Why Choose Chatham?

Why Choose Chatham?

Chatham County is part of the Research Triangle Region and offers 37 sporting and recreation facilities and 225 rooms, plus Airbnbs, RV parks, and campsites. Whether you’re planning a sporting event, participating as an athlete, or attending as a spectator, we’re here for you before, during, and post-function.

We have remained adaptable and have continued to safely host and promote sporting events in our area both during and after the pandemic as a Count On Me NC-certified organization. Our outdoor events, flexibility in places to stay, and guests working remotely, among other factors, contributed to a resurgence in travel, including for sports recreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Chatham Sports Alliance is a Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) collaborative effort driving economic impact through the positive power of sports. The CVB is responsible for destination marketing and visitor-related economic development, film, and sports development. Our organization works with many teammates, including Chatham County Parks & Recreation, the expert for our publicly managed facilities.

The Chatham Sports Alliance/CVB is the first point of contact for sporting event organizers and planners. From finding the site to hosting the event, we’re here to make the process as easy as possible. We assist with planning and logistics, connecting you with event partners and vendors, finding sites, volunteer recruitment, and other planning facets. If you need assistance with organizing your event – registration, filling bags, welcoming guests, the day of the event, and more – contact us.

We have hosted both amateur and professional events. A few include IRONMAN 70.3, Cycle NC, U.S. Open® Men’s qualifiers, USGA Senior Amateur Championship, and the Tobacco Road Marathon (Boston Marathon Qualifier).

Our location is part of the Research Triangle Region and in the center of North Carolina, which allows for an easy drive from anywhere in the state or even neighboring ones. Our area offers a number of indoor and outdoor venues for a range of sports: golf, cycling, fishing, sailing, running, and more. We’ve hosted major events, sometimes at multiple facilities in our county, with guests and spectators staying at area hotels, B&B inns, Airbnb homes, campsites, and other accommodations.

Yes. We receive this information from Visit North Carolina, and they contract with the U.S. Travel Association for an annual breakdown of economic impact figures.

Yes, beyond sporting facilities and events, our destination offers many places to explore, with a focus on craft beverages, wine tastings and tours, local art and music, shopping, natural areas, and farm-to-fork experiences.

If your event requires guests to conveniently travel among venues or a few sites, or perhaps you need groups to travel together on a timetable, then we will recommend area vendors who can offer shuttle services. Chatham Transit operates for residents, and guests are welcome to use it; however, the routes are pre-determined, and they may or may not have the capacity to contract for a sporting event. We will always look to local and sustainable options for you.

Yes, we have vendors in Chatham County and access to area vendors. Let us know what your needs are, and we will connect you with the right vendor.

Yes, the county’s Environmental Quality Department can assist with information and services about recycling, sustainability, and more. We have several businesses and event organizers that focus on sustainability, whether it be offering EV chargers, sourcing food from local farmers, water recovery, reducing food waste, and so much more.

Our climate lends us year-round opportunities to train. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is open daily except for Christmas Day and has closed during extreme weather events, rarely.

Each facility listed on the Chatham Sports Alliance website includes accessibility information, as well as information about seating, capacity, parking, etc… We’re also upgrading the CVB website to include accessibility information for our accommodations, eateries, and attractions.

Press

Our regional approach works well for guests, and event organizers have successfully hosted sporting events in years past.