Three Ways to Make the Most of a Sports Tourney Vacation

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

January 14, 2021

Are you headed to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for a sporting event this year? We've got some suggestions on how to enhance your trip to Alabama's white-sand beaches in 2021.

Special Rates: Our lodging sponsors offer group rates/special discounts to athletes and teams participating in area tournaments or championships. To find those special discounts, look under the Events & Rates tab on the Sports Commission website and select the event in which your team is competing. There, the best rates offered by event sponsors are listed for condos, houses and hotels directly on the sand. If you are on a tight budget, some sponsors also have properties a short distance from the beach.

Visit Welcome Centers: Upon arrival, stop at both the Gulf Shores Welcome Center and the Orange Beach Welcome Center. Both of these locations will provide visitors with Southern hospitality, as well as helpful information about the beautiful white-sand beaches and current COVID updates. Money-saving coupons are available to athletes and fans who wish to check out the area attractions. You’ll also find out about other special deals, and even get the inside scoop on local attractions. Basically, a visit to a welcome center could bring big savings for your beach vacay!

Go Carting at Adventure Island in Orange Beach, AL

Extend Your Stay: Not sure you’re going to have enough time to enjoy the sugar-white beaches when you hit the Alabama Gulf Coast for a tournament or championship? The solution is to extend your stay beyond the actual dates of your sporting event. Arriving a few days prior to your tournament or championship will serve as a great warm-up. Staying a few days afterward will provide an opportunity to relax and unwind post-game. Whether it’s before or after, a longer stay gives you the opportunity to try more of the coastal cuisine, explore more area attractions and relish more days with your toes in the sand while listening to the crashing waves.

Traveling has looked a little differently over the past year. Our local CVB has mapped out what to expect when traveling to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Educate yourself on the latest COVID policies and how our area is taking safe measures during your stay on our resource page.