Sports Tourism

The Sports Tourism Program will provide financial assistance for projects that market or promote sporting events in Iowa. Eligible sporting events include professional, collegiate and amateur level sporting events that occur in Iowa. Promotion/marketing activity can occur for up to two years.

Eligibility

Cities, counties, Iowa not-for-profit economic development organizations or other Iowa not-for-profit organizations, including those that sponsor, or support sporting events are eligible to apply for assistance of up to 50% of the eligible cost to actively promote or market an eligible sporting event
Eligible applicants can apply jointly

A Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is an eligible applicant, unless the entity has received financial assistance under the Regional Sports Authority Program in the same fiscal year.

Eligible Expenses

Payments to vendors
Advertising
Equipment rental
Promotional materials
Production costs

Ineligible Expenses

Bid fees or rights fees
Solicitation efforts or lobbying fees
Travel costs of applicant staff
Meals, dining or alcoholic beverages
Items that are purchased for resale
Prizes given to participants
Costs related to infrastructure or ongoing costs of a facility
Expenses incurred prior to the Enhance Iowa Board approval.

Application Process

Applications are not currently being accepted. A new review process is underway, and future deadlines will be announced.

Scoring Criteria

The impact of the project on local, regional and statewide economies. Economic impact will be measured by hotel room nights generated by the event. Does the event and marketing have a local, regional or statewide (out-of-state) impact? Maximum score: 30
The extent to which the sporting event to be promoted/marketed is new, unique, innovative or diverse. New events will receive the most points. Does this event bring something new to the area? To Iowa? Does the event or proposed marketing reach a group not typically reached? Maximum score: 30
Quality and size of project. How well was the project described? Will it result in positive advertising or media coverage? Maximum score: 20
Leverage or ratio of public-to-private investment and local support demonstrated. A larger private investment will result in a higher score. Maximum score: 20

An application must receive an average score of 75 to be eligible for funding.

Grant Amount & Match

Grant requests cannot exceed $500,000 or 50% of the total proposed marketing/promotion budget. Matching funds must be identified and documented
Grant funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis