For many, Cape Cod conjures images of busy beaches and carefree days exploring from the bridges to Provincetown. While summer is of course quintessential, the Cape is a year-round gem offering unique attractions every season. With 15 towns, 559 miles of captivating coastline, top notch facilities, 27 public and 15 private golf courses, and countless spots to discover, Cape Cod is a premier year-round sports destination to host your next tournament while experiencing a New England vacation like no other.
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is a regional organization dedicated to promoting all that Cape Cod has to offer while protecting the region for generations to come. Their knowledgeable staff is an invaluable resource to help book your sports event and get the most out of your visit.
“CAPE COD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF BUSINESS TO STRENGHTEN AND PROMOTE REGIONAL ECONOMIC VITALITY WHILE ADDRESSING RELATED CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & COMMUNITY CONCERNS.”
In the summer months, there is no shortage of things to do for the whole family – mini golf, ice cream, beach days, or a trip to the islands. In the off season, the beaches are just as beautiful for some scenic walks. Check out the array of museums like the Wydah Pirate Museum or the National Seashore Museum. For a fun-filled bowling and dining experience, stop by the Ten Pin Eatery in the Cape Cod Mall. Almost all the local hotels have indoor pools to enjoy after tournaments, and a multitude of cozy, incredible restaurants stay open for year-round visitors to enjoy.
The Cape Cod Baseball League is the number one collegiate baseball league in the country, attracting the nation’s top athletes for a chance to be discovered in this historic, quintessential league. One in every six players in the MLB once played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. 10 teams across the Cape make up the league, each with their own top-notch home field. If your visit falls within their summer season, attending a game is a must to experience the nostalgia and camaraderie here.
Owned by the Town of Barnstable and operated by the Barnstable Recreation Division, the HYCC is a flexible space equipped to host a variety of events. As a community center, the general public is welcome year-round to enjoy indoor ice skating, a walking track, after school programs, and open gym times. The center boasts twin NHL size ice rinks, a 12,500 sq ft wood floor gymnasium, locker rooms, multiple function rooms and catering. Outside, enjoy a free skateboarding park, basketball courts, and the Lorusso Field of Dreams baseball complex.
Founded in 1891, Mass Maritime Academy is the second oldest state maritime academy in the nation. Perched along Buzzards Bay, the college is home to 5 state of the art athletic facilities – Clean Harbors Athletic Center, Clean Harbors Stadium, Commodore William R. Hendy Field, Alison Rollins Field, and the Keith Hartford Center. All facilities are located on campus, aside from crew and sailing. The Clean Harbors Athletic Center, home to the Mass Maritime Buccaneers women’s volleyball team, features a gymnasium that seats just under 500, a weight room, and cardio area. With a new field as of 2019, the Clean Harbors Stadium is a state-of-the-art waterfront stadium with seating for 2,300 fans. Hendy Field was resurfaced with new turf in 2017, and Rollins Field received new turf and lights in 2019. Fifteen minutes from the Buzzards Bay campus, the Hartford Center is home to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Crew and Sailing teams. The center stretches across 9 acres of land and 350’ of shoreline, and features 4 docks, a beach, and a boathouse with a classroom, locker rooms, and restrooms.
Each August, thousands of runners, Olympians, locals, and globetrotters travel to Falmouth for the iconic Falmouth Road Race. The course is a scenic 7-mile stretch along the coast and the entire town comes together to celebrate this huge annual event that has been attracting visitors since 1973. The 50th running of the ASICS Falmouth Road Race will be held on August 21, 2022.
2022 will be the 25th Anniversary of the famous Lobster Pot Hockey Tournament – a youth hockey tournament started by one local youth hockey coach for U6 teams. Today, the Lobster Pot brings in 64 teams and over 900 participants each year. The tournament is held at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, and this year’s will take place from March 18-20, 2022.
Thanksgiving Weekend, the 2021 Cranberry Classic Girls Hockey Tournament attracted over 70 teams playing in multiple divisions from U8/10 – U19. The tournament was held in five rinks across the Cape, spanning from Marion to Orleans. The 2022 Cranberry Classic will be held from November 25-27, 2022.
Each Memorial Day Weekend, the New England Soccer Classic and College Showcase takes place with 2 levels of competition – Championship Formats and Friendship Festival Formats. Ages range from U/9/U10 to U13+. Boys compete at Nauset High School in Eastham, while girls compete at Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich. The event offers teams to celebrate towards the end of their spring seasons and play on Cape Cod while the region truly comes alive for the summer season.
The annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival will take place from July 8-17, 2022. The festival celebrates the Cape’s iconic blossoms and features daily private garden tours, workshops and lectures with horticulturalists, and painting demonstrations with local artists. For a true taste of the region, be sure to attend parts of this bustling weeklong event.
To experience the pure magic of the Christmas season, look no further than Christmas on Cape Cod! Each year, the entire month of December is filled with holiday events like the lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree in Provincetown, village strolls, holiday lights, and concerts. The celebrations end with “First Night” events in Sandwich, Chatham, and Provincetown to ring in the new year. Book your stay at one of the many cozy B&Bs to soak up the historic, quintessential feel of the region this holiday season.
Between the peak summer season and the holiday cheer, autumn is a breathtaking, quieter time to schedule an event and enjoy Cape Cod. Fondly referred to as “Second Summer”, fall on the Cape means quiet beaches, cozy pubs and breweries, local farm stands, and visits to all the best tourist attractions as they wind down from the busy season.
Traveling to the Cape is simple, whether it’s a drive or a flight away. By car, across the iconic Bourne and Sagamore Bridges overlooking the Cape Cod Canal, it’s a simple, straight shot to each town. If flying in, Boston Logan International Airport is only over an hour drive to the Cape, whether you’d like to rent a car or hop on one of the many daily buses.
While planning your stay, the Cape Cod Chamber is an invaluable resource to help your group find a reasonable place to stay. The region has thousands of hotel and motel rooms from town to town, so visitors are sure to find the right fit for their budget and location preferences.
Patti Lloyd and the staff of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce/CVB eagerly provide you with exceptional service, problem solving and most importantly solutions which made all of the US Figure Skating events that we hosted a massive success! Patti Lloyd’s knowledge and ability to create a compete event inclusive of dining, accommodations and entertainment for large groups is absolutely incredible. Her connections with all of the properties and restaurants creates such a calm, confident environment for me as an Event Planner. Having hosted several events on the Cape has allowed me to make wonderful connections, friendships and incredible memories over the years. –
Donna J Wunder, Yarmouth Ice Club
With each turn of the seasons, Cape Cod gracefully shifts to become an entirely new coastal oasis. No matter what time you visit, whether you’d like July beach days or December holiday strolls, you are sure to enjoy your stay. Reach out to the friendly faces at the Cape Cod Chamber , or email Patti Lloyd directly at patti@capecodchamber.org to schedule your next sports event and plan your stay today.