Sports Lovers Will Never Find a Dull Moment in Rutherford County, TN
It doesn’t matter whether you’d like to participate or just appreciate, there is an athletic activity to enjoy in Rutherford County. The region’s dynamic sports scene includes numerous places to play and events to watch, with modern facilities and approximately 5,700 hotel rooms to accommodate larger games, matches and tournaments.
“Rutherford County is passionate about sports, and it shows in the quality of our facilities, the professionalism of our event support and the warm hospitality extended to visitors,” says Barbara Wolke, senior vice president at the Rutherford County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have easy access to interstates and a range of hotel accommodations to fit every budget. So, it’s a perfect destination for larger sporting events.”
And there are ample opportunities for residents to get out and play as well. Here are a few notable highlights when it comes to sports in Rutherford County.
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Center of the Sports Scene
Not only is Rutherford County located within a day’s drive of more than half the U.S. population, but it literally is the geographical center of Tennessee. That makes it an ideal site for both regional and state events.
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has taken advantage of this central location by holding the annual Spring Fling in Murfreesboro since 2006. This four-day, multisports tournament produces TSSAA champions in baseball, softball, soccer, track and field, and tennis. Around 43,000 visitors attended the 2024 Spring Fling, generating an economic impact of $4.8 million.
Growth of Pickleball
Pickleball passion has not abated, as the sport is proving to be more than just a fad. Rutherford County is meeting this increasing demand with several new and upcoming courts, including at Old Fort Park, Patterson Park Community Center and McFadden Outdoor Pickleball & Basketball Court in Murfreesboro. In Smyrna, there are facilities at Cedar Stone Park, Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center and Hilltop Rosenwald Park.
In addition, privately owned pickleball facilities are opening as well. Apex Pickleball in Murfreesboro offers clinics, leagues and events for all skill levels. Meanwhile, the newly opened Pickleball Kingdom in Murfreesboro has 17 courts for open play, club events and organized tournaments.
“The popularity of pickleball stems from the combination of the competitive aspect and the social aspect,” says longtime Murfreesboro Pickleball Kingdom with his wife, Jami. “It’s a great way to get some exercise while also making friends. We really want to create a sense of community here.”
Home to MTSU Athletics
With 17 NCAA athletic teams competing in Conference USA, there is often some sort of sports event taking place at Middle Tennessee State University. The school continues to enhance its athletic facilities, opening a $66 million, 85,000-square-foot Student-Athlete Performance Center in 2025 and an $8 million outdoor tennis complex in 2024.
“MTSU is an important partner driving sports tourism in Rutherford County, and their ongoing renovations further enhance our reputation for having top-tier facilities for hosting events,” Wolke says.
National Academy Championship Horse Show
One of the annual highlights of the equestrian calendar, this is the only three-day, three-judge academy horse show in the nation. Riders from across the country gather at 4,600-seat Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro to compete in the event, which has been a staple of the Rutherford County sports scene since 2003. The show helps raise funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
State Soccer Hub
The game has a beautiful home in Rutherford County, as the Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) is located in Murfreesboro. This includes a 100,000-square-foot soccer facility that was opened in 2023. Richard Siegel Soccer Complex, which spans 130 acres and 21 fields, provides a venue for such events as the Tennessee Soccer State Championships and the U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional. TSSA works to grow the game of soccer, with more than 50,000 youth and adult members and 100 member associations throughout Tennessee.
The Miracle League
The Miracle League is a nationwide organization that provides a way for children with disabilities to play organized baseball. Games take place on soft, flat outdoor surfaces that are wheelchair-accessible, and each child is paired during the game with an older “baseball buddy.”
Murfreesboro opened a Miracle League field in 2017 in partnership with Project One Four, a nonprofit organization founded by Murfreesboro native and former Major League Baseball pitcher David Price. “It’s great for these parents to be able to sit in the stands and relax, and let their children play baseball,” says Thomas Laird, assistant director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Murfreesboro. “It’s really a beautiful thing to watch.”
Rutherford County Sports By the Numbers
5,700: Hotel rooms to accommodate sports events
$4.8M: Economic impact of the TSSAA 2024 Spring Fling
17: NCAA-sanctioned athletic teams at MTSU
4,600: Seats at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum
21: Fields at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex
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