With professional baseball, football, soccer, and basketball teams that fans love, Atlanta is a true sports town. Here in the ATL Airport District, basketball fans go wild for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream and the Atlanta Hawks' G-league team, the College Park Skyhawks, who both ball on their home court at the Gateway Center Arena. But sports in the District don't stop there! The calendar at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) is jam-packed with unique sporting events that give fanatics more opportunities to get into the thrill of competition. From gymnasts and cheerleaders to wrestlers and powerlifters, the District looks forward to welcoming an array of talented athletes and enthusiastic fans to the GICC.
Plenty of parking is available, but you can also leave your car at home (or the nearest MARTA train station) and take the Red or Gold line to the Airport Station. From there, take a quick stroll to the ATL SkyTrain and enjoy a free, 2-minute ride to the Gateway Center Campus where a covered pathway leads to the GICC.
The year’s excitement kicked off in early January with United Futsal's inaugural Sunshine Regional Showcase and Conference. This dynamic two-day tournament saw over 700 athletes representing 94 teams from across the United States competing fiercely for a spot in the Orlando Event Series - United Futsal's culminating event.
Now, with the stage set and the energy high, let's delve into the District’s action-packed 2024 sports calendar:
Atlanta Centennial Classic Gymnastics Competition
Friday, January 26 – Sunday, January 28
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking world of gymnastics with an impressive lineup of 70 teams and over 1,800 gymnasts nationwide showcasing their talent, skill, and precision, including the headlining NAIGC Men’s Club teams. Spectators can purchase a daily or weekend pass with cash at the door, and children ages five and under attend for free.
National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) DI/DII Cheerleading Competition
Saturday, January 27 – Sunday, January 28
Witness competitive cheerleading teams as they take the mat for 2-minutes and 30-seconds competing high-energy routines packed with tumbling, stunting, pyramids, dance and more. Tickets are available for purchase online, with free admission for children ages 6 and under.
Southern Volleyball 2024 Commander’s Cup
Saturday, February 17 – Sunday, February 18
A two-day volleyball tournament with a purpose taking place over Presidents’ Day weekend. Held in partnership with The Side-Out Foundation, all donations and sales at this event will contribute to critical research aimed at giving more time to those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Southern Volleyball Southeast Qualifier and Invitational (SEQ)
Friday, February 23 – Sunday, February 25
Returning the first weekend after college recruiting opens, the SEQ is the premier tournament for teams and players aiming to showcase their talent in front of division 1, 2 and 3 college coaches and recruiters nationwide as they play against some of the best competition while vying for a bid to USAV nationals.
CHEERSPORT Atlanta Classic DI/DII Cheerleading Competition
Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 3
A 400-point all-star league event in which CHEERSPORT will grant 5 wild card bids to The Summit, The D2 Summit, and The Youth Summit. Plus, the top three eligible divisions will secure an at-large bid to the Regional Summit!
The Athletic Atlanta Nationals DI/DII Cheerleading Competition
Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17
Teams from all over the region and beyond will compete in a 500-point all-star league event for the chance to earn top placements and bids to the End-of-Season Championships, promising prestigious titles, upscale production, prizes, and awards.
USA Judo 2024 Youth National Championships
Saturday, March 23 – Sunday, March 24
Showcasing over 500 of the finest Judo athletes aged 5 to 20, vying for the national title and the opportunity to represent Team USA in international competitions. Judo is an unarmed modern Japanese martial art, a combat and Olympic sport, and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.
Elite 8 Duals – Freestyle (Wrestling)
Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7
Witness some of the best freestyle duels in the country as The Dirty South faces off against the nation’s top wrestling talent in a two-day tournament that promises edge-of-your-seat action.
USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals
Thursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 14
The best of the best in the collegiate powerlifting world are coming to the GICCr for the first time in April, and it's a prime opportunity to get into the competitive spirit. Experience the awe-inspiring strength and feel the energy (get ready to yell, "up!") as these remarkable athletes compete for national recognition. You might leave inspired to lift something heavy yourself!
Southeast Regional Summit DI/DII Cheerleading Competition
Saturday, April 20 – Sunday, April 21
Feel the excitement surge with an innovative, prestigious, competitive and unforgettable end-of-season experience as eligible teams that received a bid compete for the Southeast Regional Summit Champion title. Presented by Varsity All-Star, this is one of the five Regional Summit Championships in the country.
Don’t miss the action in 2024 and check out the District’s full event calendar for more details on the sports-tacular year!
