Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Feature Story
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
      • Bid Bowl Listings
      • Submission Form
        • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2022 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Motorsports > Sports and Tourism Venues Help in Fight Against Coronavirus

Sports and Tourism Venues Help in Fight Against Coronavirus

USTA one of many sports organizations offering venues to help in the effort

Posted On : April 14, 2020 By : Matt Traub
USAT NTC
Louis Armstrong Court at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has been used as a staging area for COVID-19 first responders. (Photo by United States Tennis Association)

There’s no denying that coronavirus pandemic has changed how sports events will take place. Around the world, the sports-event industry has moved to transform many of its venues to support health officials in their local regions. Going forward, finding unique venues to host our events will be more important than ever. Click here to download our exclusive guide that details eight innovative ways to finding unique venues.

Following, take a look at how some of the world’s most renowned sporting venues have currently transformed to support health officials and frontline workers.

[The latest on sports during the coronavirus pandemic]
New York City is need of hospital facilities and construction work has begun on a 350-bed facility at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the longtime home of the U.S. Open will have 12 indoor courts on its grounds transformed into almost 100,000 square feet of supplemental hospital space.

Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-largest stadium on the grounds, will be used to prepare and distribute up to 25,000 packages of meals every day. Each package will consist of two days’ worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner for patients, workers and children.

New York is among the hardest-hit places in the United States by the coronavirus. The complex will become the second site in Queens to be used as a temporary hospital after the Aqueduct racetrack was earmarked last week.

“It’s an incredibly small part, but it’s the least we can do,” said Danny Zausner, the chief operating officer of the grounds. “Elmhurst Hospital in Queens is a stone’s throw away from the tennis center. For us to be in the local community where our hands are tied, but to support the local community and help take some pressure off of Elmhurst Hospital is a huge thing for us to help out in any way we can.”

The U.S. Open is still currently scheduled to start on August 23.

[Trials Hosts Play Waiting Game in Wake of Olympic Postponement]
The USTA complex is one of many venues throughout the United States that have been repurposed to help health officials.

A spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, that is shared by the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros will be used as a testing area with medical personnel in the parking lots.

“The facility closed officially when the governor said all non-essential businesses must be closed,” Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said on a conference call March 30. “The county has the right to utilize a portion of our facility for emergency use, and they decided to do that.”

That decision follows the lots of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, which are also being used as testing centers.

CenturyLink Field in Seattle will be converted into a military field hospital by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and FEMA for patients with non-COVID-19 issues with at least 150 hospital beds. The United Center in Chicago (at left) is being used to store food and collect medical supplies as well as be a staging area for first responders and Wrigley Field will be used as a food packing and distribution center along the ballpark concourses for a local food pantry with its neighboring Hotel Zachary hosting health care workers needing a break between shifts at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Each worker will keep the same room the entire time and be allowed to have food delivered.

[Download our exclusive guide to finding creative sports-event venues.]
The University of Kentucky football team’s indoor practice facility is being transitioned into a 400-bed temporary hospital for patients. The temporary hospital will be operational in two weeks. The facility, Nutter Field House, is also used by other sports at the school including indoor track.

“As the Commonwealth’s health care provider for advanced and critical care, it is essential that we are prepared for any scenario to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and the Commonwealth,” executive vice president Dr. Mark Newman said in a statement. “We need to do whatever is necessary to ensure that highest quality of care is provided to meet the challenges associated with this unprecedented public health crisis.”

Work is also underway at the TCF Center in Detroit to be transformed into a temporary alternate care facility as it was recently designated by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The site will include approximately 1,000 beds to help relieve the burden to local hospitals treating patients.

In Florida, the Daytona Beach Ocean Center’s exhibition hall will be a hub for medical supplies. Three dozen pallets have already been spread out at the convention center, which has 94,000 square feet. It will be used as a staging area for hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other organizations.
“We want to make sure that everyone gets at least something to take care of their needs,” Mark Swanson, Volusia County’s deputy director of Public Protection, told the Daytona Beach News-Journal. “We’re doing everything we possibly can to be as prepared as we possibly can.”

Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, has been repurposed as a hub to cook and distribute thousands of free meals to those in need and the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, will host a series of blood drives starting April 13. And Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, has announced three partnerships to donate meals to surrounding communities in Atlanta with over 5,000 meals per week total distributed.

[IOC Sets New Dates for 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games]
The same is going on around the world.

Lord’s Cricket Ground in England has discussed with the Westminster City Council how the 30,000-seat venue can be used. Lord’s owners are providing parking for nearby hospitals and storage as well as food that will be redistributed to those in need.

The All England Club, which hosts Wimbledon, has offered use of a golf course adjacent to the club and medical equipment to the NHS. The club, which announced the cancellation of the 2020 tournament, will also work with food banks to distribute supplies.

The Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London will have its parking areas used to distribute food supplies while Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Championship club Bristol City and Gresty Road Stadium, home of League Two team Crewe Alexandra, have been pledged to the NHS for use.

The Maracana in Rio de Janeiro will become a temporary hospital in Brazil, where through March 31 the country has recorded over 5,700 cases and 200 deaths. The Maracana hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. It joins Sao Paulo’s Pacaembu and the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia as temporary health facilities.

The 60,000-seat Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India, is to be handed over as a quarantine center as well as the Buddh International Circuit, the previous host of a Formula 1 race from 2011–2013. The stadium will serve as a quarantine facility for migrant workers who intended to leave Delhi before a 21-day lockdown was imposed last week and the racing venue will house workers until the lockdown period lifts on April 14.

German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund has converted Signal Iduna Park into a facility to care for people with COVID-19 and teamed with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Westphalia-Lippe.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Baseball, Basketball, Coronavirus, Football, Motorsports, TennisTagged : Aqueduct,Brasilia,Brazil,Buddh International Circuit,CenturyLink Field,Chicago,Citizens Bank Park,coronavirus,Danny Zausner,England,FedEx Field,Hard Rock Stadiu,India,Jacksonville,Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,Lord's Cricket Ground,Maracana,Mark Newman,Miami,Philadelphia,Raymond James Stadium,Rio de Janeiro,Sao Paulo,Seattle,Tampa,TCF Center,TIAA Bank Field,United Center,University of Kentucky,USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,Wimbledon

Post navigation

Seattle Sports Commission Becomes Independent Organization
Endurance Sports Organizations Form New Coalition

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

sportstravel

SportsTravel was on location today in Atlanta at t SportsTravel was on location today in Atlanta at the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup, presented by Collegiate Sports Management Group, EsportsU and Skillshot Media at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. More than 400 collegiate players from all over the country competed with more than 2,000 attendees. #CECCAtlanta2022 #esportsindustry
SportsTravel is on location for the #NCAA beach vo SportsTravel is on location for the #NCAA beach volleyball championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. @gsob_sportsandevents is a partnership among Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Gulf State Park and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, the organization became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the GSOB Sports & Events – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality athletic and leisure events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. 

#GSOBsports
#GSOBsportsandevents
#GulfShores
#orangebeach
Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great chat wi Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a great chat with Scott Howson, president of @theahl about how the hockey league survived the pandemic and what competition and events look like on the other side. We also explore his journey from player to executive.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major platforms.

#podcast #sportspodcast #hockey #hockeypodcast #AHL #sports #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness
SportsTravel is celebrating its 25th anniversary o SportsTravel is celebrating its 25th anniversary of issue one this year. We recently caught up on the SportsTravel Podcast with magazine founder Tim Schneider to talk about the origin of the publication, what those early days were like and where the industry is headed next.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @myrtlebeachconventioncenter for sponsoring this episode!

#podcast #sportspodcast #sports #sportstourism #sportstravel #magazine #magazineindustry #sportsbusiness #sportsbiz
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a conversation The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a conversation with @julius_journeys of @marriotthotels on the company’s @ncaa sponsorship and activation at the recent Women’s Final Four in Minneapolis. We also delve into his take on how sports have helped the travel industry recover. 

Take a listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

#podcast #sportspodcast #hotelindustry #sportssponsorship #basketball #womensbasketball #womensfinalfour @meetminneapolis
ICYMI: Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a must-l ICYMI: Our latest SportsTravel Podcast is a must-listen with Tom Cove, the president and CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, where we go into which sports are trending up and which are trending down when it come to participation. More important, we explore what sports organizations and destinations should do depending where those trends are going.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms. Special thanks to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for sponsoring this episode!

