Destination to Drive Significant Economic Impact for Local Businesses Through Sports Tourism

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – More than 46,000 athletes and spectators are projected to attend a slate of marquee sporting events in Panama City Beach this spring, generating significant economic impact for the destination. Through the strategic efforts of the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the destination will host tournaments and championship events at Publix Sports Park, Frank Brown Park and additional venues across the community.

Last year’s spring sports events generated $34 million in total economic impact, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, attractions and small businesses throughout Panama City Beach. From youth baseball, fastpitch softball and soccer tournaments to nationally recognized endurance races, Panama City Beach continues to make a name for itself as a premier sports tourism destination along the Gulf Coast.

For the full spring event lineup, please visit https://bit.ly/4rNiuUH Marquee Events Highlights:

Swing into Spring Baseball & Softball Week 2, 3 and 4 March 1-21| Publix Sports Park 49 college club softball and baseball teams from across the country will compete during three consecutive weeks of competition, bringing athletes and families to Panama City Beach. Supporting a positive, family-friendly experience, the event is projected to welcome 882 players and 1,411 total attendees.

Arnold High FL vs. USA March 6-7 | Frank Brown Park Thirty high school fast-pitch softball teams from Florida and across the country will compete in the 17th annual Florida-USA Softball Challenge, hosted by Visit Panama City Beach and Arnold High School. As one of the largest high school fast-pitch events in the state, the tournament draws top-tier talent and strong spectator attendance.

Spring Fling Women’s Lacrosse March 15-20 | Publix Sports Park

The Spring Fling Women’s Lacrosse tournament is the longest-running women’s lacrosse tournament in the nation, bringing together 14 premier DIII collegiate-level women’s lacrosse teams from the Northeast. With official NCAA contests and practice sessions, attendees will get to experience competition, camaraderie and family-friendly experiences at its finest.

BLU_CHPs National Combine March 21-22 | Publix Sports Park

Founded in 2020, BLU_CHP is the nation’s No. 1 Youth National Combine and Showcase, bringing together more than 100 elite football athletes ranging from grades 1-8, for a premier three-day evaluation led by current and former college and NFL coaches, providing top opportunities to succeed on the highest levels.

USSSA Easton Hype Tour NIT Battle 4 The Belts April 11-12 | Publix Sports Park and Frank Brown Park

Rapidly growing in participation, the Panama City Beach USSSA Easton Hype Tour welcomes 6U-14U youth baseball teams. This year’s event is expected to be the largest ever, welcoming 140teams—expanding from only 122 teams in 2025, 69 teams in 2024 and 14 teams in 2023—making it a marquee spring event for youth travel baseball teams.

Spiderz Spring Break Mega Draft April 23-26 | Publix Sports Park and Frank Brown Park

Projected to welcome more than 2,500 attendees this year, the Spiderz Spring Break Mega Draft brings together 96 drafted slow-pitch softball teams as part of the organization’s nine national events. Individual players are selected via a live social media draft and compete in a four-game guarantee tournament with custom uniforms and championship advancement opportunities. Attendees can also enjoy the Home Run Derby Finals on the beach for a fun, relaxing night before the action begins.

SNAP Soccer Trident Cup May 2-3 | Publix Sports Park and Frank Brown Park Panama City Beach is set to welcome more than 125 teams and more than 5,000 attendees to the SNAP Soccer Trident Cip—the destination’s largest soccer client. Last year’s tournament generated an estimated $3.3 million in total economic impact. Featuring boys and girls U9–U19 divisions, the Trident Cup continues to grow as a cornerstone youth soccer competition in the region.

Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast May 9 |Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort (start to finish)

With more than 42 years of history, Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast continues to draw endurance athletes and spectators from across the country. Featuring a 1.2-mile Gulf swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run, this event highlights Panama City Beach as a destination for endurance sport. Last year’s event welcomed 2,000 athletes and generated more than $6 million in total economic impact for the destination.

Travel Ball USA Mother’s Day Splash May 9-10 | Publix Sports Park

Projected to welcome 70 teams and more than 2,500 attendees, this youth baseball tournament celebrates families with a special Mother’s Day tribute on the field. The 7U–15U competition encourages family participation, including opportunities for mothers to coach first and third base during gameplay.

Dave & Buster’s PCB Spring Championship May 15-17 | Publix Sports Park

As the second GameDay USA event hosted in Panama City Beach, this new tournament expands high-level youth baseball and softball opportunities in the destination while driving additional visitation during the spring shoulder season. Teams and families can enjoy competitive play on the field while also enjoying fun near Pier Park at the second largest Dave & Buster’s in the world, encompassing a full weekend of family-friendly activities and competitive play.

Travel Ball USA World Series Season 1 May 23-24 | Publix Sports Park This event features youth baseball 7U-15U teams, drawing families and teams from across the Southeast. Supporting Panama City Beach as a premier youth sports destination and generating economic impact for local hotels, restaurants and attractions, this event is projected to welcome 55 teams and more than 2,000 attendees to Panama City Beach.

### About Panama City Beach Panama City Beach is a vibrant coastal destination situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay converge —an approachable, welcoming place defined by its Real. Fun. Beach. identity. Known for its 320 days of sunshine annually, the area is home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins and more than 50 dive sites, offering abundant opportunities for wildlife encounters and outdoor adventure. With nearly 100 public beach access points and amenities that support accessibility, including mobility mats and complimentary beach wheelchairs at key locations, visitors of all abilities can enjoy the shoreline and coastal experiences. Visitors can explore attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, alongside golf courses, spas, sporting events, a growing culinary scene and entertainment that is fun for all ages. The destination’s blend of natural beauty and approachable, welcoming spirit has earned national recognition, including inclusion on Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Best Small Towns” and Southern Living’s “Friendliest Places in the South” lists in 2025. Easily accessible via Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, with nonstop service on Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, the destination offers an affordable and welcoming escape for couples, families, groups and adventure-seekers alike. For more information, call 850-233-5070 or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. Stay connected with Panama City Beach on Twitter (@Visit_PCB), Instagram (@Visit_PCB) and Facebook (@VisitPanamaCityBeach).

About Visit Panama City Beach Visit Panama City Beach is the official destination marketing organization for Panama City Beach, Florida, working on behalf of residents to ensure tourism delivers long-term benefits for the local community. The award-winning organization has earned industry accreditation (DMAP) from Destinations International, the world’s leading authority in destination marketing, and exists to drive economic opportunity, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life for its residents through marketing, promotion and stewardship of the destination’s Real.Fun.Beach. brand and attributes, tourism development, special event production, and managing beach re-nourishment and maintenance programs. Through collaboration with the Bay County Tourist Development Council and local partners, Visit Panama City Beach reinvests visitor-paid dollars into beach and environmental stewardship, public safety initiatives, accessible public amenities, parks and recreation facilities, workforce development programs and the production of events that generate year-round economic impact.

Media Contacts: Erin Murphy / Brittany Chapman Lou Hammond Group 207.809.9662 / 727.483.0707 erinm@louhammond.com brittanyc@louhammond.com

Jayna Leach / Sydney Clifton Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau 850.233.5070 jleach@visitpanamacitybeach.com sclifton@visitpanamacitybeach.com

Spring Sports Lineup Projected to Attract More Than 46,000 Attendees to Panama City Beach