About North Carolina Sports Association

Our Mission

The North Carolina Sports Association, Inc. is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to grow, promote and enhance the general welfare of the sports industry in North Carolina. NCSA brings together sports and hospitality industry representatives who devote time, energy and resources to the development of sports tourism and related industries for the state of North Carolina. NCSA’s primary goal is the growth and enhancement of the sports economy of the State of North Carolina and its local communities.

The NCSA exists to help you explore North Carolina to find the perfect community to host your next successful sports event!

What We Do

The North Carolina Sports Association consists of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Sport Commissions, Park & Recreation Departments, Sports Facility Operators and more. NCSA’s main mission is to support member organizations in promoting and facilitating economic development via sports tourism in North Carolina. Our membership benefits include:

Participate in designated tradeshows at a shared cost
Lead Sharing from large industry tradeshows like TEAMS (Travel, Event & Management in Sports) and Connect Sports Marketplace.
Event RFP sharing
Promotion of your city and venues through website and social media channels
Complimentary participation in NCSA Membership meetings, which include benchmarking and best practice discussions, networking opportunities, shared event information resources and presentations by event rights holders
NCSA email updates (including state of the industry and association updates)

Our Leadership Team

Andrew Schmidt, Chair (Visit Greenville NC & Play Greenville) – Email
Brandon Black, Vice Chair (Gaston County Tourism Development) – Email
Sarah Jones, Treasurer (Visit Hickory ) – Email
Robert Cox, Secretary (Distinctly Fayetteville) – Email
Demp Bradford, Past Chair (Greensboro Sports Foundation)

Become A Member

The North Carolina Sports Association is a member-based organization. Our members include Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVBs or DMOs), Sports Commissions, Venues/Facilities, Parks & Recreation Departments, Students, Industry Professionals, and Industry Suppliers. We have over 50 members at this time and hope to grow that number as Sports Tourism continues to grow and make a large impact on North Carolina destinations. If you are interested in learning more about our membership tiers, please view our membership page. There you will find the tiers, benefits, investment, and more.

Become a Member

Member Locations

Looking for a host destination? Maybe you need a specific venue or fun amenities for the entire family? We have the perfect locations for you!

Our Destinations Page gives you insight into North Carolina’s top-tier fields, courts, and more!

View our Members

Our Partners

North Carolina Amateur Sports

North Carolina Amateur Sports (NCAS) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1983 to host the first sanctioned State Games of North Carolina in 1986 and the U.S. Olympic Festival-’87. Today, it operates with the goal of promoting health and wellness for all ages and skill levels through organizing best-in-class sporting events that enrich the quality of life and enhance the economic well-being of North Carolina communities. NCAS hosts the BODYARMOR State Games of North Carolina, Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to the Coast” Bicycle Tour, Cycle North Carolina Coastal Ride, and Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride. Staffed by four permanent, full-time employees, NCAS has a 12-member Board of Directors. NCAS’ success is attributed to the hundreds of volunteers who support the State Games and Cycle North Carolina. NCAS receives financial support from corporate sponsors, individual donors, and event revenues.

Read More about North Carolina Amateur Sports Grants>>

SportsNC

SportsNC has the expertise and connections to help make athletic events a success at every level. Whether you’re planning a one-day event or a weeklong tournament, SportsNC can help you host events filled with unforgettable moments and experiences both on and off the field. SportsNC is the sports tourism branch of Visit NC, North Carolina’s state tourism office, and a proud partner of NCSA.

Read More about how SportsNC and Visit NC Support Tourism and Sports Tourism in NC >>

NCSA Sports Leadership Council

In 2020, the North Carolina Sports Association (NCSA) formed the North Carolina Sports Leadership Council, comprised of sports leaders from across the state who will serve as the industry’s collective voice on issues impacting sports event tourism.

The N.C. Sports Leadership Council (NCSLC) includes 31 individuals representing major league sports franchises, conferences, venues, and amateur sports organizations based in North Carolina, along with representatives of the state’s sports tourism industry. The NCSA’s Government Relations Committee spearheaded the effort to create the Council.