A bucket-list destination for families around the world, the Little League® International Complex is not only the home of the Little League Baseball® World Series each summer, but also is a place where, all year, visitors create lifelong memories and experiences. As the organization continues to build amazing visitor experiences, Little League International is pleased to announce an expansion of its partnership with Delaware North Sportservice to lend expertise and management oversight to its new retail flagship store and operations relationship.
The new agreement, which grants Delaware North Sportservice the ability to provide management services around the operations and sales of Little League’s retail and e-commerce merchandise, comes in coordination with the opening of Little League’s new Flagship Store, which will replace the Main Gift Shop and Third-Base Store and is scheduled to open its doors on the Little League International Complex in August leading up to the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile. The relationship expands the existing partnership with Delaware North Sportservice, which has managed the concessions operations since 2002.
“Providing fans, families, and guests with a positive and memorable experience whenever they visit our complex is an most important areas of focus for us not only during the World Series, but throughout the entire year,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League executive vice President and chief marketing and business relationship officer. “Partnering with an organization as reputable as Delaware North Sportservice, along with the opening of our exciting new Flagship Store, will provide an exciting opportunity for our fans just in time for the 2024 Little League World Series. We look forward to working with Delaware North Sportservice as we continue to bring our retail efforts to the next level and hope everyone enjoys their time in Williamsport this summer and for years to come.”
Delaware North, a global leader in sports hospitality, has a significant presence in the retail segment. The company’s diverse retail portfolio includes locations across sports venues, national and state parks, resorts, attractions, airports and gaming properties.
“We are excited to expand our more than 20 years of partnership with the Little League World Series by bringing our extensive sports retail expertise into the mix — creating an all-new shopping experience for guests to memorialize a once-In-a-lifetime moment,” said Jeff Hess, vice president of retail for Delaware North Sportservice.
Originally developed as part of the World Series expansion plans to provide a better experience for fans with the official merchandise to support all 20 teams participating, the new 6,000-square-foot Flagship Store will include increased retail space, enhanced customer flow, as well as areas for staff offices and warehousing for stock and e-commerce operations, and will provide World Series fans and year-long visitors with a one-stop shopping experience at a convenient location across from Volunteer Stadium and closer to the main entrance. During the month of August, the Little League Baseball World Series welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its more than 80-acre complex over the course of the 11-day event, inviting them all to stop by its gift shops and museum to help provide families with merchandise to remember their bucket-list experience for years to come. From apparel and caps to show off their region support to memorabilia and pins to remember the experience for generations, the Little League store is a go-to for families from all around the world.
As a non-profit organization, Little League International’s retail operations, both on the complex and at ShopLittleLeague.org, further helps to support the organization’s purpose of positively impacting youth and communities by providing necessary resources, league essentials, and additional revenue necessary that directly benefit leagues throughout the year. This relationship, and the new Flagship Store, will continue to provide memorable experiences for fans from around the globe while also supporting the strategic initiatives of the organization.
To plan your visit to the 2024 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile, set to take place on August 14-25, check out LittleLeague.org/Visit or LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries. For more information about what merchandise and retail items are available for purchase, visit ShopLittleLeague.org or stop by the Little League International Complex.