#SPORTSWATCH

Upcoming events in Greater Raleigh, N.C.:

View our full 2026 calendar, here!

Recent travel:

  • United Soccer Coaches Convention, Philadelphia, Pa. • Jan. 14-17, 2026

Upcoming travel:

  • Visit North Carolina Tourism Conference, Asheville, N.C. • March 16-28, 2026
  • Sports ETA Women's Summit, Phoenix, Ariz. • April 1-3, 2026

 

USA Baseball Nation Training Complex

Mark your calendar: major events coming to Raleigh, N.C., in 2026

Greater Raleigh is gearing up for an exciting year of sports in 2026, with world-class events that will draw athletes, fans and visitors from across the country and beyond. From NCAA championships to international soccer tournaments, the region’s premier venues will once again take center stage, showcasing why Raleigh, N.C., is a top destination for sports. Upcoming events include:

  • USA Baseball National High School Invitational, March 25-28, 2026, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex (Apex)
  • ACC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, April 14-19, 2026, at Cary Tennis Park
  • ACC Women’s Rowing Championship, May 15-16, 2026, at Lake Wheeler Park
  • CubingUSA Rubik’s WCA North American Championship, July 2-5, 2026, at the Raleigh Convention Center

For more major events you won’t want to miss, click here.

 

The Soccer Tournament (TST) 2025

Save the date: The Soccer Tournament (TST) 2026

Mark your calendars for TST 2026, returning to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, May 27-June 1, 2026. This high‑energy, 7v7, global competition brings together players, clubs, fans and cuisines from around the world for six days of fast‑paced matches, international flair and festival‑style experiences. Along with world‑class soccer, attendees can expect vibrant fan zones, family‑friendly activities and opportunities to get up close with some of the sport’s biggest personalities. Pre-sale for this year begins Feb. 24, 2026. Join the ticket waitlist today! 

Alongside TST, The Cary Cup, a youth soccer tournament adopting many of TST’s innovative elements, will take place in and around Cary, May 29-31, 2026. The tournament uses the revolutionary Target Score Time™ and other TST‑style rules—including 7v7 matchups, custom field dimensions and on‑the‑fly substitutions—creating a fast‑paced, nonstop soccer experience.

 

soccer ball

Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day 

As the nation celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Greater Raleigh proudly shines as a dynamic destination for women’s athletics, driven by organizations that champion excellence and empowerment. The region is home to a vibrant sports ecosystem that supports the growth of girls and women at every level and type of sports, from the nationally recognized North Carolina Courage, who inspire fans through elite competition and community leadership, to Triangle Volleyball Club, one of the area’s most successful youth development programs. Together, these organizations are led by women who reinforce Raleigh’s commitment to not only showcase but elevate women in sports. Read more, here.

 

Cary Tennis Park

Raleigh, N.C., hosts numerous collegiate events this spring

Greater Raleigh’s spring calendar is packed with collegiate competition across a wide range of sports. Softball leads the way with three major events at the Walnut Creek Athletic Complex:

  • Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic D2/JUCO Tournament, Feb. 27-March 1
  • Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic D3 Tournament, March 6-8
  • CIAA Softball Roundup, hosted by Shaw University, March 26-28

On the golf course, N.C. State Women’s Golf will welcome teams to Lonnie Poole Golf Course for two regular-season events: the City of Oaks Collegiate (March 21-24) and the Women’s Matchplay Invitational (April 5-6).

College tennis will take over Cary in April with the ACC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (April 14-19), followed by the MEAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (April 23-25).

Competition shifts to the water later in the season with the Lake Wheeler Rowing Invitational (April 24-25) and the ACC Women’s Rowing Championship (May 15-16), both held at Lake Wheeler Park.

 

visitraleigh.com Showcase Series

NCFC Youth to host inaugural elite international boys soccer tournament

North Carolina FC Youth (NCFC Youth), the largest youth soccer organization in the state, serving more than 17,000 local players annually, is excited to announce that WRAL Soccer Park will host IBERCUP x ECNL International – Raleigh, NC USA 2026 over Labor Day weekend, marking the inaugural IBERCUP event in the United States. The IBERCUP is one of the most recognized and respected youth soccer tournaments in the world. Since 2010, it has hosted thousands of teams from over 120 countries, offering a platform where young players compete, develop and connect through the game. Learn more, here.

 

2019 City of Oaks Challenge

City of Oaks Challenge takes over Raleigh, N.C.

The City of Oaks Challenge brought a surge of high‑energy volleyball competition to Raleigh, transforming the venue into a hub of athleticism and excitement over its multi‑day run. With more than 200 teams from multiple states converging in downtown Raleigh, the tournament filled courts from morning to night with back‑to‑back matches that showcased exceptional talent, intensity and teamwork. The atmosphere was electric from start to finish, with players pushing their limits, families cheering from the sidelines and the energy of the crowds amplifying every rally and final point.

Across the weekend, thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators contributed to the vibrant environment, creating steady foot traffic and a palpable sense of momentum throughout the venue. The event not only highlighted the depth of volleyball talent in the region but also reinforced Raleigh’s reputation as a premier destination for large‑scale youth and amateur sports. From competitive play to community engagement, the City of Oaks Challenge delivered a powerful start to the year and set the tone for another standout season in Raleigh’s sports landscape.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by GRSA (@raleighncsports)