Charlotte County and Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast are partnering to host the 43rd annual Ad Softball World Series this fall, adding another tourism-focused sporting event as the county continues rebuilding visitation following recent hurricanes.
More than 200 adult male and female slow-pitch softball players are expected to travel to the county for the Oct. 18-22 tournament, with participants staying at Sunseeker Resort. County tourism officials said the event is part of a broader effort to attract sports tournaments and group travel that generate overnight stays, restaurant visits and tourism spending.
Charlotte County’s tourism industry has continued recovering from hurricanes Ian in 2022 and Helene and Milton in 2024, which damaged hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout the area, particularly in downtown Punta Gorda. The storms also forced the cancellation of major tourism events, including the 2024 Florida International Air Show and Englewood Beach Waterfest.
Local officials increasingly have looked to sports tourism and special events to help restore visitation and Tourist Development Tax revenue. The county collects a 5% Tourist Development Tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental stays of six months or less.
Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor has been renamed Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio Collection by Hilton, after being sold to Blackstone Real Estate for $200 million.
Kevin Bires
The partnership also highlights Sunseeker Resort’s expanding role in Charlotte County’s tourism strategy. The resort will host two dinner parties for tournament participants, including the final-night awards banquet. Attendees also are expected to visit other local restaurants and attractions during their stays.
About half of tournament attendees are expected to extend their trips to explore other Charlotte County destinations, according to the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. The tourism bureau plans to provide dining and tourism recommendations to players and guests.
Tournament Director Michael Meiches said the event differs from traditional softball tournaments because all participants stay together at one property.
“The fact that we stay together is unheard of in softball circles,” Meiches said. “With other tournaments, the promoter may put out a list of hotels that out-of-towners might opt for, but many players and teams will also book Airbnb’s.”
Teams from major cities across the U.S. and Canada are expected to participate, along with teams from France, Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Jersey.
An aerial view shows Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda, where games for the 43rd annual Ad Softball World Series will be played this fall as Charlotte County expands its sports tourism efforts.
Charlotte County government
Games will be played at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Each co-ed team is guaranteed 12 games during the tournament, and no teams are eliminated.
“Of course, our teams will be competitive on the field, but the secret to the group’s 40-plus successful years is that post-game handshakes and high-five’s always turns into immediate socializing poolside and then during our dinner functions that includes entertainment and off-field competitions,” Meiches said.
Meiches credited Sean Walter, sports business development director for the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau, with helping secure local fields and coordinate the event.
The Ad Softball World Series rotates to a different resort destination annually. Previous Florida host locations included Fort Myers, Naples, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Ponte Vedra/Jacksonville and Orlando.