Greenville Convention Center secures largest event in venue history

For six months starting in March 2028, the Greenville Convention Center will welcome 50,000 visitors for the U.S. Bowling Congress championships in the largest event in the venue’s history.

Organizers expect the event to generate $70 million for the local economy as groups of bowlers and their families cycle through the area at three- to five-day intervals from March through July 2028.

Checking the boxes

In assessing potential host sites, USBC organizers found Greenville consistently checking all the right boxes, according to executive director Chad Murphy.

He said it became clear the team lobbying for Greenville had done its research and understood the magnitude of the support and logistics required to host a tournament of this magnitude.

“You have good people that are really interested in learning what it is before saying, ‘I want it,’” Murphy said. “That’s a big part of (choosing Greenville).”

In logistics alone, GCC will need to accommodate 50 tractor-trailer loads of supplies and equipment to set up the convention center space for the tournament, according to GCC General Manager Matt Hollander.

That’s the equivalent of the gear needed to put on two or three concerts, he said.

“This event shows what we’re able to do working together,” he said.

The community impact goes beyond the 50,000 visitors, 60,000 room nights in local hotels and $70 million in economic activity, said Heath Dillard, president and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC.

The lumber and wiring required for the tournament is enough to frame three new houses and instead of being discarded will be donated to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County projects, Dillard said.

This community-minded outreach by USBC is one reason VisitGreenvilleSC, GCC and other community organizers lobbied so hard for the tournament, he said.

Registration for the tournament will open in 2027.

For more information, visit USBC’s website at bowling.com.