From the Beach to the Stadium: Myrtle Beach’s Journey as a Premier Sports Destination

Myrtle Beach is more than just a beach destination—it’s a sprawling sports haven that extends across 60 miles of South Carolina coastline, encompassing two counties and 14 distinct cities and towns. Each city, including North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach itself, has its own unique atmosphere and dedicated sports tourism facilities.

With a deep-rooted commitment to sports tourism that spans over 15 years, these cities have developed world-class sports venues designed specifically to cater to tournaments and events, positioning Myrtle Beach as a premier destination for sports enthusiasts and families alike. Whether it’s hitting the links on one of the stunning golf courses, enjoying beachside accommodations, or exploring the vibrant local attractions, Myrtle Beach offers a perfect blend of recreation and relaxation for families traveling for sports events.

Sports tourism has always been, and will continue to be, a top priority for both our organization and the surrounding cities. Our venues were specifically built with sports tourism in mind, and they serve that purpose first. For over 15 years, our city leaders have recognized the value of sports tourism and developed a strategic approach to support it. Our venues and hotel community get to know event owners and have a deep understanding of their needs, which makes a big difference in the event experience here. – Jonathan Paris, Executive Director of Sports Tourism, Myrtle Beach Regional Sports Alliance

About Visit Myrtle Beach: A Sports Tourism Community

As part of a membership-based Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Visit Myrtle Beach has fostered strong connections with local hotels and businesses, which are integral to its sports tourism success. The Destination has a consistent flow of sports events that seamlessly integrates with the local hospitality and hotel industries, which are well-versed in accommodating sports groups. As a result, sports tourism accounts for 60% of group business in Myrtle Beach. This knowledge in working with sports groups creates a well-coordinated network that enhances Myrtle Beach’s reputation as a top sports destination.

Bringing New Sports to the Beach

Visit Myrtle Beach welcomes teams and spectators from across the country, with a strong foundation of recurring youth events including baseball, softball, basketball, gymnastics, and volleyball. These core youth events are the backbone of their program, with many groups returning year after year, fostering lasting relationships.

Myrtle Beach is exploring new opportunities to diversify their offerings, with a growing calendar of more niche, collegiate, and international events. This includes partnering with Coastal Carolina University to attract more collegiate events, such as Sunbelt Conference championships, and hosting their first NCAA Division III track and field championship.

In addition to collegiate sports, Myrtle Beach is expanding into emerging markets like esports, where they host a successful collegiate Rocket League event that has doubled in size in just two years. They’re also hosting more diverse sports events, such as the Lynn Lewis Foundation Pink Games, an all-women’s flag football tournament, a women’s softball tournament, and wheelchair rugby. Another key initiative is attracting international events, highlighted by the success of hosting the World’s Strongest Man competition for the past two years, which drew spectators from 24 different countries.

Featured Facilities

Styers Athletic Complex at Grand Park

Located in the scenic Market Common area, this facility features 9 lighted multipurpose turf fields, 2 natural youth fields, a 6-lane batting tunnel, and complimentary live streaming. Nearby attractions include the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium, a roller hockey rink, and The Market Common’s shops, restaurants, walking paths, and playground, all within just one mile of the Atlantic Ocean.

John T Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

The Myrtle Beach Sports Center is a 100,000-square-foot indoor facility that has significantly boosted sports tourism. Now in its ninth season, the $12.4 million center features 8 basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, and 77,000-square-feet of column-free space. With 2,000 bleacher seats, the space is adaptable for a variety of indoor sports.

Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium

Having undergone a major renovation in 2017, Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium is home to the annual Myrtle Beach Spring Break Meets and has hosted additional championships including the recent NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Sun Belt Conference Track and Field Championships and the Conference Carolinas Track and Field Championships. Teams from across the country are drawn to its FieldTurf infield for soccer, lacrosse, and football, and its NCAA-approved 8-lane track. Hosting events year-round and located just a few blocks from the ocean, this renowned venue is a prime location for sports planners.

North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex

The North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex is undergoing an expansion to add an additional 5 soccer fields and 6 diamonds. Currently, the venue spans over 163 acres and features 2 premier sports facilities. The baseball/softball complex includes 6 fields, and the soccer/lacrosse complex offers 8 natural grass fields, 4 of which are lit, along with an official’s room and concession facilities.

Golf Capital of the World

Myrtle Beach is renowned for its vibrant golf community, boasting over 80 golf courses and proudly known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” As one of the first major golf tourism markets, the area attracts countless golf enthusiasts who come for week-long trips, often playing at multiple courses. Each year, Myrtle Beach plays host to the World Amateur Championship, bringing in over 3,200 golfers from around the world to play on 50+ courses as one of the largest golf events in the country. Golf is a cornerstone of Myrtle Beach’s identity, and the recent additional of the Myrtle Beach Classic PGA tour event—part of a four-year deal—has further cemented its status as a premier golf destination.

A Family Friendly & Inclusive Destination

In addition to being a premier golf destination, Myrtle Beach is also an inclusive and family-friendly destination. The area is committed to accessibility, particularly through its strong autism program, which offers extensive training for local attractions and hotels to ensure they are autism-friendly, setting it apart as one of the few destinations with such comprehensive support. Check out Visit Myrtle Beach’s Autism-Friendly Vacation Guide here!

Beyond its inclusive atmosphere, Myrtle Beach offers a wealth of activities and amenities, with 157,000 hotel rooms, over 2,000 restaurants, endless attractions, mini golf courses, and a growing craft beer scene. For visitors, Myrtle Beach offers two standout shopping and dining areas that are perfect for the whole family to explore. The first, Broadway at the Beach, is akin to a downtown Disney experience, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions like WonderWorks and Ripley’s Aquarium. The second, Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, is a dining-focused destination known for its array of restaurants and its appeal as a go-to spot for both locals and tourists.

Highlighted Events

• Myrtle Beach Bowl – The Myrtle Beach Bowl, owned and operated by ESPN Events, is held annually at Coastal Carolina University’s Brooks Stadium. This event features teams from the Sun Belt, Conference USA, and MAC conferences. The 2024 edition will mark the bowl’s fifth year, with past champions including Ohio University and Marshall. Broadcast live on ESPN, this bowl game has become a notable fixture in the college football postseason.
• Myrtle Beach Classic – The Myrtle Beach Classic is a new PGA Tour event held in early May at the Dunes Beach & Golf Club. The inaugural 2024 event saw Chris Godurup emerge as the champion, with over 41,000 fans attending over the four days of play. Visit Myrtle Beach and the PGA Tour have entered into a four-year agreement for this event, making it a significant addition to the area’s golfing calendar.
• Myrtle Beach Invitational – The Myrtle Beach Invitational, owned and operated by ESPN Events, is an early-season Division I Men’s basketball tournament held each November at Coastal Carolina University’s HTC Center. The 2024 event will mark the tournament’s sixth year, continuing its tradition as a key fixture in the college basketball calendar.

From becoming a new PGA Tour stop and hosting some of the nation’s top golf experiences, to emerging as an NCAA host and an autism-friendly destination, Myrtle Beach is paving the way for the future of sports tourism. As one of the pioneering cities in this field, it continues to expand into new markets and make its mark on the international stage. Contact the Myrtle Beach team today to explore hosting your event at the Beach!