Sports + Athletics

Located in the heart of one of the richest water adventure regions in the country, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island is home to an impressive range of sporting events every year. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center has space for just about any type of sports or athletic event — from martial arts and dance tournaments to gymnastics and cheerleading competitions.

Indoor Athletic Event Space

Our modern and spacious venue provides a total of 32,000 square feet of multi-use indoor space, which makes athletic event planning simple. The 21,200-square-feet Grand Ballroom features a 24-feet ceiling and column-free design for an unobstructed view of the competition, ensuring that your spectators won’t miss any of the action. Graduated seating is also available.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center also includes five distinct breakout rooms, ranging from 425 to 1,575 square feet. These smaller meeting rooms can be configured to meet your event specifications as most can be divided by air walls. Spacious loading docks and direct room access allow easy setup and breakdown.

Outdoor Athletic Event Space

In addition, the convention center is home to Bayview Plaza, a massive 30,000 square feet outdoor venue situated on the Choctawhatchee Bay. This area is equipped with electricity, water, and tenting capabilities to provide additional space for large athletic events and competitions. The center also features an additional 128,000 square feet of flexible outdoor space for a variety of event needs.

Start Planning Today

Whether you are planning an awards banquet or gymnastics tournament, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center has the space for you. Our team is available to answer questions and offer assistance with unlimited pre-event coordination.

Contact our team at 850.609.3800 to schedule your next sports event.

Athletic Event Features

Room Features

24-foot ceilings allow for indoor martial arts, cheerleading, and gymnastics
Grand ballroom is obstruction-free
Pre-function space free of charge for competition vendors (merchandising and photography)
Variety of staging options, ranging from 12 to 96 inches high
Rigging for competition backdrops
Judges' risers and staging provide the ideal viewing platform
Smaller meeting rooms allow for hospitality, practice space, team meetings, meal areas, and merchandising
Private access from outdoor practice area to indoor competition area, allowing for the perfect flow from practice to performance

Technology Features

Expert in-house AV (sound and lighting)
Custom logo projection available
Screen and projector packages available
Separate audio systems available for various areas within the space, allowing multiple competitions to take place at once

Amenities

Two dressing rooms complete with restroom and shower facilities
Concessions through our exclusive, in-house caterer, Aramark
Pre-ordered coordination for food and beverage through in-house caterer for hospitality areas

Athletic Event Extras

Bayview Plaza provides an additional 30,000 square feet for outdoor activities and events. This area may be tented.
Janitorial services can be arranged to handle any number of attendees
Convenient loading dock/roll up doors for load in/setup (13 feet by 14 feet)
Coordination with on-site security and local EMS + Fire Department to ensure the safety of all attendees and competitors

Complimentary Amenities, Equipment + Services

The following are provided free of charge with all meeting room rentals.

On-Site Convention Center Amenities, Equipment and Services

On-site event coordinator and support staff
Wi-Fi internet access
Parking including covered and open-air with elevator access
Directional signage
Two (2) dressed tables
Tables and chairs for event set (not including vendor/trade show tables)
8-by-16-foot riser
PA package to include one microphone, one mixer, and a house sound patch

Event Planning Services

Complete pre-event planning and coordination
Assistance selecting area accommodations
Room setup diagrams
Unlimited client coordination meetings

Advertising Services

Marquee
Internal signs
Website calendar and corresponding social media post