Column written for The Morgan Hill Times by Visit Morgan Hill
From Pro Football to Weekend Tournaments: Morgan Hill’s Athletic Edge
Morgan Hill has long been a hub for sports tourism, attracting athletes for tournaments, camps, and events that showcase our city’s outstanding facilities. From soccer and flag football to swimming and cycling, our community is known for great local programs and hosting visitors from across the West Coast. Now, as we welcome back the Bay Area Panthers for their third season, we’re seeing how professional sports are strengthening this legacy.
The Bay Area Panthers, members of the Indoor Football League (IFL), are calling Morgan Hill home again in 2025, utilizing the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center (MHOSC) and local facilities as their official practice base. This partnership between Visit Morgan Hill, the City of Morgan Hill, MHOSC, and the Bay Area Panthers demonstrates how sports tourism extends beyond weekend tournaments. When an entire team chooses to train and live in our community, it creates a ripple effect of economic and social impact.
Through strategic investments in marketing, facilities, and partnerships, Morgan Hill is gaining recognition not just for sports, but for its recreation and leisure attributes. The city’s partnership with the Bay Area Panthers deepens our reputation as a multifaceted destination by providing broader visibility of our city through commercial placements on TV, radio, and online streaming. With the Bay Area Panthers games broadcast locally across NBC Sports Bay Area and KNBR 1050 (KTCT), and nationally on the newly released IFL Network, Morgan Hill is introduced to sports-minded audiences, ensuring that our city name resonates long after the season ends. Fans watching games will also see “Morgan Hill” prominently featured across the SAP Center arena, further extending visibility and the invitation to explore our community.
Beyond recognition and inspiration, sports tourism delivers direct economic benefits for Morgan Hill. General sports tourism economic studies show that day-trippers typically spend between $50 and $100 per visit, while overnight visitors contribute significantly more, averaging $150 to $300 per day. With more than 30 tournaments hosted each year, these visitor expenditures inject millions into the local economy. The Bay Area Panthers’ season-long stay also brings players, families, and visiting teams to our community, generating sustained activity for hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.
The return of the Bay Area Panthers also highlights how Morgan Hill is more than just a place with fields for competitive sports—it’s where ambition is fueled, community pride grows, and healthy lifestyles take root. Seeing professional athletes train and live in our community inspires local youth to dream big and stay active. This spirit complements the goals of the Healthy Morgan Hill initiative, which will be part of the Open Streets event on May 10. By promoting outdoor activities, fitness programs, and social connection, Healthy Morgan Hill aims to foster a community where wellness is part of everyday life.
With high-quality competition facilities and outdoor amenities, Morgan Hill is solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for both sports and recreation. There are over six hundred thousand visits to the Condit Road sports facilities per year, and paired with the continued Bay Area Panthers partnership, sports tourism brings big benefits to the community. So next time you see the Bay Area Panthers around town or a soccer team dining after a game, remember—they’re part of Morgan Hill’s role as a hub for sports and a healthy, active lifestyle.
Look out for community events and chances to connect with the Bay Area Panthers in Morgan Hill and catch the excitement at upcoming home games at the SAP Center on April 6 and April 13. Learn more at www.bayareapanthers.com and be part of the action!
Krista Rupp is the Executive Director of Visit Morgan Hill
Column written for The Morgan Hill Times