Along with its strong reputation for basketball, the Palmetto State promises the best for all indoor sporting events
By Christopher D. Silbernagel
Indoor sports, and in particular basketball, continue to thrive in South Carolina at multiple levels from the pros to collegiate teams and youth programs. Not only will event planners discover arenas of all sizes for different levels of play, but also multipurpose convention centers that provide ample floor space and close or integrated hotel rooms for easy travel, sports centers specifically dedicated to providing the best for youth and adult athletes and more.
“South Carolina has become the home to summer basketball’s elite events in the month of July with the Nike Peach Jam tournament at Riverview Park in North Augusta and the Adidas 3SSB tournament at The Rock Hill Sports & Events Center,” said Rick Meyer, director of North Augusta PRT. “Nike’s premiere summer basketball event has been bringing the future stars of the game to North Augusta for 27 consecutive years, attracting over 300 elite basketball teams to the Central Savannah River Area and producing the second largest economic impact to our area, second only to the Masters Golf Tournament.”
Civic Center in Anderson
The top spot for basketball, trade shows and more in Anderson is the Civic Center. Officially part of a larger complex known as Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center, the facilities feature over 37,000 square feet of multi-use space, 28,000 of which is dedicated to the arena that seats up to 3,200 spectators. Along with its history of basketball, including hosting Big South Conference tournaments and being a temporary home for the nearby Clemson Tigers men’s and women’s basketball teams, the space also has a history of hosting arena football.
Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC
Famous for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks’ women’s basketball team, which has won the NCAA tournament in 2017 and 2022, Columbia’s home for their champions is the magnificent Colonial Life Arena. With a capacity of 18,000 for basketball, it is the largest indoor arena in the state and the eighth largest campus arena in the nation. Of course, basketball is just the tip of the iceberg on hosting capabilities as the arena is able to host any indoor sporting events from volleyball to esports, as well as concerts and ceremonies.
Florence Center
The City of Florence’s award-winning Florence Center has a strong reputation for hosting a number of sporting events, including the Peach Belt Esports Championship, the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament and statewide youth sports such as the popular South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Basketball Tournament. With its 75,000 square feet of adaptable floor space, this convention center is capable of hosting dozens of other indoor sports as well, such as gymnastics and volleyball.
Greenville, SC Sports Venues
Greenville has two standout venues for indoor sports tournaments, with each offering their own unique space. Home to ECHL side the Swamp Rabbits, Bon Secours Wellness Arena is not only a Carolina haven for ice hockey as its near 16,000 capacity is capable of hosting just about any sporting event. Most notably, the arena has a long history when it comes to basketball, hosting everything from NCAA tournaments and teams to NBA preseason exhibitions and more. Along with the arena, the Greenville Convention Center offers 280,000 square feet of adjustable space for multiple indoor sports.
John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center
Don’t be fooled by what’s in a name as John T. Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center is more than just about beach sports. In fact, the center is a major player in the sports tourism industry, with 100,000 square feet of space that can be transformed into eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts and other configurations for pickleball, gymnastics, cheer and more. The $12.4 million center has a high reputation, having hosted a number of events, including the National Travel Basketball Association (NTBA) Pre-Nationals Warm Up by the Sea, which sold out for the eleventh straight year.
Jerry Richardson Indoor Arena in Spartanburg
Wofford College’s Jerry Richardson Indoor Arena is quaint, with a 3,400-seat basketball arena and a 500-seat volleyball competition venue, but within it packs superior quality and a visually impressive design. Along with its video and ribbon boards, a lot of thoughtfulness went into the interior design as the arena contains designated areas for children, students, donors and more. One of the most notable tournaments that the arena has hosted is the Conference Carolinas Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, which has played a big role in showcasing collegiate athletes from across the state.
South Carolina still has plenty more to offer travelers, whether you’re looking to travel for sports or pleasure, so be sure to Subscribe to Sports Planning Guide for more information
