Visit Panama City Beach is pleased to announce that Publix Sports Park has been named the National Complex of the Year for 2023 by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA).
“We are honored to have Publix Sports Park receive this esteemed designation as National Complex of the Year by USSSA,” says Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe.“Publix Sports Park has had a tremendous impact on the Panama City Beach community, and this national recognition is a testament to the invaluable efforts of our sports tourism team and the staff at Publix Sports Park for their dedication to providing a world-class facility for all visitors.”
Founded in 1968, USSSA has approximately 3.5 million participants competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports in over 1,000 parks across the country. Publix Sports Park was selected over many renowned complexes through voting done by sports heads, the USSSA executive team, and the CEO.
"We express our deepest gratitude for the outstanding partnership between USSSA and the Publix Sports Complex,” says USSSA National Baseball Director Steve Hassett. “This collaboration, led by Richard Sanders and Chris O'Brien, has elevated the standard for sports facilities, creating a memorable experience for athletes and fans alike. Cheers to a well-deserved honor and a successful partnership!”
Publix Sports Park is a $42 million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility that offers the ultimate venue for sports enthusiasts in Panama City Beach, with nine AstroTurf fields, 13 multipurpose fields, Qualite LED lighting, dedicated tournament buildings, two championship fields with seating for up to 1,500 spectators, and more than 1,000 parking spots. The venue also features three full-service concessions, an officials lounge, a 20,000-square-foot skate park, and upgrades such as streaming video options, new foul ball netting and an intercom loudspeaker system.
The premier complex hosts soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, baseball, softball and other youth, elite amateur, and college sporting events. Publix Sports Park is home to several USSSA events, including the Panama City Beach USA Global World Series, which attracts 150 teams and 7,000 visitors annually.