Introducing SDM's 2024 Champions of Economic Impact

Every year, Sports Destination Management opens the nominations process for its awards program, Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism. And every year, the results are astounding. This year, the winners alone brought a grand total of $1,885,077,600 to their local economies. That is right – almost $2 billion, thanks to sports. It is, in fact, double the economic impact of last year’s winners.

From championships that drew international athletes to home-grown events, from big-name tournaments to single-purpose fundraisers, from established sports to niche pursuits and in every corner of the country, winners represented a vibrant cross-section of our industry.

We are proud of them, of their accomplishments and of the creativity, time and effort that went into these events. As you read through this section, we think you will be also.

Congratulations to all our winners, and to everyone in the sports industry.

Hall of Fame Champions

Champions
51st AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships
Visit Orlando | The Greater Orlando Sports Commission
Location: Orlando, Florida
Total Room Nights: 95,000
Total Economic Impact: $760.8 million Volleyball fans from across the country got to experience the magnitude of this year’s AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando. Over 117,000 athletes and coaches representing all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands competed across six waves of competition. The 24 days of competition saw over 5,868 teams (4,605 girls, 1,263 boys) make their way through the Orange County Convention Center, dazzling an estimated 300,000 attendees and providing Central Florida with an economic impact of over $760 million.

Large Market Champions

Champions
NASP® Eastern National Tournament
Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Total Room Nights: 20,493
Total Economic Impact: $17.7 million
The 2024 NASP® (National Archery in the Schools Program) Eastern National Tournament was held over three days in early May in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center. With 15,510 student archers, it was one of the largest tournaments in the history of archery. In addition to the thousands of student archers coming from 31 states, an estimated 45,000 friends, family and volunteers also attended to support the student athletes. Scholarships were awarded to category winners as well as to random participants.
 

Champions
Top Gun Invitational
Visit Overland Park
Location: Kansas City Metro (Kansas and Missouri)
Total Room Nights: 10,573
Total Economic Impact: $13.8 million
The 2024 Top Gun Invitational featured 308 teams from 32 states. This four-day event united 4,000 of the most competitive student-athletes from across 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions. More than 350 college coaches from 42 different states were in attendance this year. With 260 out-of-town teams, the Top Gun Invitational collected over 10,000 room nights. The event generated $13.8 million in total economic impact for Kansas and Missouri.
 

Champions
YMCA National Gymnastics Championship & Invitational 2024
Valley Forge Sports
Location: Oaks, Pennsylvania
Total Room Nights: 6,000
Total Economic Impact: $7 million
This was the largest indoor sporting event ever hosted in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 81 YMCAs across the country were represented, generating record participation and spectatorship, and highlighting Valley Forge’s national appeal as a sports destination. Special Olympians were also included in the event for the first time ever in the Y’s history. Utilizing the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and Villanova University provided two unique venues to enjoy. This event was a win both on and off the mat.

Mid-Market Champions

Champions
58th AAU Junior Olympic Games
Visit Greensboro
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Total Room Nights: 40,000
Total Economic Impact: $67.69 million
The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest multi-sport event for youth in the United States. The 58th Games marked the third time Greensboro hosted the Games, and the fourth time North Carolina has hosted the event. The 12-day event, July 24 to August 3, brought in around 15,000 participants and created an economic impact of more than $50 million. Athletes competed across 12 different sports, including around 12,000 track and field athletes in the Games’ marquee competition.

Champions
Jefferson Cup
Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority
Location: Henrico, Virginia
Total Room Nights: 40,000
Total Economic Impact: $42 million
The Jefferson Cup Soccer Tournament, hosted annually by the Richmond Strikers, attracts teams from across the nation and beyond, and is a hallmark of excellence in youth soccer. It serves as a melting pot of diverse cultures, backgrounds and playing styles. Friendships are forged, lessons are learned and lifelong memories are made, contributing to the rich tapestry of youth sports experiences. More than a tournament, the Jefferson Cup is a testament to the Richmond Strikers’ commitment to youth development and the growth of soccer in the region.

