Publix Sports Park

What Publix Sports Park does

Publix Sports Park is a 160-200 acre outdoor multisport athletic complex located in Panama City Beach, Florida, founded in 2019 and operated by the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. with day-to-day management by Sports Facilities Management, LLC. The facility comprises 12+ AstroTurf fields equipped with proprietary Z-Cap cooling technology and LED lighting, plus two championship fields with 1,500-spectator capacity each, 1,000+ parking spaces, 7 batting cages, three concession buildings, and a 20,000+ sq ft on-site Bay County Skate Park subsidiary. A $40 million Indoor Sports & Events Center is under construction for 2026. Configurable field layouts support baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports for youth, collegiate (NJCAA), and adult tournament play.

The company serves national and regional sports-tourism organizers — including USFA, Grand Slam Sports Tournaments, USSSA, Ripken Baseball, Athletx, and Gulf Coast State College (NJCAA) — alongside local leagues, corporate event clients, and individual athletes and families visiting via the Visit Panama City Beach tourism channel. Its GTM motion is event-driven, with direct sales led by the VP and Director of Sports Marketing targeting tournament organizers and event rights holders, supported by marketing through the PCB CVB and earned-media coverage in sports-industry publications.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: tournament and field-rental fees (transaction-based), title and tiered sponsorships (Publix naming rights, Coca-Cola exclusive pouring rights, plus Legacy, C-Level, Academy, and general sponsor tiers), concessions and on-site food and beverage (Coca-Cola branded, transitioning cashless in 2026), event ticket sales via Hometown Ticketing, and emerging pay-per-view streaming subscriptions through the SportsChannel.Media platform. Pricing on tournament passes is organizer-set (e.g., $30/$20 for the College Baseball Classic; $25/$15 for the JUCO Softball Showdown), while facility rentals are quote-based with a 10-room-night group minimum. The streaming subscription line, live-scouting media coverage by Perfect Game USA, and SportsChannel.Media integration extend the venue's reach beyond in-person attendance.

Name

Publix Sports Park

Legal name

Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Website

https://playpanamacitybeach.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Publix Sports Park is a 160-200 acre multisport complex in Panama City Beach, FL, hosting national and regional youth and collegiate tournaments, local rentals, and corporate events across 12+ AstroTurf fields, with sponsorships, concessions, and streaming revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Tourism Venue & Athletic Complex Management

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB), Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF)

Keywords

• Sports venue management
• Tournament hosting services
• Athletic field rentals
• Sports tourism destination
• Multi-sport complex

Headquarters

HQ city

Panama City Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tournament Hosting Fees: Revenue generated from hosting tournaments and championships. Event organizers pay to rent fields and access dedicated tournament space, central building, umpire locker room, and concessions. The facility hosts national events like USFA World Series, Grand Slam World Series, NJCAA college tournaments.
2. Field Rental (Local/Training): Revenue from local rentals for practices, local leagues, and training sessions. Multi-sport fields available year-round with scoreboard and scorer's box included.
3. Corporate Event Hosting: Revenue from corporate events including team-building activities, corporate challenges, company picnics, and banquets. Catering and food truck rental options available.
4. Sponsorship and Naming Rights: Title sponsorship by Publix Super Markets, concession rights to Coca-Cola, and numerous brand sponsorships across Legacy, C-Level, and general sponsorship tiers providing digital exposure, brand visibility, and activation opportunities.
5. Concessions Revenue: On-site concessions through three concession buildings, mobile golf cart concessions, and beverage express carts. Coca-Cola branded beverages. Going cashless (card only) starting June 29, 2026.
6. Ticket Sales: Admission fees determined by host event organizations. Pre-sale tournament passes and on-site day passes available for events like College Baseball Classic ($30 pre-sale, $20 day pass) and JUCO Softball Showdown ($25 pre-sale, $15 day pass).
7. Streaming Subscriptions: Pay-per-view streaming access via SportsChannel.Media platform for fans unable to attend tournaments in person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Publix Sports Park operates a 160-200 acre multisport athletic complex in Panama City Beach, FL, featuring 12+ AstroTurf fields with Z-Cap cooling technology configurable for baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. The facility hosts national tournaments, local league rentals, and corporate events, complemented by on-site concessions, a live streaming platform, a 20,000+ sq ft skate park, and an upcoming Indoor Sports & Events Center. Revenue is generated through tournament hosting fees, field rentals, sponsorships, concessions, and streaming subscriptions.

