venue, hotel with sports venue, City, Town or County local government agency or department – i.e. parks & recreation department, as well as Sports Commissions and Sports Authorities
Qualifying Criteria
- Event must be held in Virginia.
- Youth, amateur, collegiate and select other competitive sporting events or tournaments only.
- Must be a competitively bid sports tournament or event.
- Must bring a majority (51% or more) of athletes from outside the state.
- Minimum size of the event must be 100+ athletes/participants.
- Event must be multi-day. Single day events will be considered if they bring at least 75% of athletes/spectators from outside of the state.
- Event must take place within 3 years of the date of application window closing date.
- Event must take place no sooner than 120 days after application period closing date.
- There is a 1:1 cash match requirement.
- For multi-year contracted events, applicants must apply for funding each year.
- Event organizer must have at least a 2-year established event management history
- Applicants must enter into a performance agreement with VTC which will include provisions for disbursement, use of funds and reporting responsibilities. Awards may be reduced based on performance.
- Eligible Expenses: Only items listed in the eligible expenses list will be funded, see program guidelines for full list.
- Opens: January 4, 2027 Closes: February 16, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. ET
- Event window: June 16, 2027 – February 16, 2030
- Award Tiers: Recommended grant size range from $5,000 – $200,000 but lesser or greater awards may be granted. Grant size recommendations are based on metrics such as total attendance, overnight attendance, and hotel room nights
- Questions? Email us at vstgp@virginia.org