A Grand Slam for Growth: How Devon Park, home of USA Softball and host of the NCAA Women’s College World Series, Drives Development Opportunity in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District
In Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, we don’t play about softball. Not only is it a thrilling experience for visitors and athletes alike, but it’s a major economic driver.
Devon Park is home to the Softball Capital of the World®, hosting elite events like the NCAA Women’s College World Series, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship, and USA Softball National Championships. At minimum, 30 weekends a year (more than half the calendar), OKC’s Adventure District transforms into a magnet for fans, families, and visitors from across the country and beyond. For the district, softball alone contributes 2% of our 10 million annual visitors. For developers and business owners, that translates into real, measurable opportunity. Let’s talk about the numbers.
A Winning Season: By the Numbers
- Economic Impact: Devon Park is home to many softball events, including the Women’s College World Series, contributing an estimated $40 million annually to Oklahoma City’s economy.
- Attendance: Over 205,000 fans, players, coaches, and officials visit annually, creating dependable, high-volume foot traffic.
- Season Length: The softball season runs from March through mid-October, providing nearly eight months of sustained activity and visitor spending.
Devon Park contributes to making the Adventure District an epicenter of action during major events like the NCAA Women’s College World Series, which alone draws 110,000+ attendees. And that’s just the softball side of the story. The district comprises many of Oklahoma’s most visited tourist attractions, including the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, ensuring that visitor numbers stay strong year-round.
Who’s Coming to the Games?
The short answer: a lot of people. The long answer requires an inside look at who they are and what they do while visiting, besides loving softball.
- 60% – 70% of travelers are coming from other cities, states, and even countries.
- These visitors include athletes, coaches, families, officials, and sports tourists.
- On average, out-of-metro visitors spend $144 per day on food, retail, and entertainment.
- During tournaments and other multiday events, visitors stay longer and spend more.
Why develop in the Adventure District?
- Prime Accessibility: At the crossroads of I-35 and I-44, the district is conveniently accessible to local residents and out-of-state visitors alike.
- Concentrated Attractions: With millions visiting nearby venues each year, the Adventure District offers a captive audience seeking entertainment and dining experiences.
- Retail and Restaurant Demand: Studies show the area could immediately support nearly 50,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant development.
- Hotel & Accommodation Opportunity: Data indicates that 35% of annual visitors to the Adventure District are looking for accommodations during their visit.
Step Up to the Plate
Softball season brings excitement to the field — and opportunity to the business community. If you’re ready to invest where the action is, the OKC Adventure District is ready for you.
Join a growing movement of entrepreneurs and developers who see what’s happening here:
- Sustained visitor demand
- Proven economic impact
- Room to build something unforgettable
Adventure is calling and in the OKC Adventure District, it’s just getting started. We are your destination for family fun, thrilling experiences, and, of course, business.
Email us at hello@okcadventure.com to get the conversation started.
Data: Creditntell RealEstateIntelligence data. July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
Zartico geolocation data. August 1, 2023 – July 30, 2024.
Photos provided by Devon Park, home of USA Softball.