HATTIESBURG HONORED AS TOP 7 SPORTS HOST CITY NATIONWIDE

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (November 5, 2026) — Hattiesburg has officially been recognized as one of the top seven sports host cities in the nation. Announced at the 2026 SportsTravel Awards in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 28, this prestigious honor celebrates destinations that demonstrate excellence in sports event hosting through quality venues, operational expertise, and community support.

The awards ceremony was held during the annual TEAMS Conference and Expo, where destinations connect directly with sports planners, event directors, and rights holders from across the globe. VisitHATTIESBURG CEO Marlo Dorsey, CDME, and Vice President of Marketing & Programs Kristen Brock attended the conference to meet with industry leaders, promote Hattiesburg’s sports tourism offerings, and accept the Top 7 Host City recognition.

Presented annually by SportsTravel magazine, the awards recognize outstanding achievements across the sports tourism industry. Following an open nomination and nationwide voting process, Hattiesburg earned its distinction among seven finalists from across the country, with Miami, Florida, receiving the top category award.

During the eligibility period, Hattiesburg continued to strengthen its reputation as one of the Gulf South’s premier sports destinations by hosting a diverse lineup of collegiate, youth, and amateur sporting events. Highlights include the NCAA Baseball Regional, NAIA National Championship Opening Round, Diamond Boys Baseball World Series, Big Rip Classic disc golf tournament, a record-breaking Hattiesburg Half Marathon, and multiple other championship events. Together, these competitions generated millions of dollars in visitor spending while welcoming players, coaches, and spectators from across the country.

Hattiesburg’s commitment to sports tourism extends beyond the events it hosts. More than $85 million in sports-related facility investments, including the future Hattiesburg Sports & Recreation Event Center, renovations to Reed Green Coliseum, and enhancements to City of Hattiesburg facilities such as Jaycee Park and Timberton Softball Complex, are expanding the destination’s capacity to host regional and national competitions.

VisitHATTIESBURG accepted the award on behalf of a community of partners responsible for sports tourism growth in the city. The organization works particularly closely with the City of Hattiesburg Parks and Recreation Department to create seamless event experiences for tournaments and sporting events.

“Hattiesburg’s recognition as a top host city reflects the incredible growth of our sports tourism industry and the shared vision of our community partners,” said VisitHattiesburg CEO Marlo Dorsey. “We have worked intentionally to attract premier events, and that success would not be possible without the dedication of our venues, stakeholders, universities, volunteers, and local organizers, all of which play an important role in creating championship-caliber experiences. We’re honored to be recognized on the national stage.”

Other finalists recognized as top host cities included Houston, Texas; Miami, Florida; Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

For more information about Hattiesburg’s sports tourism offerings, visit www.visithburg.org/sports.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Abigail Ware, VisitHATTIESBURG 
aware@visithburg.org / 601.954.6747

Kristen Brock, VisitHATTIESBURG
kbrock@visithburg.org / 601.297.5406

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About VisitHattiesburg
VisitHattiesburg is the official destination marketing organization for Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The organization promotes the city as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, sports, and special events while working with community partners to strengthen the visitor experience and generate economic impact.

About Visit Mississippi
Celebrated as the Hospitality State and proudly known as the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi invites visitors to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history and unforgettable adventures. From the soulful sounds of the Delta to the serene beauty of the Gulf Coast and Appalachian foothills, Mississippi is a destination where every journey tells a story.

Visit Mississippi, a division of the Mississippi Development Authority, serves as the state’s official destination marketing organization. As storytellers and cultural ambassadors, we champion Mississippi through strategic global marketing, innovative partnerships, and creative collaboration. Our mission is to elevate the state’s thriving tourism economy and inspire visitors from around the world to discover the magic that is Mississippi. Learn more at visitmississippi.org.

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