The Maine attraction for sports fans
Known primarily for its rugged coastline and outdoor recreation, Maine is quickly gaining recognition as one of America’s top new sports destinations.
This past spring, Maine’s first professional soccer team, the Portland Hearts of Pine, created a buzz even before they took to the field.
From the start, the club has framed itself as not only a sports franchise, but as a community-forward movement: “culture-led, community-built, and city-backed.” The team and their fan base have signaled a new era for sports in Maine.
This summer the Hearts of Pine played their inaugural international friendly against the Halifax Wanderers under the lights at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium.
The game, which was added to their regular schedule, came about when Maine Governor Janet Mills, on behalf of the Hearts of Pine, asked Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston if the Halifax team would consider a cross-border match.
The Portland Hearts of Pine join a roster of established teams that bring year-round sports excitement to Maine, including the Portland Seadogs (Double-A baseball) the Maine Celtics (NBA G League) and the Maine Mariners (ECHK hockey).
Together, these teams give local and visiting fans the opportunity to see tomorrow’s stars up close.
Maine’s growing sports profile extends beyond the stadium.
Fort Kent’s Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races and the Camden Classics Cup sailing regatta are long-time events that highlight Maine’s heritage.
Races and marathons like the Enduro Race Series, gravel grind races, Beach to Beacon in Cape Elizabeth, the Dempsey Challenge in Lewiston/Auburn and the Mount Desert Island Marathon; and major endurance events like Ironman 70.3 Maine in Augusta and the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship at Sugarloaf have cemented the state’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class competition.
As sports take center stage globally with next year’s FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, Maine is proving that a rural state can make a big impact on the sports stage with new teams, major events, and a passionate fan base.
Whether here to cheer, compete, or simply take it all in, Maine offers the perfect backdrop for unforgettable sports action year-round.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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