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  • Montgomery Lands Major Regional Baseball Tournament for 2026

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    July 08, 2025
    MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Following the City of Montgomery’s $2.4 million renovation of the Lagoon Park
    Softball Complex, the city is seeing immediate returns on investment, welcoming record-breaking
    tournaments, national attention, and securing the 2026 Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB) Regional World
    Series.

    District 2 City Councilwoman Julie Beard, city leaders, teams, and families gathered at Lagoon Park to
    celebrate the Opening Ceremonies of the 2025 DYB Division 2 Tournament—marking both a milestone in
    Montgomery’s youth sports momentum and the official debut of the newly renovated complex. This success
    is the result of strong collaboration between the City of Montgomery, Montgomery Parks and Recreation,
    Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB), and Experience Montgomery—whose shared commitment to youth sports
    has positioned Montgomery as a top-tier tournament host across the Southeast.
    The city of Montgomery investment, completed earlier this year, reflects a bold commitment to
    strengthening outdoor recreation and positioning Montgomery as a premier destination for youth sports
    tourism. Upgrades include:

    • Five fast pitch-ready fields with new backstop netting
    • Permanent outfield fencing and re-sodding
    • A covered turf batting cage with lighting
    • A new shelter pavilion for fans
    • Renovated umpire locker rooms and upgraded restrooms

    Montgomery Scores 2026 DYB Regional World Series

    The City of Montgomery, in partnership with Experience Montgomery and Diamond Youth Baseball (DYB),
    officially announced that the city has secured the bid to host the 2026 DYB Regional World Series. This
    high-impact youth tournament previously generated over $4 million in direct visitor spending and attracted
    more than 750 families in 2024. With Montgomery as the 2026 host city, another major tourism and
    economic boost is expected.

    “Montgomery is proud to be the home of championship-caliber youth sports,” said Mayor Steven L. Reed,
    City of Montgomery. “Securing the 2026 DYB Regional World Series speaks to the strength of our
    partnerships, the quality of our facilities, and the dedication of our community. These tournaments do more
    than fill hotel rooms—they bring families together, support local businesses, and showcase the best of what
    our city has to offer. As we look toward future bids, Montgomery is all in.”

    “Hosting this series is not just a win for Montgomery, but a celebration of what our city can do when we work
    together,” added Brandon Dean, Montgomery Parks and Recreation Director. “From our grounds crews to
    our community volunteers, everyone plays a role in making events like these successful. We’re honored to
    welcome the 2026 DYB Regional World Series to Lagoon Park, and we’re committed to giving every athlete
    and family a first-class experience.”

    Tournament Impact at a Glance
    Recent and upcoming events hosted in Montgomery underscore its growing sports tourism momentum:

    • DYB Rookies Tournament (June 11–14):
    $400K in direct spending | 600+ room nights | 36 teams
    • DYB Division 1 State Tournament (June 25–30):
    $500K in direct spending | 600+ room nights | 37 teams

    • 2026 DYB Regional World Series:

    Expected $4M+ economic impact | Hundreds of families across the Southeast
    Later this month, representatives from the city's Parks and Recreation department, along with Experience
    Montgomery, will travel to Lexington, SC, to bid on two DYB World Series tournaments for 2027, which could
    bring up to 144 teams and thousands of additional visitors to Alabama’s Capital City.

    Additional Quotes:

    “Each year, we receive bids from across the state, and this time District 5 in Montgomery really stepped up.
    Their proposal to host all three state tournaments showed a serious commitment to DYB and youth
    baseball. Montgomery’s central location is a plus, but what truly sets it apart is its first-rate facilities,
    welcoming community, and a team that gets what we do. That’s why awarding the 2026 Regional World
    Series to Montgomery was an easy choice. We can’t wait to welcome teams from across the Southeast and
    showcase what makes this city special. At DYB, we’re built on community — ‘Where Every Child Matters and
    Every Kid Plays.’ This partnership helps us grow the game and remain the go-to youth sports organization for
    families and leagues across the region.”
    — Ricky Phaturos, Alabama Diamond Youth Baseball State Director

    “Bringing all three DYB state tournaments to Montgomery this year generated major buzz and measurable
    economic impact. Being selected to host the 2026 DYB Regional World Series is a proud milestone that
    reflects our strong partnership with DYB, the City of Montgomery, and Montgomery Parks and Recreation.
    This tournament will attract families from across the Southeast, allow local teams to compete at home, and
    keep visitor spending in our region. Montgomery’s investment in sports tourism—alongside committed
    partners—is delivering real results, from increased hotel nights and restaurant traffic to national visibility.
    The regional spotlight is on Montgomery—and we’re ready.”
    — Ron Simmons, Chief Destination Officer, Experience Montgomery

    "This is a win for our city, our businesses, and our families. Youth sports continue to be a powerful economic
    engine for Montgomery."
    — Craig Brown, Tournament Director

    ABOUT EXPERIENCE MONTGOMERY
    Experience Montgomery, a division of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, is the official
    destination marketing organization for Montgomery, Alabama, and a leading tourism driver for the River
    Region. With a focus on sharing the city’s powerful story and unmatched southern hospitality, Experience
    Montgomery promotes the region as a hub for history, culture, sports, outdoor adventure, and group travel—
    including meetings, conferences, and tournaments. By attracting visitors and events to the area, the
    organization helps drive regional economic growth, support small businesses, create jobs, and enhance
    quality of life throughout Central Alabama. Learn more at www.experiencemontgomeryal.org.
    ###
    Media Contact:
    Megan Carlisle
    Director, Marketing & Communications, Experience Montgomery
    mcarlisle@montgomerychamber.com
    (O): 334-261-1114
     
    Contact:
    Megan Carlisle, Senior Manager, Brand Engagement, Experience Montgomery
    mcarlisle@montgomerychamber.com, (334) 834-5200
  • Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
    600 S. Court St, P.O. Box 79
    Montgomery, Alabama 36101
    Tel: 334.834.5200   Fax: 334.265.4745

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