Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, FL — May 6, 2026 — Over 200 adult male and female slow-pitch softball players will be making their first trip to Charlotte County this October 18-22. Players will be representing major cities across the USA and Canada and team entries from France, Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Jersey are also expected to enter co-ed teams.
Daytime games will be played at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda, and Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Convention & Convention Bureau representatives were instrumental in bringing this group to the area. The Ad World Series (ASWS) has an active website, Facebook and Instagram page, and beginning in May, these platforms will include multiple event “sponsor” references to PureFlorida.com
Three unique features make this event different than every other softball tournament in the world.
- Every co-ed team will play a guaranteed 12 games over three weekdays, and no team will ever be eliminated.
- All players will be staying at the Sunseeker Resort overlooking Charlotte Harbor. “The fact that ‘we stay together’ is unheard of in softball circles” according to tournament director Michael Meiches. “With other tournaments, the promoter may put out a list of hotels that out-of-towners might opt for, but many players and teams will also book Airbnb’s.”
- The Sunseeker will host two dinner parties including the final night Awards banquet. The group also plans to travel for dinner to another destination vin the county via motorcoach.
Players will also have one free night to explore the city on their own and once again PureFlorida.com will offer dinner and tourism suggestions. In fact, about 50% of the attendees are expected to extend their stay and are expected to visit nearby Charlotte County attractions
The event’s founder adds: “Of course, our teams will be competitive on the field, but the secret to the group’s 40+ plus successful years is that post-game handshakes and high-five’s always turns into immediate socializing poolside and then during our dinner functions that includes entertainment and off-field competitions.
Meiches adds: “We knew before the initial site visit that the Sunseeker Resort would offer terrific amenities, but this event really came to fruition due to the behind-the-scenes leadership of Sean Walter, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Sports Business Development Director. Mr. Walter secured the ball fields for us and showed us how a smaller market can be instrumental in making a national event succeed before the first pitch.”
The Ad Softball World Series travels to a new resort destination every year. Although this is the group’s first visit to Charlotte County, previous Florida locations have included Fort Myers, Naples, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Ponte Vedra/Jacksonville, and Orlando. For more information, visit adworldseries.com and follow us on Facebook at AdSoftballWorldSeries.