Champions
The Soccer Tournament (TST)
Cary, NC
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Total Room Nights: 8,000
Total Economic Impact: $30 million
In its second year, The Soccer Tournament grew from 32 to 48 men’s teams and introduced an eight-team women’s tournament, both offering a $1 million prize, making it the highest-stakes women’s soccer event globally. TST grew from four to six days, increasing direct economic impact by over 800 percent and generating more than $15 million and doubling revenue. Attendance also rose 21 percent, drawing 42,436 fans from 40+ states and abroad. Each year, Cary’s WakeMed Soccer Park has provided immaculate natural grass fields, amble space and flexibility.


 

Champions
USSSA Eastern Nationals
Mid-Atlantic Amateur Sports Alliance
Maryland: Wicomico County, Worcester County, Ocean City
Location: Salisbury, Maryland
Total Room Nights: 18,237
Total Economic Impact: $15.8 million
The USSSA Eastern Nationals brought together 346 youth softball teams over the course of three weeks. Originating in Wicomico County in 2007 with just 30 teams, the tournament expanded into neighboring jurisdictions over the last decade. Eight different facilities are used for daily play. Opening ceremonies were held in Seagull Stadium at Salisbury University and the Caroline Street stage in Ocean City. Community buy-in for the event is high as attractions, restaurants, hotels and other businesses embrace the event and look forward to it each year.
 

Champions
2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
Compete College Station
Location: College Station, Texas
Total Room Nights: 22,324
Total Economic Impact: $10.83 million From July 20-28, more than 8,000 of the nation’s top young athletes gathered in College Station, Texas for the prestigious 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships on the campus of Texas A&M University. They were joined by thousands of family members, supporters, coaches and diehard track fans. Events of this magnitude would not be possible without the city’s support including the coordination of hundreds of community volunteers working together to create an unforgettable experience for these talented athletes and future stars.
 

Champions
Easter International Cup
Kissimmee Sports Commission
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Total Room Nights: 13,851
Total Economic Impact: $7.99 million
The Easter International Cup is one of the top international youth soccer events in the country with over 300 teams, 30 international teams, 120 out-of-state teams and 19 pro club youth academies. It used over 30 fields. The international event has seen 30 percent growth over the past four years in a row and is poised to have more than 400 teams and utilize over 13,000 room nights in 2025.
 

Champions
Youth Flag Football World Championships
Kissimmee Sports Commission
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Total Room Nights: 14,532
Total Economic Impact: $7.62 million
The second annual youth flag football world championships at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports was the largest ever youth flag football tournament of its kind with 456 teams, 4,500 athletes from 33 states and five counties participating. A total of 11 of the championship games aired live on ESPN+.
 

Champions
2023 Gulf Coast Challenge Powered by the Mobile Sports Authority
Mobile Sports Authority
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Total Room Nights: 3,000
Total Economic Impact: $6.81 million
This event was held October 7, 2023 in the historic Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Alabama A&M Bulldogs hosted the Jackson State University Tigers in a much-anticipated Southwest Athletic Conference showdown. This HBCU game was the culmination of a week of events including three free concerts, a college and career fair, and a parade in the town where Mardi Gras began. More than 19,000 fans filled the stadium while thousands more enjoyed another favorite pastime: parking lot tailgating. The event contributed over $7.8 million to the Mobile economy.
 

Champions
Adidas 3SSB Spring Series
Legends Event Center | Destination Bryan
Location: Bryan, Texas
Total Room Nights: 4,800
Total Economic Impact: $5 million
The Adidas 3SSB Spring Series basketball tournaments for boys and girls showcased the nation’s top talent in front of hundreds of Division I coaches during the NCAA Live Period. This highly anticipated event filled hotels in the Bryan-College Station area and used more than 25 courts. More than 4,300 athletes competed, drawing a crowd of 5,500 spectators. The skill on display highlighted future stars and reinforced the reputation of 3SSB as a premier platform for athlete recruitment.
 

Champions
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside
Visit Oceanside
Location: Oceanside, California
Total Economic Impact: $4.9 million
The IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside course featured incredible opportunities for athletes to experience come race day. From swimming in the Oceanside harbor to biking through an active military base, this unique course offered an O’riginal race experience. Athletes loved the top-rated run course along the Pacific Ocean, ending at the famously festive finish line on The Strand in O’side. Athletes could walk from the hotel to the venue to the beach and everything in between, finding adventure for every wavelength.
 

