Before diving in, Sports Milwaukee and our partners at USA Fencing were honored earlier this month by Sports Destination Management as a Champion of Economic Impact for our work to host USA Fencing’s 2025 Summer Nationals and July Challenge. This event brought 11,000 attendees and their families to Milwaukee from June 28 through July 7 and generated an economic impact of over $12 million. The team is proud of this recognition and pleased to see this partnership rewarded for the impact that it created. A huge thank you to our friends at USA Fencing for your partnership and for your trust in us as a host destination for this event. Learn more here.

For the first time ever, Oireachtas is coming to Milwaukee. Running November 28-30, this event will take over two floors of the convention center, bringing over 4,000 of the region's best Irish dancers to our city over the Thanksgiving weekend and generating $6 million in economic impact. Participants from 14 U.S. states will participate in the Irish dance competition over the three-day weekend as they carry on this rich tradition of cultural pride. The Sports Milwaukee team can’t wait to welcome this group and showcase all our city has to offer.

Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are back at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, bringing Mil-Hockey energy to downtown once again. After another playoff run that brought them close to the Calder Cup, the Ads have started the season 9-3-2 and are chasing their first Finals appearance since 2006.

Kwik Trip Holiday Face Off
Right next door to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, the Kwik Trip Holiday Face Off caps the season’s festivities with two days of fast-paced college hockey action inside Fiserv Forum. Now in its fifth year, the Kwik Trip Holiday Face Off takes place on December 28 and 29, and features some of the best teams in the country, including the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers, No. 8 Western Michigan Broncos and the No. 15 Boston College Eagles, alongside the Lake Superior State Lakers. The four teams will drop the puck on the four-game tournament, with the winners earning themselves the title of Kwik Trip Holiday Face Off champions. Tickets are on sale now. Get yours today and find more information here.

Brown Deer Development
The North Shore may soon be adding even more nice ice to the city. Cobalt Partners has proposed a $50 million youth sports and events complex in Brown Deer that would feature two hockey rinks, multiple courts for basketball, volleyball and futsal, and a turf field. The plan envisions a walkable district that blends sports, hospitality and community energy in one place. If approved, construction could start in 2026, giving athletes another reason to lace up in the Greater Milwaukee area.

Pettit National Ice Center
Milwaukee’s connection to the ice goes beyond game night. The Pettit National Ice Center serves as the home base for U S Olympic Speedskating and will host the 2026 U S Olympic Team Trials Long Track Championships, bringing world-class skaters from across the country to Milwaukee on January 2-5. But the center has so much more underneath its roof. The two international-sized hockey rinks offer open sessions and programming that help athletes stay sharp throughout the year, including youth programs and adult leagues.

Venue Spotlight: Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park

Located near the Pettit National Ice Center, the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center boasts a massive venue for you to scope out. Ideal for hosting volleyball, basketball, pickleball tournaments and more, at more than 200,000 contiguous sq. ft, the expo center is one of Wisconsin’s largest single exhibit halls. Athletes love the center’s high ceilings. Planners love the surface-level loading docks that make set-up and tear-down a breeze. And attendees love the ample pre-function space and easy access with 10,000 parking spaces and a convenient location off of I-94 just west of Milwaukee. What’s not to love? The Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center is a real winner.