2023 Wrapped: DCi’s Top Event Highlights From This Year
D
o you feel it, too? Lately, it seems like there’s a heightened buzz around sports in the United States — driven in no small part by the fact that the country is gearing up to host two of the world’s largest sporting spectacles: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The arrival of these major global events will undoubtedly have a hold on everyone for the next few years, so why not get into the act, too? If you’re looking to tap into the excitement of sporting events, you’ve come to the right place. As a top-ranked destination management company, DCi has orchestrated many exhilarating events centered around sports.
“We always begin by identifying the core goals of the event — whether it’s team building, brand engagement, celebrating milestones, or launching a product,” a DCi expert says. “This ensures the sports theme aligns with the event’s purpose and audience expectations.” Then, our team crafts a compelling storyline that ties into the company’s goals, dreaming up on-brand design ideas, interactive activations, and one-of-a-kind experiences in unique settings. Whether you want to harness the joy of soccer or the popularity of pickleball, our best-in-the-biz planning pros share their tips on bringing a sports theme to life.
1. Celebrate ‘Team USA!’
There’s a genuine sense of patriotism that comes from cheering on a U.S athlete or team — and seeing them inch closer and closer to victory. So, why not lean into this collective sense of American pride through sports? A “Team USA” theme can unite your guests and encourage them to bond over their favorite sports. Create a game-day atmosphere with quintessentially American food (think: burgers, fries, and pie) and team-building games. When planning a large-scale conference for a client, our team dreamed up an Americana-themed experience at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The ballpark was transformed with full-sized pickleball courts, a custom-designed mini golf course, and a slew of classic American games.
2. Tap Into Local Soccer Culture
Every city in the U.S. has its own unique sports culture — and this creates many exciting opportunities for localized event themes that celebrate the destination’s distinct food and culture. Miami, for example, is increasingly becoming a key soccer hub in the U.S., especially with the arrival of Inter Miami CF in 2020 and Lionel Messi joining the team. Harness that fanfare by transforming a sports facility into a mini fútbol fiesta — complete with Latin-inspired fare and penalty-kick challenges. In Los Angeles, for example, embrace a glamorous, Hollywood-inspired atmosphere with an LAFC-themed black-and-gold gala. Think: a red carpet entrance, paparazzi-style photo ops, and VIP-style lounges. By incorporating local soccer pride, you can give your event a distinct, regionally relevant angle that resonates with your attendees.
3. Host an All-Star Fan Fest Experience
When it comes to planning an event with a sports theme, it’s all about location, location, location. From open-air stadiums to indoor arenas, selecting the right playground can sometimes be just as exhilarating as the event itself! After all, it’s not every day that attendees get the chance to step onto the lush green field of a stadium where legends play. Encourage your guests to arrive in their favorite team jerseys. A victory parade could kick off the festivities (with live entertainers like cheerleaders and a marching band), followed by interactive games on the field like pop-a-shot, football toss, mini golf, or goal kicks. For the spectators in the group, set up a lounge-style bar with themed cocktails and a locker-room-style chill zone.
4. Throw a Pickleball Bash
The entire country is united in its love for pickleball — which is why this combination of tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton is now considered one of America’s fastest-growing sports. So, why not capitalize on its popularity by hosting a high-energy event for the many pickleball players (or “picklers”) amongst us? To get everyone involved, set up multiple mini courts where guests can pick up a paddle (bonus points if they’re branded) and compete in lighthearted tournaments. Offer lessons or quick how-to stations so that beginners don’t feel left out, and include off-court lounge areas for socializing, networking, or cheering teams on.
5. Take Them Behind the Scenes
Not every sports-inspired event has to involve breaking a sweat. You can still inspire creativity by taking a more educational approach to your event — like, for example, organizing a private guided tour of an iconic stadium, an Olympic training center, or a historic arena. For a past program in Denver, Colorado, our team planned an exclusive off-site event where we whisked guests on a private tour of Empower Field at Mile High, which the Broncos have called home since 2001. Attendees got to learn more about the facility and expand their knowledge on the team’s 65-year-old history.
6. Create a Custom Merch Lab
There’s no quicker way to a sports fan’s heart than the gift of their favorite team’s jersey! Integrating branded apparel helps enhance the guest experience while boosting loyalty and visibility. But don’t just hand out swag — turn it into an interactive and memorable experience in its own right by conceptualizing engaging, hands-on activations. For example, set up a gifting suite where guests build their own “performance kit” with branded gear like custom jerseys, water bottles, sweatbands, electrolyte packs, and sunscreen. Alternatively, create a fan gear pop-up with a live screen-printing or embroidery station, where attendees can customize T-shirts, hoodies, or hats with different sports graphics.
7. Organize an Immersive Sports Bar Takeover
If you can’t catch a game at the stadium, heading to your local sports bar is the next-best way to cheer on your favorite team. Sports bars offer so much more than food and drinks — they foster connection, turning games into memorable social events. There’s no reason a sports-bar-themed event won’t do the same for your group. Go all out by turning your venue into your company’s very own sports bar — decked out with branded neon signs, mini-games, and ticker displays that show real-time “scores” from team challenges. Serve up signature cocktails and classic bar grub at a custom-designed bar; our team has vast experience in crafting bespoke bar experiences — from a two-story bar built from shipping containers to wine-country-inspired structures made out of wine barrels and wood.
Ready to hit it out of the park with your next sports-inspired event? Contact our team to get the ball rolling.
