NEWS

Savannah once again proved itself a premier destination for sports tourism as the Savannah Sports Council welcomed the annual Nike Savannah Showdown to the Savannah Convention Center February 14–16 over Presidents’ Day weekend.

The highly anticipated youth volleyball tournament drew more than 14,000 athletes, coaches, families, and spectators to the region, generating an estimated economic impact of $ 11.2 million for the Savannah community. Hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local businesses throughout Chatham County benefited from the influx of visitors during one of the year’s key winter travel weekends.

Held annually during the Presidents’ Day weekend, the Nike Savannah Showdown has become a cornerstone of the destination’s sports tourism. Organizers are currently exploring opportunities to secure event space in Savannah through 2034, signaling long-term confidence in the city’s ability to host large-scale competitions.

“Sports tourism continues to be an incredibly important market for Savannah,” said Kellie Linder, Vice President of Visit Savannah. “Events like the Nike Savannah Showdown bring thousands of visitors to our community, generate significant economic impact, and introduce new audiences to everything Savannah has to offer. These tournaments create lasting impressions that often turn first-time visitors into repeat guests.”

The success of the Nike Savannah Showdown reflects the ongoing collaboration between Visit Savannah, the Savannah Sports Council, community partners, and hospitality industry stakeholders who work together to attract and support major sporting events.

As Savannah’s meetings and events infrastructure continues to grow, sports tourism remains a powerful driver of visitation—helping sustain year-round travel demand while strengthening the region’s economy and reputation as a top-tier host city.