Northstar Travel Group, a leading B2B travel industry events, media and information services company, has announced that JTB Corp., one of Japan’s leading travel solutions providers, has signed an agreement to acquire Northstar from investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital and its co-investors. As part of the transaction, Northstar will operate as a wholly owned, independent subsidiary of JTB and will continue to be led by its existing management team, including CEO Jason Young. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in September, were not disclosed.

Northstar operates iconic B2B travel event, media and market intelligence brands including SportsTravel, the TEAMS Conference, TEAMS Europe and the EsportsTravel Summit, in addition to brands such as Travel Weekly, Business Travel News, ALIS, The Meetings Show and Phocuswright. Through these platforms, Northstar connects a global audience of more than 1 million professional travel buyers, who shape and drive the travel industry, with more than 1,500 supplier customers seeking to engage them.

“We are thrilled to partner with JTB as we enter the next phase of our company’s incredible history,” said Young. “Our shared commitment to the travel industry, cultural alignment and collective expertise — combined with the opportunity to accelerate Northstar’s geographic expansion in the Asia Pacific region — will enhance our ability to deliver value to our audiences and customers as we advance our mission.”

The transaction advances JTB’s growth strategy, which includes geographic expansion and targeted investments in events, information services, market intelligence and other strategic lines of business associated with the travel industry.

“Today’s announcement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for JTB Group,” said Eijiro Yamakita, president and CEO of JTB Group. “Northstar brings outstanding expertise and fresh perspectives that perfectly align with our strategic vision. By operating Northstar as an independent subsidiary, we preserve their neutral market position while creating a powerful platform for delivering superior customer experiences. We are confident this structure will unlock significant growth potential while contributing to the innovation and future growth of the travel industry.”

Co-Managing Partner Anup Bagaria and Senior Partner Michael Struble of EagleTree Capital said, “It has been an honor to partner with the Northstar team, including chairman and former CEO Tom Kemp and current CEO Jason Young, and to witness the company’s impressive transformation over the last few years. We are confident Northstar is well-positioned for future success and look forward to watching it thrive as part of JTB.”

Major League Table Tennis has released its full 2025–2026 season schedule, starting with an early September event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, with the Bay Area Blasters hosting the Portland Paddlers, Florida Crocs and Texas Smash.

The 15-week regular season will feature matches across 10 markets with 10 teams competing in singles, doubles and the Golden Game. MLTT general admission starts at $10, courtside seating from $20 and $5 tickets for kids, students, and seniors.

“With new teams, new cities and an expanded national schedule, MLTT’s growth continues,” said Flint Lane, founder and commissioner of MLTT. “We’re giving fans more chances than ever to experience the excitement of professional table tennis.”

There are some changes to the league including a team from Seattle relocating to Los Angeles and debuts for teams from Atlanta and New York. Matchups throughout the season at  venues include Compass Arena (Chicago), Energy VBC (Chicago), Gas South Convention Center (Atlanta), Terasaki Budokan (Los Angeles), and Rider University (Princeton).

Major League Table Tennis Schedule

September 5–7: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California
September 19–21: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte
October 3–5: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
October 24–26: Energy VBC, Bensenville, Illinois
November 7–9: Westchester Table Tennis Center, Pleasantville, New York
November 14–16: Gas South Convention Center, Duluth, Georgia
November 21–23: Broward Table Table Club, Hollywood, Florida
December 12–14: Terasaki Budokan, Los Angeles
January 9–11: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
January 16–18: Compass Arena, Willowbrook, Illinois
January 30–February 1: ULH Event Center, Houston
February 13–15: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California
March 6–8: Broward Table Tennis Club, Hollywood, Florida
March 13–15: Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte
March 20–22: Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Blast has announced its debut arena event in mainland China with the Dota Slam Chengdu from December 5–7 at the Wuliangye Chengdu Performing Arts Centre.

The event will be delivered as part of a multi-year agreement with Chengdu Television and Media Company, with follow-up tournaments to be confirmed for in the future. Chengdu joins the Blast circuit of esports destinations for events this year that includes Rio, London, Lisbon, Austin, Boston, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“We are incredibly proud to bring Blast’s first ever event in mainland China to Chengdu,” said James Woollard, director of market development at Blast. “Entering the buoyant and growing Chinese esports and gaming space — one of our fastest growing viewership markets — is hugely important, and partnering with Chengdu Television and Media Company allows us to combine our global competitive entertainment pedigree with trusted local expertise to deliver something truly special. The Phoenix Mountain Sports Park Arena is a phenomenal venue,and we can’t wait to create landmark esports moments there this December as part of a multi-year partnership.”

