From Grassroots to Global: Why Hershey Harrisburg Is Investing in Emerging Sports

An estimated 50 competitors will take the course at this year’s Berry Mountain Brawl. Earlier this year, thousands of athletes from around the world came to Harrisburg for the Obstacle Sports Expo.

The two events could not be more different in scale, but the Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority recognizes that supporting sports events at every stage of their development is meaningful for long-term success.

“Our work is centered on driving economic impact to Dauphin County through sports tourism, which is often centered on hosting large tournaments and championships that bring competitors and their families to the region for the weekend” said Danielle Vincenti, Director of Business Development for the Authority. However, we recognize that supporting smaller scale, emerging sports provides a unique opportunity to grow a sport locally alongside community members invested in its success.”

Grassroots support

One example of this effort is the Berry Mountain Brawl, a Professional Disc Golf Association C-Tier sanctioned tournament being held at the Wiconisco Creek Disc Golf Course for its second year on September 26 that the Authority is sponsoring. The event is hosted by Valley Flying Discs, a local non-profit focused on growing the sport through leagues and special events. The group contributed significantly to the course creation and continues to play a vital role in its maintenance and advancement, with their efforts recently being recognized when the course was ranked #8 in the state by UDisc. The event may be small-scale, but there is value in bringing a new audience to the region for an emerging sport experiencing rapid growth. According to UDisc, annual participation in the sport has grown by 86% since 2020 and 58% of players surveyed took trips specifically for disc golf.

“We want to be part of this growth” said Vincenti. “Emerging sports need more than participants to grow, they also need places to play and opportunities to compete. We’re proud to support Valley Flying Discs as they lead the way in these endeavors for disc golf in our region.”

Supporting an event in its earlier stages also creates an opportunity to build relationships before it reaches its next level of growth. As organizers look to host more or larger events, destinations that have established relationships early on can be better positioned to grow alongside them.

Smaller events like this also still generate meaningful visitor activity in the region as competitors and their families book hotel rooms and explore local restaurants, shops, and attractions once the competition ends. The impact may not be the same as hosting a major championship, but the potential for growth over time among an audience that may have never visited the region otherwise is worthwhile.

The global stage

Earlier this summer, the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg hosted the Obstacle Sports Expo, welcoming thousands of athletes from across the globe for the world’s largest multi-event obstacle sport competition. The sport will make its Olympic debut in 2028 as the new obstacle discipline within the UIPM modern pentathlon. Its inclusion in the Olympics represents a significant moment for a sport that was known largely through grassroots competitions and TV programming not long ago.

“The Obstacle Sports Expo is a perfect example of the importance of paying attention to emerging sports” said Vincenti. “2026 was just the fourth year for the event so the fact that Harrisburg was chosen to be a host city alongside major hubs such as Anaheim and Dallas was truly an honor and a great opportunity to put our region in the global spotlight. We were excited to contribute to creating an environment where their success and momentum could continue to rise.”

The contrast between an event like the Berry Mountain Brawl and the Obstacle Sports Expo illustrates the full spectrum of opportunity surrounding emerging sports tourism. One event is in the grassroots stages of building the sport within a local community, while the other brings together a large-scale audience for a sport that has gained international recognition. Both events introduce new visitors to the Hershey Harrisburg Region, create opportunities for local athletes to participate, help strengthen awareness of the sport within the community, and establish relationships with organizers who may one day bring new or larger events to the region.

The Hershey Harrisburg Sports and Events Authority team works with organizers to identify venues, local partners, and promotional opportunities that fit the current scale and goals of their event. Learn more at http://www.hhsportsandevents.com.