Dynamic Sports in Columbus, Georgia

In 2025, the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate—the former Mississippi Braves—relocated to Columbus, Georgia, becoming the Columbus Clingstones. The move brought affiliated minor league baseball back to the Chattahoochee Valley for the first time since 2008, reviving a deep local passion for the game and marking a major milestone in Columbus’s sports history.

As the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, the Clingstones offer fans the chance to see the next generation of Major League talent up close in an energetic, community-focused environment. Whether you’re a lifelong baseball lover or just looking for a fun night out, the Clingstones are bringing big-league excitement to Columbus.

The Columbus Lions are a National Arena League football team, bringing fast-paced indoor football action to fans at the Columbus Civic Center. The team has built a loyal local following and delivers an electrifying game day experience. The Columbus Lions play each year starting in early March, with the regular season concluding by the end of June.

Also based at the Columbus Civic Center, the Columbus River Dragons are a professional ice hockey team competing in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Hockey season kicks off in mid-October and wraps up in mid-April, offering Columbus residents several months of high-energy fun.

This annual football rivalry between Albany State University Golden Rams and Fort Valley State University Wildcats, two historically black universities (HBCU), dates back to 1945 and was officially named the Fountain City Classic in 1990. The event, held at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, is a fall favorite, bringing alumni and fans together for a spirited game each November.

Spanning 90 acres, the South Commons Sports Complex includes the Columbus Civic Center, A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, the historic Synovus Park baseball stadium, and the South Commons Softball Complex—home of the 1996 Olympic Softball Competition.

Located next to the Civic Center, the Columbus Ice Rink is an NHL-regulation facility that hosts ice skating, hockey, and special events. The Rink is also home to Auburn University’s Men’s Ice Hockey Club. With seating for over 700 guests, it’s a favorite destination for ice sports and community fun.

One of the country’s premier clay court facilities, Cooper Creek offers 30 lighted courts, a championship court, and hosts major tournaments.It’housesthe Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA), the second largest USTA programs in the South. The John W. Walden Tennis Center is home to Columbus State University’s tennis teams.

The Columbus Aquatic Center is a state-of-the-art indoor facility offering an Olympic-size swimming pool arranged for lap swimming and a smaller warm-up pool set up for instructional programs, fitness and wellness activities, and open swim. The facility also has three diving boards, plus men’s, women’s and family locker rooms.

The Harris County Community Center is a 42,000 square foot facility which includes an indoor pool, gym with two full-size basketball courts, a fitness room with treadmills, exercise bikes, a stationary weight-machine and ellipticals, a classroom, meeting room and the offices of the Harris County Recreation Department.

With 12 full-size, floodlit fields, Columbus’s Woodruff Farm Road Soccer Complex is one of the top soccer facilities in the Southeast. It regularly hosts tournaments and is a central location for local and regional soccer events.

Whitewater Express brings outdoor adventure to the heart of Uptown Columbus, serving as the gateway to the longest urban whitewater rafting course in the world. Located along the Chattahoochee River, the outfitter offers guided rafting trips, kayaking, and ziplining—all just steps from the city’s walkable downtown. Whether you’re chasing rapids or trying something new with friends and family, Whitewater Express makes it easy to dive into Columbus’s one-of-a-kind river experience.

Located in the Uptown neighborhood of Columbus, RushSouth Whitewater Park transforms the Chattahoochee River into a playground for paddlers of all levels. With 2.5 miles of adjustable rapids, it’s one of the best places to kayak in the region, welcoming everyone from first-time paddlers to national-level competitors.

Golfers of all skill levels will love Columbus’s wide variety of public courses. Bull Creek Golf Course features 36 holes and has earned national accolades. Other local favorites include Fort Benning Golf Club and Maple Ridge Golf Club, co-designed by Masters champion and Columbus native Larry Mize.

For those interested in joining a private club, the Country Club of Columbus and Green Island Country Club offer premier facilities. The Country Club of Columbus is also the longtime home of Fred Haskins, namesake of the prestigious Haskins Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate golfer each year.

Another local favorite is Callaway Gardens, located just outside of Columbus and featuring two scenic courses and a PGA-level practice facility.

The Columbus Roadrunners Club is a volunteer organization founded to promote the fun of running and physical fitness throughout Columbus, Georgia and the surrounding areas. Be it road, cross country, track, trail or triathlon, we have something for everyone. The club is a chapter of the Road Runners Club of America.

Youth sports leagues are extremely popular in Columbus, Georgia. You can find a competitive league for most sports and levels of athletic ability, including tee ball, softball, baseball, soccer, flag football, cheer, dance and step, gymnastics, and track.

• For information on youth sports in Columbus: parks.columbusga.gov/Sports/Youth
• For information on youth sports in Phenix City: phenixcityal.us/parks-recreation/athletics/youth-leagues/

Greater Columbus Sports & Events Council works to grow the local economy by attracting sporting events, supporting recreational facilities, and promoting active lifestyles throughout the community.