If you want to know one thing about Southwest Louisiana, it’s that we love our sports. From the diamond to the court to the ring, this month has many opportunities to get your game on in Louisiana’s Playground! Whether you’re in for the week soaking up the sun or you’re a local looking for something to do- we’ve got you covered.
The Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators have been all the rage across SWLA since their opening night for the 2025 season, with over 2,300 fans present and well-entertained for their home debut. Featuring lots of fun, the games consist of contests, races, dance battles, and more for fans to take part in. This month, the Gators are set to play 12 home games at Joe Miller Ballpark at McNeese.
Every Gators game has a theme for the whole community to participate in. Tickets can be purchased online here or you can buy them at the gate. For more information and details of the Gators’ game and promotional schedule, check out www.gumbeauxgators.com.
But that’s not all for our diamond lovers! The Perfect Game World Series strikes again from July 1-5 at various facilities throughout Southwest Louisiana. With over 100 youth teams, this top-talent tournament is some of the best youth baseball in the country. Find out all the info on the PG World Series here.
Louisiana’s Playground also hosts two Prep Baseball Report High School showcase tournaments, hosted at multiple fields around the lake area. From July 10-13 and July 17-20, high school baseball stars will take over SWLA. As wood-bat only tournaments, we’re in to find the best of the best. Get the information you need to know here.
Basketball isn’t quite over yet, either, in Lake Charles as the Bayou Ball’n National Championship tournament dribbles into town from July 12th through the 14th for a slam dunk of a time. Held at various courts around town, top-talent basketball players from all over the south will make their way into Lake Charles to compete for the gold. The championship tournament will even hold its own skills challenge for players to boast their skills in free throws, 3-point shoot out, knockout, dribble dish, and swish. More information such as venues and schedules can be found here and tickets for spectators are $5.
Get ready for a rumble in the bayou! This isn’t *technically* in July, but it’s exciting enough that everyone should know now to secure your tickets. The American Kombat Alliance 49 returns to the Golden Nugget Lake Charles on Saturday, August 16, starting at 7 PM. Don’t miss a minute of all the hard-hitting MMA action that will be AKA 49! Tickets and VIP Tables are on sale here, as well as all the info you may need! This will be an all-ages show, but anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult 30 years old or older. See you there!
More sporting events and details can be found on our calendar of events! For the need-to-know information, big-game updates, and successes of the sporting world in SWLA, be sure to check out Where Champions are Crowned, released on the first of each month on visitlakecharles.org. Let’s Play!
