Rocky Top Sports World Exceeds Expectations in First Year

November 18, 2014

We are pleased to report that Rocky Top Sports World has exceeded financial expectations in its first year of business! Rocky Top was originally expected to generate approximately $10 million during its first year of operation. However, that figure has jumped to about $14.5 million based on our most recent projection. In addition, we have had approximately 35 percent more events than projected for our first year of operation.

Simultaneous Indoor and Outdoor Events

When we opened our $20 million Gatlinburg sports complex in July, we never expected to have an indoor and outdoor event operate simultaneously during our first year of operation. However, we now expect to host at least five such events during the first year! One of these events recently took place on November 15 and 16th, when Rocky Top Sports World hosted both a soccer and basketball tournament over the same weekend.

Encouraging Growth in Gatlinburg

Cindy Cameron Ogle, City Manager for Gatlinburg, is especially excited about the early success of Rocky Top Sports World and is confident that the sports complex will continue to inspire development in the city. In an interview with The Mountain Press newspaper about Rocky Top Sports World, Ogle said “One of the reasons to do this project was to hopefully grow business in this Highway 321 corridor. We’re extremely pleased and very proud of the team here at Rocky Top Sports World. Their hard work is certainly paying off.”

Rocky Top Sports World is just four miles from downtown Gatlinburg and within a short drive of local attractions, making the area surrounding Rocky Top an attractive site for potential businesses.

Incredible Location

Rocky Top Sports World is in an excellent location to host sports events, as nearly 20 major cities are located within a day’s drive. In addition, Atlanta, Charlotte, Lexington and Nashville are each within 223 miles. Sports teams that are competing at our Gatlinburg sports complex can take advantage of the many hotels, restaurants, and attractions in downtown Gatlinburg, and enjoy the pleasant environment of the Smoky Mountains. In addition, the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just 5.5 miles from Rocky Top.

Unparalleled Facilities

The state-of-the-art campus at Rocky Top Sports World covers 80 acres and is quickly becoming one of the most popular tournament destinations in the Southeast. The facility features seven outdoor playing fields including six fully lit fields and a championship stadium field. Rocky Top’s 86,000 square foot indoor facility includes six basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, team rooms, and referee locker rooms. There is plenty of parking available on site.

Partnering With the Community

The professional staff at Rocky Top Sports World works closely with the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and area businesses to make sure that each and every event is handled with the utmost care. In addition, Rocky Top gives back to the community by letting Sevier County teams use our facilities for free. Any teams that are based in Sevier County or affiliated with a Sevier County School qualify for the offer. Although the specific dates and times are subject to change, the current availability for this offer is on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To learn more about our Smoky Mountain sports complex, check out the Rocky Top Sports World Virtual Tour!