There are certainly plenty of state-of-the-art indoor sports facilities in America’s South for memorable competitions, but the discoveries outside the action make those memories even more special with rich and unique cultural experiences, incredible cuisine and more awaiting athletes, families and fans.
With six indoor courts, Springdale Recreation Center is a popular places to play pickleball in Springdale, AR.
Photo courtesy of Explore Springdale
Orange Beach Event Center At The Wharf • Orange Beach, AL
The 18,000-square-foot Orange Beach Event Center At The Wharf hosts a myriad of events annually. A premier meeting space, the center hosts concerts, conventions, weddings, trade shows and, of course, sporting events. Some of the many features of the space include an A/V system, enhanced lighting, an event kitchen and in-wall projection screens. The event center can accommodate up to 2,500 people and offers a variety of equipment for rent.
Jack Stephens Center Little Rock, AR
Pine Bluff Convention Center Pine Bluff, AR ▸ www.gulfshores.com/sports
Michelle Russ, 251-974-4631, mruss@gulfshores.com
The $25-million Jack Stephens Center is a state-of-the-art 5,600seat multipurpose arena at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Stephens Center hosts the school’s men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, the Boy’s and Girl’s State High School Wrestling Tournament, regional dance and cheer competitions and the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships.
Home of the world-renowned King Cotton Holiday Classic basketball tournament, this impressive center features a 23,000-square-foot arena with tiered seating for up to 7,600. Recent upgrades include the latest in audio visual technology such as overhead communications module with live video feed, replay, and broadcast, 12-foot videoboards, 18-foot digital scorer’s table, NCAAapproved lighting, renovated dressing rooms and adjoining concourses with flat-screen monitors.
Arkansas Athletes Outreach is a newly built indoor/outdoor facility that features four indoor multipurpose courts built for basketball, volleyball, cheer, dance, wrestling, table tennis and more. The Rogers facility has a sister property in Fayetteville with additional courts.
www.destinationrogers.com
Luke Wiggins, 479-619-3191, luke@rogerslowell.com
Springdale Recreation Center Springdale, AR
This newly remodeled facility boasts six indoor hardwood courts for basketball and volleyball, two indoor soccer fields, group fitness areas and weight training equipment. The center is home to area youth sports and is an ideal location to host a tournament or camp at any age level. Ample parking, spectator seating, and fullservice concessions are available to accommodate guests. The Springdale Recreation Center offers yearly memberships and facility reservations to meet any number of needs.
The Pine Bluff Convention Center, in Pine Bluff, AR, features a 23,000-squarefoot arena with tiered seating for up to 7,600. Recent upgrades include the latest in audio visual technology.
The Jones Center, in Springdale, AR, houses a yearround ice arena, junior-Olympicsized lap pool, activity pool with a slide, worldclass bike park, basketball court, fitness center, indoor track, conference center and chapel/ auditorium.
Ocean Center Daytona Beach, FL
The Ocean Center features more than 205,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space and serves as the host site for major college basketball tournaments such as the Roman College Basketball Invitational postseason tournament. It is situated along 23 miles of white-sand beaches and conveniently located close to major hotels, popular restaurants, and entertainment options.
ARKANSAS
The Jones Center Springdale, AR
This state-of-the-art 220,000-squarefoot recreation, community and event center is located in the heart of Northwest Arkansas. This massive facility houses a year-round ice arena, junior-Olympic-sized lap pool, activity pool with a slide, world-class bike park, basketball court, fitness center, indoor track, conference center and chapel/auditorium. Also located in the center is a cafe with a menu designed in collaboration with local partners.
Alachua County Event Center At Celebration Pointe • Gainesville, FL
Opened in June 2023, this 130,000-square-foot facility has 83,000 square feet of open space that includes 18 volleyball courts, 10 high school regulation basketball courts with six cross courts, 6,500-squarefoot cheer studio with two floors and a tumble run, 3,500 spectator seats, six indoor batting cages, 1,900 square feet of additional meeting space and a 2,500-square-foot high performance center. It also houses a World Athletics Compliant indoor track and field facility.
Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center • Texarkana, AR
Nestled in southwest Arkansas, just one mile from the Texas border in Texarkana, the Arkansas Convention Center is the premier location for events in its area. Its 10,000-square foot state-of-the-art facility was newly constructed in 2014, and is conveniently located on Interstate 30, just miles from I-49 south. The ballroom can be divided into four breakout rooms and it features a brightly lit gallery space that connects the four rooms.
www.ourtexarkana.com
Adam Dalby, 870-779-4943, adam.dalby@txkusa.org
Easton Newberry Sports Complex Gainesville, FL
This complex features 20,000 square feet of indoor space with one regulation basketball/volleyball court (two cross courts). Other features include 18 indoor shooting lanes for archery up to 18 meters, which can combine with the gymnasium to create 40 lanes.
