The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA), in partnership with Teammates for Life, will host a new girls-only, multi-sport event celebrating athletics, leadership and empowerment. The See Her Win festival will make its debut at Penn State University over the Memorial Day weekend. Designed for middle school and high school athletes, the festival will bring teams from across the region together for a weekend of competition, connection and inspiration.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau will host its Annual Marketing Summit on February 25, 2026, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and a buffet breakfast will be available beginning at 7:45 a.m.

This event is intended for festival and event organizers, museum and attraction representatives, lodging and food and beverage teams, tourism grant applicants, and others interested in improving customer experience and tourism marketing efforts.

Calling All Centre County Businesses!

Want to get your name in front of major sporting events and thousands of athletes and families traveling into Happy Valley? Each year, premier competitions bring visitors who are eager to shop, dine, and explore everything Centre County has to offer.

The Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance works hand in hand with global brands and premier events, and we are on a mission to drive that visitor traffic directly into local businesses like yours.

Happy Valley is gearing up for a blockbuster year in 2026, welcoming thousands of athletes, families, and fans for some of the biggest sporting events in Pennsylvania and beyond. From packed arenas in March to endurance racing and multi-sport celebrations all summer long, here’s what’s coming and why you won’t want to miss it.

With Rothrock by UTMB™, a new stop on the UTMB™ World Series, coming to Happy Valley on May 16-17, 2026, it’s important to understand and recognize the value of endurance events within the Happy Valley region. Endurance events have several benefits to the community and the residents within those communities. Examples of these events not only include UTMB™, but also IRONMAN®, which was the first race introduced to Happy Valley through the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance. In fact, after a successful three years of hosting the event, Happy Valley has been selected as the location for the North American Championship, happening June 14, 2026. 

As the year comes to a close, all of us at the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance would like to wish you a joyful and relaxing holiday season. This year was filled with memorable moments, exciting events, and strong community connections, and none of it would have been possible without the continued support of our partners, participants, volunteers, and fans. Your enthusiasm and dedication help make Happy Valley a premier destination for sports and entertainment.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on another exciting year in Happy Valley. From the Keystone Wrestling Championships to the State College Criterium, this year was filled with memorable events that brought energy, competition, and community together.

Inside, we’re highlighting some of our most-read blog posts of 2025 on topics that made this year so special. We’re proud of what was accomplished and grateful for the partners, participants, and fans who helped make it all possible.

2025 was a year of momentum for Centre County and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, with new events taking shape and longtime favorites continuing to grow across Happy Valley. During the year, HVSEA supported more than 40 events that drew over 23,000 athletes and nearly 58,000 spectators from around the world to experience the region. Those visits fueled local impact, generating more than 40,000 room nights and supporting over 11,000 jobs. Altogether, these events delivered more than $21 million in direct visitor spending to Centre County.

Wondering what’s happening around Happy Valley? From live music and performances to comedy, nightlife, and community events, there’s always something going on, and we’ve made it easier than ever to stay in the know.

Our Weekly Lineup is your go-to calendar for live events across Happy Valley, refreshed every week so you never miss out. Whether you’re planning your weekend or looking for something to do tonight, the Weekly Lineup keeps everything in one place.

With less than a month left in 2025, you might be reflecting on those fitness resolutions you made back in January. The good news? It is not too late to accomplish something big before the year wraps up. The Nittany Valley Half Marathon returns this weekend, and whether you want to run, volunteer, or just support a great local cause, there is still time to get involved.

Happy Valley experienced a record year for visitation and visitor spending in 2024. Tourism over the past year was strong and vibrant, setting the stage for a promising 2026.

The official numbers won’t be known until mid-year next year when The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) receives its 2025 visitation report from Longwoods International, a leading travel industry research firm. Centre County has, however, experienced visitor growth in every month this year except February, April, and November.

If you live in Happy Valley, you already know the Bryce Jordan Center isn’t just Penn State’s sports arena, it’s the region’s go-to spot for big touring shows, major concerts, comedy, family entertainment, and those once-a-year spectacles that fill the whole place with energy. As we move into a new year, the BJC is lining up an impressive mix of events that bring something for everyone: chart-topping artists, nostalgia tours, high-flying performance groups, and full-throttle family shows.