Product overview

Publix Sports Park is a single, unified sports tourism destination — a 160-200 acre premier outdoor complex in Panama City Beach, FL, developed through a public-private partnership with Visit Panama City Beach, St. Joe Company, and Bay District Schools. The core product is the outdoor sports complex itself, featuring 12 AstroTurf fields with Z-cap cooling technology configurable for baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. Supporting products include a Streaming Platform for live game broadcasting and highlight creation, an upcoming Indoor Sports & Events Center (opening 2026), the Bay County Skate Park (20,000+ sq ft), and on-site Concessions services. The venue also hosts signature tournaments including the Visit Panama City Beach College Baseball Classic and JUCO Softball Showdown. Add-on services encompass Corporate Events hosting, Local Rentals, and Tournament & Camp Booking. The complex serves as both a tournament venue for national events and a community recreation facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Publix Sports Park Premier 160-200 acre outdoor sports tourism complex in Panama City Beach, FL, featuring 12+ AstroTurf fields with Z-cap cooling technology, configurable for baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. Hosts major tournaments year-round and offers tournament booking, corporate events, and local rentals.
• Streaming Platform Live streaming service enabling viewers to watch games in real-time, access replays, and create highlight clips via QR code access. Provides remote access for fans unable to attend tournaments in person. Powered by SportsChannel.Media (Varsity Hype).
• Bay County Skate Park 20,000+ square foot skate park within the Panama City Beach Sports Complex featuring street course, snake run, stair sets, flow bowl, and pool bowl for various skateboarding disciplines and skill levels.
• Concessions On-site food and beverage service through three concession buildings, mobile golf cart concessions, and beverage express carts. Offers Coca-Cola products, hot food, snacks, gluten-free, sugar-free, and healthy food options. Transitioning to cashless/card-only starting June 29, 2026.
• Indoor Sports & Events Center Upcoming premium indoor facility for indoor sports and special events, currently under construction with opening planned for 2026. Will provide additional sponsorship and marketing opportunities for local businesses.
• Visit Panama City Beach College Baseball Classic Annual 15-team NJCAA college baseball tournament hosted by Gulf Coast State College and Publix Sports Park, featuring Perfect Game USA as official scouting partner. Pre-sale Tournament Pass: $30; On-site Day Pass: $20.
• Visit Panama City Beach JUCO Softball Showdown Annual 20-team round robin NJCAA junior college softball tournament hosted by Gulf Coast State College and Publix Sports Park, held in February with live streaming available. Pre-sale Tournament Pass: $25; On-site Day Pass: $15.
• Corporate Events Corporate event hosting services including team-building activities, corporate challenges, company picnics, and banquets with custom event planning, catering options, and food truck rentals.
• Local Rentals Field rental services for local organizations offering 12 LED-lighted championship fields available year-round, including scoreboard and scorer's box. Multi-sport athletic fields configurable for various sports.
• Tournament & Camp Booking Tournament and camp field rental services with dedicated tournament space, air-conditioned central building, umpire locker room and lounge, and custom concessions menu for event staff and officials. Minimum 10 room nights required for group bookings.

