Home » SPORTS TOURISM » SportsEngine Partners With HotelPlanner To Transform Travel Features For Youth Sports Teams And Tourists: All You Need To Know
Published on
October 30, 2025
Building upon Hotels.com API, SportsEngine made a remarkable integration in their platform by partnering with HotelPlanner. Sports’ teams, organizations, clubs and tournaments located all over the world sustain and organize their activities. This partnership seeks to offer all these activities a more seamless way of managing their logistics. This partnership seeks to offer these companies a way to simplify travel accommodation by managing the group travel more effectively. This advancement in the ease of integration of the travel logistics, promises to have a lasting impact on the activities and tourism of a region.
The Power of Partnership: Simplifying Travel for Sports Families
The deal, which was announced in late October 2025, sees HotelPlanner’s robust hotel booking technology embedded within the SportsEngine platform. The integration enables sports organisations to offer branded, direct booking options for hotel reservations, thus eliminating the need for third-party platforms. Event organisers will now be able to manage accommodations directly within the same platform that handles registrations, payments, and communications, bringing much-needed cohesion to the travel planning process.
SportsEngine’s user base spans thousands of youth sports organisations, tournament planners, and professional leagues, alongside over 1,000 municipalities managing youth programs. Through this partnership, these organisations will be able to facilitate seamless bookings for travelling teams, families, and event attendees. This development is not only designed to ease administrative burdens but also to enhance the overall experience for tourists participating in sports tourism.
Technology Behind the Integration: The Role of Artificial Intelligence
At the heart of this collaboration is HotelPlanner’s cutting-edge technology, which uses artificial intelligence to power a 24/7 global reservations network. The partnership allows SportsEngine customers to access this network while retaining full control over branding and the booking experience. This AI-driven system offers real-time access to HotelPlanner’s extensive hotel inventory, which ensures competitive rates and availability for event organisers and participants.
The integration also eliminates the need for manual coordination between tournament directors and hotels, streamlining what has traditionally been a laborious process. By automating group block requests and securing discounts for bulk bookings, the system saves valuable time for sports administrators and families alike. The result is a far more efficient process for managing travel logistics, which could directly benefit the tourism sector by boosting bookings at local hotels and accommodation providers.
Benefits for Youth Sports Organisations and Their Tourists
Youth sports organisations face the challenge of coordinating travel for hundreds of participants across multiple regions. Hotel booking is a key component of this logistical puzzle, and the new partnership between SportsEngine and HotelPlanner directly addresses this issue by providing a simple, cost-effective solution.
The integration allows for the creation of custom booking engines tailored to each organisation’s branding. This means that each group can offer its members a seamless, branded hotel booking experience that aligns with their specific needs. The flexibility of the system means that organisations can personalise the user experience, while still gaining access to the global network of hotels and pricing available through HotelPlanner’s platform.
For families attending sports events, this partnership will bring substantial benefits. No longer will they need to navigate multiple websites or communicate with individual hotels to secure reservations. Instead, they can book rooms directly through their sports organisation’s platform, knowing that the booking options are pre-vetted and provide competitive rates. This enhanced booking process eliminates much of the stress associated with organising travel for sports events, offering families more time to focus on their kids’ athletic development and other priorities.
A Look at the Bigger Picture: How This Affects the Tourism Sector
This partnership also holds considerable potential for the tourism industry. By consolidating the accommodation booking process within SportsEngine’s platform, local hotels and accommodation providers are set to benefit from increased bookings during large sporting events. The more efficient management of travel logistics means that sports teams and their families are more likely to choose local accommodations, helping to boost revenue for nearby hotels and businesses.
Additionally, by offering competitive hotel pricing, the integration helps make travel more affordable for participants, further encouraging travel to youth sports events. This is especially crucial for families on tight budgets, as it opens up new opportunities for them to participate in tournaments and events that they may have previously passed on due to high accommodation costs.
Moreover, the seamless integration of travel services creates a more attractive offering for families who view travel as part of their leisure and tourism experience. With the growing trend of “sports tourism,” families are increasingly combining their children’s sports participation with family holidays. By providing a streamlined travel experience, this partnership encourages longer stays in host destinations, indirectly benefiting the broader tourism sector.
The Long-Term Impact on Youth Sports and Tourism
The long-term impact of this collaboration is promising. As the white-label hotel booking tool becomes more widely adopted, it is expected to save organisations time and resources, which can be reinvested into improving the sports experience for youth athletes. Furthermore, it could create new revenue streams for smaller hotels and tourism operators that previously struggled to attract large groups or sports-related bookings.
