Placer County in California Aims to Establish Itself as a Sports Tourism Hub

Boys basketball has emerged as a popular attraction for tourism in Placer County, with over 5,000 high school players, coaches, and fans congregating at the Roebbelen Center at @the Grounds in Roseville this weekend. The event center has the capacity to host 12 full-court basketball games simultaneously. Dave Karnes, from marketing at @the Grounds, expressed his excitement about seeing athletes compete at their best during this event.

This three-day basketball tournament has drawn over 160 teams from various regions in California and the western United States, with NCAA scouts from schools like UCLA and Kentucky scouting the top talent. The event aims to identify future basketball stars who could potentially play in the NBA. As part of Placer County’s efforts to position itself as a premier sports tourism destination, this tournament is anticipated to generate $2 million in economic activity for the local community.

Local businesses, including hotels like the sold-out Best Western in Roseville, are benefiting from the influx of visitors. Best Western’s general manager, Dilawar Singh Shahaed, highlighted the positive business opportunities created by hosting such events. In addition to basketball, Placer County is diversifying its tourism offerings by hosting various sports competitions like volleyball, pickleball, BMX, and Harry Potter-themed quadball tournaments.

Dave Karnes emphasized the significance of these events in boosting tourism and promoting Placer Valley and Roseville as vibrant destinations. The basketball tournament will continue over the weekend, with games starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with an admission fee of $10 per person.