In addition to the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, Memphis is home to a number of professional and college-level sports teams that provide year-round excitement, playing games in award-winning stadiums. For professional sports, there’s the Memphis Grizzlies, 901 FC soccer team, and the Redbirds. The University of Memphis has well-known basketball and football teams, both known as the Memphis Tigers.
There are a number of sporting events to enjoy right in the heart of Memphis, whether as a spectator or a participant. In recent years, Memphis has dedicated more money and space to developing fitness centers and greenspaces that invite recreational sports and activities.
The Memphis Grizzlies NBA team brings basketball players from around the world to Memphis for exciting games from October to April every year. See the biggest names in the NBA compete at FedExForum, along with plenty of music and entertainment like the Beale Street Flippers and Grizz Girls. Arena concessions provide local flavor, including the world-famous Rendezvous Barbecue.
Located in the heart of Memphis, AutoZone Park is the home of the Memphis 901 FC soccer team. AutoZone Park is also home to the Memphis Redbirds. The Redbirds are the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals.
AutoZone Park was named the 2009 Minor League Ballpark of the Year by Baseball America. The FedExForum features several sporting events and is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team.
Memphis has done a lot in recent years to expand its recreational spaces, creating more fitness centers, expansive greenspaces, and walking tracks that encourage activity. The revitalization effort of Tom Lee Park will include ample space for running, playing a game of soccer, or throwing a frisbee with friends.
Staying active is important to Memphians. Every December, the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is a popular annual event that draws runners from all over the world while celebrating the heroes of the healthcare community. The course leads runners on closed streets in Midtown, Downtown and through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s main campus.
Liberty Park, formerly the Mid-South Fairgrounds, is home to the Liberty Bowl game, as well as the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium that serves as the home of the Memphis Tigers football team.
And located in the heart of Liberty Park and just outside the Liberty stadium, The Memphis Sports and Events Center is a brand-new facility that was built to attract youth sports tournaments like AAU basketball, cheer, and dance competitions.