The Carolina Invitational

The 16th annual Carolina Invitational will take place December 28-30, 2026 in Charleston, SC.
 
We offer Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls, JV Boys and JV Girls divisions! For the first time since 2022, this year’s event will offer bracket play (Varsity Boys & Girls only) as well as showcase scheduling. Teams will decide what schedule format they want to play in when registering. All games are played at top high school gyms across the Charleston footprint. The event is sanctioned by the NHSF and all teams play one game a day and guaranteed 3 games.
 
Over the last 15 years, we hosted teams from: The Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, California, Texas, Delaware, Canada and Australia. We pride ourselves on hospitality and making sure that everyone has a great time in the Lowcountry when visiting. 
 
Our goal is to create a memorable, high value experience for teams and fans alike, while promoting and supporting high school basketball during the holiday season in Charleston, SC. 
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Spend the holidays in the lowcountry!

FAQ

A great opportunity to spend several days in the #1 tourist city in America. Not only will you play 3 games against new competition, but also have a time to build team comrade, enjoy great food, history, the beach and all the sites that Charleston has to offer.

The format is either Bracket or Showcase schedule. Teams play 1 game a day, guaranteed 3 games and once the schedule is released, NO changing of game times.  Registration deadline is October 30, 2026 and schedules are released November 13, 2026. Match-ups are determined by competition level desired by Coach and/or school enrollment size for showcase schedule and bracket play will be blind draw. We offer a top division, mid-division and lower division for both Bracket and Showcase play. 

ALL games played at the top high school gyms across the Charleston, SC footprint.

Any high school VB, VG, JVB or JVG team can register. All participating teams must be sanctioned under your state’s association/NHSF.  

 

Want to register for the 2026 Carolina Invitational? Complete the form listed below. Once completed, you’ll receive an invoice within 24 hours of submission. ONCE THE INVOICE IS PAID, you will then and only then be officially in the 2026 Carolina Invitational. Once payment has been received, an email will be sent confirming receipt of payment and official spot in event. We now can accept online payments as well and click on the link below to pay online. Please fill out the form completely to ensure that your payment is properly applied to the right school/team. After November 13th, any cancellations or dropping out of event will result in NO REFUND of payment. Credit will be given for 2027 event. 
 
NOTE: Multiple team discount given for 3 or more teams from the same school! If sending multiple teams, please make sure you fill out a form for each team. If payment will be made by same account, then one check/ online payment can be made for all and indicate what teams payment is for! 

THIS IS A STAY TO PLAY EVENT. We partner with hotels all around the area to offer the best rates possible. Most of these hotels also provide free breakfast, but please check the info section on the hotel link to make sure! There will be an $300 charge per school for any team that does not stay at a participating hotel. This charge is non-negotiable and strictly enforced.

Registration fee is $450 for one team, $900 for two teams, $1275 for three teams and $1600 for four teams. The fee includes customized bag tags for each player.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to email carolinainvitational@hotmail.com or call tournament director Everett German at 843-345-3455.

About Charleston

“Stand on the site of the first shot in the Civil War. Come face to face with a giant sea turtle. Take a tour of an antebellum mansion. Climb aboard a WWII aircraft carrier. There are so many blossoming gardens, so many photo opportunities and so many reasons to come back to see us again.”

“Many come to Charleston with one thing on their mind: food. The best grits you’ll ever have, prepared in ways you never imagined. Festive dockside oyster roasts. High-end restaurants. Outdoor cafés. Fresh from the dock seafood. Every meal is an event in itself. Prepared with perfection. Served with a warm smile. Enjoy.”

Carolina Invitational is proud to be sponsored by the Charleston Visitors Bureau. Please visit their website for all the highlights of the Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina.

Accommodations

Reserve your room

The Carolina Invitational will once again partner with local hotels to offer discounted room rates for all teams that need lodging. The portal to make hotel reservations opens later this spring.

tickets

TICKET INFORMATION

Adult 3-day pass-$35
Child 3-day pass-$25
Adult daily pass-$15
Child daily pass-$10
 
The pass that you purchase is good for any of the sites that Carolina Invitational games are played on that day(s). Some sites take cash, some sites accept electronic payment (venmo, cash app, paypal) and some take both. Be prepared to do both.  
NOTE:  Transactions fees will be applied to all card transactions!
 
The only passes that will be accepted in place of payment are SCHSL & SCISA passes.
NO SCHOOL BOOSTER passes are accepted.

Sponsors

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Everett German.

We appreciate the support of our sponsors.

Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved.
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Doubletree Hotel
5264 International Blvd
N. Charleston, SC 29418

Restaurants & Catering

We appreciate the support of our sponsors.

Restaurant seating capacities and catering opportunities are below for you and your team.

Juanita Greenberg's Nacho Royale

https://juanitagreenbergs.com/

Downtown location – Seating for 80 people
439 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Mount Pleasant location – Seating for 120 people
410 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464