Maine’s sports scene will continue to expand in 2025, with new venues opening, a women’s bass fishing tournament, new softball and baseball competitions, and the debut of Maine’s first professional men’s soccer league, Hearts of Pine. What’s more, many events will return and expand after successful debuts in Maine in recent years.
The new events follow a successful 2024, when Maine gained even more national recognition as a sports destination. In September, the National Collegiate Roller Hockey National Championship, which was held in Auburn’s Norway Savings Bank Arena in April, was among the final nominees for SportsTravel magazine’s award for Best Collegiate Sports Event. In October, Sports Business Journal named Portland the No. 1 minor league sports market in the nation, as measured by ticket and merchandise sales.
“Our organization and community partners are celebrating that a growing and diverse array of leaders in the sports world are continuing to discover Maine’s strength as a four season sports destination,” said Sheila Brennan Nee, strategic director for the Maine Sports Commission. “Sports tourism continues to play an important role in bringing new visitors to the state and generating a significant economic impact, with some events welcomed during the shoulder seasons.”
Two new indoor pickleball facilities are opening in Southern Maine: The Picklr, a 64,000 square foot location in Westbrook, and The Wicked Pickle, complete with the Pickle Jar café, in South Portland. Oceanside Sports, a new turf facility serving Arundel and Kennebunk, will engage athletes of all ages in the Maine Beaches region.
Hearts of Pine, the USL League One professional men’s soccer team, will launch its 18-game season with the first home game in May at Portland’s 6,000-seat Fitzpatrick Stadium, under the leadership of coach Bobby Murphy. Though the first match is months away, the team has already sold out all 4,500 season ticket deposits for the 2025 season and sold merchandise in 48 states. Plenty of game day tickets will be available.
In October, the Women’s Pro Bass Tour and World Fishing Tour, sponsored by the Lady Bass Anglers Association, will bring its Championship to Waterville for the first time, welcoming 40 of the best women anglers in the nation to the area.
In addition, many events are returning to Maine after successful debuts. In February, Maximum Cheer and Dance MaXout, a national cheerleading competition, will return to Thompson’s Point in Portland, bringing more than 1,200 athletes, officials, coaches, and spectators from all over the U.S. during the city’s shoulder season.
In June and July, Firecracker Sports will bring back two baseball tournaments: the All-American Lighthouse Classic and All-American Classic, drawing more than 3,000 players, spectators, coaches, and others, mostly from out of state. This year, Firecracker Sports will add a softball tournament, the All-American Summer Classic, (July 31 to Aug. 3), and a new baseball tournament, inaugural Northeast Summer Invitational, (July 24-26), at college and recreation ballfields throughout Southern and Central Maine. The Ballpark at Old Orchard Beach will remain the championship venue.
Mark Cooke, Firecracker Sports’ president and owner, said that the support from the Maine Sports Commission, on everything from logistics to communications with venue operators, and lodging, and retail, has been instrumental in the organization’s decision to return and grow here in Maine.
“Maine has always been a staple on our calendar,” Cooke said. “The Maine Sports Commission has been instrumental in the growth of our company, Firecracker Sports, over the last seven years.”
Ironman 70.3 Maine triathletes will return to Augusta in July, coming to the city for the fourth consecutive year to swim, bike, and run. The event brought more than 5,400 visitors to the area in 2024, and had an estimated economic impact of $4.25 million, including spending on lodging, and purchases at stores and restaurants. Nearly all the participants came from out of the area.
Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, which was cancelled in 2024 due to lack of snow, is scheduled to return to Fort Kent from Feb. 28 through March 3. The event includes 250-, 100-, and 30-mile races. The 2023 winners made history with female mushers finishing in first place in all three of the event’s major races, marking a milestone for women in the sport.The full calendar of sports events is available at mainesportscommission.com.
Maine Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization that works to advance, elevate, and promote Maine as a four season sports destination, strengthening the state through sports tourism, encouraging healthy, active lifestyles for all.
