Columbia, SC Sports Facilities for Events
A storied college sports town, Columbia is home to enjoyable attractions and state-of-the-art facilitiesIntroduction
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia is the home of the University of South Carolina’s immensely popular Gamecocks sports programs. The capital of the Palmetto State is more than just a storied college sports town though, bolstering its vibrant sports tourism industry with premier facilities and venues available for all ages, skill levels and interests.
Outdoor and indoor facilities capable of all levels of events are available. The 77,500 capacity Williams-Brice Stadium a football fan’s dream venue. Colonial Life Arena holds 18,000 and hosts a large number of events from basketball to pro wrestling and more.
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia is a great place for all ages to explore. The 170-acre site has over 3,000 animals, ranging from 400 different global species. From koalas to sharks, the zoo offers interactive Outback encounters, a safari to explore African animals, and coral conservation labs. Additionally, showcasing more than 5,700 species of native and exotic plants, the Riverbanks Botanical Garden is a great place to see the beautiful, dramatic, and themed gardens.
The South Carolina State Museum provides art collections, exhibitions, planetarium shows, an observatory, a telescope collection, and 4D theater shows. The different art collections — art, natural history, cultural history, science and technology — include a total of over 1 million fossils, artifacts, specimens, and pieces of art. Outside of the art collections, in 2011, a Columbia local, Robert B. Ariail donated his world-class collection of antique telescopes and astronomical instruments to the museum, including over 200 pieces dating back to 1730.
The Columbia Museum of Art features a total of 27 galleries, with a wide range of interactive ways to explore them, such as scavenger hunts, multimedia tours, gallery games, hands-on activities, and kids’ totes. The Museum’s art focuses on equity and inclusion, as their offered art celebrates the diversity of human experience, as well as builds empathy and reflects what still needs to be done toward equity and healing. They partner with the University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research to further work toward inclusivity.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sand dunes of the Atlantic Ocean, the South Carolina State House stretches over 90,000 acres of protected lands, protecting the natural and cultural destinations. The State House invites guests to discover the forested mountains, towering waterfalls, blackwater rivers, scenic inland lakes, white sand beaches, ancient inland shores, and American historic sites that make up the area. The South Carolina State House can help you find the right park for you, as well as make the reservation.
Anna Gasperecz
Sports Development Manager
Local Columbia, SC Activites
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Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“Experience Columbia SC and Experience Columbia SC Sports were phenomenal partners with us throughout the conception, bid process and ultimately the execution of the Battle at BullStreet. We look forward to continuing our partnership for the Battle at BullStreet in the future.”
— John Katz, President, Columbia Fireflies
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Columbia, SC: A Powerhouse for Sports Tourism
Event Infrastructure and Competitive Momentum
Columbia’s sports pedigree is reinforced by the caliber of events that their facilities attract year after year. Williams-Brice Stadium roars to life each fall with Gamecocks football, but its scale and infrastructure have also supported concerts and regional showcases, proving its versatility for large-format events. At Colonial Life Arena, the city has welcomed NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first and second rounds, with the most recent in 2024, and continues to serve as home base for Gamecock basketball, a perennial powerhouse in the SEC. Segra Park, beyond hosting the Minor League Columbia Fireflies, is a frequent site for college baseball tournaments, community festivals, and national qualifier events, with its downtown setting adding walkability and entertainment options for fans. Meanwhile, Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center has become a mainstay for USTA Southern Section Championships, ITA collegiate events, and junior development tournaments, drawing players from across the Southeast.
Culture, Food and Riverfront Recreation
In Columbia, South Carolina, the action continues long after the final whistle with the Vista District blending post-game energy with upscale dining, local breweries and live music venues, while nearby Five Points brings a college-town buzz to casual eateries and nightlife. Athletes and families can unwind along the Congaree Riverwalk, paddle scenic stretches of water or venture a little further to Congaree National Park, where cypress trees and boardwalk trails highlight the state’s only national park. The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden and South Carolina State Museum add a cultural edge that transforms any sports trip into a full-fledged getaway.
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