Discover ‘The Everything Cities’: Why Auburn-Opelika is Your Ultimate Sports Destination

Nestled in the heart of East Alabama, the cities of Auburn and Opelika present a blend of modernity and historic charm, sustained by a powerful sense of pride and community that emanates from Auburn University’s strong presence in the region. The Auburn-Opelika Tourism team captures this essence through their work, creating an inviting and collaborative environment for sports planners, athletes, and attendees

Dubbed ‘The Everything Cities,’ Auburn and Opelika offer a cultural mix of past and present while hosting every sport imaginable—from pickleball to mountain biking and handball, including accessible sports. Thanks to incredible collaboration between town officials, the university, and Auburn-Opelika Tourism, this area has become the ultimate sports destination for every sport, from kickoff to post-game. Learn more below!

About Auburn and Opelika: The Coolest College Town In the South and Its Hip Older Sister

Auburn and Opelika each have unique identities, offering something special for any visitor. Auburn, known as the “coolest college town in the South,” exudes a youthful energy and university traditions. Opelika the “hip older sister”, on the other hand, is known for its rich history as an old railroad town, offering hidden gems like a vintage pinball arcade. Travis Harrison, event & marketing specialist at Auburn-Opelika Tourism, encapsulates this dynamic: “Auburn is very much a younger crowd, more spirited and rooted in those university traditions, whereas Opelika has a more historic feel.”

Such close proximity, plus the strong relationships between Auburn and Opelika, creates a seamless transition between towns. This proximity fosters a sense of unity, making it convenient for residents and visitors to access all the area has to offer within a short drive.

Easy Accessibility

Geographically, Auburn-Opelika’s location is a significant draw for sports planners and visitors, just 90 minutes from Atlanta and 2 hours from Birmingham. Anthony Terling, sports & events development manager at Auburn-Opelika Tourism points out, “You can be anywhere in Auburn and you’re only 20 minutes maximum away from your venue, restaurants, your hotel, or the interstate,” On top of this accessibility to the community, the area offers a range of accommodations from budget-friendly options to five-diamond hotels.

Auburn University: A Pillar of the Community

Auburn University is the heartbeat of the Auburn-Opelika area, infusing the region with a vibrant, dynamic culture that permeates every corner of the community. The university blends into downtown Auburn, fostering a palpable sense of camaraderie, where the university’s influence is felt in everyday life. From the electric atmosphere of football tailgates to the spirited celebrations at graduation ceremonies, Auburn University’s presence welcomes the community to partake in its rich traditions and events.

The university’s commitment to the community is evident in its thoughtful approach to growth and development, always considering the well-being of both students and city residents. The positive relationship is clear: the city’s rapid growth, with an average influx of 6 new residents each day, is a testament to the thriving relationship between Auburn University and the city. This bond has transformed Auburn into a bustling, ever-expanding hub, where the university’s influence and the community’s spirit are inextricably linked.

“The university quite literally feeds straight into the downtown, creating a consistent blend between the university and the citizens” Travis shares. “There is nowhere like Auburn University. The Auburn family spirit goes beyond the university. It encompasses our cities as a whole, and visitors feel part of it, too.”

“Auburn Athletics’ partnership with AO Tourism is a natural fit. College athletics is a driving force in tourism as fans from outside the State of Alabama follow their teams to Auburn for a weekend of competition in all sports. Having the ability to provide incoming fan bases with current information on hotels and restaurants is a critical element to providing a successful event and helping our community partners prosper.” – Bob Grant, Auburn University Assistant Director of Athletic Events. 

Building Strong Relationships

Anthony highlights the importance of collaboration in the region, emphasizing the relationship between Auburn University and the cities of Auburn and Opelika. Robyn Bridges President and CEO of Auburn-Opelika Tourism, has been instrumental in nurturing these relationships. In collaborating with the university for events, Anthony notes, “We use many of their premium spaces within their football stadium and other venues whether it be for meetings, welcome receptions, post-event socials, or awards ceremonies. The partnership is really endless.”

Anthony adds, “There is truly a collaborative spirit here. Whether it’s working with Auburn University, Auburn Parks and Rec, Opelika Parks and Rec, or our business partners all over the cities.”

