Youth & Amateur Sports Grant Program
and Michael Erin Busch Fund
FY27 Grant Program Update: FY27 grant applications are not yet open, and an opening date has not been confirmed. Organizations planning events in August, September, or October 2026 should submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to establish eligibility during this transition period. Learn more: https://marylandsports.us/grants-overview/fy27-grant-program-opening-and-event-eligibility/
Program Eligibility, Definitions, and Event Qualification Policy
1. Purpose
This Policy establishes how Maryland Sports determines whether an applicant, sport, event, or activity is eligible for consideration under the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant Program and Michael Erin Busch Fund. It is intended to ensure consistent, transparent, and equitable eligibility determinations that further the statutory purposes of the Program, promote sports tourism and economic development, and ensure the responsible stewardship of public funds.
2. Authority
Maryland Sports administers the Program pursuant to §§10-612.1 and 10-612.2 of the Economic Development Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Maryland Sports is responsible for making administrative eligibility determinations and interpreting this Policy consistent with State law, Board-approved policies, Program Guidelines, and the Grant Agreement.
3. Definitions
3.1 Youth Sports
Organized athletic competition primarily intended for participants competing within youth divisions established by the applicable governing body or sanctioning organization.
3.2 Amateur Sports
Organized athletic competition involving participants who are not competing as professional athletes in the sport being contested.
3.3 Eligible Sports
An organized athletic activity involving physical skill or athletic performance conducted under recognized rules or standards.
3.4 Eligible Event
An organized youth or amateur sports competition that advances the statutory purposes of the Program by attracting participants, spectators, or visitors to Maryland and generating sports tourism, economic activity, overnight stays, visitor spending, or other measurable public benefits.
3.5 Eligible Supporting Activity
An activity directly supporting the planning, promotion, management, or execution of an eligible event.
4. Guiding Principles
Maryland Sports evaluates the overall purpose, scope, and expected impact of an event rather than its title or competition format. Eligibility determinations are based on the totality of the circumstances and whether the event advances the statutory purposes of the Program.
5. Guiding Principles
In determining whether an event is eligible for consideration, Maryland Sports may consider, among other factors:
- Whether the event involves an eligible youth or amateur sport;
- Whether the event is an organized athletic competition;
- Whether the event attracts participants, spectators, or visitors to Maryland;
- Whether the event generates meaningful sports tourism or economic development;
- Whether the event is more than a routine season contest or regularly scheduled competition; and
- Whether the proposed use of public funds represents an appropriate investment in relation to the purposes of the Program.
6. Events That May Be Eligible
No event type is automatically eligible. Events may qualify when they advance the statutory purposes of the Program and demonstrate meaningful tourism or economic development benefits.
- Invitationals
- Tournaments
- Championships
- Qualifying events
- Multi-sport competitions
- Collegiate competitions
- Scholastic competitions
- Adaptive sports competitions
- National or international competitions
7. Events Generally Not Eligible
The following activities are generally not eligible when they do not primarily advance the statutory purposes of the Program:
- Regular season league play
- Routine scholastic contests
- Routine collegiate conference competition
- Practices
- Camps
- Clinics
- Tryouts
- Activities primarily consisting of general team operations or organizational support.
- Fundraising events whose primary purpose is charitable fundraising rather than athletic competition.
- Banquets or award ceremonies
- Trade shows
- General recreation or fitness programs
- Charity walks or runs conducted primarily for fundraising
- Community recreation events with predominantly local participation
- Events whose primary purpose is fundraising, recreation, entertainment, or community celebration rather than sports tourism or athletic competition
State championships, playoff events, and other championship formats are not automatically eligible or ineligible. Eligibility depends on the overall purpose, scope, visitor attraction, and measurable economic or tourism impact of the proposed event.
8. Illustrative Examples
Example 1: A routine high school dual wrestling meet involving local schools would generally not qualify.
Example 2: A high school baseball program hosting a multi-day invitational that attracts teams from outside Maryland, generates overnight hotel stays, and produces measurable visitor spending may qualify because it advances the statutory purposes of the Program.
Example 3: A community 5K whose primary purpose is charitable fundraising and whose participants are predominantly local would generally not qualify. Conversely, a regional or national road race attracting substantial out-of-state participation, overnight visitation, and measurable tourism benefits may qualify.
9. Eligible Supporting Activities
An eligible supporting activity is one that directly supports the planning, promotion, management, or execution of an eligible event. The eligibility of specific grant expenditures is governed by the Program Guidelines, Grant Agreement, and other Board-approved policies.
10. Administrative Determinations
Maryland Sports shall determine eligibility based on the totality of the circumstances. In making an eligibility determination, Maryland Sports may request additional information or documentation as necessary. Previous eligibility determinations do not establish binding precedent, and prior denials do not preclude future eligibility if circumstances, applicable law, or Program policies change.
11. Review
This Policy may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation, Program priorities, industry practices, and emerging sports or event formats. This Policy shall be read in conjunction with the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant Program Guidelines, Grant Agreement, and other Board-approved policies. In the event of a conflict, applicable State law and actions of the Maryland Stadium Authority Board of Directors shall control.
As approved by the Maryland Stadium Authority Board of Directors August 8th, 2026