Visit Tallahassee Sports: Visit Tallahassee Sports collaborates with local, regional and national partners to attract and support sporting events that drive visitor-generated economic impact in Tallahassee-Leon County. Our talented team of professionals provides comprehensive support to ensure event success, with services including grant funding assistance, event logistics, housing coordination, transportation solutions, venue selection, volunteer recruitment and strategic marketing. Sports tourism is a year-round activity in Tallahassee-Leon County, bringing thousands of athletes, coaches, and fans/spectators for numerous local, state and national championship events, such as elite cross country meets, and youth soccer, bowling, volleyball and baseball tournaments, mountain biking, and disc golf, leading to the moniker “Championship Capital of Florida.”

Cross country at Apalachee Regional Park: Apalachee Regional Park boasts a premier award-winning cross country course, built by runners for runners, and is recognized globally for its top-tier trails, varied terrain, and spectator-friendly layout. Apalachee Regional Park has hosted 67 (105??) national, regional, state, and local cross country meets/events, with over 80,000 athletes/runners generating over $84 million in direct spending for Leon County since 2013. In 2026, it will become the first Florida venue to host the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, and it’s only the third time it’s been held in the United States in 53 years.

2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships: The internationally recognized cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, solidifying the region’s reputation on the athletic world stage. The World Athletic Cross Country Championships represent the pinnacle of competition in the sport, attracting elite and Olympic runners from around the globe. The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships is expected to bring over 550 runners from 60+ countries, 10,000 spectators, and an estimated $4.3 million in economic impact to Tallahassee-Leon County. Televised globally, hosting the World Athletics Cross Country Championships generates international media attention and elevates Florida’s capital region as a global hub for athletic championship events and training, attracting future tourism and events.