From competitions framed against sun-drenched coastlines and scenic mountain vistas to vibrant cities rich in history, culture and hospitality, the Southeast region continues to be one of America’s most popular sports tourism destinations. Whether exploring charming small towns, iconic landmarks or natural wonders after the final whistle, athletes and visitors enjoy a unique blend of tradition and modernity that forges lasting memories.
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Uniquely situated between the Boston, Ozark and Ouachita mountains in the Arkansas River Valley, Fort Smith, Arkansas offers endless options for sports and outdoor activities that appeal to all ages.
“Fort Smith is where sports, recreation and competition intersect, making it a standout destination for active lifestyles and memorable events,” says Paige Mathews, sales coordinator at Discover Fort Smith.
Locks and dams along the Arkansas River allow access to some of the best fishing in the country for bass, crappie, catfish and bream, making the river a popular location for major fishing tournaments.
Hardscrabble Country Club, which features a pro shop and 18-hole course designed by renowned architect Perry Maxwell, is the site of the Four-Ball Invitational and 13 Korn Ferry Tour events. Another standout venue is the Ben Geren Disc Golf Course, featuring two 18-hole courses with alternating pin placements, water, tunnel shots and buried and hanging targets.
Located downtown, the recently renovated Creekmore Park is home of the region’s largest outdoor Olympic-size swim and dive facility. Additional amenities include the Creekmore Express Train and Creekmore Holiday Express (an 18-hole miniature golf course), a tennis center, fitness trail, playground and community center.
Also in the heart of downtown is the Fort Smith Convention Center, with 116,800 square feet of flexible space ideal for cheer, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, cornhole tournaments and more.
“Take your sports tournament or competition to the next level and get top-notch support from planning to execution from our experienced team,” Mathews says.
Foley, Alabama
From championship-caliber venues to family-friendly attractions, Foley, Alabama, continues to raise its profile as a premier destination for youth, amateur and collegiate sports.
The Foley Sports Tourism Complex is equipped with 15 outdoor fields and a championship stadium with TV-ready lighting and seating for 1,000 attendees, making it ideal for regional and national competitions in soccer, lacrosse, football, archery and more.
Nearby, the 90,000-square-foot Foley Event Center offers six competition basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts and more than a dozen pickleball courts. The multi-use facility also has ample space for cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, cornhole tournaments, camps, meetings and conventions.
Foley previously hosted Snap Soccer’s Coastal Soccer Invitational, Coastal Academy Cup and Big Wave Classic, the Hoyt/Easton Pro/AM archery tournament and the Sun Belt Conference Championships for men’s and women’s cross country and women’s soccer, volleyball and beach volleyball.
Beyond competition, visitors can explore 10 miles of multi-use trails within the 600-acre Graham Creek Nature Preserve, along with an archery park, four 18-hole disc golf courses, a canoe/kayak launch and open fields. Local attractions include OWA Parks & Resort, Creekside Family Fun Center, the Tanger Outlets and an array of dining choices at more than 100 restaurants.
A 150-room hotel adjacent to the Foley Event Center, plus a range of other nearby accommodations, add convenience for traveling teams.
“Foley combines first-class sports venues with shopping, entertainment, dining and warm hospitality, giving teams and families everything they need in one destination,” says Shellie Kichler, chief marketing and sales officer at Foley Sports Tourism.
Panama City Beach, Florida
With idyllic weather, a prime Gulf Coast location and a growing portfolio of world-class venues, Panama City Beach, Florida inspires competitors to bring their A game.
Among the destination’s standout venues is the 200-acre Publix Sports Park at the Panama City Beach Sports Complex, featuring 12 multi-purpose AstroTurf fields for baseball, softball, lacrosse, football and soccer.
The 200-plus acre Frank Brown Park further expands the city’s offerings with nine tournament-caliber baseball and softball diamonds, six soccer fields, four tennis courts and two basketball courts, an aquatic center, a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, stocked fishing pond and nature trails.
Chris O’Brien, vice president of sports marketing at the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, notes that event organizers benefit from first-class facilities strategically located near hotels, restaurants, beaches and attractions, ensuring a seamless experience for athletes and spectators alike.
This summer alone, high-profile competitions include the 2026 Grand Slam World Series of Baseball, USSSA Panama City Beach World Series 1 & 2, Grand Slam Softball World Series, USFA Fastpitch World Series 1 & 2, Southern Edge Gulf Coast Lacrosse Classic and Soccer Youth All-American Player ID Series.
“Visit Panama City Beach sports makes hosting tournaments easy, with premier venues, a fun beach atmosphere, plenty to see and do for families and teams and a wide variety of hotel options — everything needed to hold a successful event,” says O’Brien.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina continues to raise the bar as a premier sports tourism destination, offering teams and event organizers a winning combination of elite facilities, coastal scenery and family-friendly entertainment.
The destination features an impressive lineup of venues designed to accommodate competitions of every scale. Brooks Stadium — home of the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers football team — recently expanded seating to 21,000 fans, while The Ripken Experience showcases nine replica fields inspired by historic Major League Baseball ballparks.
Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park Athletic Complex offers nine lighted synthetic turf fields for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
At the center of the indoor sports scene is the 100,000-square-foot John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center. Located adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, the facility boasts eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, 29 pickleball courts, team rooms and seating for 2,000 spectators.
The venue regularly hosts major events ranging from volleyball and basketball championships to wrestling, dance, gymnastics and fencing competitions.
