Beach sports tourism impact up 10% going into fall

Sports lineup features races, collegiate soccer and golf September through December

Media Contact:

Ally Dorrough • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission
[email protected]GulfShores.com/Sports
1-800-745-SAND • 251-968-9327 (direct) • 334-391-7745 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Coming off hot spring and summer sports seasons, fall is heating up with a variety of events for teams, families and individuals to make memories and compete along Alabama’s beaches. Through the end of July 2019, sports tourism in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach produced 99,010 room nights – a 10.2% increase over the same period in 2018.

“Growing existing sporting events and bringing in new events to impact local businesses is what sports tourism is all about, and it takes a village,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “We work directly with the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as well as local schools and businesses to increase sports tourism, particularly outside of the peak summer season. From lodging providers and restaurants to retail and healthcare facilities, it takes everyone to offer excellent experiences, so participants, families and fans fall in love with the community and choose to come again for family vacations.”

The fall sports schedule showcases a mix of longtime favorites and new events, including the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon (Sept. 7), MS Ride – Tour de Beach (Sept. 21-22), SEC Women’s Soccer Championship (Nov. 3-10), Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Championship (Nov. 5-7), Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Coastal Half Marathon (Nov. 30) and the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship (Dec. 2-7).

For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.
 

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Fall 2019 Sports Schedule:

Sept. 5-7: Bulls on the Beach
Sept. 6-7: University of Mobile Soccer Tournament
Sept. 6-8: 9th Annual Super Slugger Co-ed Softball Tournament
Sept. 7: Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
Sept. 7: Alabama Gulf Coast Beach Powerlifting Classic
Sept. 13: New Smyrna Beach High School Football
Sept. 14-15: Alabama State Mixed-Team Championship (golf)
Sept. 20-22: Battle at the Beach Junior Tennis Tournament
Sept. 21-22: MS Ride – Tour de Beach
Sept. 26-29: Coastal Alabama Couples Classic (golf)
Sept. 26-29: Alabama State Tri-Level Championships
Sept. 28: T.E.A.L. There’s A Cure 4-Mile Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run
Oct. 5: 95KSJ Kruise for St. Jude
Oct. 12: Shrimp Festival 10K and 5K Run
Oct. 18-19: Sanddollar Showcase (softball)
Oct. 24-27: Alabama Adult Combo Tennis State Championships (40s & 55s)
Oct. 26: Honours Golf Charity Classic
Oct. 26: Fall Beach Volleyball Tournament hosted by Spring Hill College
Oct. 26: Gulf Shores Middle School Robotics Competition – Bots at the Beach
Nov. 1-2: Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Beer Weekend at The Hangout
Nov. 3-10: SEC Women’s Soccer Championship
Nov. 5-7: Women’s Southern Golf Association Senior Championship
Nov. 7-10: Alabama Southern Combos Doubles Tennis State Championships (18 & over)
Nov. 15-17: Battle at the Beach Outdoor Pickleball Tournament
Nov. 16: Gulf Shores High School Wrestling Competition
Nov. 16-17: Gulf Shores Junior Classic – Southeastern Junior Golf Tour
Nov. 21-24: National Youth Football Team Championship – Gulf Shores AL Regional
Nov. 22-24: UTR Fall Tennis Tournament
Nov. 25-27: Gulf Shores Battle at the Beach Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament
Nov. 30: Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Coastal Half Marathon, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Dec. 2-7: NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championships
Dec. 7: USSSA Hall of Fame Weekend

Photo:

Download: https://gsob.co/33Is6Gb
Caption: Fall 2019 is heating up with a variety of events for teams, families and individuals to make memories and compete in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, this commission became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the commission – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about playing along Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, please visit GulfShores.com/Sports.