MARYLAND SPORTS COMMISSION OPENS GRANT PORTAL TO SUPPORT SPORTS TOURISM AND COMMUNITY EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE
Now accepting applications for Major Event Fund (MEF) and Youth & Amateur Sports Grants
Baltimore, Md. (June 27, 2025)—The Maryland Sports Commission (MSC) has announced the relaunch of its online grant portal, now open until Monday, August 11th 2025. The system will support applications to both the Major Events Fund (MEF) and the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund (Grant & Fund) Programs, offering a modernized, more strategic approach to how sporting events are evaluated and supported across the state.
Developed with a focus on consistency, transparency, and economic accountability, the updated grant portal marks a major milestone in how MSC operates and partners with event organizers. For the first time, applications will be evaluated using the Event Impact Calculator (EIC) Tool, a national evaluation model through MSC’s partnership with Destinations International and Tourism Economics. This tool allows MSC to quantify and better understand the economic effect of proposed events, strengthening the state’s ability to invest in impactful sports tourism opportunities.
“The debut of our updated grant portal reflects a significant shift in how we support the sports events industry in Maryland,” said Terry Hasseltine, Executive Director of the Maryland Sports Commission. “We’ve elevated the entire process, from how applicants submit to how we evaluate success, creating a more data-informed, efficient, and fair system for all.”
Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch
The Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund helps bring youth and amateur sports competitions to communities throughout Maryland, promoting access, participation, and tourism-driven economic activity. The grant program supports events at the local, regional, and national levels and aims to reach a diverse range of athletes and participants. Funding typically ranges from $2,500 to $75,000.
Major Event Fund
The Major Event Fund, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022, is a powerful tool to recruit and retain large-scale sporting and entertainment events. Events supported by this fund include international soccer matches, major music festivals, championships, exhibitions, and more. To qualify, events must demonstrate substantial economic impact, media exposure, and potential to draw fans and tourists to Maryland.
Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, which vary slightly between the two funding programs. In general, events must be operated by or in partnership with a nonprofit organization, and all funding must be applied for prior to the event taking place. If a for-profit event organizer applies, they must have a nonprofit partner at the time of submission. Events must also be held in Maryland, and if the application is part of a formal bid process, a letter of support or endorsement from Maryland Sports is required for consideration.
County-level applicants must be at least base-level TEAM Maryland partners, and event owners, rights holders, or national governing bodies must either be members in good standing or affiliated with a member in good standing with the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA). A critical update to the process is the requirement for all funded events to include clear and visible branding from the Maryland Sports Commission. The MSC logo must appear on-site at the event, in
marketing materials and across digital assets. This visibility is an essential part of how MSC continues to promote statewide awareness and support for Maryland’s sports tourism ecosystem.
“Even as the industry becomes more data-driven, at its core, sports tourism—and the entire tourism industry, must still deliver the intangible experiences that can’t be measured,” said Hasseltine. “Whether it’s a sports commission, DMO, local restaurant, or business celebrating and welcoming an event or tournament, or a highlight featured in local, national, or international media, these human moments remain central to what we do. They will continue to be a key part of how events are evaluated and that’s something that will never change.”
The portal is open now and will remain open until Monday, August 11th. Event organizers interested in applying for funding through either the Major Event Fund or Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund can visit https://marylandsports.us/grants-overview/ for full eligibility requirements, grant guidelines, and access to the application.