@thesfia @myrtlebeachconventioncenter #podcast #sportspodcast #sports  #research #data #sportsparticipation #youthsports #pickleball #pickleballpodcast #sportsresearch
Two years ago, the cancellation of the BNP Paribas Two years ago, the cancellation of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was one of the first major sporting events that went away because of COVID-19. This year’s #BNPPO22 crowds have roared on some of #tennis’ biggest stars including Rafael #Nadal and more. With COVID restrictions recently lifted in California and a vaccine mandate in place, attendance over the middle weekend of the tournament—which runs through March 20—was close to 75 percent of its biggest years. Here is a look around the grounds at what a return to normalcy in the sports world looks like (fingers crossed). Saturday’s tight three-set match between Nadal and up-and-coming young American Sebastian Korda drew a close-to-capacity crowd and something that hasn’t been heard in awhile—legions of screaming fans, while the outer courts at the appropriately named @indianwellstennisgarden are a popular spot. Doubles action between John Isner and Jack Sock of the U.S. and Nick Kyrios and Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia was a popular draw on Stadium 2 but those not inside the stadiums can still watch the action on big screens on the lawn outside. Organizers of the @bnpparibasopen are happy to welcome fans back to what they call “Tennis Paradise."
College basketball is full of venues that reflect College basketball is full of venues that reflect the community teams play in and one such place is the Reilly Center at St. Bonaventure University. Since it opened in 1966, the Reilly Center has served as the focal point on @bonnies_mbb and @bonnies_wbb game nights not only for the campus community but throughout the region. In 2016, ESPN selected it as the most difficult place for opponents to play in the Atlantic 10 and one of the top 10 such venues in the nation. In the summer of 2007, a state-of-the-art floor was installed and named "Bob Lanier Court" in honor of the 1970 @stbonaventureuniversity  graduate, All-American and Basketball Hall of Famer. Tuesday’s win over Rhode Island was in front of just under 4,000 fans in an atmosphere that sounded like twice as many people were there.
NEW EPISODE! With the @ciaasports men’s and wome NEW EPISODE! With the @ciaasports men’s and women’s basketball tournaments tipping off this week, we sit down with Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams to learn why the event has moved to Baltimore after years in Charlotte, the importance of ancillary events to the festivities and the pace of DEI efforts in collegiate sports hiring. Listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major #podcast platforms.

And special thanks to @marylandsportscommission for sponsoring this episode!

#sportspodcast #ciaa #basketball #collegebasketball #sportstourism #sportstravel @visitbmore #baltimore #maryland #hbcu #hbcubasketball
The Carrier Dome is the largest structure of its k The Carrier Dome is the largest structure of its kind on a college campus with tens of thousands every season coming to watch stars such as Dwayne "Pearl" Washington, Rony Seikaly, Sherman Douglas, Derrick Coleman and 2003 NCAA champions Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara. The Dome has hosted five NCAA East Regional since 2000 and also hosts SU's football team, the 11-time NCAA champion men's lacrosse team, the women's lacrosse squad and the women's basketball team. It’s iconic dome structure has been replaced with a more modern look in recent years. Saturday’s crowd saw the Orange beat Boston College 76-56.
The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a chat with Stu The latest SportsTravel Podcast is a chat with Stu Upson, CEO of @usapickleball. We discuss what’s behind the phenomenon that SFIA says is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, the status of pickleball venues and the landscape for events.

Listen at SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms. And special thanks to @playacsports for sponsoring this episode!

#pickleball #podcast #podcasts #sportspodcast #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #sportstourism #sportstravel
SportsTravel was excited to be on hand for today’s historic opening of the new @usabmx headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The venue includes office space for the NGB but even more importantly a world-class arena and a permanent home for the BMX Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for our upcoming coverage at SportsTravelMagazine.com.