Dota 2 teams will battle for a $1 million prize pool at the Wuliangye Chengdu Performing Arts Centre, a 12,000-seat venue. Chengdu is also set to host the 2025 League Of Legends World Championship Final in November and has hoted esports events dating to 2009.

“We are very glad to cooperate with Blast and bring a world-class esports experience to Chengdu,” said Zhou Wenwen, general manager of Chengdu Broadcasting Film and Television Group. “The Blast Slam is not only a competitive feast for fans all over the world, but also an important opportunity to showcase Chengdu as an international cultural, sports and entertainment destination.”

The NAIA, Explore Asheville and Airstream Ventures have announced Asheville, North Carolina, as the host city for the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in 2026 and 2027.

“We are honored to welcome the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships to our community in 2026 and 2027,” said Vic Isley, president and chief executive officer of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “Hosting this prestigious event underscores Asheville’s standing as a leading sports destination in the Southeast while also fueling our local creative economy and supporting the recovery of small businesses following Hurricane Helene.”

The three‑day event brings together approximately 1,300 athletes representing men’s and women’s teams, along with their families and fans. The championships will take place at UNC Asheville’s recently renovated Karl Straus Track, with expansions made possible in part by a $1.5 million Tourism Product Development Fund investment through the tourism development authority.

“The NAIA is excited to partner with Airstream Ventures and Explore Asheville to provide a first–class experience to the student–athletes competing for outdoor track and field national championships,” said Austin Bennett, NAIA vice president for championships. “The Karl Straus Track and the amenities the area brings to the table will allow the NAIA to provide an event that will make lasting memories for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

For its first year in Asheville, the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will take place May 20–22, 2026. In 2027, the event is set for May 26–28.

“Hosting the NAIA championships at Karl Straus Track is a tremendous honor and opportunity,” said Janet Cone, athletic director at UNC Asheville. “Our facilities are designed to support elite level competition, and we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for athletes, coaches and spectators. We’re proud to bring national attention to Asheville and UNC Asheville and thankful for this partnership with Airstream Ventures, Explore Asheville and the NAIA.”

KemperSports has announced a multi–year partnership with Perfect Game to bring youth baseball events to Fields at Station 63 in Mansfield, Texas.

Through a partnership between the city of Mansfield and KemperSports, Fields at Station 63 has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation with upgraded playing fields. The park now features eight turf baseball diamonds, a renovated central plaza, improved concessions and family spaces.

The venue will re-open on September 6. Beginning in the fall, Perfect Game will host 35 weekends per year of youth baseball tournaments at the newly renovated venue.

“This isn’t just another tournament series,” said Steve Goris, senior vice president of KemperSports Venues. “We’re combining Perfect Game’s industry-leading tournament platform with KemperSports’ expertise in hospitality, facility management and event operations. Together, we’re creating an environment that delivers a best-in-class experience for players, families, and fans — from the moment they arrive at the park to the last out of the weekend.”

The partnership will combine Perfect Game’s network of players, coaches, scouts and media with KemperSports’ service, facility expertise and community engagement.

“We are excited for the future of Perfect Game in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro,” said Taylor McCollough, vice president, operations at Perfect Game. “We look forward to working with KemperSports to provide quality competition and the first-class experience that our teams expect at Perfect Game events now at Fields at Station 63.”

The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games has proposed the relocation of diving to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena and asked for approval from the Los Angeles City Council on the decision.

The venue plan for LA28 had diving being held at the 1932 Pool in the Exposition Park Zone. LA28 says the potential move would achieve up to $17.6 million in combined savings and revenue growth. Any changes to the venue proposal for LA28 must be approved by the city.

LA28 said in its proposal to the City Council that the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center offers an existing pool that meets Olympic diving standards and requires fewer improvements to host diving in 2028.

It also said in the proposal that World Aquatics told organizers that the Exposition Park outdoor pool did not meet Olympic diving standards. The pool in Exposition Park, located next to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was constructed for the 1932 Games and hosted diving, swimming, water polo and the swim event for the modern pentathlon.

