Getting There
The primary gateway for visiting sports fans is Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), located approximately 47 miles from Boiling Springs, NC. The drive from CLT along I-85 South takes roughly 59 minutes under normal conditions. Renting a car at CLT is strongly recommended, as there is no direct public transit link between the airport and Boiling Springs; on-demand car services (such as Mozio) can make the trip in about an hour but should be booked in advance.
Getting Around
Boiling Springs is a small, rural college town with no local public transit system, so a personal vehicle or rental car is essential for getting around. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate in the area but availability can be limited, especially late at night after games, so do not rely on them as your sole option. Paul Porter Arena is on the Gardner-Webb campus and is walkable from accommodations directly in Boiling Springs, but most dining and lodging requires a car.
Where to Stay
Your best bet as a visiting sports fan is to book a hotel directly in Boiling Springs or in nearby Shelby (about 5 miles east on US-74), where you will find the widest selection of chain hotels at budget-friendly rates, typically $80 to $130 per night. Staying on or near Main Street in Boiling Springs keeps you close to the Gardner-Webb campus and Paul Porter Arena. Alternatively, some fans choose to base themselves in Gastonia or Gaffney, SC (both under 30 minutes away), where hotel options are more plentiful. Book early during conference tournament weekends, as the area's limited room supply fills up fast.
Sports Fan Notes
Boiling Springs is a quintessential small-college basketball town, and Paul Porter Arena delivers an intimate, loud atmosphere that lets you get close to the action in a way that larger arenas simply cannot match. The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs compete in the Big South Conference, giving visiting fans the chance to see competitive mid-major college basketball and women's basketball under one roof. The program's most famous moment came in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, when the Runnin' Bulldogs made history as the first 16-seed to defeat a 1-seed, knocking off Virginia in the first round. For fans who want to stack their trip, Charlotte (about an hour north) offers NFL, NBA, and MLS action, making Boiling Springs a practical day-trip complement to a Charlotte sports weekend.
Venues in Boiling Springs
Paul Porter Arena
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from CLT to downtown Boiling Springs?
The fastest and most practical option is to rent a car at CLT and drive approximately 47 miles south via I-85 to Boiling Springs, a trip that takes about 59 minutes under normal conditions. On-demand car services like Mozio can also make the trip directly from CLT in roughly the same time and should be pre-booked. There is no direct public transit route; a bus-and-taxi combination is technically possible but takes over 3 hours and is not practical for game-day travel.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Boiling Springs for a sports trip?
Stay as close to the Gardner-Webb campus on Main Street in Boiling Springs as possible for walkable access to Paul Porter Arena. If options there are limited, Shelby (about 5 miles east on US-74) has more chain hotel choices at similar price ranges of $80 to $130 per night, with an easy drive to the arena. Avoid booking far out in Charlotte if you want a stress-free game-day experience.
Which sports teams play in Boiling Springs?
Boiling Springs is home to the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs men's basketball team (NCAAB) and the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs women's basketball team (NCAAW), both Big South Conference members playing at Paul Porter Arena. Both programs play their home schedule at the same venue, so visiting fans can often catch both men's and women's games on the same campus trip, with the women's team having made the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and 2023.
Is Boiling Springs a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Boiling Springs is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted across cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico only. The nearest U.S. host city is Atlanta, GA, which is approximately 2.5 hours southwest of Boiling Springs.
Sports cities near Boiling Springs
Close enough to pair with a Boiling Springs trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.