Champions
2024 Pennsylvania Middle School Basketball Championship
Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance
Location: State College, Pennsylvania
Total Room Nights: 5,065
Total Economic Impact: $4.16 million The Pennsylvania Middle School Basketball Championships, one of the region’s most prominent youth sports events, has been hosted in State College since 2019. Growing quickly, it now spans two weekends with 329 teams in 2024 and nearly 400 expected in 2025. To accommodate the growing number of teams, the tournament uses multiple facilities throughout Centre County. The event attracts teams from across the state, driving economic impact as families fill hotels, dine in local restaurants and shop in the area, year after year.
 

Champions
2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase
Rutherford County Convention and Visitor Bureau
Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Total Room Nights: 13,199
Total Economic Impact: $4 million
For the first time in MLS NEXT history, the 2024 MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase were held in Nashville, Tennessee, as 438 of the best youth teams across the U.S. and Canada competed to become MLS NEXT Cup Champions. The knockout tournament ran from June 15 to 23 at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with all four championship matches contested on June 23 at Nashville SC’s GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and Canada. 20 of the tournament’s matches were streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
 

Champions
Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron
Visit Boise
Location: Boise, Idaho
Total Room Nights: 7,500
Total Economic Impact: $4 million
The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron is the first event of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, featuring 156 Korn Ferry Tour Players competing to earn their PGA TOUR cards for the next season. The event has been held in Boise for over 30 years and brings four days of professional golf and three nights of world-class concerts each summer. With 100 percent of ticket sales going to local charities, the event has given $39 million in donations, a record on the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2024, it helped generate $3 million in donations for charity.
 

Champions
2024 IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament
Explore Evansville
Location: Evansville, Indiana
Total Room Nights: 2,482
Total Economic Impact: $3.74 million The 2024 IHSAA Wrestling State Finals, held for the first time in over 120 years in Evansville, was a historic event. Hosted at the Ford Center, it attracted over 10,000 athletes and spectators, generating an economic impact more than $3.3 million. A Parade of Champions, an exciting competition and a Fan Festival with public activities enhanced the visitor experience and showcased Evansville’s vibrant local businesses and hospitality.
 

Champions
Nike First in Show Volleyball Tournament
Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
Location: Ocala, Florida
Total Room Nights: 1,902
Total Economic Impact: $3.6 million
The Nike First in Show is a three-day USA Volleyball Florida Region sanctioned junior girls’ volleyball tournament for approximately 225 club teams ages 10-18. Teams play six to nine matches over the course of the three-day Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend with multiple division levels of play for each age group.
 

Champions
2024 US Figure Skating Theatre on Ice National Competition
Explore Evansville
Location: Evansville, Indiana
Total Room Nights: 3,514
Total Economic Impact: $2.93 million The 2024 US Figure Skating Theatre on Ice National Competition captivated audiences with skaters from across the nation performing ballet on ice. Hosted at the Ford Center, the event attracted more than 6,000 athletes and spectators, generating an economic impact more than $2.4 million. A team parade, exciting competition and an ice cream festival with public activities enhanced the visitor experience and showcased Evansville’s Hoosier hospitality.
 

Champions
The TBF High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship
Visit Anderson SC
Location: Anderson, South Carolina
Total Room Nights: 10,488
Total Economic Impact: $2.5 million
The 15th Annual TBF High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship took place at Green Pond Landing, Lake Hartwell and Anderson County, from June 19 to 22. The tournament featured 437 teams and was the second largest tournament ever held in Anderson County. Each team consisted of two anglers and a boat captain. Participating teams came from 37 states and as far away as Zimbabwe to compete in the event.
 