Legacy Park is a major hub for sports tournaments, including the USA Gymnastics Men’s Florida State Championship and US Amateur Boys Basketball Championship. The 100acre facility was awarded the Florida Sports Foundation Mid-Market Venue of the Year Award in 2019. Planners can host competitions indoors, where they will find 40,000 square feet of space, 30,000 of which is open wooden floor space.
Host sports competitions of all levels at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. This popular venue is home to University of Florida sports as well as the USA Artistic Swimming Junior Olympics, the USA Weightlifting National University & Under 25 Championships and the Florida High School Athletic Association Competitive Cheerleading State Championship. This 292,000-squarefoot facility houses a main arena that seats a maximum of 10,500 guests and an eight-lane indoor pool.
The RP Funding Center is a multipurpose entertainment complex in Lakeland, comprising a convention center, arena and theater. It is home to Florida High School Athletic Association Championships for basketball, weightlifting and cheer. Opened in 1974, the complex is home to Jenkins Arena (capacity at 6,000), YouKey Theatre (2,236), Exhibit Hall (2,834), Sikes Hall (1,865), Lake Hollingsworth Ballroom (468), Lake Parker Room (164) and Lake Morton Room (110).
The largest equestrian complex in the U.S. is the World Equestrian Center (WEC), which also includes five climate-controlled indoor arenas. Enjoy the comfort of climate-controlled arenas while being up close to the action. Four of the multipurpose indoor arenas accommodate nearly 1,400 spectators in stadium-style seating with a fifth at 3,400 seats. Each arena features state-of-the-art equipment and LED technology.
Allan Tuttle, 352-414-7850, allan.tuttle@wec.net
Orange County Convention Center, North-South Building • Orlando, FL
With more than 950,000 square feet of exhibition space, the NorthSouth Building offers exceptional flexibility for diverse sporting events. The venue hosts events such as the ASH Dance competition, All Out Grand Nationals and is home to the world’s largest volleyball competition, the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships, that continues to increase in size year-after-year–welcoming approximately 200,000 attendees in 2023.
Keri Burns, 407-685-9833, sales@occc.net
World Equestrian Center, in Ocala, FL, is the largest equestrian complex in the U.S., which also includes five climatecontrolled indoor arenas. Four of the multipurpose indoor arenas accommodate nearly 1,400 spectators in stadium-style seating with a fifth at 3,400 seats.
Boasting more than 1 million square feet in exhibit space, the Orange County Convention Center’s West Building offers state-of-theart amenities for attendees, including newly renovated food courts and refreshment areas.
Orange County Convention Center, West Building • Orlando, FL
Boasting more than 1 million square feet in exhibit space, the OCCC’s West Building has welcomed a wide variety of high-profile sporting events, including USA Volleyball Florida Region, American Open Cheer, Olympia Fitness Weekend and the NBA G League Fall Tournament. Designed with flexibility and functionality in mind, the modern West Building offers state-of-the-art amenities for attendees, including newly renovated food courts and refreshment areas.
Keri Burns, 407-685-9833, sales@occc.net
AdventHealth Center Ice is the largest ice complex in the Southeast. The state-of-the-art area features five rinks under one roof and is 150,000 square feet with three North American Standard NHL ice rinks, one Olympic standard ice rink and one junior rink. The NHL rinks can also convert to a dry floor to accommodate basketball, volleyball and more.
Located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus is a state-of-the-art, 98,000-square-foot indoor sports facility designed for hosting a variety of events. The facility comprises two 35,000 square-foot hardwood floor arenas, each equipped with four full-size high school basketball courts or eight volleyball courts. Additionally, there is a 5,000 square-foot indoor gymnastics zone with a springboard floor and an on-site 128-room hotel, the new Residence Inn by Marriott Tampa Wesley Chapel.
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center • Punta Gorda, FL
Located in historic Downtown Punta Gorda on the banks of Charlotte Harbor, discover 44,000 square feet of flexible event space, including an 18,000-square-foot great lawn with a paver terrace and waterfront views from the Main Hall. Home to many regional and national martial arts tournaments, wrestling, boxing, cheer, dance and cornhole, just to name a few.
www.pureflorida.com/sports
Sean Walter, 941-764-4939, sean.walter@pureflorida.com
& Conference Center • Winter Haven, FL
This multipurpose building in Winter Haven features a 58,400-squarefoot gymnasium space with seating for 1,000, as well as a second-floor observation area. It also houses numerous meeting rooms, six basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, a blackbox theater, classroom space and a workout area.
