Community First Champion Center: Visitor Guide

Quick Guide: What Are You Visiting For?

Community First Champion Center Hours

The Champion Center does not publish one universal weekly public-use schedule. Hours depend on tournaments, team practices, ice reservations, special events and other bookings.

Sports Facilities: Courts, Ice Rinks & Amenities

The Champion Center has three major competition areas. The seasonal arena can change between hardwood courts and ice according to the facility’s event calendar.

What sports can use the venue?

• Basketball and 3-on-3 basketball
• Volleyball
• Ice hockey and figure skating
• Pickleball
• Wrestling
• Cheerleading and dance
• Gymnastics
• Futsal and other approved indoor sports

Not every sport is available every day. The facility’s competition pods are scheduled according to leagues, camps, tournaments and rental agreements.

Tournaments, Hockey Games & Upcoming Events

The venue hosts regional and statewide sports events organized by groups such as Prep Hoops, RSK Sports, Wisconsin Blaze and other event partners. The facility’s official calendar shows basketball leagues, volleyball tournaments, hockey and special events.

Examples listed for late 2026 and 2027

These are published calendar entries as of October 19, 2026. Scheduling, game times and admission arrangements may change.

How to find your team’s event

1. Open the Champion Center Events page.
2. Select List or Month view.
3. Find your tournament or league by date or event name.
4. Open the specific event entry.
5. Check any organizer links for game schedules, brackets or team registration.
6. Confirm the admission arrangements and arrival time.
7. Save your event name and team details before driving.

Admission Fees: Spectators & Players

Public Ice Skating: Prices, Rentals & How to Attend

The Champion Center occasionally offers public Open Skate sessions. These are separate from private ice rentals, hockey practice and tournament ice bookings.

How to check for skating

1. Open the official Ice Schedule webpage.
2. Look for the Open Skate Opportunities section.
3. Check upcoming dates or linked Facebook events.
4. Confirm any age, supervision or equipment requirements.
5. Bring suitable clothing and gloves for rink conditions.
6. Arrive during the posted session, not the general building opening time.

If no public skating is listed, contact the venue about private ice rental rather than arriving without a reservation.

Court Rentals, Ice Rentals & Tournament Bookings

Individuals, schools, clubs and organizers may inquire about court time, ice time, practices, birthday parties or larger sporting events. Availability depends on existing tournament and league commitments.

How to request a rental

School Field Trips: Published $10 Package

Community First Champion Center advertises a group field trip package for school groups during the September–May period.

How a school can reserve

1. Choose a school-day date during the published program season.
2. Estimate the number of students and accompanying adults.
3. Contact Chad Mazur at cmazur@championcenterwi.com.
4. Request available dates and confirm the $10 package price.
5. Ask about required waivers, adult supervision, accessible participation and transportation drop-off.
6. Confirm the final group size, payment arrangements and schedule in writing.

Golf Simulator: Champion Links

Champion Links is an indoor golf simulator at the Champion Center, offering practice and virtual course play through TruGolf equipment.

The official visitor page states that visitors can book time in half-hour increments and choose between range practice or course play. Operating hours vary by available reservations.

Booking steps

1. Open the Champion Experience page.
2. Choose the Golf Simulator Reservations option.
3. Select an available date and duration.
4. Review the price and any equipment rules.
5. Complete the official reservation.
6. Keep the booking confirmation for check-in.

Address, Map, Free Parking & Construction Routes

Community First Champion Center is located at 5000 W. Champion Drive, Appleton, WI 54913, within the Town of Grand Chute in the Fox Cities region.

Best route during construction

The official site warns about ongoing construction on Wisconsin Avenue (WIS 96) and I-41-related traffic changes. Its published directions recommend using I-41 Exit 139 at WI-15/Northland Avenue.

1. Take Interstate 41 to Exit 139 (WI-15/Northland Avenue).
2. Drive west on Highway 15 for approximately one mile.
3. Turn left onto McCarthy Road and head south for about half a mile.
4. Turn left onto West Champion Drive.
5. Continue east approximately a quarter mile to the Champion Center.

Where should you park?

The Champion Center’s 2026 visitor information identifies approximately 750 parking spaces at the venue. Event parking is free.

Food, Wi-Fi, Accessibility & Spectator Amenities

Important venue rules

• No smoking or vaping anywhere on the property.
• No concealed weapons are permitted under posted facility rules.
• No alcoholic beverages outside approved lounge areas.
• Use designated parking spaces only.
• Respect event staff, athletes, spectators and officials.
• Visitors who breach facility rules may be removed without a refund.

For accessibility questions, call 920-659-4914 before your event to discuss seating, parking and entry arrangements.

Hotels, Team Travel & Fox Cities Attractions

Families attending multi-day tournaments often stay in Appleton, Grand Chute or other Fox Cities communities. Hotel blocks and special rates are usually tied to specific tournaments.

How to book an event hotel block

1. Find your tournament’s official event page or hotel sheet.
2. Identify participating hotel properties.
3. Call the property directly using the number on the event’s hotel sheet.
4. Ask for the sales or group booking manager.
5. Provide the tournament name, team and requested dates.
6. Confirm the group rate, cancellation deadline and number of available rooms.

The Champion Center’s published 2026 tournament hotel instructions emphasized calling hotels directly for advertised group-block rates rather than assuming standard online rates qualify.

Nearby visitor activities

The greater Fox Cities area offers additional activities between games, including Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball, local dining, shopping and downtown Appleton attractions.

The Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau provides information about accommodations and regional attractions.

Game-Day Checklist: Players & Spectators

Related Community Center & Recreation Guides

These existing guides help visitors compare sports facilities, court access, registration, passes and event rentals. Policies are different at each venue.

Official Sources & Visitor Resources