A Word from the Cities of Auburn and Opelika

“Auburn has a proven track record of successfully hosting a wide range of sporting events, showcasing our city’s capability and dedication to excellence. By working closely with the Auburn-Opelika Tourism team, local businesses, and government departments, we create a collaborative environment that helps guarantee success and memorable experiences for attendees.” – Ron Anders, Auburn Mayor

“In Opelika, we pride ourselves on creating sporting events that players cherish. Our close collaboration with Auburn-Opelika Tourism and city departments guarantees a seamless experience, from planning to execution, ensuring every event exceeds expectations.” – Sam Bailey, Opelika Director of Parks and Recreation

Community Spirit and Memorable Experiences

Creating memorable experiences is a priority for Auburn-Opelika Tourism. Anthony shares, “We focus on making their experience special outside of the competition. I think that is a key piece to what really sets us apart.” This includes promoting unique local events like Food Truck Friday in downtown Opelika, creating fun award ceremonies, and memorable photo opportunities.

Community spirit is a hallmark of Auburn University, which the Auburn-Opelika Tourism team incorporates into these event experiences. “We try to incorporate the university’s key elements, like inviting the mascot to our events, or the eagles that are famous for flying before football games, because these are unique to us and our area,” Anthony continues.

This spirit is deeply rooted in the Auburn family mentality, extending beyond the university to encompass the entire community. “All of these little touches really add up to a memorable experience,” Travis shares.

Range of Standout Facilities

Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center

• The Opelika Sportsplex stands out as a premier facility in the region. Travis highlights its impact: “The culture around pickleball at the Sportsplex is amazing, and the facility itself is built with forward-thinking in mind.”
• The facility features a full aquatic center with indoor and outdoor pools, weight room, outdoor amphitheater, walking trails, 5,000 square foot “common area”, game room, computer lab, media room, 5 individual soccer fields, and 2 concession stands.
• The recent addition of an Olympic-size outdoor pool exemplifies the commitment to enhancing community amenities.

Wire Road Soccer Complex

• The Wire Road Soccer Complex boasts 11 fields, including 10, full-size lighted fields and one, small-sided grass field. Seven of the full-size fields are natural grass, while the remaining three are turf.
• The complex recently expanded to include three additional full-sized lit turf fields, lined for soccer and lacrosse, and a 56,000 square foot indoor multi-purpose facility for futsal, basketball, volleyball, and other indoor sports or events.

Lake Wilmore Community Center

• Lake Wilmore Community Center in Auburn will feature pickleball courts, an indoor pool, two full-sized basketball courts, fitness rooms, an indoor walking track, locker rooms, and multi-use activity spaces.
• As soon as the facility’s indoor portion is complete, the second phase of outdoor space will begin construction, which will feature four lighted multi-purpose synthetic turf fields, pickleball courts, and more.
• This $22 million project, part of Auburn’s Parks, Recreation, & Culture Master Plan, is set to complete by October 2024.

Future Sporting Events

The Logan Parks Fishing Tournament, Snap Soccer Tournaments, and the Frostbite Open are all annual events that Auburn-Opelika hosts. Hosting events year after year allows Auburn-Opelika Tourism to build and strengthen relationships with participants, sponsors, and the local community. “With each year, we look to improve on how the event is run and boost engagement with each sport within our community to contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the sports in our region,” Travis shares.

“We are excited to host the Dixie Boys Baseball Jr. World Series in 2025 and the Hootenanny Showdown this October, showcasing Auburn-Opelika’s versatility in accommodating diverse events. These events, with their different scales and unique needs, highlight our region’s capability to support a wide range of activities, enhancing our community’s vibrant and inclusive atmosphere,” he continues. Check out these key events below!

• Logan Parks Nsane Fishing Tournament
• Snap Soccer Tournaments – Auburn Academy Cup and Auburn Soccer Invitational
• Frostbite Open – Disc Golf Tournament
• Dixie Boys Baseball Jr. World Series
• Hootenanny Showdown – Ultimate Frisbee Event with Auburn University’s Club Team

The Best is Yet to Come

As Auburn and Opelika grow rapidly, with significant new developments underway, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism team continues to strengthen relationships between the cities and Auburn University. With multiple new hotels under construction, including the renowned Graduate Hotel brand, and over $60 million in new facility builds underway, this destination’s future surely looks bright.

Auburn-Opelika Tourism continues to create memorable experiences and foster a sense of belonging for everyone who visits or calls this vibrant region home. Whether you’re a sports planner, a visitor, or a resident, the area offers a unique blend of modern amenities and historic charm, all within a tight-knit, collaborative community.

To learn more, connect with Auburn-Opelika on Playeasy today!