FOLEY, Ala. – The Sun Belt Conference, a massive sports event featuring cross country, soccer, and volleyball, is returning to Foley, Ala., this fall.
The men’s and women’s cross-country team and individual titles will be awarded on Saturday, Oct. 28. The women’s soccer champion will be determined on Nov. 5, and the volleyball championships take place on Nov. 19.
This is the second time Foley will host the Sun Belt Cross Country Championships at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
The Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Championship will feature the conference’s top 10 teams. In 2022, Old Dominion won the title in its first year in the conference, ending South Alabama’s three-year winning streak. The tournament starts on Oct. 30 and has action every other day until a champion is crowned on Nov. 5.
The Sun Belt Volleyball Championship will bring all 14 of the conference’s volleyball teams to the city. Last year, James Madison won top honors in its first season in the conference. The tournament begins on Nov. 15 and culminates with the championship match on Nov. 19.
With four of the six fall Sun Belt Conference team titles awarded in Foley, City of Foley executive director of leisure services David Thompson says it is exciting how well the conference has been welcomed.
“We started by hosting the 2016 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Championships. Now we are proud to have added cross country and volleyball to the calendar long term as well,” Thompson adds. “We have a true partnership with the Sun Belt Conference. They work closely with us to improve the visitor experience year after year. Win or lose, we want every coach, participant, and spectator to leave with a positive view of Foley and an excitement to return at the next available opportunity.”
“We are committed to providing first-class championship experiences for our student-athletes across all of our sports in the Sun Belt,” says Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill. “Our long-term partnership with Foley Sports Tourism and the City of Foley has enabled us to elevate the marquee postseason events for our student-athletes in women’s soccer, volleyball, and, most recently, men’s and women’s cross country. We look forward to crowning four team champions over the next month in Foley.”
All the Sun Belt Conference Championship action will be streamed live on ESPN+.