The integration is also likely to help build stronger relationships between youth sports organisations and the tourism sector, especially as both continue to embrace technology. With travel and accommodation now being more integrated into the planning process, the potential for partnerships between sports organisations and hotels is vast, paving the way for new promotional opportunities and enhanced experiences for families and tourists alike.
A New Era for Travel and Youth Sports
The integration of SportsEngine and HotelPlanner breaks new ground for youth sports organization travel logistics. Through direct integration of hotel accommodation onto SportsEngine’s existing travel system, the tiered travel system streamlines travel, and simplifies planning, administration, and other costs for families and travel businesses. There will be great synergy on youth sports and travel and hospitality, for the initial version of the system is working well.
The Whitefish Winter Carnival has crowned its first round of royalty, the Prime Minister and the Duchess of Lark.
Zak Anderson was named Prime Minister and Katie Akey was crowned Duchess of Lark during the Merry Maker on Saturday.
Zak Anderson is a longtime Whitefish community member with a career rooted in volunteer leadership and civic service. With over two decades of experience in hospitality, marketing, youth sports, and event production, Anderson consistently applies his skills to strengthen local organizations and community initiatives.
Anderson serves as board president of the Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center, supporting public safety, education, and forecasting for backcountry users across northwest Montana. He is also a board member of Housing Whitefish, a nonprofit focused on workforce housing solutions, and previously served on the Whitefish Planning Board. In his role as executive director of the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau, Zak serves on the city of Whitefish’s Sustainable Tourism Management Plan Committee, contributing to efforts that balance tourism, livability, and environmental stewardship.
Across civic planning, tourism, and public safety, Anderson brings a collaborative, hands-on approach. He leverages his experience in operations, fundraising, and communications to strengthen organizations that serve the greater Flathead Valley.
A lifelong local with deep roots in our realm, Katie Akey is a Whitefish native who embodies the town’s spirit of service and community.
Though she left for a brief period, her return was marked by a seamless transition back into the local fabric, picking up exactly where she left off: championing the traditions and people that make Whitefish home and serving those who are lucky enough to visit.
As a manager of the Great Northern Bar & Grill, Akey oversees one of the last remaining original local establishments. Under her and her family’s dedication to the realm “The Northern” has remained a vital community hub, raising over $65,000 for the Whitefish Winter Carnival through its legendary Disco Party. She has never been one to be part of anything in name only. This is reflected in her extensive volunteer work as a Winter Carnival board member for over 10 years and treasure for the past four. Setting up logistics for travel, participating in parades and stepping in as a character when needed.
Akey’s dedication lies not only in Carnival but also in the town’s heritage, growth and future. Through the FIT program benefiting children for the past 10 years, she’s helped sort prizes weeks in advance all the way through coming home covered in pink and blue dye from the Color Run fundraisers. Also, a member of the Big Mountain Commercial Association board, Akey has a passion for keeping the SNOW buses running and free to all the public by donating space at The Northern and helping serve at the fundraising events. Whether she is behind the scenes at the Great Northern, Winter Carnival, or advocating for students and local mountain transit, Akey remains a driving force in preserving the unique character and future of the community of Whitefish.
The Whitefish Winter Carnival continues through Feb. 8. Up next is the coronation of King Ullr LX VII and Queen of the Snows at the O’Shaughnessy Center at 7 p.m. on Jan. 17, followed by the Disco Party the same evening. For a full list of events, visit whitefishwintercarnival.com.
Whitefish Winter Carnival Prime Zak Anderson. (Photo courtesy of Picture Montana)
Apparently, this is becoming the standard at Hershey Bears games.
Published•Updated
We may have just seen the hockey fight of the year — and it didn’t even happen at an NHL game.
During an AHL match between the Hershey Bears and Cleveland Monsters on Saturday, youth players hit the ice at intermission for a quick mites game. But the crowd at the Giant Center got more than they bargained for.
At one point during the game, a fight broke out between two of the kiddos. The boys threw multiple haymakers as if they were auditioning for a role in a Slap Shot remake. After the player in blue wrestled the player in red to the ground, teammates got involved — attempting to push the blue player off their fallen comrade. That is until another blue player came in and body slammed the pile.
That’s when all hell broke loose. Suddenly, it was an all-out brawl of miniature hockey players punching and tackling each other onto the ice. At one point, a blue player got lost in the moment and started swinging on his own teammate.
