Sporty Missouri Locations to Shoot Your Next Athletic Epic

Nothing screams summer like a sporty blockbuster, and Missouri is full of legendary arenas, gymnasiums, and parks that are ready for their close-up. When scouting for your next game-day saga, consider some of these iconic and historic spots.

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Mo.

Home to the superbowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium is a crown jewel of western Missouri. Built in the early 1970s, the stadium changed the game with its aesthetic and stylistic choices. In an era where sports stadiums were simply built for function, Arrowhead’s architecture was revolutionary with its curved lines and organic feel. This distinctive technique makes it a Kansas City centerpiece while also providing each spectator with a perfect view of the action.

Aside from the Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium has hosted legendary performers such as The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and Paul McCartney. In 2024, it was featured in the Hallmark film Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.

Busch Stadium – St. Louis, Mo.

Nestled into the city’s historic downtown, Busch Stadium has been home to the St. Louis Cardinals since 2006. Distinguished by its central location, iconic bronze statues, and swarms of fans in red, the 46,000 seat stadium quickly became a St. Louis landmark. In addition to its field, vending stalls, and storefronts, the stadium also holds a Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, which is open year-round.

Busch Stadium has also hosted many notable performers such as U2, Metallica, and Billy Joel. It has also been featured in several productions, including the 1968 film Paper Lion, an episode of Cathedrals of the Game, and the children’s show Cardinals Kids.

Sikeston Rodeo Arena – Sikeston, Mo.

Tucked into Missouri’s bootheel is the Sikeston Rodeo Arena. As the largest rodeo in the region and a top 40 in the country, The Sikeston Rodeo is an impressive event that brings in 40,000 visitors each year. This means its arena is built for crowds with 18 sections of bleacher seating, a stage for musical guests, and a beloved concession stand – all centered around the dirt rodeo floor.

Wallace State Park – Cameron, Mo.

Located less than an hour from Kansas City lies Wallace State Park. Developed in the 1930s, the park was one of the first recreational areas in northwest Missouri. Today, it boasts lush hillsides, quiet hiking trails, and peaceful campgrounds. Its 6-acre lake is surrounded by dense woods full of native Missouri plants and wildlife, making it a haven for swimming, fishing, or kayaking.

Westminster College Historic Gymnasium – Fulton, Mo.

Located proudly on the hill of its campus stands the Westminster College Historic Gymnasium. Constructed in the late 1920s, this classical revival-style building was one of the largest and best equipped gymnasiums in Missouri. In 1946, Sir Winston Churchill arrived at the gymnasium to deliver a speech titled “The Sinews of Peace,” in which the term “iron curtain” was first used. The gymnasium remains largely unchanged since Churchill’s speech, giving it a vintage charm.

Though not specific to the gymnasium, Westminster’s campus was featured in the 2022 Netflix film “The Pale Blue Eye,” starring Christian Bale and Harry Melling.

For more sporty locations, check out our Location Gallery.

This article was written by Missouri Film Office Intern Justine Favazza, a junior at the University of Missouri.