Sioux Center, Iowa — The American State Bank Sports Complex has become a magnet for Sioux Center – and the rest of the state is taking notice, according to Dordt University officials.
The American State Bank Sports Complex, a joint venture between the City of Sioux Center and Dordt University, was honored with a 2025 Iowa Tourism Award for Outstanding Niche Marketing Campaign during the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference this month in Altoona, Iowa.
Dordt officials say Iowa Tourism Awards recognize excellence in communities, attractions, businesses, and individuals in raising the state’s profile as a tourism destination. The Niche Marketing award recognizes an outstanding campaign that effectively targets a specific audience – sports tourism in the case of the American State Bank Sports Complex.
State Tourism Manager Amy Zeigler said the awards showcase innovative efforts of those finding new ways to promote Iowa as a must-visit destination. She says, “These awards celebrate the creativity, dedication and passion that continue to drive our visitor economy forward. Their efforts also contribute significantly to our local communities and businesses.”
Since the American State Bank Sports Complex’s opening in January 2023, staff has been promoting the $8 million indoor turf facility as a Midwest attraction. This award honors staff efforts to market and host a 7v7 football tournament and a multi-weekend collegiate softball tournament in the early months of each year, transforming what normally was a slow time of year for travel to northwest Iowa into a winter hot spot for sports tourism.
Dordt officials tell us that last year, the American State Bank Softball Classic brought in eight teams from across the Midwest to Sioux Center for four weekends in January/February, seeing more than 10,000 visits to the facility total. The 7×7 football tournament, Sioux Center Spectacular, created about 3,000 visits to the facility, drawing in teams from five states. They say the events drive a positive economic impact as coaches, players, fans, and families visit, stay, eat, and shop in Sioux Center.
American State Bank Sports Complex Director Trent Roose says, “This is a testament to a successful partnership between Dordt University and the City of Sioux Center. It also recognizes the positive impact the American State Bank Sports Complex is having on Sioux Center and across the Midwest.”
The American State Bank Sports Complex is a 470-foot by 250-foot air-inflated indoor turf facility. Designed to host athletic competitions and practice, wellness activities, and other events, the venue draws approximately 250,000 visits annually.
