Scoreboards and Speedways

The powerhouses of sports tourism in Kent County

BY PETER BRADLEY

IN THE HEART of Kent County, two dynamic hubs pulsate with energy, drawing in athletes, enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers alike, all while propelling the region’s economy to new heights. DE Turf and Dover Motor Speedway stand as beacons of sports tourism, anchoring Kent County’s position as a premier destination for athletic competitions and high-speed entertainment.

DE TURF

DE Turf is the largest all-synthetic turf sports complex in the MidAtlantic region. It features 12 full-sized synthetic lit fields, and a championship stadium with up to 1,000 seats. DE Turf’s outstanding amenities and customer service is a compelling venue for both regional and national soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey tournaments. The facility also serves the local community by hosting recreational leagues and different events throughout the year for all ages.

DE Turf stands as a one-of-a-kind-venue in Kent County. The facility has grown to host over 40 tournaments and events each year, drawing more than 130,000 athletes, coaches, families, and spectators to the region. In 2023, DE Turf introduced Delaware to 2,536 out-of-state teams. Their annual economic impact to Delaware is over $42 million. A typical large tournament weekend creates a very positive impact on our hotels, restaurants, retail establishments, and attractions.

DOVER MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Each spring, Dover Motor Speedway hosts a three-day NASCAR cup series of races. Also known as The Monster Mile, it hosts America’s best drivers at the world’s fastest one mile oval. Dover Motor Speedway also has an eight-acre FanZone, a free-to-enter area before the race and is cited as one of the top entertainment venues on the NASCAR schedule. It is home to dozens of attractions, unique shows, live entertainment, games, and even a bar/arcade. The most recent NASCAR weekend (April 26-29, 2024) saw the highest attendance of fans in over 10 years, which is another testimony to the outstanding amenities and customer service that the Dover Motor Speedway team provides.

The Speedway has been an amazing and continuous economic partner to Kent County over the years by using their footprint to help host other major events in the past, such as the Firefly Music Festival at the Woodlands in conjunction with AEG Entertainment, and more recently, the annual Gift of Lights drive-thru holiday light show which takes place November through January. This year, Dover Motor Speedway will be introducing the inaugural Good Guys Car Show in June, which is expected to attract over 40,000 visitors to the region. Also on the schedule for this August, and in conjunction with AEG Entertainment, is a three-day festival for the band Phish called Mondegreen, which will be taking place at the Woodlands.

Both venues wield significant influence, generating millions in revenue and breathing life into Kent County’s hospitality and retail sectors. From the surge of visitors flocking to tournaments and races to the ripple effect felt across hotels, restaurants, and local businesses, their impact reverberates far beyond the confines of the playing field or racetrack.

Peter Bradley is president of Kent County Tourism.