PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Since the opening of the Publix Sports Complex in 2019, Panama City Beach has become a beacon for sports tourism, drawing in over 400,000 visitors and significantly boosting the local economy. These visitors have collectively spent more than $271 million in Bay County, contributing to the region’s economic vitality.
The Bay County Tourism Development Council (TDC) highlighted these successes during its mid-June meeting, underscoring the vital role sports tourism plays in the community. The Publix Sports Complex, which has hosted 250 events to date, has been a cornerstone of this growth.
“Sports have been a huge contributing factor to tourism in our area,” said Dan Rowe, Executive Director of the Bay County TDC. “Since the TDC initiated the idea in 2017, we’ve seen tremendous growth, and the upcoming Coca-Cola Event Center will further enhance our offerings.”
The Publix Sports Complex features AstroTurf synthetic turf fields, renowned for their durability, safety, and high performance. These fields provide a consistent playing surface that can withstand heavy use and diverse weather conditions, ensuring that athletes can perform at their best year-round. The quality of AstroTurf has been a key factor in attracting high-profile events and teams to the area, further solidifying Panama City Beach as a premier sports destination.
The Coca-Cola Event Center, currently in development, promises to be a transformative addition. The facility will cater to indoor sporting events and other activities, addressing a significant gap in the local sports infrastructure.
AstroTurf is proud to provide state-of-the-art playing surfaces that enhance the performance and safety of athletes. As sports tourism continues to flourish in Panama City Beach, we remain committed to supporting communities throughout the United States and contributing to their economic success.
For more information on the Publix Sports Complex, please visit the Bay County TDC website. For more information about AstroTurf and its innovative turf solutions, please visit astroturf.com.
About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The inventor of synthetic turf, AstroTurf® offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. To learn more, visit astroturf.com.