Gainesville Sports Venues

More than 20 types of competitive sports and recreational opportunities are represented in the greater Gainesville area. World-class athletic complexes and venues are available for a wide variety of team sports. Outdoor opportunities abound with Lake Sidney Lanier at the doorstep and the Southern Appalachian foothills just a short drive, or bike, away. Lake Lanier plays host to many fishing tournaments and watersports activities each year.

Popular Sporting Event Venues

Lake Lanier Olympic Park

Rowing, wakeboarding, fishing, endurance racing, watersports

As the most-visited Corps of Engineers lake in the United States, Lake Lanier hosts a variety of water and shoreline-based sporting events each year, including fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, and endurance races. The crown jewel of sports venues on the water is Lake Lanier Olympic Park. Home of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, this flatwater racing facility is still a major player for international sporting events.

Allen Creek Soccer Complex

Soccer, lacrosse, large field events

Allen Creek is a multi-field complex with 9 lighted fields, 2 practice fields and a 2,500-seat stadium. Capable of hosting large multi-day lacrosse and soccer events, amenities include concessions, parking for 1,000+ and situated on an 89-acre complex. Conveniently located off of I-985 and close to hotels, dining and shopping.

Lanier Point Athletic Complex

Baseball, softball, trails and kayak trails

This 96-acre athletic complex is located on the shores of Lake Lanier. Amenities include four 300-foot fields and additional ball field, 8-foot outfield fences, Hollywood bases, halide lighting, batting cages, pavilions, concessions and all needed to have a successful tournament. A spacious two-story control tower gives unobstructed views of all fields. Coming soon in 2024, The Coop will be the newest complex, which will offer five 225-foot baseball/softball fields, a full-size multi-purpose field, plenty of parking and concessions. With both Lanier Point and The Coop, Gainesville will be able to host larger tournaments.

Frances Meadows Aquatic Center

Swimming

Frances Meadows Aquatic Center is a conveniently located state-of-the-art aquatic center featuring a 10-lane indoor competition pool, four-lane indoor instructional heated pool, stadium seating, viewing lounge and concessions. In the heart of Gainesville, this facility is close to shopping, dining and ample accommodations.

Chattahoochee Golf Club

Championship-level golf

Chattahoochee Golf Course is a premier public course located in Northeast Georgia and on the northern banks of Lake Lanier. Recently hosting the NCAA Women’s DIV II National Championship, this Robert Trent Jones course is on 183 acres of rolling terrain. Putting lab, driving range and 1,000-square-foot full-service pro shop and full-service bar/grill on the 18th hole make this a desirable course. Recently renovated in 2021, the course also boasts TifEagle Bermuda.

Other Area Attractions

Locations such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville location offer opportunities to stroll, reflect and enjoy time some downtime while competing. Other popular attractions include Jaemor Farms, a year-round farmers/produce market; Don Carter State Park, a state park/beach located on Lake Lanier; Elachee Nature Science Center with trails, bike trails and animal information museum; and the Highlands to Islands trail system.

How to Get There

Located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on I-985, the 19th-largest city in Georgia is surrounded on three sides by Lake Sidney Lanier. In an hour you can find yourself in Atlanta or on a serene mountain vista of the Appalachians.