The roar of the crowd echoed off the walls of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, as more than 74,000 volleyball players and coaches took to the floor for the 2024 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior National Volleyball Championships. For the athletes, it offered an opportunity to compete in the largest volleyball tournament in the world. And for families, it was a chance not only to cheer from the sidelines but also to
soak up the rays in The Sunshine State.
That full-package appeal is why the Southeast is becoming one of the most sought-after regions for hosting youth sports tournaments. Sports planners across the country are increasingly drawn to this part of the U.S. for its favorable climate, travel accessibility, family-friendly amenities, and impressive investments in sports infrastructure. From national complexes in metro hubs to high-quality facilities in small towns, the Southeast is quickly establishing itself as a go-to destination for sports planners hosting youth tournaments.
But this momentum didn’t happen overnight. Cities across the region have doubled down on youth sports tourism in recent years—upgrading fields, adding hotel capacity, and developing multisport complexes with amenities tailored to youth athletes and their families. The payoff has been substantial, with surging interest in hosting sporting events across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
For planners, choosing the destination for your tournament or competition is about more than the facilities—it’s also about curating an experience athletes and their families will remember. That means choosing a city that has it all: accessibility, accommodations, entertainment, and that extra spark that makes a tournament feel like a sun-soaked vacation.
Built for the Big Game
Greensboro, North Carolina—dubbed “Tournament Town” for its reputation as a premier youth sports destination—is home to world-class venues perfect for competitions of all varieties. One such venue is the Greensboro Complex, which has capacity to host everything from basketball and gymnastics to figure skating and pickleball—the last of which has become a staple of the complex with the addition of 40 pickleball courts in 2025. Plus, the complex is home to Greensboro Aquatic Center, the largest indoor aquatic facility in the country. On a smaller scale, the Greensboro Sportsplex—boasting suspended hardwood floors, indoor soccer fields, and an inline roller hockey rink—is appealing for its multisport flexibility, accessibility, and 106,000 square feet of sports space. “We have state-of-the-art facilities, a supporting hospitality infrastructure, and a sports-minded community that supports events in Greensboro,” says Caleb Wilson, sports sales manager at Visit Greensboro. Director of Sales Brian Ambuehl adds that the city has recently hosted numerous high-profile youth sporting events, including the AAU Junior Olympic Games (various sports), World Ninja League Championships (obstacle course competition), and The Elite Clubs National League North Carolina Girls Showcase (soccer).
In Orlando, Florida, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex brings a touch of Disney magic to the field, with indoor/outdoor tournament spaces, game-day photo services, and a restaurant on-site. Athletes and their families might enjoy proximity to Walt Disney World Resort hotels, allowing for a well-rounded trip everyone will enjoy. Whether planning a soccer tournament, baseball camp, or basketball clinic, the complex’s myriad venues, facilities, and services make youth sports events seamless. Just north in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, the New Smyrna Beach Sports Complex offers a family-friendly atmosphere for youth sports competitions. Throughout the complex, tournament planners will find a football stadium, baseball and softball fields, soc-cer fields, and a multipurpose grass area.
Virginia Beach, Virginia, is another premier destination for youth sports tournaments, thanks to its central location on the East Coast. The city offers the perfect mix of top-tier sports facilities, memorable attractions, restaurants, and beachside leisure—making it easy for families to turn tournaments into memorable vacations. “We have experienced a consistent rise in youth sports tourism, thanks in large part to the city’s investment in modern, high-capacity venues and a citywide commitment to hospitality,” says Dani Timm, director of sports tourism at Visit Virginia Beach. “Virginia Beach has built a strong reputation in sports like wrestling, indoor track and field, and field hockey, with each continuing to grow in popularity and participation.” One notable venue is the Virginia Beach Sports Center, which offers space for track and field, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and more. Other venues include the Princess Anne Athletic Complex, known for its pristine softball and baseball fields; the Virginia Beach Convention Center, which boasts 250,000 square feet of flexible event space; and the USA Regional Field Hockey Training Center, a go-to facility for field hockey tournaments.
Small-Town Victory
In the Southeast, the smaller towns, too, draw youth sports planners for their easy accessibility, novel venues, and hometown charm. While Elizabethtown, Kentucky, might be relatively small in size, the youth sports tourism appeal is large. In fact, Elizabethtown Sports Park—with 12 baseball and softball diamonds; 12 natural turf fields for lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey; and more—is often referred to as one of the Southeast’s top youth sports facilities. Its location in the heart of town is near dining and lodging so families can enjoy the town’s diverse amenities. Nearby, Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel is the perfect home base for athletes and their families attending tournaments at neighboring facilities like Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex Hopkinsville or Heritage Park Sports Complex in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Speaking of Tennessee, the state is quickly becoming a youth sports hub, thanks in part to Play Tennessee Sports’ ongoing efforts to promote sports tourism throughout the state. The nonprofit association works directly with sports and hospitality professionals to boost the sports economy of Tennessee. “There are many destinations with a variety of facilities to host youth sports events,” says Zach Ledbetter, director of outreach and engagement at Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development, which also works closely with Play Tennessee on events throughout the year. “Destination marketing organizations or sports tourism offices have professional staff that assist in preparing [coaches, athletes, and families] for a great visit.” A top facility in the state is Gatlinburg’s Rocky Top Sports World, an 80-acre, state-of-the-art complex located outside picturesque Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, teams will find seven outdoor fields, plus six indoor basketball courts and 12 indoor volleyball courts. Last year, the complex celebrated 10 years, during which it brought 1,087,525 visitors—425,770 athletes, 30,423 teams, and 661,755 spectators—to town.
In Youngsville, Louisiana, the Youngsville Sports Complex hosts baseball, softball, tennis, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and flag football. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, Youngsville is the perfect place for a sports center of this caliber. The 116-acre public facility has continuously enhanced the community’s quality of life and expanded youth sports tourism for Louisiana. Featured facilities include the Sugar Beach volleyball complex, Pixus Splash Park, Raising Cane’s Tennis Center, Youngsville Amphitheater powered by SLEMCO, Community Honda Pickleball Courts, and the Youngsville Sports Complex Recreation Center.
greaterorlandosports.com
playtennessee.org
touretown.com
visitgreensboronc.com
visitvirginiabeach.com
youngsville.us
