Gain a World-Class Sports Experience in Alachua County, Florida
Home to the University of Florida and elite sports venues with an abundance of museums and state parks, there’s always something to do in the City of Gainesville and Alachua County, FL
Introduction
CITY OF GAINESVILLE AND ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA
Alachua County, FL is central located in state and southeast region with five hour drive times to Atlanta, Miami and Pensacola, FL. If you’re flying, Gainesville is serviced through Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), which offers flights through American Eagle, Delta and Delta Connection.
Looking for fun activities nearby? Journey more than 30 miles of single-track mountain bike trails through Florida hammock woodland at San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. Take a tour through the University of Florida’s campus and the famous Gateway of Champions at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Explore the interactive museum, Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, named after Dr. Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade. Finally relax and refresh while tubing down one of our freshwater springs and rivers. It’s a popular activity that all ages can enjoy!
Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“It is our mission to continue to build leaders through teamwork, sportsmanship and citizenship, and there is no doubt in our mind that our partnership with the GSC gives us the ability to follow through with that objective. One of our biggest goals is to find quality venues for our state championship events. We believe that when our student-athletes enter the venues the GSC has to offer, including the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, they immediately think they are on the world’s biggest stage.”
— Kellie Doucette, Director of Athletics, Florida High School Athletic Association
JOLEEN CACCIATORE MILLER
Executive Director
Telephone: 352-338-9300
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Find Your Perfect GAINESVILLE AND ALACHUA COUNTY Facility
Facility Spotlight
LEGACY PARK
Sports Covered: Baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, karate, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, volleyball
Legacy Park is a major hub for sports tournaments, including the USA Gymnastics Men’s Florida State Championship, Babe Ruth Softball World Series and US Amateur Boys Basketball Championship. The 100-acre facility was awarded the Florida Sports Foundation Mid-Market Venue of the Year Award in 2019. The outdoor part of the complex is joined with the Hal Brady Recreational Sports Complex. Teams will have access to five baseball and softball fields equipped with lighting and six other multi-sport fields plus a brand-new amphitheater. The Championship softball field offers an air-conditioned press box and seating for up to 2,500 spectators. Planners can also host competitions indoors, where they will find 40,000 square feet of space, 30,000 of which is open wooden floor space.
STEPHEN C. O’CONNELL CENTER
Sports Covered: Multipurpose
Host sports competitions of all levels at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. This popular venue is home to University of Florida sports as well as the USA Artistic Swimming Junior Olympics, the USA Weightlifting National University & Under 25 Championships, and the Florida High School Athletic Association Competitive Cheerleading State Championship. This 292,000-square-foot facility houses a variety of sports arenas, including a main court that seats a maximum of 10,500 guests. Athletes will also find 20,000 square feet of open space and an eight-lane indoor pool.
ALACHUA COUNTY EVENT CENTER AT CELEBRATION POINTE
Sports Covered: Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, baseball, cheerleading, track
OPENING JANUARY 2023: This 130,000 square foot facility has 97,000 square feet of open space that includes, 13 Basketball Courts, 18 Volleyball Courts, 21 Pickleball Courts, Indoor Track & Field, Dedicated Cheer Space, Strength & Conditioning and Multipurpose Flooring.
CHAMPIONS PARK
Sports Covered: Baseball, fast-pitch softball
If you’re looking for a premier baseball or softball facility to host your next tournament, Champions Park is tough to beat. Located in nearby Newberry, this park features 16 fields which can accommodate youth baseball and any level of fast pitch softball. All fields are lighted along with scoreboards, covered and enclosed dugouts and have state-of-the-art A-Turf infields to limit the chance of rainouts. Additionally, space to hold over 1,000 cars, concessions and air-conditioned administration building.
