Where sports stories have a home.
Fifty years ago, Rocky changed the world of cinema. The film encapsulated inspirational storytelling, and its Oscar-winning legacy is the guiding light for the world of sports content.
The Dynasty Sports Film Festival was created to offer a global stage for the most compelling stories in sport.
Hosted in the iconic sports town of South Bend, Indiana, the festival unites athletes, filmmakers, and fans to celebrate the intersection of competition, culture, and cinema. Four days of curated screenings, live events, industry panels, and athlete-led conversations — during one of the biggest sports weekends of the year — building a new cultural home for sports storytelling in the American heartland.
- WhenOctober 22–25, 2026
- WhereDowntown South Bend, Indiana
- WhatCompetition screenings across 6 categories, Q&As, premieres, and parties
- That weekendWorld Series · college football · F1 US Grand Prix · NFL · NBA tip-off
- Getting hereFly into South Bend (SBN), 15 minutes away — or drive from Chicago, Indianapolis, or Detroit
- Premier screening venues
- Festival screenings will take place at classic downtown theaters and meeting spaces that bring cinematic history and character to the festival experience.
- Podcast & Creator Studio
- A dedicated audio and video stage where creators, media personalities, and podcasters record, livestream, and host conversations live from the festival.
- Festival Hub & Media Center
- The heartbeat of the event — press interviews, media appearances, informal meetings, and daily festival activity in one central gathering place.
- Dynamic event spaces
- Beautiful venues across downtown for panel discussions, athlete meet-and-greets, industry sessions, premiere parties, and post-screening receptions.
2026 is a milestone year for sports cinema.
Dynasty
celebrates the legacy of sports storytelling with anniversary screenings and talent-led
Q&As — the moments that shaped the genre, back on the big screen.
- Hoosiers 40th anniversary
- Cars 20th anniversarY
Festival badges and individual screening tickets. Add them to your cart and check out right here.
Arriving by air
Fly directly into South Bend (SBN) — a 15-minute drive from the festival grounds.
Alternatively, fly into Chicago — O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) — and drive in.
Arriving by train
The South Shore Line runs from Chicago to South Bend Airport for about $15 each way.
From the airport, it's a quick Uber or Lyft to the festival.
Getting around
Dynasty is set in downtown South Bend. Nearly all venues are within walking distance of each other.
Where to stay
Courtyard South Bend Downtown
121 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Reserve room block →
Book by Oct 8, 2026
DoubleTree South Bend
123 N Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Reserve room block →
Book by Oct 8, 2026
Aloft South Bend
111 N Main St, South Bend, IN 46601
Book a room →
The venues
Morris Performing Arts Center
211 N Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601
AMC Classic South Bend 16
450 W Chippewa Ave, South Bend, IN 46614
Bendix Arena
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
South Bend Civic Theatre
403 N Main St, South Bend, IN 46601
City Church
226 N Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
Four Winds Field
501 W South St, South Bend, IN 46601
Badge delivery
All badges are sent via email.
Made a sports film? Get in the game.
- Six competitive categories, features to student films
- Shorts, brand films, and social & digital open for entry
- At least a US premiere, never released online
- Feature slots are curated by our programming team
A festival built on access and expertise by content creators.
-
ShadeTV
A digital media platform producing original sports and culture content, connecting Dynasty with new audiences across the digital and creator universe.
-
Octagon
A global sports and entertainment agency representing elite athletes, media talent, and major sports properties — bringing deep connections, on-site activation experience, and production expertise across sports, media, and entertainment.
-
Kris Priemer
Entrepreneur and community builder, founder of the Momentum Entrepreneurship Hub, and a key producer of IDEA Week in partnership with the University of Notre Dame — anchoring Dynasty's connection to Notre Dame and the South Bend community.
Press
Covering the inaugural Dynasty Sports Film Festival? Press accreditation is now open — apply below.
Apply for accreditationVolunteers
Festivals run on people who love this stuff. Join the crew for the first edition — sign up below.
Sign up to volunteerSee you in South Bend.
October 22–25, 2026