Champions
2024 Beer City Open
West Michigan Sports Commission
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Total Room Nights: 1,357
Total Economic Impact: $2.4 million
Grand Rapids Pickleball Club started this local tournament in 2018 to improve its courts, with 400 participants and $12,500 in prize money. It has grown exponentially since, with 900 participants and $90,000 in prize money in 2022, and 1,000 players and $100,000 in 2023. In 2024, Major League Pickleball hosted its Mid-Season Championship at this tournament, attracting 7,000+ spectators. Streaming on ESPN2, the semi-final match was the most watched in league history. The Beer City Open has evolved from a local event to a top-notch pro tournament.
 

Champions
Spartan Combat Nationals 2024
Kissimmee Sports Commission
Location: Kissimmee, Florida
Total Room Nights: 4,458
Total Economic Impact: $2.33 million
Spartan Combat Nationals is a prestigious wrestling tournament that brings together top youth and high school wrestlers from across the United States. Hosted annually, this event offers competitors a chance to showcase their skills in a highly competitive environment. With divisions spanning various weight classes and age groups, Spartan Combat Nationals is a platform for rising talent to make a name for themselves. The tournament attracts elite wrestlers, scouts and fans, making it a highlight in the amateur wrestling circuit.
 

Small Market Champions
 

Champions
ABC Championships
Grand Park Sports Campus
Location: Westfield, Indiana
Total Room Nights: 18,584
Total Economic Impact: $13.72 million
The ABC Championship Series at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana hosted nearly 14,000 baseball players from mid-June to mid-July. These tournaments contributed over $30 million to the local economy and saw a 14.8 percent increase in team participation in 2023. Open to D1 through D3 youth and players aged 13 to 17, the month-long series attracted more than 118,000 out-of-town visitors, making it a standout event for the campus.
 

Champions
2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships
City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Total Room Nights: 54,104
Total Economic Impact: $30.16 million
The 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships was held at the Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track on May 12-18, just ahead of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. This event drew over 3,000 riders from around the world, with an estimated total attendance of over 57,000 people and a direct economic impact of $30.1 million. Rock Hill previously hosted the 2017 World Championships where they had a direct economic impact of $19.3 million. The UCI BMX Racing World Championships just keep getting bigger and better in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

 

Champions
2024 USFA Fastpitch World Series
Visit Panama City Beach
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Total Room Nights: 26,854
Total Economic Impact: $23.52 million
This is a much anticipated annual event for Panama City Beach. With more than 25 years in the market, this tournament brings girls fastpitch teams ranging in age from 18U to 9U. The owner of USFA, John Cain, and his team produce a great event and use 19 fields in the city. The tournament has an excellent draw, bringing in teams from more than 20 states, with heavy travel from Texas, Tennessee and Georgia. A total of 97 percent of participating teams come from out of town.
 

Champions
The 2024 Grand Slam World Series of Baseball
Visit Panama City Beach
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Total Room Nights: 24,543
Total Economic Impact: $23.47 million This was the 20th year for this event, and it was one for the record books. In 2004, a total of 60 teams competed in the inaugural event. By 2024, that number had exploded to more than 400 teams. Nearly 17,000 athletes and more than 14,000 spectators attended, generating business throughout the Panama City Beach area. This is the seventh year the Grand Slam World Series has been honored in SDM’s awards program.
 

Champions
State Games of Mississippi
Visit Meridian
Location: Meridian, Mississippi
Total Room Nights: 776
Total Economic Impact: $12.2 million The State Games of Mississippi promotes amateur athletics and healthy lifestyles for Mississippians of all ages. Held throughout the months of April, May and June, this event continues to be one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. The East Mississippi region had a $12.2 million economic boost through the month of June during the State Games. Patterned after Olympic competition, the events include an Opening Ceremony that takes place in Downtown Meridian with a parade of athletes, lighting of the torch and fireworks spectacular.
 

Champions
USSSA Baseball Global & AA World Series
Visit Panama City Beach
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Total Room Nights: 11,027
Total Economic Impact: $12 million This early June event is the kickoff for the busy summer baseball and softball season at Panama City Beach. This year, for the first time, all 155 teams were at the park on one day; since each team brought 45 people total, 7,000 people moved in and out of the park in one day, making it the biggest event in the park ever. The event has grown and expanded over the years and looks to add more teams next season.
 

