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The following article appeared in the North Carolina State Sports Guide. Download the full guide below.
Sports and athletics are dear to the heart of any hometown. In Cumberland County, it’s almost a more elevated kind of experience. Our love of country and the American spirit means we take a little bit of extra joy in a hard-fought competition. Our wide variety of venues provides an amazing array of opportunities for athletes, tournament organizers, and even dedicated spectators. From soccer to basketball, skeet shooting to fishing, racquetball to wrestling, we have the facilities, accommodations, community amenities and support system to ensure your event goes off without a hitch.
Cumberland County is home to NCAA and professional teams, so it is no stranger to the sports scene. Collegiate roots are paving the way for a rapidly growing sports market, and the facilities are making noise in the sports industry. The area also hosts a collegiate summer baseball team, the Swampdogs.
The warm climate and Carolina blue skies offer a setting for outdoor sports year round, perfect for off-season tournaments in the winter months. Fayetteville also has world-class indoor facilities and hosts the Fayetteville FireAntz minor league hockey team.
Notable Recent/Upcoming Events
- Spartan Race (May 12, 2018)
- All American Marathon (March 25, 2018)
- Christian Cheerleaders of America (March 1-3, 2018)
- Champions In Motion Cheer Competition (June 2-3, 2018)
- Atlantic Color Guard Association Championships (April 7-8, 2018)
- Big South Baseball Tournament at Astro’s Stadium (2019, 2020, 2021)
CVB/Sports Commissions Services Offered
- Volunteer Staff
- PR/Media Assistance
- Signage
- Site Visits
- Lodging Services
- Grant Programs
- Welcome Bags/Gifts
- Itinerary Development
- Event Planning Assistance
- Photography
- Microsite Creation for Accommodations with area information and direct links
- In-House Hotel Booking Assistance
- Attendance Building Information
Click on tab to see more information about a specific facility
- Houston Astro’s Baseball Stadium
- Crown Complex
- Fayetteville State University
- Jordan Soccer Complex
- Arnette Park
- Freedom Sports Complex
- Milton E. Mazarick Park
Houston Astro’s Baseball Stadium
Set to be complete in April 2019, the Houston Astro’s Baseball Stadium will offer a state-of-the art field complete with an entertainment center and modern amenities. This iconic $38-million stadium in downtown Fayetteville will be home to the Houston Astros’ Advanced Class A Carolina League affiliate. In addition, it will host the Big South Baseball Tournament in May of its opening season. Off the field, the venue will seat about 4,800 fans and provide access to WiFi, concessions and restrooms. The Fayetteville Amtrak, Prince Charles Hotel and Airborne & Special Operations Museum are located just minutes away.
Sports: Baseball
Crown Complex
The $55 million Crown Complex has hosted NBA games, pro boxing matches and NHL exhibition games. Located directly on business I-95, this multi-use complex offers two buildings suited for a variety of sporting events.
- Crown Coliseum – The state-of-the-art Crown Coliseum opened in October 1997, and has continued to set success records. With seating for 13,500 this versatile facility can host ice-hockey, arena football, high school, college and professional basketball games and tournaments, boxing and rodeos.
- Crown Arena – The popular, multi-purpose Crown Arena seats up to 5,000 and can host a wide variety of athletic competitions, including wrestling, basketball, cheerleading and soccer tournaments.
Sports: Indoor sports
Fayetteville State University
Serving as the home site for the Fayetteville State University Broncos’ men’s and women’s basketball teams, Felton J. Capel Arena was completed in 1995 and is known as one of the best in the NCAA’s Division II. Featuring more than 12,000 square feet of competition space, the arena houses an Olympic- sized swimming pool, a 4,000-seat basketball arena, indoor track, racquetball courts, outdoor tennis courts and the FSU athletic department’s training facility.
Sports: Football, basketball
Jordan Soccer Complex
A $1.5 million, eight-field complex, said to be one of the finest eight facilities in the south. The complex, which is adjacent to Methodist University, features 8 high-quality Bermuda grass fields. A full-service snack bar, restrooms and ample paved parking are part of this stellar complex.