Beyond competition, visitors enjoy 60 miles of white, sandy beaches, golf, fishing, shopping, dining and myriad entertainment options that make Myrtle Beach a year-round favorite for sports travel.
“From premier sports facilities and top-rated hotels to family-friendly attractions and picture-perfect coastal weather, Myrtle Beach offers everything needed for an unforgettable experience,” says Jonathan Paris, executive director of sports tourism for the Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance.
Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Florida
Palm Beach County, Florida continues to solidify its reputation as one of the nation’s premier sports destinations, offering an unmatched combination of world-class venues, seamless accessibility and a vibrant coastal setting.
Performance and recovery are central to the Wellington Sports Academy, one of the top multi-sport training complexes in the nation. Spanning 17.2 acres, the academy includes seven indoor basketball courts convertible into 13 volleyball courts, an indoor baseball and softball training complex, a cheerleading gym and a 14,600-plus-square foot open turf area. Athletes additionally benefit from a comprehensive recovery center featuring hot and cold tubs, saunas and steam rooms.
The National Polo Center in Wellington, spanning 250 acres, is the centerpiece of South Florida’s winter polo season with signature events such as the U.S. Open Polo Championship, USPA Gold Cup, U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship and the National President’s Cup.
The Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens is an 82-acre facility accommodating recreation and competition on 10 full-size pitches, nine of which are equipped with premium LED sports lighting.
In addition to supporting football, lacrosse and other field sports, the complex has served as a training base camp for world-class MLS and FIFA teams including Real Madrid.
Away from the playing fields, Palm Beach County offers top-tier accommodations, diverse dining options and a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities.
“For event organizers seeking reliability, professionalism and a destination that enhances both performance and experience, Palm Beach County delivers at the highest level,” says Scott Glinski, director of marketing at the Palm Beach Sports Commission.
Starkville, Mississippi
Home to Mississippi State University and a growing calendar of athletic events, the city of Starkville, Mississippi has become a welcoming destination for tournaments, championships and sports travelers seeking more than just competition.
Combining first-class facilities with Southern hospitality, Mississippi State University hosts Southeastern Conference baseball at Dudy Noble Field, basketball at Humphrey Coliseum and football at Davis Wade Stadium.
Off campus, the 124-acre Cornerstone Sports Complex has 12 tournament-ready baseball/softball fields, two 250-foot fields, 10 225-foot fields, two tee-ball fields, batting cages, walking trails and a playground. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore nearby parks, walking trails and birding at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
According to Paige Hunt, director of tourism at Visit Starkville, sports and community pride go hand in hand for good reason. Named the No. 1 Best Small Town in the South by USA TODAY for the past three years, Starkville also offers a revitalized Cotton District, thriving arts scene and family-friendly attractions, including the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library & Museum.
“Sports visitors quickly discover that Starkville feels personal,” Hunt says. “Whether they’re here for a weekend tournament or a major SEC matchup, they experience a community that truly welcomes them and gives them reasons to return again and again.”
Conway, Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas, offers visitors more than state-of-the-art tournament facilities. It also delivers the welcoming atmosphere of a small town paired with the amenities of a larger municipality.
Nicknamed the “City of Colleges,” Conway is home to the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College which provide access to top-tier sports venues for competitions and events.
The Conway Parks and Recreation Department also oversees standout complexes that host baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer throughout the year. Conway Station Park features nine lighted baseball fields arranged in pods. City of Colleges Park offers five lighted softball fields, including four diamonds in one pod.
The Conway Community, which opened in the summer of 2025, is the newest indoor venue, featuring an eight-lane competition pool, eight volleyball courts and 12 pickleball courts. The Conway Soccer Complex, which also opened in 2025, has 10 lighted fields with onsite concessions, restrooms and a splash pad.
According to Rachel Shaw, executive director of Visit Conway, cycling is also a growing sport in Conway with numerous road, paved trail and mountain bike routes.
“Conway is one of the fastest growing cities in Arkansas for a reason,” Shaw says. “From youth sports to outdoor recreation and creative dining experiences, there is plenty to enjoy.”
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Cabarrus County offers a winning combination for sports event organizers.
Situated along Interstate 85, the destination is just 30 minutes northeast of Charlotte and home to several experienced venues for traditional and non-traditional sporting events.
As “America’s Home for Racing,” legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway offers daily tours and hosts annual NASCAR races and other major events for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts.
zMAX Dragway welcomes The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) for four-wide racing in the spring, and the Dirt Track annually hosts the World of Outlaws World Finals and a championship Monster Truck spectacular.
Completed in October 2023 on the campus of Jay M. Robinson High School, the Jay M. Robinson Mondo Track & Field Facility features an eight-lane, 400-meter track with a Mondo Super X 720 surface, seating for 3,750 and a full range of throwing and jumping areas.
The Cabarrus Arena & Events Center includes 150,000 square feet of event space with seating for up to 5,000, while the Kimba Walker Sports Complex hosts basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and gymnastics in its 47,120 square feet of multi-use courts enhanced by a 3,200-square-foot fitness center.
In addition, Cabarrus County offers attractive rates on hotels alongside a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
“With superb facilities, group-friendly dining, a favorable climate, unmatched service and more, Cabarrus County provides an experience for spots event planners unlike any other,” says John Poole, Explore Cabarrus County’s senior vice president of sales and services. SDM
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