Minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District is just far enough removed from the city center to offer an abundance of space, yet close enough to offer big-city amenities. Athletes, coaches and fans will be treated to state-of-the-art facilities that have seen their fair share of professional athletes. And no need to worry about filling that precious down time off the field – the local attractions are some of the biggest and best of their kind!
CVB/Sports Commissions Services Offered
- PR/Media Assistance
- Signage
- Site Visits
- Transportation Assistance
- Lodging Services
- Welcome Bags/Gifts
Click on tab to see more information about a specific facility
- Georgia International Convention Center
- The Gateway Center Arena
- South Fulton Tennis Center
- Georgia Soccer Park
- John D. Milner Athletic Complex
- Dick Lane Velodrome
Georgia International Convention Center
With 400,000 square feet of space, the GICC is Georgia’s second largest convention center and the only convention center in the world to be connected directly to a major airport. In addition to annually hosting Southern Volleyball Center’s Beast of the Southeast, the GICC continues to host a number of other sports groups such as cheerleading, weightlifting and gymnastics. Due to its proximity to both the airport and Downtown Atlanta, the GICC continues to be a top choice for event planners.
Sports: Multi-purpose indoor facility
The Gateway Center Arena
An exciting new venue coming this Fall, the Gateway Center @ College Park will be the home of the Atlanta Hawks — G League developmental team, as well as host other major events, sports groups and tournaments. This is sure to be a premier venue in the ATL Airport District and is located adjacent to the Georgia International Convention Center. The Gateway Center @ College Park, which broke ground in February 2018, will be a 100,000 square foot venue with seating for 3,500 and state-of-the-art amenities.
Sports: Multi-purpose indoor facility
South Fulton Tennis Center
This modern tennis center is an obvious choice for sports planners bringing a tennis event to the ATL Airport District. Inside you will find 20 lighted, hard surface courts and four lighted, clay surface courts – perfect for large tournament play. Having undergone a major renovation in recent years, the South Fulton Tennis Center is a welcoming and updated facility that athletes and fans will love. An all-new pro shop, juice bar, locker room area, and parking lot make this tennis center a fan favorite.
Sports: Tennis
Georgia Soccer Park
Every weekend you will find the fields of the Georgia Soccer Park brimming with players and fans as they come to take part in games, tournaments, practices, and camps. There are currently six fields open out of a planned 16, all with high-quality natural grass, and all available to be rented by sports planners. High school, college, adult, and international teams use the fields regularly and it is also a popular choice among Ultimate Frisbee leagues.
Sports: Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee
Dick Lane Velodrome
The Dick Lane Velodrome is truly one of a kind, and not only is it just one of 22 velodromes currently in use in U.S., it is in fact the only one in use in the state of Georgia. Fortunately for sports planners, this premier facility is found right in the heart of the ATL Airport District! The track covers 1/5 of a mile on a 36° banked concrete track, and is the only velodrome in the world with an inner green space, where a large oak tree and a creek create a nice juxtaposition with the speed and power of the racers.
Sports: Bicycle racing
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Things to do in ATL Airport District
There is so much to see and do in the ATL Airport District – you may just find yourself making this a regular destination for sporting events. Nightlife, museums, family fun, sports, and plenty of southern charm ensure that your time off the field is just as memorable as time spent on the field. Thrill seekers won’t want to miss any of the 10 roller coasters or any of the other 30-plus attractions at Six Flags Over Georgia. Along with the neighboring water park Hurricane Harbor, you’re in for a day of chills and thrills. For another dose of adrenaline, check out the Porsche Experience Center, where you can spend 90 minutes behind the wheel with a certified Porsche coach. While you must be 21 to drive, there are simulators for all ages. Pair this visit with a trip to the Delta Flight Museum, where you can see aircrafts dating back to the 1920s, walk on the wing of the first Boeing 747-400, fly a Boeing 737 simulator, and more.
Surrounding the beautiful Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, you’ll easily find a day’s worth of fun. Pay a visit to the College Football Hall of Fame, a museum devoted to college football (a must for sports fans). Then head over to Pemberton Place learn about the history of one of America’s favorite sodas at the World of Coca-Cola and get up close and personal with more than 100,000 marine animals at one of the largest aquariums in the world, the Georgia Aquarium.
When planning a sporting event in the ATL Airport District, don’t forget to check out some of the major national competitions that may be taking place when you’re in town. If you’re up for taking on the challenge – or simply spectating – at one of the world’s most prestigious obstacle course races, head to the World’s Toughest Mudder 2018, November 10-11 just 15 minutes southwest of ATL. The Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) in the heart of the ATL Airport District is expecting some big events in sports this year, including the 2018 International Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Playoffs (Sept. 21-23) and the Battle Under the Big Top varsity cheer competition (Dec. 8-9). Volleyball fans will love the Beast of the Southeast tournament, set to take place Feb. 22-26, 2019 at the Southern Volleyball Center in Alpharetta. And last but not least, NFL’s Super Bowl 2019 will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. Whether or not you can score tickets to this major event, the weekend is sure to bring a fun and festive atmosphere to Atlanta all weekend long.
Planner Perspective
The ATL Airport District DMO created a great partnership with USA Weightlifting on the realization of the 2017 National Youth Championships in June. The whole USAW staff felt welcomed and the service provided by the ATL Airport District was top notch. It was a very successful event with more than 800 kids competing and great attendance, the biggest event of its kind in history. We hope to do business with AAD in the future!
USA Weightlifting 2017 National Youth Championships: Pedro Meloni (Events Senior Manager)
GICC is a world-class facility and perfectly sized for our needs. The staff goes out of their way to help ensure that we have a successful event. Its location is easily accessible to all who travel to our events via auto, and with its connection to Hartsfield it is beyond exceptional to anyone traveling by air.
Southern Volleyball Beast of the Southeast & First Lady’s Challenge: Michael Fletcher (Club Director)
How to Get to ATL Airport District
By car:The ATL Airport District offers visitors an ideal central location for those traveling by car in the southeast, with easy access to I-75, I-85, I-20, and I-285. For additional ground transportation options there are also Amtrak and Greyhound bus stations located right at the airport.
By air: The area’s namesake, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, connects Atlanta to the world. In 2017 more than 100 million passengers made their way through the airport, which is a hub for Delta Airlines and a major center for travel throughout the U.S. southeast. No matter your city of origin, ATL makes this destination a convenient choice for sports planners.
Contact Information
Company Name: ATL Airport District CVB
Sports Sales Manager: Kristin Schneider
Title: Senior Sales Manager
Telephone: 404-334-7508