Sports: Soccer, rugby, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse
Arnette Park
A popular place for walking and jogging, this 100-acre park offers a combination of developed facilities and natural woodland, including several scenic spots that overlook the Cape Fear River. Picnic pavilions, ball fields and more make this a popular gathering spot for families and large groups. The one mile long perimeter road is ideal for biking and walking.
Amenities: Baseball fields, sand volleyball courts, concession stand, horseshoe pits, disc golf, picnic pavilions, playground, tennis courts, nature trails and restrooms.
Sports: Baseball, volleyball, disc golf
Freedom Sports Complex
As the name suggests, you’re free to host almost any tournament at Cumberland County’s Freedom Sports Complex. This spacious complex offers numerous facilities that tournament planners can utilize for their upcoming competitions. Choose from four full-sized basketball courts, perfect for youth and adult training camps or games. This family-friendly venue also hosts volleyball games on four courts, all equipped with netting and bleachers. Trainings rooms and restrooms are available on-site. Teams may rent softball fields near the facility.
Sports: Basketball, softball, volleyball
Milton E. Mazarick Park
Milton E. Mazarick Park contains 80 acres and a variety of activities for patrons. Featuring an 18-hole disc golf course, 8 tennis courts, a baseball field, scenic running trails, fishing at Glenville Lake and more, this park meets many recreational needs.
Amenities: Softball field, pavilions, concession stand, fishing pier, boat rental, trails, playground, tennis courts, disc golf and restrooms.
Sports: Disc Golf, tennis, baseball, fishing
Things to do in Fayetteville
Cumberland County offers amazing opportunities to explore and revel in action-packed adventures. Start out with a leisurely stroll through the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Ironically, there’s nothing fear and everything to love, since the garden is filled with the exotic flora of nature, plus model trains zipping through 80-acres of blossoming land. Further exploration awaits at Carvers Creek State Park, encompassing over 4,000 acres of wild lands, fishing grounds and forest preserves. Take a hike there or, especially on hot summer days, go kayaking at the Spring Lake Outpost. Whether it’s a small or large team, this activity is great for team building and exercising before a tournament. Graduate from land and water activities to the air by going zip lining at Zipquest. Once praised by USA Today as one of the country’s top 10 zip lines, this popular attraction provides group tours of the breathtaking Carver’s Falls waterfall, among many other natural landmarks. Besides experiencing the closest thing to flying, you can learn about flight mechanics and military tactics at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, located within walking distance of the soon-to-be-open Houston Astro’s Baseball Stadium. Honor those who served while viewing exhibitions of life at war, all for free.
Planner Perspective
We want to personally thank the bureau for its support to the Junior World Skeet Championship, held in July 2014. When we started planning, we had no idea how to address some areas. Your staff was so helpful in many areas particularly Jesse and Bhairavi, whom we dealt with the most. Helping arrange hotel contract and providing items and information for the welcome bags was critical and they suggested other places and people for possible support. Our job of planning the event was made easier with the help of the bureau’s staff. Attendees were very happy they came to the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area.
Jim and Belinda Tiner (Tournament Directors)
The FACVB has been instrumental with getting the right people in the room to assist Elite Tournaments with planning a new tournament in Fayetteville. The understanding of the youth sports market and the key decision makers has accelerated the planning and development process to get us on the way to creating a top level event in a new location while working with excellent local partners.
Elite Tournaments: Matthew Libber (Vice President of Operations and Business Development)
How to Get to Fayetteville
By Car: Interstate 95, a major north-south artery, goes right through Fayetteville.. Florida and Georgia drivers can take it up from the south, and it connects with New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. to the north. I-95 connects with I-20, which goes west through much of the South. U.S. Route 401 stretches north to Raleigh.
By Air: On the south end of town is the Fayetteville Regional Airport, servicing flights through American, Delta and United Airlines. Other regional airports are in Raleigh, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach.
Contact Information
Company Name: Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sports Sales Manager: Stephanie Decatur
Title: Sports Sales Manager
Telephone: 910-835-5089