Even a goalie got involved!
WATCH:
Not a referee in sight.
Here’s another angle, in case you can’t get enough:
I see promising hockey careers and a lot of missing teeth in their future.
Apparently, though, these sorts of brawls have become commonplace at Hershey Bears mites games. Check out this fight from Dec. 20.
In case you cared about the actual AHL game Saturday, the Bears got the win, 3-2, breaking a tie in the third period while short-handed.
But that’s not what any of the fans were buzzing about when they left the arena.
Youth artists who live in households or receive housing-related services managed by the Cullman Housing Authority are invited to take part in the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) “What Home Means to Me” poster contest. (Cullman Housing Authority)
CULLMAN, Ala. – Youth artists who live in households or receive housing-related services managed by the Cullman Housing Authority are invited to take part in the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) “What Home Means to Me” poster contest.
The contest is open to youth ages 5–18 and is part of a national program sponsored by NAHRO.
Since 2008, the competition has highlighted the artwork of children living in affordable housing, encouraging young artists to express what home means to them through original poster designs.
The contest is conducted in multiple rounds, beginning at the regional level. A total of 24 regional winners advance to the national competition, where 12 national winners are selected.
National winners have their artwork featured in NAHRO’s “What Home Means to Me” calendar the following year. Select winners also receive cash prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C.
Cullman Housing Authority officials encourage eligible youth and families interested in participating to visit the Cullman Housing Authority office at 408 Cleveland Ave. SW, Cullman, or call 256-734-6171 for complete contest guidelines and submission deadlines.
LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Student artists across Southern Maryland will soon have the chance to see their creativity displayed on gallery walls as the St. Mary’s County Arts Council prepares for Youth Art Month 2026, a celebration of young talent and arts education.
Youth Art Month, held each March, highlights the importance of visual arts in schools and gives children and teens an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting. The annual exhibition is open to artists 18 and under who live in St. Mary’s, Calvert or Charles counties.
Organizers say Youth Art Month is designed to do more than display artwork; it aims to boost confidence, encourage self-expression and highlight the role of arts education in student development. The exhibit allows young artists to share their unique perspectives while engaging with the local arts community.
Submitted artwork must meet exhibition guidelines, including size limitations and family-friendly content. Students will be notified when artwork is ready for pickup following the close of the exhibition in early April.
The St. Mary’s County Arts Council, which hosts the event annually, works with educators, volunteers and community partners to support arts programming throughout the region and to ensure young artists have opportunities to learn, grow and be seen.
More information about submission requirements and scheduling appointments is available on the St. Mary’s County Arts Council Calls for Art website.
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Sophia Blackwell is a Lexington Park–based journalist who has called Southern Maryland home since 2011. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she discovered her passion for journalism…
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One of the wildest fights of the hockey season may have occurred during the intermission of an American Hockey League game between the Hershey Bears and the Cleveland Monsters.
The Bears’ “Mites on Ice” segment features youth hockey players competing against each other during intermission. However, competitive play turned into an all-out brawl involving players from the Central Penn Panthers Youth Ice Hockey Club.
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A closeup of an American Hockey League logo during the game between the Hershey Bears and the Rockford IceHogs at the Giant Center on Jan. 4, 2026 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The club said Sunday it was investigating the events that occurred leading up to the brawl.
“We have been made aware of an incident that occurred last night during the ‘Mites on Ice’ event between periods of the Hershey Bears game,” the organization said. “The safety, well-being, and positive experience of all participants—especially our young players—are of the utmost importance.
NHL’S SEATTLE KRAKEN RECEIVE MIXED REACTIONS TO PRIDE-THEMED LOGO AND JERSEYS
The Hershey Bears celebrate a goal by Louie Belpedio #7 which triggered the tossing of stuffed animals at the Giant Center on Jan. 4, 2026 in Hershey, Pennsylvania(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
“We are currently conducting an internal review to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. This review will include gathering information from all relevant parties and assessing the situation thoroughly and responsibly.”
The club said it didn’t want to draw conclusions until the investigation was complete.
“At this time, we believe it is important to allow this process to take place before drawing conclusions. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, partners, and community as we work through this matter.”
It’s not the first time this season the Bears have had a “Mites on Ice” fight.
The Hersey Bears hoist the Calder Cup on June 24, 2024.(Travis Boyd/Special to the Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Another brawl took place on Dec. 20 between youth hockey players. It didn’t appear anyone was injured.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