Champions
2024 Mississippi Bombers Southeast Summer Invite
Visit Oxford
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Total Room Nights: 3,599
Total Economic Impact: $7.57 million The 2024 Bombers Southeast Summer Invite hosted by mTrade Park and Visit Oxford was a four-day event featuring 124 elite fast pitch teams. Teams traveled from all over the Southeast to play in this prestigious tournament. Oxford provides a unique atmosphere of small-town charm with award-winning restaurants and unique shopping while also being home to the University of Mississippi. The Bombers Southeast Summer Invite provides a tremendous economic impact to Oxford and is a hallmark event on the mTrade Park tournament schedule each year.
 

Champions
East Coast Homeschool Nationals Series
Rocky Top Sports World
Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Total Room Nights: 7,323
Total Economic Impact: $5.3 million
East Coast Homeschool Nationals is a series of both volleyball and basketball tournaments that are put on by hspn (homeschool sports network). Teams travel to Rocky Top Sports World, located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a week of basketball competition in the spring and a week of volleyball competition in the fall. All teams are comprised of homeschooled students. Over the past year, this series has successfully brought an economic impact of more than $5,305,267 to the community.
 

Champions
2024 Snohomish United Bigfoot Soccer Tournament
Snohomish County Sports Commission
Location: Snohomish, Washington
Total Room Nights: 7,125
Total Economic Impact: $4.9 million Snohomish United Bigfoot Soccer Tournament is one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the Pacific Northwest. In 2024, the event expanded into two tournaments: 15U-19U boys and girls and 8U-14U boys and girls. With this expansion, 359 youth soccer teams competed at Stocker Fields in Snohomish, Washington. Teams from across Washington State traveled to this well-known tournament. Teams and spectators enjoyed a beautiful backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, Snohomish Valley farmlands and skydivers jumping and landing at Harvey Airfield.

 

Champions
The Grail and Mid America Invitational
Grand Park Sports Campus
Location: Westfield, Indiana
Total Room Nights: 2,267
Total Economic Impact: $4.43 million
The Grail, a premier lacrosse tournament, and the Mid-American Invitational, a key high school recruiting event, were held June 29-30 at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana. In 2024, these Midwest tournaments experienced a 10 percent increase in athlete participation, generating an estimated economic impact of $4.43 million. More than 300 teams, over 6,900 athletes and 18,500 nonlocal visitors came together at Grand Park, making the event a resounding success for the award-winning campus.
 

Champions
NXL Mid-Atlantic Major 2024
Atlantic City Sports Commission
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Total Room Nights: 4,673
Total Economic Impact: $4.39 million The National Xball League (NXL) is the premier tournament paintball circuit across North America and Europe. Its world class events feature the top competitors from every corner of the globe, including the exclusive NXL Professional Division that showcases the biggest names in the sport. The NXL embraces a culture of inclusion by welcoming customers, employees, suppliers and communities regardless of gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, family status, religion, ethnicity, national origin, physical disability, veteran status or age.

 

Champions
Edgewater Gymnastics Classic 2024
Visit Panama City Beach
Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
Total Room Nights: 4,569 Total Economic Impact: $3.66 million
The Edgewater Gymnastics Classic, held during the slow season at Panama City Beach, makes an enormous impact, bringing in 969 athletes as well as nearly 3,400 spectators and others. The event just celebrated 20 years and Panama City Beach looks forward to welcoming it back in years to come.
 

Champions
Music City Sports USSSA Southeast Championship
Hendersonville Parks and Recreation | Sumner County Tourism
Location: Hendersonville, Tennessee 
Total Room Nights: 12,000
Total Economic Impact: $3 million The Music City Sports USSSA Southeast Championship, held in Hendersonville, Tennessee, is one of the premier girls’ softball tournaments in the region. In partnership with Hendersonville Parks and Recreation and Sumner County Tourism, the event welcomed more than 300 teams from 35 states during its two-week run. This championship not only showcased top-tier athletic talent but also provided a boost to the local ecoomy, with participants and their families experiencing all that Sumner County has to offer.
 

