South Bend Hosts Global Robotics and Youth Sports Weekend

South Bend was buzzing with excitement last weekend as the region hosted several major events that showcased its growing capacity for diverse gatherings. From field sports at the Indiana Invaders Sports Complex to a premier robotics competition at the Century Center, the community proved ready to welcome visitors from across the country—and the world.

The FIRST® Tech Challenge Michiana Premier Event presented by GEARS took place downtown at the Century Center from June 19–22. As the largest robotics competition in North America, it featured 96 teams from eight countries and 25 U.S. states, bringing in more than 1,600 attendees.

At the Indiana Invaders Sports Complex, the action continued with the “Battle of the Bend” tournament, a two-day event featuring boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams ranging in age from 7 to 18. The festival-style tournament drew an estimated 2,500 attendees.

To cap off the weekend, Northern Indiana FC hosted an international friendly match against Mexico’s Atlas FC U-23, bringing high-level soccer and fan experiences to the community, including a meet-and-greet event the day prior.