ESPN is embarking on a nationwide tour this summer called “SportsCenter: 50 States in 50 Days.” The tour will bring SportsCenter and its anchors to fans across America. The seven-week initiative will feature live on-site shows and storytelling segments from a different state each day for 50 days. The tour starts in Washington, D.C., on June 27 with a special edition hosted by Scott Van Pelt.
Highlights of the tour include stops in Las Vegas, Atlanta for the MLB Home Run Derby, Los Angeles, Indianapolis for the WNBA All-Star Weekend, Florida for The Ocho at ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series. This is the first time in 20 years that SportsCenter has done a cross-country tour of this scale. The original 2005 SportsCenter Across America effort inspired this modern revival.
The tour will celebrate American sports fandom, from local traditions to nationally recognized events. It will bring fans an on-the-ground perspective of sports culture across the nation. As part of the tour, the Albuquerque Isotopes will be featured on July 2 when they play the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Anchor Christine Williamson will broadcast the game live from Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
SportsCenter’s nationwide tour overview
Isotopes Spokesperson Forest Stulting said the network reached out months ago wanting to feature the stadium.
He thinks it’s a great way to connect fans and other places around the country to unique cities and sporting events. With all eyes on New Mexico, Stulting said to expect everything we love here to be on full display, including Dion’s and green chile. He also hopes they can pack the park and show the nation another thing that makes Albuquerque special: the fans.
North Dakota State University will also be featured on the tour on August 11. The Bison football program, led by head coach Tim Polasek, will be highlighted with a primary show time of 1 p.m. Central Time, featuring anchor Matt Barrie. NDSU clinched the Division I FCS national championship last January, marking the program’s 10th FCS national title since 2011.
The network has previously visited Fargo for live shows three times since 2013. The tour will feature various sports events across the country, with stops in Minnesota for a WNBA Finals rematch and South Dakota for the BMX Mount Rushmore Nationals. The final stop will be in Pennsylvania at the Little League World Series on August 16.