Champions
Little League Senior Softball World Series 
Delaware District 3 World Series Committee | Little League International
Location: Roxana, Delaware
Total Room Nights: 400 
Total Economic Impact: $2.2 million This event included eight days of world-class young softball for young women on the Delmarva Peninsula. Games were played at the Roxana Little League Complex located near the Delaware beaches, as well as at Ocean City, Maryland.
 

Champions
Premier Girls Fastpitch 13U Super Select Championship at Ridley Sports Complex
City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department
Location: Columbia, Tennessee
Total Room Nights: 256
Total Economic Impact: $2.2 million This event is a prestigious youth softball tournament that brings together top-level teams from across the nation. Hosted in Columbia, Tennessee, the highly competitive event showcases the talents of the best 13U players, offering an exciting opportunity for young athletes to compete at a premier venue. Ridley Sports Complex, known for its world-class facilities and well-maintained fields, provides the perfect stage for thrilling games, fostering both individual skill development and team camaraderie.
 

Champions
Nuway Combat Rumble
Cedar Point Sports Center
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Total Room Nights: 200-plus
Total Economic Impact: $2.07 million The Nuway Combat Rumble was a first-year event hosted at the Cedar Point Sports Center. With over 55 mats utilized, the Rumble brought in more than 4,500 athletes and more than 4,700 spectators, making it the largest event CPSC has hosted by over 1,000 athletes. The Rumble was a top-notch event in all aspects, from the quality of competition and awards to the championship atmosphere created on the championship mats with live feeds, fog and cold-spark machines and announcing. CPSC looks forward to hosting the Nuway Combat Rumble for years to come.

 

Champions
2024 Pennsylvania State United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships
Erie Sports Commission
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Total Room Nights: 3,853
Total Economic Impact: $2.04 million The Pennsylvania State United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships took place over 10 weeks, from April 6 to June 9, during a quiet tourism period for Erie County. The tournament attracted over 5,000 participants from across Pennsylvania, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the last event held in Erie in 2019. This increase in participation created a demand for 3,800 hotel rooms and generated an estimated economic impact of more than $2 million. The event’s impact showcased Erie’s capacity to host large-scale events in the future.


 

Champions
Space Coast Spring Games
Space Coast Sports Commission
Location: Viera, Florida
Total Room Nights: 7,496
Total Economic Impact: $1.17 million The Space Coast Spring Games staff is passionate about delivering a top-quality softball tournament experience in a fun and competitive environment. Hosted at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, the Space Coast Spring Games feature NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA and junior college teams from around the country.

 

Innovations in Sports Tourism

Champions
2024 USA Table Tennis National Championships
Huntsville CVB | Huntsville Sports Commission
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Total Room Nights: 2,955 
Total Economic Impact: $1.9 million Huntsville hosted the USA Table Tennis Nationals for the first time in July 2024, bringing together more than 600 athletes from 39 different states and making a major economic impact on the community while sending the Olympic team off in style.

 

Champions
West Texas All Stars Softball Tournament 2024
Discover Odessa
Location: Odessa, Texas
Total Room Nights: 473 
Total Economic Impact: $1.68 million The West Texas All Stars Softball Tournament was held July 11-14, 2024, at the UTPB Sports Complex. The weekend event attracted approximately 2,000 overnight visitors. More than 700 athletes participated and 90 percent of those players traveled to Odessa from neighboring cities. The event accounted for 473 room nights. The total economic impact for the City of Odessa more than $1 million. Al Worthy with the Odessa Girls Fast Pitch personally dragged the fields, repaired fencing and managed volunteers throughout. Al did it for the love of softball.
 

Champions
Boys California Live 2024
Placer Valley Tourism
Location: Placer Valley, California 
Total Room Nights: 1,838 
Total Economic Impact: $1.5 million Boys California Live 2024, hosted by the Bay Area Basketball Coaches Association at the Roebbelen Center, brought together 168 high school basketball teams for an NCAA certified/CIF sanctioned event. Over 5,000 attendees, including 167 college coaches, enjoyed the premier competition in a world-class venue. Generating more than 1,838 hotel room nights and $1.5 million in economic impact, this event highlighted Placer Valley’s exceptional hospitality to create a memorable experience for teams and fans while boosting tourism and the local economy.
 

