The Hospitable Spirit of Sports in Tupelo
About Visit Tupelo
When it comes to southern hospitality, Tupelo, Mississippi is unrivaled, especially in the sports industry. “I think it’s really our community partners and their involvement. If we’re having a huge swim meet in town, our partners downtown are putting signage out and creating a program where our restaurants offer special menus or discounts for those attending. That community involvement and togetherness here in Tupelo says a lot,” says Brian Rucker, Sales Manager at the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Right in the heart of the mid-south, Tupelo is conveniently nestled between Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee. Off I-22 as well as Highway 78, it’s easily accessible from nearby hubs. Just 90 miles from Memphis, flying into Memphis International Airport means only a quick drive to Tupelo. Flights from Tupelo’s airport to Nashville are also offered. Whichever way you are coming in, whether driving or flying, Tupelo is easy to access and awaiting your arrival with a smile.
Featured Facilities
Tupelo Aquatic Center
The Tupelo Aquatic Center is one of the leading facilities in the entirety of the Southeast. Constructed about a decade ago, it’s a beautiful facility equipped to host large-scale events, like tournaments with US Swimming. A key pillar in the Tupelo sports community, the Aquatic Center also hosts public events, including Fun & Family Recreational Swims in the afternoons.
BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center
Built in 1993, the BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center is a first-rate center designed to host conventions, conference and everything in between. Artists including Tom Petty and Elton John have performed to sellout crowds here. The arena can seat almost 10,000 for concerts and 8,000 for sporting events ranging from ice skating to rodeos. The Arena underwent a $15.2 million expansion in 2020 that included the conference center.
Notable Events
The Southern Age Group Zone Championships
From July 27-31, 2021, US Swimming hosted the Southern Age Group Zone Championships at the Tupelo Aquatic Center. One of the city’s larger events in aquatics, the tournament typically brings in more than 500 swimmers for a weeklong stay. The Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau enjoyed hosting the swimmers who stayed and competed in the area, who may not otherwise have the chance to travel to Tupelo.
Tupelo Elvis Festival
Each year, the Tupelo Elvis Festival attracts tourists and Elvis fans alike for a multi-day celebration of the King and his legacy. Events range from endless live music and concerts to food trucks and 5K races. This is truly a festival like no other in the nation, and if you time your visit right, you might just be able to stop by. This year’s event is scheduled for June 8-12, 2022!
Things to Do
Elvis Presley Birthplace and Park
“You cannot come to Tupelo and not visit the birthplace,” Rucker says. Before he rose to fame, the King of Rock and Roll was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935 in a modest house built by his parents. Today, his childhood home and church are historic museums open to the public. The Elvis Presley Birthplace and Park also features the Elvis Presley Museum and Elvis Presley Park. This is a must-see destination no other, where you can walk the same steps that Presley did himself years ago.
Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo
One of the largest zoos in the state of Mississippi, the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo provides a home for over 260 animals, including exotic animals in their safari and a range of reptiles in the reptile room. Stop by to explore the impressive grounds and meet the friendly staff.
Sports on the Rise
Baseball and softball are taking Tupelo by storm with more and more tournaments on the calendar. “Softball is really coming back strongly right now. The baseball market right now is also the strongest it’s been in years. On average, we are seeing 60-70 teams per tournament. For summer 2021, we are hosting about 15 baseball tournaments so far,” Rucker shared.
Sports are open in Tupelo, and the city is ready for action for the summer. For more information, head to their Playeasy profile.
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