HAGERSTOWN, Md. — A proposal to bring a regional youth football tournament to Fairgrounds Park generated extensive discussion during the Hagerstown Mayor and Council work session on June 9 before city leaders ultimately approved the event, citing its potential economic benefits and opportunities for sports tourism.
Matt Rempe, representing the Hagerstown Hitters Youth Football Organization, asked the city to allow the Hub City Classic to be held July 25-26 at Fairgrounds Park. The tournament would use all three grass fields and attract approximately 30 teams from across the region.
Rempe told the council the event would feature age divisions from 6U through 14U and could bring roughly 600 athletes and family members to Hagerstown over the two-day weekend.
“This is not just a football tournament,” Rempe said. “This is an opportunity to bring families into Hagerstown, support local businesses, give our youth a bigger stage and prove that our city can support all sports fairly and responsibly.”
According to tournament organizers, the event could generate between $150,000 and $500,000 in local economic activity through hotel stays, restaurant visits, fuel purchases and retail spending.
Rempe emphasized that organizers are prepared to manage the event professionally and minimize any impact on city facilities. The proposal includes $1 million in liability insurance, security personnel, referees, portable restrooms, parking support, cleanup crews and a field restoration plan.
Organizers also expressed a willingness to provide a refundable damage deposit and to participate in pre- and post-event inspections.
During the May 26 work session, Director of Public Works Eric Deike expressed concerns about potential damage to the grass fields at Fairgrounds Park, which are heavily used by local soccer organizations and already need regular maintenance.
The director noted that soccer groups currently maintain portions of the fields under existing agreements with the city and expressed concern that football could create additional wear during one of the driest periods of the year.
He also questioned whether approving the tournament could create precedent for future requests from other football organizations seeking access to the fields.
Rempe argued that football should be evaluated by the same standards as other sports and presented research suggesting that a two-day football tournament would result in less field wear than regular soccer practices and games.
He also presented photographs of current field conditions, asserting that the fields are already showing considerable wear and should not be automatically restricted from football use. “Decisions should be based on the actual condition of the facilities and the event management plan, rather than solely on the sport itself,” he said.
Council members expressed support for allowing the tournament to proceed under strict conditions. They discussed potential requirements such as pre- and post-event field inspections, written responsibility agreements, liability insurance, field restoration and a refundable security deposit to cover documented damages.
“I don’t think the city is sport-inclusive or exclusive,” councilman Kristin Aleshire said. “If you were a rugby tournament coming here wanting to do that type of sport, I would have similar questions.”
Aleshire added that the city would ultimately learn whether concerns about field damage are justified only after evaluating the results of an actual event.
“We may get through this one and say, man, that was hard on the fields and the answer from here forward is no,” he said. “Or we could be completely wrong and everything’s fine.”
Other council members, such as Ericka Bell, pointed to the benefits of hosting a large regional event that could attract visitors and generate economic activity for local businesses.
Council members generally agreed that any approval should include clear documentation outlining expectations for organizers and city staff.
Deike noted that city staff routinely work with organizers of large events to coordinate logistics, parking, traffic management and vendor operations and would do the same if the tournament moves forward.
Following discussion, the mayor and council approved the proposal, allowing the Hub City Classic to move forward at Fairgrounds Park under agreed-upon conditions designed to protect city facilities.
Organizers said they hope the Hub City Classic becomes an annual event and are committed to demonstrating that youth football can be hosted responsibly at city facilities.
The approval marks a huge step for youth sports in Hagerstown and could establish a new sports-tourism opportunity for the city, bringing hundreds of athletes and visitors to the community.