Quantifiable outcome

• $13.1 million Total Economic Impact from USFA World Series 2 (2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Visit Panama City Beach (Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary destination marketing partner providing tourism infrastructure, visitor services, and broader marketing reach. Manages sports park promotion through CVB channels. VB of Sports Marketing and Senior Coordinator serve at CVB while supporting park operations.
• St. Joe CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner in the public-private partnership that developed the sports park. Contributed to project financing and land development.
• Bay District SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner in public-private partnership enabling development of the sports complex for community and school use.
• Publix Super MarketscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the facility. Publix brand prominently featured on sports park name. Nearby store locations support visiting families.
• Sports Facilities Companies (SFC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacility management company providing operational expertise. SFC branded team members (Randy Pruden - SFM, Brian Zirkle - SFC) manage day-to-day operations.
• Coca-ColacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive beverage concession partner. Coca-Cola branding on concessions facilities and products served throughout the park.
• Perfect Game USAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest baseball scouting organization serving as official scouting and media coverage partner for Visit Panama City Beach College Baseball Classic. PerfectGame.TV produces multiple game broadcasts.
• Gulf Coast State CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of College Baseball Classic and JUCO Softball Showdown tournaments. Provides collegiate sports programming and institutional partnership.
• HCA Florida HealthcaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site medical support provider. Supplies trainers for all tournaments at the facility.
• USFA (United States Fastpitch Association)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor youth fastpitch softball tournament organizer. USFA World Series events bring 180+ teams and $13.1M economic impact. Named #2 Best Long-Term Partnership (2025).
• Grand Slam Sports TournamentsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor youth baseball tournament organizer. Grand Slam World Series of Baseball held annually. Awarded Ballpark of the Year 2024. Larry Thompson Jr. recognized as #2 Best Event Planner (2025).
• USSSAmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited States Specialty Sports Association organizes baseball tournaments at the facility. Named facility USSSA National Complex of the Year 2023.
• Ripken BaseballmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth baseball tournament organization (founded by Cal Ripken Jr.). Ripken Select Tournaments and All-Ripken Games hosted at facility. All-Ripken Games won Best New Event 2024 Sports Travel Awards.
• NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoverning body for two-year college athletics. Member programs participate in College Baseball Classic and JUCO Softball Showdown.
• Captain Anderson's MarinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Sponsor. Local marina business providing fishing and water tour excursions for visiting families.
• Firefly PCBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy Sponsor. Local restaurant and entertainment venue sponsor.
• Shipwreck Island WaterparkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and local attraction partner. Waterpark provides family entertainment for sports visitors.
• FSU Panama CityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorida State University Panama City campus. Academic partner with local presence.
• SportsChannel.Media (Varsity Hype)coreTechnology or IntegrationStreaming technology platform providing live game broadcasts, replays, and highlight clip creation. QR code access for fans.
• Academy Sports + OutdoorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcademy Sponsor 2026. Sports retailer providing equipment sponsorship.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Sports Center: 600-acre multi-sport complex in Blaine, MN with 50+ fields hosting soccer, baseball, lacrosse and other tournaments. Comparable as a large-footprint tournament-hosting sports tourism destination, though northern climate limits year-round outdoor play relative to PCB's 320 days of sunshine.
• Cooperstown All Star Village: Multi-field youth baseball tournament complex in Oneonta, NY hosting week-long national invitational events. Comparable as a destination-paired multi-field baseball/softball tournament venue serving similar organizer and family customer segments.
• Spooky Nook Sports: Largest indoor sports complex in North America (Lancaster, PA / Hamilton, OH) hosting volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and field hockey tournaments. Comparable tournament-hosting business model with both tournament and league programming, and represents the indoor-anchored competitive set Publix's 2026 Indoor Center will enter.
• LakePoint Sports: 1,300-acre sports tourism campus in Emerson, GA hosting baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and basketball tournaments. Comparable scale, multi-sport configuration, and tournament organizer GTM motion targeting similar youth and amateur customers.
• The Ripken Experience: Ripken Baseball's network of tournament complexes (Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, Aberdeen) hosting youth baseball and softball tournaments. Direct competitor for the same tournament organizer partnerships and family sports tourism demand that Publix Sports Park serves.
• Cedar Point Sports Center: Multi-field baseball and softball complex operated adjacent to the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, OH. Closely comparable destination-paired model (theme park + sports tournament) and overlapping youth tournament customer base.

Broad incumbents

• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex: Disney-operated multi-sport complex at Walt Disney World Resort with 350+ acres of fields and venues hosting amateur and professional events. Operates as part of Disney's broader entertainment portfolio; the closest large-scale, destination-paired multi-sport competitor to Publix Sports Park.

Emerging players

• Perfect Game USA Park Facilities: Perfect Game operates baseball showcase infrastructure and tournament fields in Iowa (Coralville) and elsewhere serving as scouting and tournament venues. Comparable as a baseball-specific tournament organizer that also runs facility infrastructure, and a current partner of Publix Sports Park for the College Baseball Classic.
• Easton Tournament of Champions / Easton Sports Complexes: Network of youth baseball/softball tournament complexes associated with the Easton brand, hosting national events. Comparable focus on tournament-driven youth baseball economics; some overlap with the same organizer and family customer pool Publix targets.

Others

• Visit Panama City Beach (CVB) sibling facilities: The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau itself — the parent/owner entity of Publix Sports Park — and its broader destination marketing portfolio. Relevant as the channel partner driving tourism referrals and bookings to the sports park, not a direct competitive peer but an integral ecosystem relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pcbsportscomplex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Publix Sports Park