Located in downtown Baton Rouge along the banks of the Mississippi River, the Raising Cane’s River Center offers more than 200,000 square feet of space to hold your event. The indoor multi-use facility can hold all types of sports events like hockey, basketball, archery, volleyball and more. It offers various event support from catering to ticket sales to ensure your event is successful. Learn more about the River Center at VisitBatonRouge.com.
HOSTED EVENTS
• Purple & Gold Gymnastics Classic
• Baton Rouge Block Party Volleyball Tournament
• Masters of Strength Festival
OVER 200,000 SQUARE FEET
10,000 SEAT ARENA WITH AN EXHIBITION HALL, BALLROOM AND 17 MEETING ROOMS
1,900 SEAT PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE
The John A. Alario Event Center is a tournament planner’s dream when searching for an indoor, multipurpose venue. With 105,000 square feet spread throughout the facility across three main exhibition halls, two meeting rooms, a boardroom and a lobby, the center is conveniently located less than eight miles away from most major New Orleans destinations. The center hosts numerous events including an SAAU Basketball tournament and an American Grappling Federation event.
This 4,600-seat multipurpose arena in Kenner is a hotspot for indoor tournament play. The center features 46,080 square feet of floor space for exhibitions and over 11,000 square feet of meeting rooms, making it ideal to host smaller indoor events and competitions. The center also played host to LHSAA volleyball and cheer and dance competitions and was the host site for the Gumbo Dance Sports Championships.
Castine Center is nestled within Pelican Park in Mandeville, Louisiana, located just north of New Orleans, which can be accessed by crossing beautiful Lake Pontchartrain via the Causeway Bridge. The center features 28,000 square feet of clear span area that can be subdivided for multiple events based on space requirements. The 3,400-square-foot concourse is perfect for tournaments, and the center also features sport court flooring and removable bleachers.
Located in Slidell, Louisiana, Harbor Center is designed to meet the 21st Century needs of event organizers. The state-of-the-art facility features 45,000 square feet, ideal for dance, cheer and martial arts competitions. The 6,600-square-foot Grand Hall provides theater seating for 2,000 or banquet seating for 1,000, which can all be adjusted to fit any event needs with shift-shape walls. There are also meeting rooms varying from 1,320 to 5,280 square feet.
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum is capable of hosting major events with multiple seating arrangements from 1,500 to 15,000, while the adjacent convention center features over 400,000 square feet of space.
The James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multipurpose Center is a premier facility that hosts a wide range of events in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The 120,000-square-foot indoor facility is available to host boxing and other sporting events and tournaments, rodeos, motocross, barrel races and concerts.
Zachary Holifield, 228-280-3136, zachary@coastalmississippi.com Kristen Brock, 601-296-7475, kbrock@visithburg.org
MISSISSIPPI
MISSISSIPPI
The University of Southern Mississippi • Hattiesburg, MS
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have opened their collegiatelevel facilities to host a wide variety of sports. The beautiful and spacious 8,095-seat Reed Green Coliseum in particular, named fittingly for a man who for 44 years was a player, coach and athletic director, serving the cause of intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater, has a wonderfully close to the court feel and is currently undergoing renovations for additional concessions, restrooms and improved seating.
▸ www.visithburg.org
Kristen Brock, 601-296-7475, kbrock@visithburg.org
Raleigh Convention Center Greater Raleigh, NC
The Raleigh Convention Center is a modern and versatile venue located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Spanning over 500,000 square feet, the center offers ample space for a wide range of events, including indoor sports. The center’s state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual capabilities ensure a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees. One of the standout features of the center is its sustainable design and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center Cabarrus County, NC
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord is one of the best places to host events in the county. This huge arena can host weddings, banquets, business meetings, the Cabarrus county fair, and plenty of shows and exhibitions. The facility has more than 140,000 square feet and hosts more than 150 events on nearly 300 event days each year.
www.explorecabarrus.com
Paul Sheehan, 704-456-7972, paulsheehan@explorecabarrus.com
Greensboro Coliseum Complex Greensboro, NC
The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a multi-building facility with eight different venues that offer the unique opportunity to host nearly any sporting event one could imagine. The main staple, the Greensboro Coliseum, can seat up to 22,000 people, depending on the need, and has hosted NCAA and ACC Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments. Other venues within the complex include the Fieldhouse and the Special Events Center.
