Regional Sports Authority District Program

The purpose of the Regional Sports Authority District (RSAD) program is to promote tourism in Iowa by funding projects that relate to the active promotion of unique and innovative physical sporting events in the state. The RSAD program is established in Iowa Code Chapter 15E.321, as amended by 2025 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2484..

Eligibility

Applicants must be an Iowa nonprofit organization established to promote economic development and tourism in an area within the state. Events that received funding through the Major Events program are not eligible to receive RSAD funding.

Funding

$1,000,000 in total funding is available.   All project expenses (grant request + cash match) must directly relate to the promotion of a unique and innovative physical sporting event(s) and be incurred within the fiscal year in which grant funding is being requested (July 1 – June 30).

FY2027 RSAD Cycle

June 8, 2026: Application Available
July 8, 2026: Applications due by 4:00 p.m. CT
August 1, 2026: Award letters are sent
 

Additional Information

• FY27 RSAD Program Guidelines
• FY27 Designation Application
• RSAD Scoring Rubric
• FY27 RSAD Event Economic Impact Table
• FY27 RSAD Event Size Report
• W-9
• Final Report Worksheet

FY2026 RSAD Recipients

• Discover Ames
• Cedar Rapids Tourism Office
• Cedar Valley Sports Commission
• Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Fort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Sioux City Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Think Iowa City
• Travel Dubuque