Sports Commission Shatters 2014 Record; Fall Events Abound

As a diverse fall sports season approaches, the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission announces its year-to-date room night total has surpassed 2014’s year-end record. Through the end of July 2015, sports tourism contributed 77,015 room nights to the local economy – a 1.28 percent increase over all of 2014.

 “This record room night total is a testament to the impact of sports tourism on our area,” says Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Sports Commission. “We applaud the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and our sponsors for welcoming athletes and families to our destination, and we invite locals and visitors to check out the wide range of events taking place through the end of the year.”

From participation-based runs to major collegiate tournaments, the Sports Commission, along with the cities, is set to host 25 events from September through December. Major events through the end of 2015 include the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon on Sept. 12; SEC Women’s Soccer Championship from Nov. 2-8; Alabama Soccer Festival from Nov. 6-8; and the Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Coastal Half-Marathon, 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Nov. 28.

 For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShoresOrangeBeachSports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Fall Sports Schedule:
Sept. 5: Tacky Jack's Bloody Mary 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Sept. 11-13: Bama Bounders Beach Bash Gymnastics Competition
Sept. 11-12: University of Mobile Soccer Tournament
Sept. 12: Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon and "Tri-It-On" Triathlon
Sept. 12: 5th Annual Super Slugger Co-ed Softball Tournament
Sept. 12: Relay for Life 10K and 5K Run/Walk
Sept. 12-13: Publix Showcase Girls Soccer Tournament
Sept. 19-21: MS Ride-Tour de Beach
Sept. 19-20: Publix Showcase Boys Soccer Tournament
Sept. 23-28: USTA Alabama League State Tri-Level Championships
Sept. 26: South USA Grappling Southeastern Championship
Oct. 9-11: Shrimp Festival Volleyball Invitational
Oct. 10: Shrimp Festival 10K Run
Oct. 22-25: Alabama Adult Combo Tennis Championships
Nov. 2-8: SEC Women's Soccer Championship
Nov. 5-8: Alabama Southern Combo Doubles Tennis State Championships
Nov. 6-8: Alabama Soccer Festival
Nov. 14-15: USSSA Fastpitch Softball Tournament
Nov. 21-22: SJGT Gulf Shores Junior Classic
Nov. 26-28: Gulf Coast Youth Football
Nov. 28: Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Coastal Half-Marathon, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Nov. 29-Dec. 5: NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship
Dec. 11-12: USSSA Fall Alabama State Baseball Tournament
Dec. 17-19: 2nd Annual Gulf Shores High School Christmas Invitational
Dec. 26: Make It To the Line 4-Mile Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run

 About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, this commission became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the commission - along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about a whole different state of play, please visit GulfShoresOrangeBeachSports.com.