How Daytona Beach Is Redefining the College Town Experience

You can hear it before you see it: the crash of Atlantic waves, the cheer of the crowd, and the unmistakable buzz of a college event weekend in Daytona Beach. Long known as the world’s most famous beach, Daytona is now building a new reputation as Florida’s rising college town.

Here, student-athletes compete for championships with the ocean as their backdrop. Partnerships with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Bethune-Cookman University extend beyond campus gates. And iconic traditions like the NCA & NDA Collegiate Nationals turn the Boardwalk and Bandshell into a national stage.

At the center of it all? Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, the closest oceanfront hotel to International Speedway Boulevard and the Ocean Center. Teams gather, fans celebrate, and students find the perfect base for college events on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Plan your college weekend by the beach. Book our "Park, Eat & Play" offer for Free Parking & Complimentary Breakfast →

A Championship Tradition: NCA & NDA Nationals

If you ask, where are NCA & NDA Nationals held? The answer is, and has long been, Daytona Beach.

For nearly 30 years in Daytona Beach, the NCA/NDA Nationals have set the gold standard for collegiate cheer and dance. For locals, it is a spring tradition as iconic as Bike Week or the Daytona 500 -- one that fills the boardwalk with glitter, grit, and school pride from across the country. With more than 470 teams competing in 2025 and the championship secured through 2030, the event transforms the Bandshell and the beach into the sport’s most iconic stage. Pyramids rise against the Atlantic, routines are etched into history, and champions are crowned on the sand.

Signature moments include:

• Athletes hitting stunts on the Bandshell stage with the ocean at their backs
• Teams sprinting into the surf to raise trophies high above the waves
• Fans packing the Ocean Center, bringing a roar that echoes across the beach

And throughout it all, Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is the college-friendly hotel that student-athletes and fans rely on. Teams gather here for poolside pep talks, fuel up before competition, and celebrate with post-event banquets. When it comes to college events in Daytona Beach, Hilton is the closest and most connected resort to the action.

Embry-Riddle + Hilton: Building a College Town Identity

A thriving college town needs more than signature events. It needs institutions that shape the city’s future. In Daytona Beach, that role belongs, in part, to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s premier aviation and aerospace university.

And as the world's premier aviation and aerospace university, Embry-Riddle brings world-class talent to the region, and Hilton Daytona Beach is proud to support that mission.

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is proud to support Embry-Riddle’s mission and serve as the Embry-Riddle Athletics' Preferred Hotel Partner. The partnership extends far beyond hotel rooms, bringing student-athletes, families, and boosters together around a shared community identity.

Partnership highlights include:

• Special rates for visiting teams and university guests
• Event sponsorships and on-campus visibility
• Game day activations that connect Hilton directly with students, families, and boosters

“Daytona Beach isn't just a beach destination anymore, it's becoming a vibrant college sports town, and Embry-Riddle is proud to help lead the way! With NCA/NDA Championships, major tournaments at the Ocean Center, and the 150+ home events Embry-Riddle hosts each year, these moments create unforgettable experiences for student-athletes and fans alike. And thanks to great partnerships like ours with the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, every experience is first-class!”
- Mitch VanSumeren, Deputy Director of Athletics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

On game weekends, the resort transforms into a hub for the Embry-Riddle community. Families in blue and gold check into oceanview suites, team banners welcome guests in the lobby, and the energy of campus life extends straight to the Boardwalk.

From game day to graduation, Hilton Daytona's "Park, Eat & Play" offer keeps college families fueled and close to the action.

Future College Events in Daytona Beach

Could the next big name in college football step onto the sand in Daytona Beach? With the Hula Bowl eyeing Volusia County, the stage is set for new traditions and unforgettable moments by the ocean.

These opportunities prove one thing: college competitions on Florida beaches are more relevant than ever. From cheer to football to soccer, the spotlight continues to shift toward Daytona as a destination for student-athletes and fans.

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is ready to host. With flexible ballrooms, beachfront event spaces, and unmatched proximity to the Ocean Center and major stadiums, the resort is built for Daytona Beach student travel. Teams, families, and alumni will find the perfect combination of convenience, views, and hospitality that makes every college event a lasting memory.

Hilton Daytona Beach: At the Heart of Every Event

What sets Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort apart is how it blends the scale of a full resort with the spirit of a host. For decades, the property has welcomed student-athletes, coaches, and college communities with services tailored to the collegiate experience.

Each fall, NCAA men’s basketball tournaments at the Ocean Center, the Boardwalk Battle and Sunshine Slam, bring a fresh wave of college excitement to the beachfront. Teams, families, and fans fill the stands and the shoreline, with Hilton serving as the trusted home base just steps from the arena.

Guests find:

• Venues that shift from prep space to post-event celebrations
• Oceanfront rooms that keep fans and teams close to the action
• Group dining options that serve up convenience and coastal flavor

Every event hosted here becomes part of a larger story: one built on college events in Daytona Beach, strengthened by local institutions, and celebrated along the shore.

Hilton Daytona Beach: Your College Event Hotel

Daytona Beach is no longer just a party stop. It has become a purpose-driven destination for student-athletes, families, and fans. From traditions like the NCA & NDA Nationals, to partnerships with Embry-Riddle, to new opportunities on the horizon, the city is redefining what it means to be a true Florida college town.

And leading that shift is Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, the trusted partner, the welcoming host, and the oceanfront stage for the next generation of Daytona Beach's college events.

Ready to explore Daytona's college side? Book your stay with free parking and breakfast included.