Thrilling Season of Sports Action Kicks Off at The Beach

This winter, the Myrtle Beach area is packed with exciting sports action for fans of every age. From basketball and football to the uniquely American game of cornhole, teams and fans can experience the season’s top events while enjoying The Beach’s mild coastal climate.
 

The action-packed lineup includes the Myrtle Beach Invitational college basketball tournament, the Myrtle Beach Bowl college football game, and the American Cornhole League (ACL) Collegiate Cornhole Championship. All three hit the national airways on ESPN networks, showcasing the destination and having a collective impact on the local community estimated to reach $5 million.
 

Additionally, at the high school level, The Beach will roll out the red carpet to host its 44th annual Beach Ball Classic, a girls’ and boys’ basketball tournament, and the 77^th annual Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, a statewide football challenge formally known as the North-South Game.
 

“Sports events bring high energy to the Myrtle Beach area year long, especially in our winter months when we welcome cool coastal breezes and competitions at the highest level,” said Jonathan Paris, Executive Director of Sports Tourism for Visit Myrtle Beach. “Our local community eagerly gears up to welcome these teams, athletes, families and fans as they experience all our destination has to offer.”
 

From high-stakes basketball and the thrill of bowl season to the uniquely American game of cornhole, these are some of the highlight sporting events happening in the coming months:
 

• Myrtle Beach Invitational (Nov. 21-22 & 24): Eight college teams from around the country battle it out at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) in this fast-paced, 12-game tournament. Competing at the sixth annual invitational are the men’s teams from Ohio University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of South Florida, University of Portland, Bradley University, Texas State University, Princeton University and Wright State University. Tickets are on sale now.
   
• Beach Ball Classic (Dec. 20-23, Dec. 27-30): This high school girls’ and boys’ basketball showdown features some of the nation’s top young talent revving up the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and Myrtle Beach Sports Center, with HTC cable channel airing many of the games. The men’s dunk contest is a must-see segment of the event. Tickets are available at the door prior to the event.
   
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl (Dec. 21): South Carolina’s top high school seniors clash at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach for this North-South postseason football game. A tradition since 1948, the all-star game will kick off at noon. Tickets are available on the website.
   
• Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec. 23): Returning for its fifth year, this college bowl game is a festive time held right before Christmas. The teams participating in this college football showdown will be announced on Selection Sunday on Dec. 8, and feature teams from two of three conferences: Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. Tickets go on sale Dec. 8.
   
• ACL Collegiate Cornhole Championships (Jan. 2-5, 2025): Taking place at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, this annual showdown attracts highly skilled college athletes from across the country to compete for national titles in singles and doubles events. Additional divisions include the pro league, high school and open play.

Find additional events and start planning your adventure at VisitMyrtleBeach.com.