Florida youth softball · 2026-27
Official name: SOFTBALLFEST - PANAMA CITY BEACH
Yes, unless your team pays the opt-out fee. Teams book through Event Connect (Athletx), and the rules charge a fee to teams that opt out. Checked Oct 22, 2026.
Book through Event ConnectThese hotels are for comparison and for families the rules exempt.
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Stay-to-play status: Hotel required unless the team pays the opt-out fee of $995. Teams reserve rooms through Event Connect for this event; local teams within 90 miles are exempt. It runs Dec 27, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 in Panama City Beach, FL. Closest hotel: Candlewood Suites, 1 minute by car. TourneyTrip checked the host's page on Oct 22, 2026.
Verified on . Official source
The rules say
Exemptions the rules list: Teams whose registered address is located within 90 miles of the event venue may qualify for a local exemption from the Preferred Hotel Program.
Open the official housing pageTeams that choose to participate in the Preferred Hotel Program but do not meet the applicable room night requirement will be subject to the tournament’s applicable Opt-Out Fee. For the 2027 season, Opt-Out Fees of $995, depending on the tournament, market, and brand.
Penalty the rules list
Opt-Out Fee of $995 for the 2027 season, per the host hotel page (registration page: Lodging Opt-Out Fee $995.00)
Housing partner
Event Connect (Athletx)
Refund policy: Once an entry fee is paid for an event, no cash, check or credit card will be issued for any reason, unless SoftballFest cancels the event in advance of the event weekend due to insufficient participation. Source.
Can I book my own hotel? The host runs a Preferred Hotel Program through Event Connect and says a team that does not meet the room night requirement is subject to the Opt-Out Fee, listed at $995 for the 2027 season. The host also says teams may opt out and make their own lodging arrangements (host hotel and registration pages, checked 2026-10-22). Teams within 90 miles of the venue may qualify for a local exemption.
SoftballFest runs Sunday December 27, 2026 to Friday January 1, 2027 at Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, for 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U/18U with 5 games guaranteed. The price is $695 per team at the Stay & Save price with a $100 deposit.
The host asks for at least 48 qualifying room nights through Event Connect, and says direct hotel bookings, travel websites, vacation rentals and staying with family or friends do not count toward that total.
The host also lists a $600 team gate fee that covers admission for all spectators of that team. Closest listed hotel by drive: TownePlace Suites Panama City Beach Pier Park (1 min). BaseballFest uses Publix Sports Park, about 6.8 miles east, on the same dates.
Closest hotel: Candlewood Suites, 1 min by car from Frank Brown Complex. 12 hotels within 4 min are listed below.
See every hotel near Frank Brown Complex, with any dates
Teams in the hotel program book through Event Connect (Athletx). These hotels are for comparison and for families the rules exempt or teams that pay the opt-out fee. Check the exemptions above first.
| Hotel | Drive | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Candlewood Suites | 1 min | See rates |
| TownePlace Suites Panama City Beach Pier Park | 1 min | See rates |
| Beachcomber By The Sea | 3 min | See rates |
Teams in the hotel program book through Event Connect (Athletx). Use the official housing link for your team rooms. We cannot arrange a separate group rate for this event.
Open the official housing page| Hotel | Drive | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort Inn & Suites | 3 min | See rates |
| Emerald Isle Condominiums | 3 min | See rates |
| Holiday Inn Club Vacations Panama City Beach Resort | 3 min | See rates |
| Palmetto Inn and Suites | 3 min | See rates |
| Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort | 3 min | See rates |
We earn a commission if you book through these links. Your price is the same.
Send the dates and the hotel list to the team chat in one tap.
| Level | Dates |
|---|---|
| 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U/18U | Dec 27, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 |
Games guaranteed: 5. Source
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