Delaware Tourism Office Announces Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund Awardees

The Delaware Tourism Office this week announced an additional set of Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund awards to five sports facilities totaling $10 million.

Established through the Fiscal Year 2024 Bond and Capital Improvements Act, the fund provides support to new or existing sports facilities that hold events throughout the year to attract out-of-state visitors and contribute to the state and local economy.

The Delaware Tourism Office received 17 applications overall for the latest set of awards; it announced $11.3 million in awards to four sports facilities in June. Sports tourism generated $258 million in economic impact for the state in 2023.

“The recent economic impact study confirmed that sports tourism is a significant economic driver in our state, attracting millions of visitors to Delaware each year and generating millions of dollars in revenue,” said Jessica Welch, director of the Delaware Tourism Office. “We are pleased to be able to support nine different facilities, through the first and second rounds of the capital investment fund, in their expansion efforts and ensure that Delaware offers top-notch sports facilities to event operators and visitors.”

The facilities receiving funding is Factory Sports in Frankford with $577,000 to construct two additional basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and six pickleball courts; Hudson Fields with $1.123 million to upgrade nine outdoor playing fields, installing two turf soccer fields and improving seven existing grass fields; Bethany Tennis Club with $3.8 million to build a new structure with multiple interior courts for tennis, padel and pickleball; Kirkwood Sports Complex with $4 million to upgrade parking infrastructure and installing artificial turf and lighting on five fields; and Dover Motor Speedway with $500,000 for new paving, elevator upgrades, Infield Media Center refurbishments and an improved audio system.