visitgreensboronc.com
Brian Ambuehl, 336-335-1581, bambuehl@visitgreensboronc.com
Carolina Courts Cabarrus County, NC
Carolina Courts is Charlotte’s premier basketball, volleyball and pickleball facility. This massive indoor facility features 48,000 square feet of available space for various sporting tournaments and event needs. The facility can host large basketball and pickleball tournaments as it features seven full-size basketball courts and 17 possible pickleball courts.
www.explorecabarrus.com
Paul Sheehan, 704-456-7972, paulsheehan@explorecabarrus.com
East Carolina University Greenville-Pitt County, NC
East Carolina University’s facilities are state-of-the-art. These same venues are also available for tournaments, meets, competitions, and other events that sports planners are putting together throughout the year. Check out the 8,000-seat ECU Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for both basketball and volleyball games, and the Smith-Williams Center, a 49,000-square-foot, multilevel facility with practice courts, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and training rooms.
Situated on 32 sprawling acres, the Greenville Convention Center Campus features over 91,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space, including a 57,000-square-foot convention center with 28-foot-high ceilings. Three on-site premiere hotels offer over 400 rooms, two restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor pools, ample parking, shuttle service, onsite catering, and much more with an additional 1,700 rooms within five minutes of the campus.
The Hickory Metro Convention Center, located in a premier destination within the southeast, is undergoing a major renovation & expansion. Renovating over 30,000 square feet and adding on 46,000 plus square feet of multipurpose sports space. This facility has been the home to a variety of indoor sports including bull riding, soccer clinics, martial arts, wrestling, gymnastics, dance and more. With the newest addition, the center will be a prime location to welcome additional sports such as volleyball.
Sarah D. Jones, 828-322-1335, sarah@hickorymetro.com
Located on Main Street in Downtown Rocky Mount, this 165,000-square-foot facility is host to headlining sporting events all year long. It features 8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, four locker rooms, an option of a 50’ x 94’ master event space and spectator seating for over 4,000. The Event Center also houses the Gameday Adventure & Arcade, which includes climbing walls, an aerial ropes course, configurable banquet rooms, and inhouse catering.
The Wilmington Convention Center, the only convention center on the North Carolina coast, offers an ideal sports-centric atmosphere for sporting events up to 2,200 attendees. The convention center has 107,000 square feet of adaptable space, in addition to a ticket office, concessions and an attached parking garage.
This premium 105,000-square-foot facility is no stranger to prestige. Sporting a 200-meter oval track made of Mondotrack FTX surfaces, this complex has held multiple national championships since opening in 2012. Teams also have access to a 100-meter training track and an athletic trainer room. Hospitality suites await game day officials and coaches.
Opened in 2021, RISE Indoor Sports is home to more than 123,000 square feet of flexible, programmable space including eight high school regulation basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, 28,000-square-feet of sports indoor turf, performance and fitness training center, 6,000-square-feet of fitness and cardio space, concessions with indoor and outdoor dining, and onsite meeting rooms.
Joel Smith, 800-650-9064, jsmith@wilmingtonandbeaches.com
The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex and Education Buildings encompass a roughly 70-acre property minutes from downtown. This multi-purpose complex features over 55,000 square feet of programmable event space, including a 4,000-seat arena at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, home to the Carolina Thunderbirds, a minor league hockey team.
Headed by former NBA star and Puerto Rico native José Juan Barea and hotelier Ricky Newman, JUMP is a sports development center located in San Juan that will be at the forefront of youth and adult athletics. The facility will have 100,000 square feet of interior space. The facility not only accommodates for sports and training directly, it also houses athletes and trainers with an on-site hotel.
Located in the Puerto Rico Convention District in San Juan, the Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) is a premier facility for hosting all types of major events, including sports like basketball and volleyball. The PRCC has a total of 600,000 square feet between three levels and a 152,700- square-foot exhibition hall on a single level that can seat 10,000 spectators, making it perfect for tournaments and leagues.
Carlos Deliz, 787-957-8945, carlos.deliz@discoverpuertorico.com
Located in San Juan, the Puerto Rico Convention Center has a total of 600,000 square feet between three levels and a 152,700- squarefoot exhibition hall on a single level that can seat 10,000 spectators, making it perfect for tournaments and leagues.
San Juan, PR Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico Ponce, PR
SportLand is one of San Juan’s top indoor sports facilities, providing over 40,000 square feet of space for weekday recreational sports and weekend tournaments, camps, clinics and other major events. This modern facility features four volleyball courts, two basketball courts and an indoor soccer field, along with a VIP mezzanine and meeting rooms for get-togethers, conferences and more.
