Experience Columbia SC Sports
Convention & Visitors Bureau
About Experience Columbia SC Sports
In the heart of South Carolina, tradition and tomorrow pair perfectly in Columbia. It's a modern city where stately buildings buzz with new businesses, and centuries-old sites give rise to fresh perspectives. It's got all the charm you'd expect from a Southern destination - without all the "bless your hearts."
With dynamite food, shopping and world-class attractions, event attendees can look forward to exploring this capital city beyond the main event. Bonus: Our mild climate is perfect for hosting year-round sporting events.
ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE DESTINATION
With three major interstates that intersect the city and a regional airport, getting here is straightforward. And travelers find that the logistics are as friendly as the people. With a mix of downtown and regional hotels, there's an affordable option for everyone.
FIT FOR FOODIES
With mustard-based barbecue and pimento cheese on almost every menu, we've got more Southern cuisine than we can name. But we've also got our fair share of unexpected eats. From Korean to Vegan to Mexican and upscale farm-to-table dining, you'll find something for everyone here. And the locals here have never met a stranger. Strike up a conversation at one of these spots and they're likely going to welcome you with a glass of sweet tea, unless of course you'd prefer something barrel-aged or bacon-infused.
MANAGEABLE URBAN
A number of our venues are near our walkable restaurant districts, like our vibrant Main Street as well as our Vista entertainment district. You'll find everything from museums to art galleries to sports bars and farm-to-table dining, all a walk or short drive from the hotel.
FOR ALL AGES
With a never-ending roster of live music events, festivals, college sporting events and world-class attractions (like one of the top 10 zoos in the country), it's hard to be bored in Columbia SC. When you've had enough sightseeing and shopping (or the little ones have), head for free play in the wilderness. It doesn't take long to get from the middle of town to what seems like the missile of nowhere with a river running through the city and plenty of parks around the region.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Looking for more info or personal recommendations? The Columbia SC Visitors Center is here to help you plan the getaway you've been looking for. Need help getting around? We've got maps for that. From a regional overview to specific neighborhoods, you can see street names and proximity to other neighborhoods to help you plan.
Things to do in Experience Columbia SC Sports
With several distinct shopping districts and a recently revitalized downtown, tons of new shops, restaurants and other thriving businesses mix in amidst old favorites like The Nickelodeon and King's Jewelers. The best part? Columbia SC grants you front row access to all of this with affordable prices, manageable traffic, lots of parking and walkable districts, too.
Travel details
Columbia SC has all the charm of a Southern destination with big city amenities, but none of the hassle. With three major interstates that intersect the city and a regional airport, getting here is straightforward.
DRIVING TO COLUMBIA
Three major interstates run through Columbia: I-26, I-20 and I-77. I-95 connects to I-20 and I-26 for easy access from anywhere on the Eastern corridor.
FLYING TO COLUMBIA
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) offers over 36 nonstop flights to 12 major airports in 11 cities and can get you almost anywhere in the world in one stop.
Services offered
Event Marketing Sponsorship
Grant Programs
Lodging Services
Marketing
PR/Media Assistance
Signage
Site Visits
Volunteer
Welcome Bags
Comprehensive Sporting Event Support
Experience Columbia SC Sports is dedicated to helping event organizers and local sports organizations. We make planning easy by serving as a one-stop-shop for all your sporting event needs. From practice to awards, our team of sports marketing professionals can help plan and market your event, making it a winner on every level. Connect with us to get started.
Picking a Venue
Columbia boasts a diverse array of venues including state of the art stadiums, courts, and fields—not to mention rivers and scenic streets—that make the capital city an ideal destination for all kinds of sporting events. Take a look at our venue finder, and you're always welcome to contact us to discuss your options in greater detail.
Visit Our Venues
Our team will go on site visits with you (or on your behalf) and assist you in securing area facilities that match your specific needs.
Explore Our City
And we know your attendees need food and things to do while they’re here. We'll take you to Columbia’s hot spots and show you how our city can be the perfect fit for your event.
Preparing for Your Event
Hotel Accommodations
Affordable hotels are plentiful in Columbia, SC. Working with us means you won't have to spend time or money comparing hotel rates. Our staff provides this service at no cost. Once we have your tentative event dates, we'll create a list of comparative hotel rates including special group rates.
Event Promotion
Our marketing team can analyze your current marketing strategies and help collaborate on the promotion and execution of the event. We'll utilize our media contacts to boost your pre-event exposure, and we'll also shine a spotlight on the event to increase community awareness.
Let us help with press releases, listings on our event pages and social media. We can also connect you to a co-op advertising program to promote events through digital billboards in nearby cities like Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, Charleston and more.
Food & Transportation
From finding specialty caterers and unique meeting sites to meeting transportation and other personal needs, we'll put you in direct contact with special services for your participants and their families.
Enjoying the City
Columbia's characteristic Southern charm (and food!) make everyone feel right at home. And with so much to see and do, your athletes and their fan clubs can look forward to exploring this capital city beyond the main event. We'll provide your group with insider tips, city guides and blog insights.