LA28 said in its proposal to City Council that the venue “would require a complete reconstruction in order to meet Olympic standards. Futhermore, this construction cannot occur simultaneously with the LA Memorial Coliseum track construction projects due to limited space within the surrounding footprint.”

“This presents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events, with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our diving athletes, with their safety remaining our top priority,” said Reynold Hoover, LA28 chief executive officer. “The decision to stage diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is beneficial on all fronts and we’re grateful to our host city and venue city partners for their unwavering support and collaboration as we finalize the 2028 Games plan.”

The LIV Golf League has added a tournament in New Orleans for 2026 after Louisiana agreed to pay the Saudi-backed tour $5 million and spend an additional $2.2 million on improvements to the Bayou Oaks course in City Park.

“What an unbelievable opportunity to announce this on the 20th-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,” Gov. Jeff Landry said at an announcement alongside LIV Golf officials and LIV player Bubba Watson.

New Orleans has a long-running PGA Tour stop with the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana. Watson won the Zurich in 2011 and hailed his opportunity to play professionally in New Orleans again.

“I’m from the Gulf Coast and this is part my home,” Watson said, drawing laughs when he joked about attending many New Orleans Pelicans games wanting to see often-injured NBA star Zion Williamson play. “I still hope for that day.”

The tournament will be held at the South Course at New Orleans City Park Bayou Oaks, which will be newly renovated and designed by golf legend and former LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman.

The event in New Orleans is LIV’s 10th committed tournament to the schedule and third in the United States. LIV Golf Virginia presented by Maaden will take place May 8–10, 2026, at Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., marking its third visit to the Mid-Atlantic region and second time at the venue following a successful 2023 debut.

“Following a memorable event in 2023 and a great tournament at Robert Trent Jones earlier this year, we’re looking forward to bringing LIV Golf back to Virginia in 2026,” said Ross Hallett, LIV Golf executive vice president, head of events. “Trump National offers a bold, championship-caliber stage for our players to compete and we are thrilled to once again showcase elite golf, an immersive fan environment and premium hospitality in picturesque northern Virginia.”

LIV Golf Indianapolis 2026 will take place August 21–23 at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, repeating as the host site of the LIV Golf League Individual Championship and marking the league’s second visit to the venue following a successful 2025 debut.

Previously, LIV’s site announces were highlighted by the news that Steyn City in Johannesburg is set to host LIV Golf South Africa from March 20–22, 2026, to start a multi-year commitment, extending LIV Golf competition to five continents across the globe.

“Bringing LIV Golf to South Africa is another significant moment in our journey,” said Hallett. “The country has a proud sporting heritage with passionate fans and world-class talent and Steyn City will be an incredible host venue to celebrate this next chapter. We currently have events in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and today we add Africa, marking another exciting opportunity to showcase LIV Golf to a new audience and market.”

Among other announced tournaments for 2026 have been;

• LIV will return to the Real Club Valderrama for LIV Golf Andalucía 2026, from June 5–7. Real Club Valderrama famously hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup.
• LIV will return to Saudi Arabia to launch its 2026 season at LIV Golf Riyadh presented by ROSHN Group, taking place February 5-7 at the Riyadh Golf Club following a debut appearance in 2025.
• LIV Golf Mexico City 2026 will be staged from April 17–19 at the historic Club de Golf Chapultepec, marking the league’s fourth visit to Mexico and second to the country’s capital of Mexico City.
• LIV Golf will return to LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco at Sentosa Golf Club for the fourth edition of the event from March 13–15.
• LIV will return to JCB Golf & Country Club from July 24–26 for the third edition of LIV Golf UK by JCB, in Rocester, Staffordshire. JCB Golf & Country Club first hosted LIV Golf in July 202.
• LIV Golf Adelaide will return to The Grange Golf Club from February 13–15, having drawn more than 260,000 fans to The Grange since its inception in 2023.

Allegiant Air and Notre Dame Global Partnerships, the official multimedia rights holder for the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department, have announced a multi–year agreement designating Allegiant “The Official Airline Partner of Notre Dame Athletics.”

The partnership launches in conjunction with the 2025 fall sports season. Allegiant serves eight routes from South Bend International Airport, including the launch of nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning this week ahead of Notre Dame football’s game at the University of Miami on August 31.