Champions
Region 8 Level 6/7/8 Regionals
Foley Sports Tourism
Location: Foley, Alabama
Total Room Nights: 4,100
Total Economic Impact: $1.14 million USA Gymnastics Region 8 Championships Level 6/7/8, hosted by Bama Bounders, brought together the best young gymnasts from across the Southeast in Foley. Over 1,150 athletes from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee competed for regional glory, drawing a crowd of over 4,700 spectators to the Foley Event Center, April 26-28,2024.

 

Champions
2024 USA Softball International Wheelchair Softball World Series (IWSWS)
Visit Omaha | Elkhorn Athletic Association
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Total Room Nights: 790
Total Economic Impact: $900,000 The 2024 IWSWS was hosted August 15-17 at the new First Interstate SportsPlex in Valley. The record-setting 13-time champions, the Nebraska Barons, and their sponsor organization, Nebraska Adaptive Sports, along with Elkhorn Athletic Association, served as hosts to 20 teams and over 300 athletes from 16 states. The tournament also brought a diverse audience, including coaches, friends, family and hundreds of fans from the Omaha community and created a meaningful economic and lasting social impact for Douglas County and the Omaha Metro (Visit Omaha).
 

Champions
War Eagle Run Fest
Auburn-Opelika Tourism 
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Total Room Nights: 2,038
Total Economic Impact: $653,609 War Eagle Run Fest is Auburn’s premier race event, featuring a half marathon, 5K and kids mile. Runners get the unforgettable experience of finishing on the 50-yard line of Jordan-Hare Stadium, creating a one-of-a-kind memory. 2024 saw 3,831 runners, and more are expected to join in the excitement in 2025. This dynamic event is truly a community effort through the collaboration of Auburn-Opelika Tourism, FRESHJUNKIE Racing, Auburn University Athletics and Auburn Public Safety, delivering a seamless and unforgettable race day for all.

 

Champions
The Battle in the Burgh
Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau
Location: Butler County, Pennsylvania
Total Room Nights: 1,025
Total Economic Impact: $580,000 The Battle in the Burgh tournament, held annually in July, is a premier softball event hosted by Pittsburgh Power Softball in partnership with USA Softball. Running since 1999, this competitive showcase attracts top-tier teams from across the region, providing a platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills and passion for the game. Located in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area, the tournament offers girls a prime opportunity to showcase their talents for college recruiting.

 

Champions
2024 DYB Division 1 & 2 AA Coach Pitch World Series
Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department
Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Total Room Nights: 525
Total Economic Impact: $500,000
The 2024 DYB Division 1 & 2 AA Coach Pitch World Series featured 24 teams of 7- and 8-year-old athletes from 11 southeastern states. The City of Orangeburg was able to highlight its state-of-the-art facilities as families flocked to Orangeburg Recreation Park for a long weekend of America’s favorite pastime.
 

Champions
Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
Gulf Shores | Orange Beach Sports & Events
Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Total Room Nights: 865
Total Economic Impact: $468,084
The USA Triathlon-sanctioned Alabama Coastal Triathlon has been a tradition in Gulf Shores for 17 years and has grown into a must-do event for experienced and beginner triathletes. The event includes a full-length Olympic distance race and a “Tri-It-On” sprint, and participants may compete solo or in a two- or three-person relay. In 2024, there were 455 (55 percent) first-time participants and 166 (20 percent) first-time triathlon racers, making the race impactful beyond economics. The title sponsor even formed a team and competed in the sprint.

 

Champions
Farm to Fork: Ride | Run | Crit
Visit Hattiesburg
Location: Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Total Room Nights: 800
Total Economic Impact: $70,000
This two-day outdoor event focuses on the athletes’ experience while fighting hunger. Friday features a criterium and one-mile sprint, while Saturday includes cycling rides of 34, 48 and 62 miles and 5K and 10K races. Athletes enjoy local culinary bites at pit stops, with the event wrapping up with a finish line party. Proceeds support Extra Table’s mission to feed those hungry across Mississippi. The 5th annual Farm to Fork: Ride | Run | Crit will take place April 25-26, 2025, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.