Travel Sports Newsletter

Trending Tournaments by Sport

Every year we highlight the top tournaments, by sport, that are the most popular on Travelsports.

Hockey: Over 5,000 hockey tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. Early Bird Tournament - 19K page views
2. The Circle K Classic Tournament - 12K page views
3. The Cup Buffalo - 8K page views

Baseball: Over 7,000 baseball tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. All American Classic B Tournament - 7K page views
2. Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament - 5K page views
3. 15U National Championships - 4K page views

Lacrosse: Over 2,000 lacrosse tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. Palmetto Lax Classic - 4K page views
2. Naptown National Challenge - 3K page views
3. Lake George National Invitational - 3K page views

Softball: Over 3,000 softball tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. Mojo's Music City Invitational Powered By PGF Super Select Events - 3K page views
2. USSSA Eastern National Championship - 2.5K page views
3. The B.O.B. - 2K page views

Soccer: Over 1,500 and growing soccer tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. 2023 Wolf River Classic - Girls Weekend - 1K page views
2. Columbia Fall Classic Boy's Weekend - 1K page views
3. Spooktacular at Lost Nation - 500 page views

Golf: Over 3,000 and growing golf tournaments listed on Travelsports

1. Tennessee Junior Cup - 500 page views
2. Indiana Junior Open - 500 page views
3. Dublin CC Junior Classic - 500 page views

We expect this list to change for many of these sports as we continue to add more tournaments and expand into more sports. Stay tuned! 

How to Save $ When Buying Sports Equipment

Saving money on sports equipment is important, especially if you're a casual athlete or just starting out in a new sport. Here are some tips to help you save money on sports gear:

1.  Buy Used or Secondhand Equipment: Look for used sports equipment at thrift stores, online marketplaces (e.g., SidelineSwap, eBay), Facebook Groups or at garage sales. Many people sell their gently used gear at a fraction of the cost of new items.

2.  Rent or Borrow: If you're trying out a new sport or just need equipment for occasional use, consider renting or borrowing from friends, family, or local sports clubs. This is a cost-effective way to access gear without making a big investment.

3.  Shop Off-Season: Retailers often discount sports equipment at the end of the season to make room for new inventory. For example, winter sports gear is typically on sale in the spring and summer. Plan your purchases accordingly to take advantage of these sales.

4.  Look for Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye on sales, clearance sections, and discount websites. Sign up for newsletters from sports retailers to be notified of upcoming promotions and discounts.

5.  Buy Generic Brands: Generic or store-brand sports equipment is often more affordable than name-brand alternatives. While quality can vary, many generic options are suitable for casual athletes.

6.  Trade or Swap with Others: Connect with fellow athletes and see if you can trade or swap equipment. You might have gear that you no longer use but is valuable to someone else. (

7.  Wait for Special Sales Events: Major shopping holidays, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, often feature significant discounts on sports equipment. Keep these dates in mind when planning your purchases.

8.  Shop Local: Support local sports stores. Sometimes, they offer competitive prices and personalized service, and they may be willing to negotiate on prices, especially if you're a regular customer.

9.  Maintain Your Equipment: Proper maintenance can extend the life of your sports gear. Regularly clean, inspect, and repair equipment to prevent the need for premature replacements.

Remember that while saving money is essential, safety and quality are also important when it comes to sports equipment. Ensure that the gear you purchase, whether new or used, meets safety standards and is appropriate for your level of skill and activity.

For those that have the choice on who to use for their payment processing needs, we hope you find this article useful! Selecting a payment processor is an important decision for small businesses. There are several factors to consider when making this choice:
 

Collegiate Athletic Scholarships

Receiving an athletic scholarship to compete at the college level is the ultimate goal for many student-athletes. However, there are plenty of misconceptions about how scholarship offers work—and how much aid student-athletes actually receive.

Every year, millions of parents pay to place their children in youth sports programs in hopes the child eventually will develop the skills needed to earn a coveted athletic scholarship that pays for college. College isn’t cheap, so understanding the details of this part of the process is important if you’re looking to lessen your college costs.

The NCAA has some sobering news for those parents: just over 1% of high school athletes (1.3%, according to statistics from the NCAA) receive full or partial athletic scholarships. And just as important, those scholarships are not guaranteed for four years. 

However, if your child is among the elite in their chosen sport, there is an incredible of amount of financial aid available. Division I and Division II schools provided more than $3 billion in athletic scholarships in 2017 to just over 175,000 athletes. That averages out to $17,142 per athlete, but there are a couple of catches to that equation, the most obvious one being that not every athlete is going to get $17,142. 

While most scholarship money comes from the college itself, there are some ways for student-athletes to receive funding from private sources. Many athletic departments have endowment scholarships set up by former athletes or alumni who support a specific sport or cause.

While scholarships are the traditional way for student athletes to off-set the cost of college, the emergence of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) at the collegiate level, allows athletes to receive financial compensation for the use of an athlete’s name, image, and likeness through marketing and promotional endeavors. This can include autograph signings, product endorsements, social media posts, and more.

What do athletic scholarships cover? 
Athletic scholarships cover a portion of the costs for tuition and fees, course-related books, room, board and, sometimes, living expenses. The amount covered is dependent on whether the offer is a full or partial scholarship. 

Who gives out athletic scholarships?
Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA D1 and D2 levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels—combined, that’s thousands of schools.

Do D2 schools give athletic scholarships?
Yes, D2 schools give athletic scholarships. Most scholarships at the D2 level are partial scholarships. Full scholarships at D2 school are rare, but still possible.

Are full ride scholarships for all 4 years?
No, full ride athletic scholarships are typically one-year agreements between the college and the athlete, although some are multi-year.

Preparing for an Out-of-Town Sports Tournament

Preparing for an out-of-town youth sports tournament requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for both the athletes and their parents or guardians. Here's a checklist of things to look for and consider when preparing for such an event:

Tournament Details - Let's leave this up to the coach & manager! :) 

• Verify the tournament dates, locations, and schedules.
• Check if there are any registration or entry fees, and make the necessary payments.
• Review tournament rules and regulations to ensure compliance.

Accommodations - Assumes you have flexibility/options!

• Book lodging well in advance to secure convenient and comfortable accommodations
• Consider proximity to the tournament venue, as well as amenities like restaurants and grocery stores ... and a bar?? 
• Check for group rates or discounts, especially if you're traveling with a team.

Transportation - Planes, trains & automobiles!

• Plan how you'll get to the tournament venue, whether by car, bus, or air travel.
• Ensure that you have all necessary travel documents (e.g., ID, passports) if traveling internationally.
• Arrange transportation to and from games and the hotel, if necessary.

• Create a checklist of all necessary sports gear and equipment.
• Ensure that all equipment is in good condition and meets tournament requirements.
• Don't forget personal items like clothing, toiletries, and medications.

Food and Nutrition - Try and avoid fast food!

• Research dining options in the area, including restaurants and grocery stores.
• Plan balanced meals and snacks to fuel athletes throughout the tournament.
• Consider dietary restrictions and preferences of the team members.

Other Things to Consider: 

• Team Communication
• Medical and Safety 
• Team Itinerary
• Weather Considerations
• Team Entertainment and Recreation Plans
• Team Spirit
• Budgeting
• Parent/Guardian Roles