#bmx #tulsa @visittulsa @tulsasportscommission #ngb #cycling
As part of its continuing 20th anniversary celebra As part of its continuing 20th anniversary celebrations of hosting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a public exhibition of sports including curling and biathlon was held outside along with pin trading, music and a climbing wall. Nearby at the @teamusa USA house with graphics designed by @infinite_scale, dignitaries and Olympic supporters from around the area gathered to watch the action from Beijing. Part of the afternoon included a visit from Senator Mitt Romney, who was part of the 2002 SLC leadership along with Fraser Bullock, with both speaking to a crowd that included Olympic legend Eric Heiden.
What does this robot bartender have anything to do What does this robot bartender have anything to do with the Olympic Winter Games? It’s one of the many quirky aspects of being in the “closed loop.” Visit SportsTravelMagazine.com for Lisa Delpy Neirotti’s inside look at what life is like in the loop.

#beijing #beijing2022 #robot #bartender @gwsportmngt #olympics
With its prime location near many of the most impo With its prime location near many of the most important business hubs in the northeast, Ocean City, Maryland, is a supremely accessible and scenic destination for groups. Planners can choose from a diverse array of group-friendly venues and treat their attendees to activities that include relaxing along 10 miles of white-sand beach, strolling a three-mile Boardwalk, trying their swing at any of 17 championship golf courses and savoring the cuisine at more than 200 restaurants. Find out more in our destination guide here: https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/guide-to-sports-events-and-venues-in-ocean-city
Stay close to the action and reserve your room now Stay close to the action and reserve your room now at the official host hotel of the EsportsTravel Summit, the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Located at the edge of one of the most famous beaches in the world, the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort offers elegant oceanside rooms and provides convenient access to the EsportsTravel Summit, including the educational sessions and the Destination & Supplier Marketplace. Book your room at the EsportsTravel Summit special rate today and be part of the world’s largest gathering of esports tournament and video-game event organizers at the only event focused on the travel side of the esports industry. Visit esportstravelsummit.com for more information.
To mark the 20-year anniversary of Salt Lake City To mark the 20-year anniversary of Salt Lake City hosting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the torch at Rice-Eccles Stadium was re-lit during a Tuesday night ceremony. Governor Spencer Cox, Mayor Erin Mendenhall and 2002 Games CEO Fraser Bullock each spoke during the event, which included 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games athletes as well as current youth athletes representing the Children of Light, a theme from the 2002 opening and closing ceremonies. The torch will remain lit through this week.

#Olympics2022 #Olympics #WinterOlympics #TeamUSA  #saltlakecity #slc2030
With skiing and snowboarding underway in Beijing, With skiing and snowboarding underway in Beijing, be sure to check out our most recent episode of the SportsTravel Podcast, which features U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. We talk to her about the logistics of getting her team’s athletes to China, the growth of both sports and her being one of the few women to lead an NGB.

To listen, visit SportsTravelMagazine.com or subscribe on all major podcast platforms.

@usskiteam @teamusa @beijing2022 #beijing #beijing2022 #ski #snowboard #skiing #snowboarding #olympics
Our @gwsportmngt Lisa Delpy Neirotti is in Beijing Our @gwsportmngt Lisa Delpy Neirotti is in Beijing and reports that despite the limited crowds, organizers are still providing a DJ and other entertainment, similar to what organizers did in Tokyo under similar circumstances. That was the case as the U.S. women’s hockey team dominated the Russian Olympic Committee team.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers tries his hand Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers tries his hand at curling during a kickoff to a weekend celebration at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum called Downtown Winter Fest. Two-time Paralympian John Register was also on hand for the announcement of the festival, which begins with a daylong event on Saturday to celebrate the Beijing Games. Olympians including Peggy Fleming will be on hand for autographs and attendees at the free event can see other sport demonstrations and experience a torch relay. Events are planned at the downtown museum throughout the Games.

@usopmuseum @visitcos @olympiccityusa @thesportscorp @teamusa #olympics #paralympics @springsgov #usopm #museum #beijing2022
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • How COVID Has Affected Sports: More Positive Tests Disrupt NBA Conference Finals
  • 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials
  • Major League Cricket Secures $120 Million in Funding
  • Premier Lacrosse League Adds 2023 Championship Series in Sixes Format
  • Barcelona Releases More Details of U.S. Tour
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2022 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.