The Bustling Sports Scene in America’s Most Populous Town

About Gilbert

A trip to Gilbert, Arizona brings excitement at every corner, whether exploring its vibrant culinary scene, checking out the creators of goat yoga, or playing a tournament in one of its pristine facilities. Gilbert is the most populous town in America, with a quickly growing population of more than 250,000 residents that has doubled since 2000. Here, visitors can enjoy the buzz of a big city while relaxing in Gilbert’s small-town feel.

Featured Facilities

Cactus Yards – Cactus Yards is Gilbert’s premier sports complex, offering a first-rate experience with 8 baseball fields, batting cages, and more. The fields were modeled after MLB fields and the venue often hosts the area’s largest baseball and softball events.

Desert Sky – For a day of sports that’s fun for the whole family, try out Desert Sky. This multi-use facility currently features 4 multi-use fields, a fitness course, lake, kids’ playground, and restroom facilities. As a result of the growth the town has seen in sports, the venue will be expanded to eventually feature 16 multi-use fields, including a Championship Field with integrated shade and seating, a sensory playground, plaza areas, a trailhead, and additional parking.

Gilbert Regional Park – Gilbert Regional Park has something for everyone: lit basketball courts, 16 pickleball courts, 6 sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, an amphitheater offering lake and mountain views, and a 10-acre event lawn that can fit up to 5,000 people. The venue also features a scenic lake for recreational fishing surrounded by a 1-mile walking path. 3 state-of-the-art unique play areas are perfect for the kids – The Mountain, a 17-foot-tall playground for climbing, The Falls, a 4,000 sq ft splash pad, and The Creek, a tot playground for the youngest park goers.

Inspire Courts – Inspire Courts, Arizona’s #1 Multi-Sport Facility is the perfect host for basketball and volleyball games, training, and tournaments. The facility boasts 52,000 sq ft with 7 hardwood basketball courts, 7 regulation volleyball courts, a conference room, hospitality rooms, and a snack shop.

Upcoming Events

USSSA Tournaments – Throughout the baseball season, USSSA Baseball hosts several tournaments at Cactus Yards in Gilbert. USSSA fosters the development of all baseball players by providing the opportunity for national tournaments at four levels of play. The USSSA Tournaments at Cactus Yards began in 2022 with the USSSA Super Ball Bash from February 12-13. Other USSSA events at Cactus Yards this year include USSSA Spring Championships Super NIT II from March 18-20, USSSA Spring Fling I and II in April, and the USSSA State Championships from May 14-15, 2022. For more information, head to Arizona USSSA’s site.

Things to Do

Explore downtown Gilbert – Downtown Gilbert, or the Heritage District, is the star of the show in Gilbert. With over 30 restaurants, this is one of the top foodie destinations in the metro Phoenix region. Further, the mix of local boutiques offering art, antiques, and retro candy, to name a few things, makes walking this area an immersive experience. The Heritage District is always bustling with events like weekend markets and local music.

Discover the outdoor scene – Gilbert is surrounded by a plethora of scenic hiking and unique park experiences for families. At Freestone Park, visitors will find an antique carousel, a miniature train, and batting cages. Zanjero Park is perfect for hikers and horseback riders. This 20-acre park’s multi-use trail meets with the San Tan trail, a quintessential Arizona trail with surrounding mountain views. In addition to the trails and parks here, there are endless world-class hiking spots within a half hour drive from Gilbert.

Find your zen with goat yoga – Gilbert is home to the original creators of goat yoga, rated the #1 goat yoga in the world – Arizona Goat Yoga. Featured on multiple television shows including Ellen DeGeneres and American Ninja Warriors, this group is well-loved for a reason. Their outdoor goat yoga classes are one-of-a-kind experiences where goats join in on the fun. Arizona Goat Yoga continues to innovate, also offering baby goat and alpaca yoga, and even cow cuddling events. This is the perfect group bonding activity.

Travel Tips

For those flying in to visit Gilbert, Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport are both located in Phoenix and are only a half hour drive from Gilbert. With so much to do in Gilbert itself and the surrounding Metro Phoenix area, renting a car is your best option to get around. The area is very easy to drive, and parking is free everywhere. Within Gilbert, there are 11 hotels clustered on the north and south side of town that offer a range of price points and amenities. “The other option is the short-term rentals. We have a lot of cool rental spots from our downtown to lakeside communities. If you have a large group and you are looking to rent a whole house, you can definitely do that, or you can go the hotel route. We have an option for everyone,” Glenn Schlottman, Tourism Administrator at the Gilbert Office of Economic Development says.

Gilbert is the perfect choice for sports in every season. To learn more or to inquire about hosting your next event in Gilbert, head to their Playeasy profile here!

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