General | February 10, 2023 | 11:20

The Detroit Sports Commission is thrilled to present an action-packed lineup of events for sports fans of all ages and interests in the Detroit region over the next couple of months. Whether you are a die-hard hockey fan, a budding young athlete or simply looking for a fun evening out, there is something for everyone on our schedule. A round-up of upcoming events can be found below, but make sure to check out our full calendar for year-round action and entertainment.
 
First up is the 2023 Tier 1 EHL Youth 2011's Showcase, taking place from Friday, Feb. 3 to Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Taylor Sportsplex and Dearborn Ice Skating Center. Tier 1 Elite Hockey League is the premier amateur hockey league in the country, featuring more than 20 organizations stretching from coast to coast. With significant visibility, top-level talent and elite coaching, often coming from the upper levels of professional hockey, participants in the Tier 1 Elite League are often promoted to higher levels of competition, such as Major Junior, Tier I Jr Hockey, NCAA Hockey, NHL and other professional leagues. 
 
Also happening from Feb. 3-5 is the 2023 Great Lakes Girls Fest at the Buffalo Wild Wings Arena in Troy. According to USA Hockey, 2022 saw the highest registrations for female ice hockey players. Great Lakes Girls Fest is dedicated to promoting girls' hockey and providing opportunities for players to develop their skills and compete against the best in the region.
 
That's not all of the exciting action on the ice in February. Hockey fans will be treated to one of the most exciting rivalries in college hockey as Duel in the D returns to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Feb. 11. The Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey teams will battle it out to add another chapter in their storied clash for the "Iron D" Trophy. The game will mark the 342nd all-time meeting between the historic teams, with Michigan currently holding a 177-138-24 edge in the all-time series. The Wolverines have claimed the "Iron D" Trophy in each of the last five matchups at Little Caesars Arena.
 
The Presidents' Day Challenge returns to Detroit on Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb.19 at Huntington Place. The Presidents' Day Challenge is a highly anticipated annual event that brings together indoor club volleyball teams from across the country to compete. The tournament also serves as a great opportunity for teams to bond and build camaraderie through competitive play. It's a must-see event for volleyball fans, and a great way to spend Presidents' Day weekend in Detroit.
 
Youth hockey teams from across the country will head to Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton from Saturday, Feb. 18 to Monday, Feb. 20 for the 2023 Hockey Presidential Power-Play. The tournament marks the third in a series that included the Winter Classic in December 2022 and the Midwinter Classic in January 2023.
 
One of the most highly anticipated events of the high school hockey season, the MHSAA Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals, takes place from Thursday, March 9 to Saturday, March 11 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. The annual event features some of the best high school hockey players in the state, many of whom will go on to play at the professional level, vying for the title of champion. The atmosphere at the USA Hockey Arena is electric. If you are a hockey fan, this is an event you won't want to miss.
 
Home to legendary fighters like Joe Louis and Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, the City of Detroit will host the 2023 USA Boxing Qualifier for one week from March 18-25.  More than 1,000 boxers ages 8-40 are expected to compete in the week-long national tournament, which will also serve as the second qualifier for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. This event will be the first of five planned national tournaments for USA Boxing in 2023, the most since 2019.
 
The 2023 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men's and Women's Bowling National Championship is a premier event that provides a platform for college bowlers to showcase their skills and compete for a national championship. The tournament is set to take place From Thursday, March 23 to Saturday, March 25 at Five Star Lanes in Sterling Heights, one of the most respected bowling centers in the region.
 
From March 26 to April 2, the world's best pro and amateur bowlers will lace up their shoes and test their skills at the USBC Masters. Widely regarded as bowling's most prestigious event, the USBC Masters features 15 games of qualifying over three days with the top 63 players plus the defending champion entering a double-elimination match-play bracket.
 
Finally, at the end of March, one of the most prestigious events in youth hockey will take place at USA Hockey Arena. Slated for Wednesday, March 29 to Monday, April 3, the 2023 USA Hockey National Championship Youth Tier I 14U tournament will feature top boys and girls youth hockey teams from across the country.
 
With so many events taking place across the Detroit region, the Detroit Sports Commission is always looking for volunteers to join our team. To learn more, please click here.