In the early 2000s, leaders in Hamilton County decided to get into the sports tourism industry in a big way. Nearby, Indianapolis had built a sports commission and saw success driving tourism and exposure. Peyton Manning was quarterbacking the Colts into a new stadium, and new venues for professional basketball and baseball had transformed the city. Hamilton County and its community leaders saw that, and as the county’s population increased 41% between 2000-08 (FYI here), leaders put on a full-court press to make Hamilton County a winning destination. 

 

The Initial Boom 

Now in its 20th year, this century’s sports tourism boom in Hamilton County can be traced back to a vision and great timing.  

“The Hamilton County Sports Authority (HCSA) came about as communities here were looking to expand. And to do that, they started sports commissions,” said William Knox, who was HCSA Director from 2008-16. Knox, who had family in Fishers and saw the area booming, came to Hamilton County from Visit Bloomington in southern Indiana. He made the move at perhaps the most pivotal time in our organization’s history, as the concept for Grand Park in Westfield was picking up steam. 

“They were just starting to talk about a mega-sports campus. Those were the early days,” Knox said. "During our interviews, (Hamilton County Tourism VP/CSO) Karen Radcliff was telling me how fast the county was growing and they were expanding their sports presence. And that’s when we developed the HCSA.” 

In addition to Grand Park becoming a reality, Knox noted the creation of the Indiana Senior Games and big AAU events coming as watershed moments.  

 

Investments In The Present Day 

After the COVID-19 slowdown, Hamilton County Tourism doubled down in recent years to make sure resources are now in place for partners to bring successful sports properties to Hamilton County. The HCSA added staff and rebranded to clearly communicate to event owners and sports organizations what is possible just north of Indianapolis.  

At a recent summit held in Fishers, the HCSA reported $42.3 million in local economic impact to the area as it supported 37 events and 152 days of competition in the county. HCSA efforts helped drive nearly 74,000 hotel nights across five local communities, and the local tourism team projects those numbers to increase in 2025. 

 

Looking Forward 

The population growth at the turn of the century has continued, as Hamilton County grew by 26% between 2012 and 2022. That’s not only brought tourism, but partners entrenched in the community who are eager to contribute to the county’s profile. 

“The future looks very good,” said Carl Daniels, Director of the HCSA. Daniels said he closely researched the opportunity when he was hired in 2023 and could see the area was positioned for continued growth and sports venues were being built and thriving.  

“While coming on board, I learned how great the situation here is, and how Karen and William and others had built it,” Daniels said. “Now we are continuing to advance the HCSA.” 

New professional sports arenas in Fishers and Noblesville and a variety of other upcoming venues dot the landscape. Pickleball facilities are sprouting up as fast as the sport itself, and professional tour LIV Golf is coming to Westfield’s The Club at Chatham Hills in 2025. Grand Park continues to host major events in many sports, new basketball facilities are growing, and Olympic and Paralympic championships have thrived in Hamilton County. 

Knox, the former director who is still close by in his role as CEO of consultancy firm Legacy Sports Group, sees the area’s increased commitment to sports as an asset moving forward.  

“With Carl and Gabe continuing to develop sports programming, I’m excited for them to take it well beyond where we were back in the day.”