“With a shared commitment to excellence, it is a natural fit for Allegiant to align our brand with Notre Dame athletics,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant Airlines chief commercial officer. “We have been flying Notre Dame students and alumni for two decades, and we know sports have the universal power to unite people with a common goal of celebrating their favorite teams. We’re excited to expand our presence in the South Bend community and welcome the Fighting Irish on board.”

Allegiant started operations at South Bend International Airport in 2005 and this agreement will grow the airline’s presence and nonstop travel options at SBN. Sweepstakes will be specially designed to provide fans with premium game day hospitality.

The partnership will include branded social and digital content and exclusive fan engagement initiatives. Notre Dame athletics will use Allegiant’s services not only to offer fans, students and alumni travel options, but also to transport many of the university’s athletic teams in the coming years.

“We’re pleased to welcome Allegiant’s partnership and mutual commitment to investing in the South Bend community,” said Jim Fraleigh, Notre Dame deputy athletics director, corporate relations. “We look forward to connecting generations of Fighting Irish across the country with affordable, reliable travel and unforgettable game day experiences.”

The NFL and immersive technology company Cosm have announced an extension of their partnership that will see Cosm continue to produce and distribute live games in shared reality at their venues throughout the 2025 season and beyond.

This season, Cosm will again feature Thursday Night Football and Sunday Night Football, as well as an offering of games on CBS and FOX, at its venues in Los Angeles and Dallas. For the second consecutive year, Cosm will also showcase NFL postseason games, including Super Bowl LX.

“This multi-year partnership with the NFL and its broadcast partners underscores our shared commitment to fans,” said Jeb Terry, Cosm president and chief executive officer. “With multiple high-resolution immersive camera angles from the sideline to the end zone, integrated broadcaster commentary and live TV feeds, NFL gamedays at Cosm offer a unique shared reality experience where fans can celebrate watching NFL football together.”

NFL games debuted at Cosm during the 2024 NFL season on Cosm’s 87-foot-diameter, 12K+ LED domes. Cosm opened its first venue in Los Angeles at Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium, in July 2024, and second venue in Dallas at The Colony’s Grandscape in August 2024. The company will open its third venue in Atlanta’s Centennial Yards in early 2026, as well as its fourth venue in  Detroit later in the year. Cosm recently announced its fifth venue will anchor Cleveland’s Rock Block development, expected to open in 2027.

Cosm will kick off its slate of NFL games on September 4 with the 2025 NFL Kickoff Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, along with Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. The Week 2 matchup between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers on September 11 will be the first Thursday Night Football game this season available in the Dome at Cosm.

The Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon has been selected to host the 2026 Ironman 70.3 North American Championship.

The event, which will return to the central Pennsylvania destination on June 14, 2026, will offer a North American Championship title, an elevated professional prize purse and increased age group qualifying opportunities for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.

“We are thrilled to bring the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship race to State College and the Happy Valley Community to showcase this beautiful venue,” said AJ Sills, Northeast Regional Director for Ironman. “State College has been a phenomenal host since the event was launched in 2023, and we could not be prouder to see this event host some of the best athletes from around the world next June with this prestigious designation.”

The 2026 Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship race will take athletes on a 1.2-mile swim in Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir at Bald Eagle State Park, a 56-mile bike ride through the hills of Centre and Clinton counties and a a 13.1-mile run on the campus of Penn State University including a finish line experience alongside Beaver Stadium, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

“Being selected to host the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship race is a tremendous opportunity for Happy Valley,” said Eric Engelbarts, executive director of the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance. “This event will bring thousands of athletes, families and fans to our region, creating a powerful economic impact for our local businesses while showcasing Happy Valley as a premier sports tourism destination. We are proud to continue building a reputation that puts our region on the global stage.”

“We are thrilled that the Ironman 70.3 Series is returning to Happy Valley in a big way,” said Fritz Smith, president and chief executive officer of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “From a visitation perspective, hosting the North American Championship is of course wonderful news. But it means more than that. For the past three years, the community has fully embraced the event – from turning out in large numbers to volunteer or to simply cheer on these elite athletes. This announcement is equally fantastic news for residents, whom I am confident will be ready to show competitors and their families true Happy Valley hospitality.”