Panama City Beach has been attracting families not just for its beautiful beaches, but also for sports events. The area’s economy has significantly benefited from sports tourism, and local leaders recognize its importance. The Publix Sports Complex, which opened in 2019, has played a key role in bringing visitors to the area. With over 250 events hosted at the complex, over 400 thousand visitors have stayed a total of 1.3 million days in the region, spending a total of $271 million in Bay County.
During the Bay County Tourism Development Council Meeting, board members discussed the need for an indoor facility to further boost the sports tourism industry. The Coca-Cola Event Center is currently under construction to meet this need. Originally planned as a facility for indoor sporting events, the center has now expanded to accommodate a variety of activities and meetings.
Executive Director of the Bay County TDC, Dan Rowe, emphasized the importance of the new event center in enhancing the already great destination. “The Coca-Cola Event Center will provide us with an additional space to host events year-round,” said Rowe. “This will allow us to attract more visitors and further grow our sports tourism industry.”
Sports tourism officials see the upcoming Coca-Cola Event Center as a positive addition to the area’s sporting events. The new indoor space will allow for the hosting of more events in the winter months, particularly those that require an indoor setting like basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. Cheerleading and dance competitions, which are popular events during this time of year, will also have a place at the center.
The development of the Coca-Cola Event Center is seen as a promising opportunity to further grow the sports tourism industry in Panama City Beach. With its versatile facilities,
