Durham has served as host to a number of premier sports events throughout its history, including ACC and NCAA tournaments, the NC Special Olympics, as well as regional and national championships. To give planners insight into the possibilities in Durham, below are highlights from several events Durham has hosted in the past:
2018 United States Women’s Curling Association National Meeting and Bonspiel
The United States Women’s Curling Association brought its National Meeting and National Championship competition to Durham over the course of six days. The event was hosted by the Triangle Curling Club in Durham and was the first time the association decided to compete in the South.
ACC Baseball Championship
The ACC Baseball Championship has been hosted by the Durham Bulls Athletic Park 13 times, including most recently in 2023. The multi-day event has brought fans from across the nation to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, a top minor league facility located in the middle of downtown. Durham has been selected by the ACC to host the Championship in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
2014 Triple-A All-Star Game and Home Run Derby
In 2014, the Triple-A All-Star Game and festivities attracted a grand total of more than 25,000 people to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Over the course of five days, 12 separate events occurred, including a home run derby and food truck rodeo.
Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational
Sponsored by the Durham Striders Track Club, this official USA Track and Field event includes races and events for youth from around the country from ages eight to 18. It has been held at the Durham County Memorial Stadium a number of times dating back to 2000.
2019 USATF Youth Outdoor National Championships
Durham was host to the 2019 USATF National Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Durham County Memorial Stadium on June 25-30, 2019.
NAIA Football National Championship
The DSC and Durham County Memorial Stadium played host to the NAIA Football National Championship from 2021-2023 and will host again in 2024.
Champion Durham Classic
The Champion Durham Classic is the Bull City’s premier holiday high school basketball tournament. The event began in 2021 and has brought in teams from across the state to compete.
CIAA Track and Field Championship
The 2023 CIAA Track and Field Championship was held at Durham County Memorial Stadium. The CIAA is the country’s oldest African American athletic conference.
2023 NCAA Fencing Championships
The 2023 NCAA Fencing Championships were held at Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University. The competition brought collegiate fencers from across the country to compete for a national championship.
ACC Field Hockey Championship
The 2022 ACC Field Hockey Championship was held at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium at Duke University. One of the nation’s top athletic conferences, the ACC Field Hockey Championship brought fans and teams from across the region into Durham.
BODYARMOR State Games
The BODYARMOR State Games are the largest sports festival in North Carolina and one of the largest State Games programs in the country. The Games include sports like track and field, lacrosse, softball and more. They were hosted in Durham from 2021-2022.
Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit
The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit was held in 2023 at the Durham Convention Center and will be held again in 2024. The Summit is a one-of-a-kind event, bringing together women in the sports industry from across the country to network and learn from one another.
NCHSAA State Championships
From 2022-2024, The North Carolina High School Athletics Association has brought many of their championships to Durham over the years. From 2022-2024, the NCHSAA Lacrosse and Softball Championships were held in Durham, bringing in teams from across the state.