ABOUT US
Who We Are
The St. Louis Sports Commission is the independent, privately-funded nonprofit organization that makes St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports. Its efforts focus on attracting, creating and managing major sporting events for the St. Louis region. The organization uses the power of sports to enhance the area’s quality of life and to create economic and social benefits for the community.
Since its inception in 1989, the Sports Commission has fulfilled its mission by producing high-profile events that generate excitement, revenue and positive exposure for the region. The organization helps make St. Louis a stronger and more vibrant community. It adds to the impact of the area’s professional and collegiate teams to make a great sports community even better. By achieving the highest level of success with its events, the Sports Commission has fortified St. Louis’ status as an outstanding sports destination.
Enriching The Community
Reflecting a vision to be a leader and innovator in addition to an event producer, the Sports Commission takes the lead in celebrating and furthering St. Louis’ Olympic legacy as host of the 1904 Summer Games, the first Olympics in America. The organization represents St. Louis in the World Union of Olympic Cities and has implemented several visible projects that raise the profile and impact of the region’s Olympic affiliation. The Sports Commission aims to positively impact St. Louis through its opportunities as an Olympic city.
The Sports Commission also operates the St. Louis Sports Foundation, its 501(c)(3) charitable affiliate. The Foundation was established as a legacy of the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1994. Today, it focuses on promoting sportsmanship in St. Louis and fostering a culture of kindness, respect, civility and selflessness. Foundation programs also strive to make youth sports more enjoyable and to create positive environments for kids to play sports so they stay active and lead healthier, happier lives.
As part of its commitment to sportsmanship, the Sports Commission manages the National Sportsmanship Foundation and produces the Musial Awards, the most inspiring night in sports. Named for the great Stan Musial, this nationally televised event celebrates the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and those in sports who embody class and character. The show takes place annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis. In addition to keeping alive the legacy of Stan The Man, the mission of the Musial Awards is to inspire people across the nation to be good sports.
An Industry & Regional Leader
A catalyst for civic benefit, economic development and charitable good, the St. Louis Sports Commission has been recognized as a leader in its industry and in the community. The organization has been selected as the national sports commission of the year three times (2002, 2005 and 2013).
The Sports Commission also has received several awards from local civic groups, including the Saint Louis Attractions Association’s 2010 Spirit of St. Louis Hall of Fame Award, FOCUS St. Louis’ 2006 What’s Right With The Region Award, and Downtown STL’s 2005 Levee Stone Award. Additionally, the Sports Commission was named a Top 50 Company by the St. Louis Regional Chamber in 2007. The recognition is a testament to the Sports Commission’s value to St. Louis and its efforts to help grow, strengthen and advance the region through sports.
Quick Facts
The St. Louis Sports Commission plays a pivotal role in enhancing the vibrancy and appeal of St. Louis through the world of sports.
OUR MISSION
To make St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.
FUNDING
Privately funded through support from corporate partnerships, memberships, and revenue from events and fundraisers.
OBJECTIVES
To use the power of sports to enhance the region’s quality of life and generate economic and social benefit for St. Louis. To grow, strengthen and move St. Louis forward through sports.
STRUCTURE
Independent nonprofit 501 (c) (6) organization with affiliated 501 (c) (3) St. Louis Sports Foundation. Ten-person staff supported by board of directors consisting of regional business, community, and sports leaders.
Our Function
- Attracts, creates and produces high-profile national and international sporting events that deliver economic, social and reputation benefits to St. Louis.
- Promotes sportsmanship in St. Louis and implements local sportsmanship programs through its affiliated Sports Foundation. Initiatives foster a culture of kindness, respect, civility and selflessness, and create positive environments for kids to play sports so they lead healthier, happier lives.
- Manages the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aiming to inspire people across the nation to be good sports.
- Celebrates and furthers St. Louis’ Olympic legacy and contribution to the Olympic movement as America’s first Olympic city.
Olympic Legacy
As the city that hosted America’s First Olympic Games, the birthplace of the Olympic Gold Medal, and the city that debuted Olympic diving, freestyle wrestling, boxing, and the decathlon, among many other firsts, we are excited and honored to properly embrace and celebrate St. Louis’ Olympic Legacy and carry this torch for future generations.
As a Member of the World Union of Olympic Cities and St. Louis’ representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee, it is our goal to ignite the passion and Olympic spirit throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Featured Events
Upcoming Events
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May 9
May 9CITYPARK -
May 20
May 20-28, 2024Dwight Davis Memorial Tennis Center -
June 2
June 2, 2024World Wide Technology Raceway
Past Events
The St. Louis Sports Commission’s event résumé highlights key contributions and milestones in the city’s sports scene.
- 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival
- 1996 & 1998 Big 12 Football Championship
- 1998 U.S. Open – Track & Field’s Farewell to JJK
- 2000 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships (Also hosted in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2017 & 2021)
- 2000 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
- 2001 & 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four
- Missouri vs. Illinois “State Farm Arch Rivalry” (2002-2003 & 2007-2010)
- 2002 NCAA Men’s Basketball 1st/2nd Rounds (Also hosted in 2014, 2016 & 2026)
- 2004 NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional (Also hosted in 2007, 2010 & 2012)
- 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Women’s Marathon
- 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Diving
- 2004 Athens Olympic Torch Relay
- 2005 NCAA Men’s Final Four
- 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
- 2006 NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup
- 2007 & 2025 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four
- 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
- 2010-2011 & 2021 NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship
- 2011 & 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Regional
- 2012 & 2013 USA Cross Country Championships
- 2012 USA Gymnastics Visa Championships
- 2013 Senior PGA Championship
- 2014 Curtis Cup
- 2015, 2021 & 2022 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
- 2015 & 2018 NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship
- 2016 P&G Championships – Women’s Gymnastics
- 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Gymnastics
- 2017 NHL Winter Classic
- 2017 NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four
- 2017 & 2018 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships
- 2018 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament
- 2018 SEC Gymnastics Championship
- 2018 PGA Championship
- 2020 NHL All-Star Game
- 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics
- 2021 & 2023 U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships
- 2022 ACHA National Championships (Also hosted 2024-2025 and 2027-2028)
- 2023 Mizzou vs. Memphis Football
- 2023-2024 Mizzou to the Lou Series
- 2030 Presidents Cup
ANNUAL EVENTS
Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament
Biz Dash 5K
The Musial Awards
GET INVOLVED
Join the movement in shaping St. Louis’ vibrant sports scene – discover how you can get involved with the St. Louis Sports Commission today!
Mark Your Calendar
Don’t miss the excitement! Save the dates for our upcoming events and be part of the action.