Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical issue. Email your question to [email protected].

In 2025, recreational sports tournaments hosted at area public facilities generated more than $6.8 million in economic activity.

Lowndes County and Starkville recreation departments already have more than 50 tournaments scheduled in 2026, with hopes of booking more.

But what’s the benefit of hosting tournaments locally? How much do tournaments generate for the cities?

How many tournaments were held last year?

From June to December, Lowndes County Recreation Department hosted 13 soccer, softball, baseball and ultimate frisbee tournaments, bringing in more than $800,000 combined in economic impact to the county, Deputy Director Tom Velek estimated.

“I’ve been involved in sports in this community for a quarter of a century, and we have never really been in a position, until right now, to talk about Columbus as a major destination for sports tourism,” Velek said. “… Every once in a while we’d host a soccer tournament or something like that. But … we’re on the front edge of this.”

In 2025, Starkville Parks and Recreation hosted 38 tournaments at the 27 fields combined between Cornerstone Sports Complex and Starkville Sportsplex, General Manager Greg Owen said. Those tournaments, he estimated, brought in about $6 million in economic impact.

These estimates are generated based on how many people attend a tournament, how far they are traveling and the length of the event, according to officials with both Starkville and Lowndes County Parks and Recreation. From there, the organizations estimate how much attendees are likely to spend on hotels, food and other expenses while in the area.

Columbus Parks and Recreation didn’t host any tournaments in 2025 at Propst Park due to ongoing renovations underway at the park. Greg Lewis, parks and recreation director, said the city plans to seek more tournaments to host once new lighting is added to fields, which is expected to be completed by April.

Similarly, West Point hasn’t hosted a sports tournament since 2024, West Point Parks and Recreation Director Jarrod McDaniel told The Dispatch.

Part of the reason is because their 18 softball, baseball and soccer fields are dirt, which is a less desirable option to tournament organizers when compared to turf fields, McDaniel said, like those in Starkville and Columbus.

“One of the main things with a tournament is you want it to happen, and you don’t want it delayed,” McDaniel said. “And so turf fields are a very effective way of preventing any kind of delay or anything.”

What impact do these tournaments have?

Velek said the tournaments in Lowndes County – held at BankFirst Yards Sports Complex and the Roger Short Soccer Complex – showcase the impact the recreational sports can have on the local economy.

Velek, McDaniel and Owen agreed that hosting tournaments brings more people into a city that will spend locally.

“There’s definitely a positive economic impact because when you have tournaments, not only are you bringing people in just for the tournament in the city,” Owen said. “… You’re also bringing in people to your gas stations, your restaurants (and) your hotels.”

Likewise, locally-hosted tournaments benefit area children and their families from leaving the region to compete in other areas.

“We think there’s an important space in sports tourism, from an economic impact perspective, from a quality of life perspective, from the fact that for the first time in a long time, the kids who play baseball in Columbus don’t always have to travel,” he said.

What’s next for recreational sports tournaments in the Golden Triangle?

Velek said Lowndes County already has 15 tournaments scheduled through June, including the Mississippi Dizzy Dean Baseball State tournament June 11.

While the county has seen such positive economic impacts from investing in recreation sports, Velek said additional expansions to facilities – like adding fields at Roger Short Soccer Complex and a full-size baseball field at BankFirst Yards – could make that impact even greater.

“We want further investment in recreation,” Velek said. “We want significant infrastructure investment. … It’s important for us to show not only what are we bringing in … but (also) look at the use. … Because I think we kind of say we use it a lot, but we don’t really quantify it.”

Owen said there are currently 41 tournaments on the books this year at Starkville facilities.

Beyond those, Starkville Parks and Recreation is also starting recreational volleyball and pickleball leagues next fall with hopes of eventually hosting tournaments for the same sports.

McDaniel hopes to start bringing tournaments back to the city soon as West Point improves facilities by leveling out fields and making other general improvements .

“You have got to keep up with these other facilities, now obviously, Starkville, Tupelo, places like that are bigger cities. They have a bigger tax base,” McDaniel said. “… Their budgets would be more than ours. … (But) we’ve all kind of gotten together and put our heads together. We’re working on improving our facilities.”