Ferial de Puerto Rico is an indoor arena and convention center located in the heart of the City of Ponce, near the Historic Downtown area with plenty of shopping and restaurant options. The facility features a 120,000-square-foot main exhibition hall which can be uniquely configured into 16 smaller, independent breakout spaces for various events and shows. Each of the 16 spaces have independently controlled climate and sound systems.
Carlos Deliz, 787-957-8945, carlos.deliz@discoverpuertorico.com
Carlos Deliz, 787-957-8945, carlos.deliz@discoverpuertorico.com
Carlos Deliz, 787-957-8945, carlos.deliz@discoverpuertorico.com
PUERTO RICO
PUERTO RICO
PUERTO RICO
Complejo
At over 37,00 square feet, Civic Center of Anderson provides a conference center, exhibition hall, entertainment arena and much more. The front ballroom portion of the building provides a conference center atmosphere suitable for business meetings, conferences, conventions, receptions and banquets for groups varying in size up to 1,000. The 7,700-square-foot ballroom is the largest such facility in Anderson County.
Neil Paul, 864-716-3660, neil@visitanderson.com
The John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center is a 100,000-squarefoot indoor sports facility which includes eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, and a café. The center has 2,000 bleacher seats that can be reconfigured for various sports.
Life Arena Columbia, SC
One of South Carolina’s most impressive multipurpose arenas, Colonial Life is an 18,000-seat venue that plays host to many indoor sports. It is best known as the home court of the South Carolina Gamecocks’ men’s and women’s basketball teams, both of which have been highly successful in recent NCAA tournaments. Beyond basketball, Colonial Life Arena has held concerts by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen.
Bon Secours Wellness Arena Greenville, SC
This state-of-the-art multipurpose complex is ideal for sporting events, live entertainment, family shows, concerts and more. The complex holds, on average, 120 major events per year. The arena seats up to 15,951, where spectators can enjoy a basketball game, watch a nail-biting wrestling match or keep an eye on the puck in a hockey game. With 30 luxury suites, restrooms, parking and hotel services nearby, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena is the perfect place for your next athletic function.
S. Scott Powers, 803-545-0009, spowers@experiencecolumbiasc.com
John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center • Myrtle Beach, SC
As one of the Southeast United States’ largest venues, boasting 280,000 square feet of impressive event space in one of the most sought-after cities, the Greenville Convention Center is committed to providing you with the resources you need to turn your event into an experience that brings your plans to life.
Indoor sports thrive at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, a 100,000-square-foot indoor sports facility that helped expand sports tourism. The $12.4 million facility includes eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a café and retail area and a large multi-screen video wall. The center has 2,000 bleacher seats that can be reconfigured for various sports.
Jonathan Paris, 843-916-7264, jonathan.paris@visitmyrtlebeach.com
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Myrtle Beach, SC
Covering 250,000-square-feet, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center provides easily convertible space for sports and trade shows. Located in the Myrtle Beach Convention and Entertainment District, the venue is also within walking distance of Broadway at the Beach, one of the area’s premier shopping and entertainment destinations. If you’re not looking to host a tournament, the convention center can also be utilized for trade shows and national meetings.
▸ www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
Jonathan Paris, 843-916-7264, jonathan.paris@visitmyrtlebeach.com TENNESSEE
Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium at Wofford College • Spartanburg, SC
Opened in 2017, the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium is a 123,000-squarefoot facility that includes a 3,400-seat basketball arena and a 500-seat volleyball competition venue. This facility replaced Benjamin Johnson Arena and serves as the home for women’s basketball, men’s basketball and volleyball at Wofford College. Wofford College has served as host of training camp for the Carolina Panthers since 1995.
www.visitspartanburg.com/ spartanburg-sports
John Mark Freeze, 864-594-5000, jmfreeze@onespartanburginc.com
Leconte Center At Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, TN
Named for the scenic views of Mount LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this facility sits right in the heart of Pigeon Forge and exudes a mountain lodge ambiance. The Leconte Center spans 232,000 square feet and prides itself in its flexibility to host competitive events of all types. The facility features seating for up to 12,000 spectators, free Wi-Fi, eight bay registration areas, a private office for event management and a convenient central location that borders the Little Pigeon River and Riverwalk.
Jennifer Smith, 865-429-7432, jsmith@mypigeonforge.com
For athletes who dream of glory, we offer over 2 million square feet perfect for victory laps. The Orange County Convention Center is a big winner when it comes to hosting youth sporting and athletic events— with both our West and North-South Buildings serving as ideal stages to get the adrenaline pumping.
