Grand Rapids Sports

Whether you’re a fan or a player, Grand Rapids is a sports-lover’s dream. On the spectator side, the city is home to four professional sports teams – the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Grand Rapids Gold and the Grand Rapids Rise – that provide thrilling year-round sport action. 

The Whitecaps, the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, play from April-September in beautiful LMCU Ballpark, 10 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. The Griffins are the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, playing from October-April in downtown’s Van Andel Arena. The Grand Rapids Gold, the NBA G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets basketball team, plays from November-March in Van Andel Arena.

The Grand Rise is a professional indoor volleyball team and the city’s first major-league women’s sports team. The Rise compete in Van Andel Arena from January-May.

Female athletes are also the focus of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, a pro golf tournament showcasing the world’s top female golfers. Each June, the public is invited to cheer on their favorites at Blythefield Country Club, 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.

The Beer City Open brings the nation’s finest pickleball players to town each July. Athletes from all over Michigan come to Grand Rapids in February and June to compete in the Olympics-style Meijer State Games. Two racetracks – Berlin Raceway and Grattan Raceway – host a wide variety of vehicle races. Seven local colleges field a wide variety of sports teams.

There are year-round opportunities to participate in sports, too: golf, disc golf, pickleball, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, cross-country and downhill skiing, ice skating and more. If you’re a runner, you’ll find hundreds of miles of paved and natural trails at your disposal, as well as numerous running events throughout the year, including the Amway River Bank Run, America’s largest 25K road race.

Come to Grand Rapids to watch … or play … or both!