A Sports Haven with Southern Hospitality

Celebrated for its natural beauty and rich history, the Southeast region beckons with beaches, mountains, music, cuisine, culture and sports. The proximity of such wide-ranging characteristics draws athletes, families and tourists who appreciate the diversity of geography and experiences along with trademark down-home hospitality.
 

Cornerstone Sports Complex in Starkville, Mississippi

Open since the fall of 2023, Cornerstone Sports Complex is the newest destination in the Southeast for elite sports, recreation and events.
 

Located in Starkville, home of Mississippi State University, the 124-acre complex features 12 baseball/softball diamonds, 10 225-foot fields, two 250-foot fields, two fields for tee-ball (which, incidentally, originated in the city in 1961), batting cages, walking trails, warm-up areas, a playground, LED lighting throughout the park and up to 668 parking spaces.
 

Outside of competition, visitors enjoy the charming downtown offering exceptional local dining, shopping and historic tours. These amenities and more are supported by a dozen hotels with nearly 900 rooms, all within an hour of an airport and less than three hours from Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Jackson, Mississippi.
 

“The Cornerstone Sports Complex is paving a pathway for the growth of sports and access in Mississippi,” says Brandon Doherty, general manager of Cornerstone Sports Complex.
 

Brandon Parks & Recreation in Brandon, Mississippi

In addition to being one of the fastest growing cities in Mississippi, Brandon consistently ranks among the top 10 places to live in the state. Part of its attraction is the range of recreation offerings for locals and sports tourists within the seven parks that comprise Brandon Parks & Recreation.
 

In all, the city offers 23 baseball/softball diamonds, 11 multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, a splash pad, walking trails, playgrounds, rental pavilions, picnic areas and additional green space. Local programs include baseball, softball, tackle and flag football, tennis, pickleball, kickball, cheer, clinics and summer activities.
 

According to Jennifer Byrd, general manager of Brandon Parks & Recreation, enhancing amenities that support the health and wellness of residents is key to the city’s development of elite-level sports and recreation.
 

“I believe Brandon has had a great start in establishing the city as a sports destination and is now uniquely positioned to capitalize on the ever-expanding industry,” Byrd says.
 

SportsNOVA in Fairfax, Virginia

Northern Virginia has emerged as a preferred destination for travel sports events through SportsNOVA, a regional sports tourism alliance between Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties.
 

Just minutes from Washington, D.C., the region features a diverse mix of premier indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including universities, mega-sportsplexes, arenas and venues offering rectangles, diamonds, courts, ice sheets, pools and more. Past competitions include the World Police & Fire Games, US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional, USA BMX National, AJGA
Junior-Am and MYHockey tournaments.
 

Convenient to three major airports, Amtrak and numerous interstate highways, the region also offers public transportation providing easy access to world-class dining, shopping and attractions.
 

“We work hand-in-hand with planners with a focus on multi-sport and large single-sport events, providing comprehensive support services to ensure the success of the numerous travel tournaments and competitions we proudly host,” says Eric Kulczycky, national sales manager-sports marketing at Visit Fairfax.
 

Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center gives teams, tournaments and events the home court advantage.
 

Built in 2015 for $12.4 million, the 100,000-square-foot complex adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center offers eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, 29 pickleball courts, team rooms and seating for up to 2,000 spectators.
 

This summer alone, competitions include Coastal Classic Volleyball, Championships on Myrtle Beach, the NTBA Girls and Boys National Championship, ID Dance National Finals and Newbreed Jiu Jitsu Summer Championship. Other events include gymnastics, wrestling, pickleball, table tennis, trade shows and conventions.
 

When the big game is over, athletes and their families are just two blocks from the beach and steps from the shopping, dining and entertainment options that contribute to Myrtle Beach’s popularity.
 

“Come see why the Myrtle Beach area has such a long and celebrated history as a top sports tourism destination,” says Mark Beale, general manager of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center.
 

Elizabethtown Sports Park in Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Elizabethtown Sports Park, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is the region’s premier outdoor youth sports tournament destination, offering the highest quality facilities and customer service to visiting athletes, coaches and families.
 

The facility features 12 natural turf fields for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey; three quads for baseball/softball/fast pitch; 12 synthetic turf lit diamonds; two championship fields with synthetic turf; three large pavilions for ceremonies, events and meetings; three miles of paths; and convenient parking.
 

Recent events have included Ripken Baseball (the park is one of the Ripken Experience venues), Kentucky Youth Soccer Association State Championships and Baseball for All Nationals. There are also leagues for youths and adults, such as softball and kickball – all convenient to family restaurants and hotels for all budgets.
 

“We believe in creating big-league experiences for all ages,” says general manager Andrew Kurtz. “Elizabethtown Sports Park gives athletes and spectators a place to feel like champions.”
 

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission in Columbia, South Carolina

When you need a tournament host, all roads lead to the Midlands of South Carolina and the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission.
 

Saluda Shoals Park features six soccer, lacrosse and multi-use fields, six clay and four hard-court tennis courts, miles of trails, Leo’s Landing inclusive playground, an 18-hole disc golf course, Saluda Splash and more. Crooked Creek is a thriving park in the heart of Lake Murray Country with three youth/intermediate baseball diamonds, three multi-use fields and a 27-hole disc golf course.
 

Melvin Park, located less than a mile from Crooked Creek Park, features four regulation-sized baseball diamonds, two youth baseball diamonds, two multi-use fields and an eight-court tennis/pickleball complex.
 

Seven Oaks Park offers six natural-turf baseball diamonds – four youth, one intermediate and one regulation-size – in addition to three multi-use fields.
 

“With great food, shopping and world-class attractions, event attendees can look forward to exploring this capital city beyond the main event,” says Ashley Smith, market development director of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission.
 

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana offers a dynamic blend of outdoor and recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking and biking throughout its various ecotypes of fresh and saltwater marshes, cypress swamps, native coastal prairies, pine forest plantations and agricultural lands.
 

Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is home to alligators, crabbing/shrimping and more than 400 bird species, making it one of the Top 10 birding destinations in the country. Affectionately known as Louisiana’s Outback, it is one of only 150 designated scenic byways in the country, featuring 26 miles of natural Gulf of Mexico beaches.
 

Cajun culture is represented at local restaurants, museums and more than 75 festivals and special events presented annually, including Mardi Gras, the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival.
 

“However you choose to experience the sights and sounds of Southwest Louisiana, it will be an unforgettable experience in Lake Charles,” says Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB.
 

Memphis, Tennessee

With dynamic new venues for youth and collegiate sports, Memphis is where champions of all ages and levels come to play.
 

The recent $200 million modernization of the Renasant Convention Center has created a 118,000 square-foot, column-free exhibit hall (the largest in the region) offering flexible space, abundant natural light and scenic river views.
 

The Memphis Sports and Events Center debuted in December 2022, with 227,000 square feet of flexible courts plus VIP suites and plentiful general seating. In addition to hosting indoor basketball and volleyball hard courts, the center is adaptable for wrestling, gymnastics, cheerleading, futsal and other events, all adjacent to numerous entertainment, retail, dining and hospitality options.
 

In addition, the region’s largest tennis facility, Leftwich Tennis Center, has debuted with 12 indoor and 24 outdoor courts. Other venues citywide are undergoing major renovations for fans of the NBA, NCAA basketball, NCAA football and the FedExCup Playoffs.
 

“In Memphis, it’s more than an event or meeting,” says Malvin Gipson, vice president of sales, sports and services for the Memphis Sports Council. “It’s an experience.” SDM