Whether it is the Honda Classic, the Winter Equestrian Festival, Major League Baseball Spring Training, or the Pickle Ball World Championship, Palm Beach County has earned a solid reputation as a sports tourism destination on a national and international level.

            Proud to be home to superior athletes, we all cheered on the Florida Atlantic University Owls as they competed for the first time in the “Final Four” games of the 2023 NCAA Division Men’s Basketball March Madness Championship. 

            To ensure a robust sports industry, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, an arm of Discover the Palm Beaches and the Tourist Development Council works to attract sporting events and activities to the county.  These events fill hotel rooms year-round, support the local economy, maximize the use of our local sports facilities, and promote the image of this community as a sports-centered location drawing nearly one million sports visitors each year.  The economic impact for 2022 exceeded $283 million.

            Every year, the Sports Commission inducts local athletes into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing the best in men and women’s amateur, high school, college and professional sports, coaching and Special Olympics. 

            The Sports Commission also provides sporting event support and planning, and offers grants to assist qualified events with specific costs.  One of the eagerly anticipated upcoming events that will take place this coming November is the 2023 Miracle League All-Star Weekend at the state-of-the-art Miracle League Field in the city of Palm Beach Gardens.  The Miracle League removes barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of “America’s favorite pastime.”  This event will bring together 160 Miracle League players from the more than 300 Miracle Leagues around the U.S., along with delegates and spectators.

            Palm Beach County hosts Olympic qualifying events and this summer, the International Gymnastics Federation will bring the World Cup to West Palm Beach.  Up to 250 of the top trampoline and tumbling athletes from 30 countries will compete August 3-5 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

            For more information on all of the outstanding sporting events throughout the year, visit the Palm Beach County Sports Commissioner website at https://www.palmbeachsports.com/events/, or call (561) 233-3121.

            As always, if I can assist you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.