The Richmond region’s status as a destination for sports enthusiasts has never been stronger than it is today. Sports Backers aggressively pursues opportunities to expand the number and scope of sporting events held in the region each year. This long-term growth model is the major reason Sports Backers was the first sports commission in the country awarded the Sports Commission of the Year title four times by the National Association of Sports Commissions.
Sports Backers now owns and produces 13 events each year that include some of the largest and most successful of their kind in the country. They include:
- Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k
- Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger and Atlantic Union Bank 10k Mini
- Dominion Energy Riverrock
- Markel Corporate Run
- Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival
- Ashland Half Marathon & 5k
- Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon, CarMax Richmond Half Marathon, and VCU Health Richmond 8k
- CarMax Tacky Light Run
Sports Backers works to support other sports tourism events owned and operated by nonprofit organizations in the Richmond region. We form strategic partnerships with selected events that show significant progress for becoming major events. In 2018, we provided marketing grants to other organizations that supported over 20 events. If your organization puts on an event that you believe qualifies, submit a grant request.
2019 Sports Backers Supported Events Calendar
January 19-21
Monument City Classic Volleyball Tournament
February 23-March 3
Ultimate Cup
March 9-31
Jefferson Cup
March 30-31
K’Crushka Disc Golf Tournament
April 6
Virginia Junior Disc Golf Championships
April 14
James River Sprints Regatta
May 4-5
Tour De Richmond Disc Golf Tournament
May 10
Southern Track Classic
May 11
Cap2Cap
May 25-27
The Beast of the East Softball Tournament
May 25-27
Boys East Cost Volleyball Tournament
May 25-27
South Atlantic Championships Volleyball Tournament
June 1-2
Sun Cup Recreational Soccer Tournament
June 8
Virginia Boat Club Sprints Regatta
July 5-7
The Queen of the Hill Softball Tournament
July 18-21
The Fast Pitch Nationals Softball Tournament
September 14
Heart of Virginia Century
October 26-27
The Halloween Cup Softball Tournament
November 3-18
Ultimate Cup
* Sports Backers in conjunction with the Richmond Road Runners Club supports approximately 50 kids running clubs and events per year through the Kids On The Move Grant Program.