#SPORTSWATCH

Upcoming events in Greater Raleigh, N.C.:

• NC Swimming Short-Course Age Group Championships, Triangle Aquatic Center, Cary • Feb. 15-18
• Raleigh President's Day Tournament (hockey), Wake Competition Center, Morrisville • Feb. 17-19
• Division II Baseball Preseason Tournament, USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary • March 1-3
• Rumble in Raleigh Gymnastics Invite, Netsports, Morrisville • March 1-3
• MAPL Raleigh Weekend 1, Raleigh Convention Center • March 2-3
• NC Masters Short-Course Championship, Triangle Aquatic Center • March 2-3
• William Peace University Triangle Classic, Walnut Creek Athletic Complex • March 8-10
• NC-USA Gymnastics Bronze & Silver State Meet, Wake Technical Community College • March 15-17
• BODYARMOR State Games of North Carolina: Winter Games, Wake Competition Center • March 15-17
• Tobacco Road Marathon, American Tobacco Trail • March 17
• Butterfly Triangle Cup, Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis, Morrisville • March 21-24
• MEAC Bowling Championship, Buffaloe Lanes North • March 22-24
• MAPL Raleigh Weekend 2, Triangle Volleyball Club (Wake Competition Center) • March 23-24
• USA Baseball National High School Invitational, USA Baseball National Training Complex • April 10-13
• ACC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships, Cary Tennis Park • April 17-21
• Lake Wheeler Rowing Invitational, Lake Wheeler Park • April 26-27

Recent travel

• United Soccer Coaches Convention, Anaheim, Calif. • Jan. 10-14, 2024

Upcoming travel

• Sports ETA Chief Executive Summit, San Jose, Calif. • Feb. 19-20, 2024
• Sports ETA Symposium, Portland, Ore. • April 22-25, 2024 

EsportsTravel Summit coming to Raleigh, N.C.

Raleigh, N.C., will host the EsportsTravel Summit, May 29-31, 2024, at the Raleigh Convention Center. The event is a one-of-a-kind event for esports tournament and event organizers. Hosted by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and the Raleigh Convention Center, the summit provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in the world of esports. From tournament organizers to travel agencies, attendees will gain valuable insights into the growing intersection of esports and travel. Learn more here.

ACC announces future neutral site championships to be held in North Carolina

On Thurs., Feb. 8, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced that Raleigh, Cary, Charlotte, Greensboro and Durham will play host to numerous future neutral site conference championships as approved by the league’s membership. Raleigh and Cary will host:

• Six Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (2024-2029) at Cary Tennis Park
• Six Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships (2024-2029) at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary
• Five Rowing Championships at Lake Wheeler (2024, 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2030)

Get details here.

Greater Raleigh to host numerous major sports events in 2024

Greater Raleigh is one of the nation's top-tier destinations for sports championships and events, boasting world-class venues and first-rate hotels in a naturally beautiful region that is centrally located, easily accessible and brimming with Southern hospitality. In the wake of a wildly successful year hosting premier sporting events like the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™ and the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series, 2024 is slated to be another monumental year for sporting events in the Raleigh area. Read more here.

Mark your calendar: PPA Tour North Carolina Cup, presented by CIBC, on April 2-7, 2024, at Cary Tennis Center

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, the elite pro and amateur pickleball circuit, comes to Cary for the first time! Athletes can sign up to “Play Where the Pros Play” and join an estimated 1,000+ amateur pickleball players across all ages and levels at the fantastic Cary Tennis Center (Cary Tennis Park). The world’s best pro pickleball players will showcase their skills to enthusiastic fans on-site and through a national TV Broadcast. You can get tickets, register to play and sign up for pro-led camps at ppatour.com.    

Venue spotlight: Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis Center

Nestled in Morrisville, the Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis Center (TBTTC) stands as a testament to the thriving sports culture of the region. This 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility has become the go-to destination for badminton and table tennis enthusiasts.

The facility features dedicated spaces for badminton and table tennis, ensuring that each sport receives the attention it deserves. For badminton enthusiasts, TBTTC offers courts equipped with individual scorekeeper and announcer shelters. And table tennis aficionados can enjoy 16 tables in a well-lit and ventilated area. Additionally, the center offers open play, tournaments, leagues, lessons, special events and more. 

Upcoming Raleigh Convention Center events

The Raleigh Convention Center (RCC) continues to be a hub of sporting excitement, hosting a diverse range of events that captivate audiences and athletes alike. Kicking off the winter season was the 2024 City of Oaks Challenge, hosted by Triangle Volleyball Club from Jan. 13-15, 2024, and the 2024 Carolina Cup, hosted by SGA Gymnastics from Jan. 19-21, 2024. The Carolina Cup is a prestigious gymnastics event showcasing the strength and skill of gymnasts from across the region as they compete for top honors in various disciplines. And the City of Oaks Challenge is an annual volleyball tournament that takes place on a total of 27 courts. The RCC's state-of-the-art facilities provided the perfect backdrop for the thrilling displays of athleticism and artistry, with spectators treated to awe-inspiring performances.

Looking ahead, anticipation is building for the Mid-Atlantic Power League (MAPL), scheduled for March 2-3, 2024. MAPL Raleigh, hosted by the Triangle Volleyball Club, promises to bring together the best volleyball talent in the region for a weekend of intense competition. Featuring divisions such as Girls Blue (14-16s) and Red (13-14s), along with the Battle of the Bros competition, MAPL Raleigh is set to showcase the next generation of volleyball stars. With the RCC's spacious courts and world-class amenities, spectators can expect nothing less than thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.

USA Baseball reveals 2024 National High School Invitational Field

USA Baseball has unveiled the lineup for the 2024 National High School Invitational, featuring the top high school baseball teams from across the country. The 11th annual tournament will be held from April 10-13 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary. The tournament promises intense competition and serves as a platform for young talent to showcase their skills on a national stage. Fans can expect thrilling matchups and memorable moments as these young athletes vie for supremacy. Learn more here.

The Soccer Tournament announces $1M women’s prize in new winner-take-all competition

The Soccer Tournament (TST), the 7v7 event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize, announced its plans for an expanded 2024 event, featuring the addition of an eight-team women’s tournament for a separate $1 million prize. With the launch of the women’s tournament and an equal seven-figure prize, TST immediately becomes the highest stakes women’s professional soccer event in the world. The Soccer Tournament will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, June 5-10, 2024. Read more here.

^{MAPL Volleyball photo, Keenan Hairston; TST photo, Alyson Boyer Rode}