MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Summer has begun and that means even more sports tourism events for the Myrtle Beach area. In fact, this summer could set records for the number of visitors coming here for sports — from athletes and their families to event organizers and spectators.

“The summer months are always a busy time for us, especially in terms of youth sports such as baseball, softball and basketball; however, this year, we’re seeing even larger participation numbers. In fact, several events sold out in the spring and have waiting lists to get entry into the tournaments,” said Jonathan Paris, Executive Director of Sports Tourism for Visit Myrtle Beach, the destination marketing organization for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Youth sports, he further explained, have a positive impact on the local economy as athletes often travel with their families and extend their visit while in town in order to experience a beach vacation.

Here are some of the sports tourism events coming to the Grand Strand this summer:

• June 13-Aug. 6, 2021 - Ripken Experience Week Long Baseball Experiences, The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach

• June 18-July 8, 2021 - Athletx Youth Baseball Nationals #1, #2 & #3, Grand Park Athletic Complex, Myrtle Beach

• June 23-27, 2021 - National Travel Basketball Association Girls Nationals, John T Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

• June 28-July 3, 2021 - Showstoppers East Coast Finals, Myrtle Beach Convention Center

• July 8-11, 2021 - Big Shots Myrtle Beach Championships, John T Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

• July 12-24, 2021 - National Travel Basketball Association Boys Nationals, John T Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center

• July 14-26, 2021 - Triple Crown Baseball Summer Nationals, Grand Park Athletic Complex, Myrtle Beach

• July 22-25/July 28-Aug 1, 2021 - Triple Crown Softball East Coast Summer Nationals, Grand Park Athletic Complex                                    

• Aug. 27-29, 2021 - USA Pickleball East Regionals, John T Rhodes Myrtle Beach Sports Center, Myrtle Beach

“While we’re eager to welcome these groups to the area, we continue to encourage them to travel responsibly, follow recommended health and safety guidelines, and bring their patience as our destination is especially busy at this time,” Paris continued.

Visit Myrtle Beach has prepared an educational video for incoming sporting event participants that encourages responsible and patient travel practices while in town.

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Editor’s Note: Click here to view the video prepared by Visit Myrtle Beach to educate incoming sporting event participants that encourages responsible and patient travel practices while in town.

About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. The Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its destination marketing arm Visit Myrtle Beach promote tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.