International arenas and community centers are highlighted in this week’s report on venues shaping the projected $2.78 trillion sports tourism landscape
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news
JP Financial Arena development full steam ahead in Spain
We begin this week’s Breaking Ground with some international news, as Nomadar Corp. has accelerated plans for its JP Financial Arena development in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain, by securing a binding agreement that completes the project’s full land footprint. The agreement adds more than 161,000 square meters to previously acquired property, giving the company control of the entire site within the next 90 business days, which is years ahead of its original acquisition timeline. The move strengthens flexibility as planning advances for the large-scale sports and entertainment destination.
The 45,000-square-meter multipurpose venue is designed to host up to 40,000 spectators for sporting events, concerts and conferences. Plans also include youth sports tournaments, hospitality, academy programming, corporate activations and immersive experiences, creating a year-round destination that blends sports tourism with entertainment and visitor engagement.
Company leaders say the project aligns with growing global demand for sports tourism and experiential travel. Executives believe the accelerated land acquisition strengthens the foundation for a scalable international destination while building on existing venue management initiatives tied to Cádiz CF and the region’s expanding live-events market.
Pulaski County Sportsplex brings a new era of tournament and event opportunities to Southwest Virginia
Opening in fall 2026, Pulaski County Sportsplex will introduce a 165,000-square-foot indoor venue designed to expand sports tourism and event opportunities in Virginia’s New River Valley. Developed to serve both regional visitors and the community, the facility will host youth and amateur sporting events, along with trade shows, expos, meetings and community gatherings.
The Sportsplex is built to accommodate a wide range of competitions, including basketball, volleyball, futsal, wrestling, gymnastics, cheer, dance and pickleball. Tournament organizers will benefit from flexible event space that supports efficient layouts and multiple courts, while visitors can enjoy amenities such as a full-service restaurant, indoor walking track, fitness areas, golf institute, locker rooms and Virginia’s largest indoor playground.
The venue joins Pulaski County’s growing collection of sports assets, including Calfee Park, Pulaski County Motorsports Park and Randolph Park, strengthening the destination’s ability to host diverse events year-round. Combined with the region’s outdoor recreation, dining and hospitality offerings, the Sportsplex is expected to enhance visitor experience while driving economic impact through sports tourism.
Former Charlotte Hornets player Kemba Walker opens athletic facility in Concord, North Carolina
The Kemba Walker Sports Academy has officially opened in downtown Concord, adding a new multi-court venue designed to support youth athletics, player development and community engagement. The facility features eight middle school basketball courts, four high school basketball courts and eight volleyball courts, along with a team film room and strength and conditioning center to enhance training opportunities for athletes of all ages.
The academy debuted with the Kemba Walker Invitational, welcoming high school and youth basketball teams from across the region for a weekend of competition. Beyond hosting tournaments, the venue was created to provide young athletes with a safe, positive environment where they can build skills, develop lasting friendships and gain valuable life lessons through sports.
Walker, joined by his family, former teammates and local leaders for the grand opening, emphasized the academy’s broader mission of investing in the next generation. The facility is expected to serve as both a community gathering place and a destination for youth basketball and volleyball events throughout the year.
Siouxland Sports Academy’s new facility taking shape in Sioux City, Iowa
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New indoor sports center officially opens its doors in Williamsburg, Virginia
After years of planning, the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center officially opened June 24, adding a 200,000-square-foot venue designed to strengthen the region’s sports tourism economy. Developed through a partnership between Williamsburg, James City County and York County, the $80 million facility reflects a long-term investment in attracting year-round tournaments while supporting the Historic Triangle’s visitor economy.
Addressing benefits for the community, Edward Harris, president and CEO of Visit Williamsburg, noted that beyond hosting tournaments and sporting events, the center will serve the community through local leagues, youth programs, camps, fitness offerings and community events designed to encourage active lifestyles and year-round engagement.
“For families with lower incomes, the center can expand access to affordable recreation, youth development programs, and employment opportunities through partnerships with schools and community organizations,” said Harris.
The flexible complex features 12 basketball courts that convert to 24 volleyball courts or 36 pickleball courts, along with a convertible turf system, rock wall, ninja gym, meeting space and concessions. The first scheduled sporting event is the Ladies Ball Youth Championship High School Showcase (Basketball), scheduled for October 9–11, 2026. This will be followed by Tournament & Showcase 1, hosted by Phenom Hoops, on October 17–18, 2026.
New sports multiplex gets the green light in east Manatee County, Florida
Manatee County, Florida, is advancing plans for a $70–$80 million indoor sports multiplex at Premier Sports North Campus in Lakewood Ranch, positioning the destination for expanded year-round sports tourism. Expected to break ground in early 2027 and open in 2028, the 22-acre project will be developed and operated by Icemann Development under a long-term ground lease while the county retains ownership of the property.
The proposed complex will feature four ice rinks designed to host hockey, figure skating and curling events, with the flexibility to convert the space for basketball, volleyball, cheer, dance, concerts and community functions. Plans also include an 800-space parking garage, and the venue is expected to serve as a hurricane shelter when needed.
Tourism officials estimate the facility could generate approximately $30 million in annual economic impact by attracting regional and national events. The project builds on the county’s broader sports tourism strategy while creating a versatile venue capable of supporting both competitive athletics and large-scale community events throughout the year.
New indoor arena proposed for Macon, Georgia, to open in 2028
Macon-Bibb County has unveiled designs for the new Macon Arena, a 230,000-square-foot venue that will replace the aging coliseum with a modern, flexible destination for sports, entertainment and community events. Groundbreaking is expected later this summer, with the arena slated to open in late 2028. Designers incorporated elements inspired by Macon’s music heritage, the Ocmulgee River and nearby historic landmarks to create a venue rooted in the community’s identity.
The arena will accommodate concerts, sporting events, conventions, family entertainment and civic gatherings with a reconfigurable seating bowl and a maximum capacity of 12,298. Plans also include premium seating, a 30,000-square-foot flex hall, outdoor gathering spaces, two parking decks and dedicated space for the Macon Sports Hall of Fame.
Project leaders emphasized that every aspect of the facility was designed to enhance the visitor experience, from optimized sightlines and premium hospitality areas to flexible event spaces. The development is expected to strengthen Macon’s ability to attract major events while supporting continued downtown growth and creating a destination that serves residents and visitors for generations.
SPG Take
What stands out about this Breaking Ground’s news is the growing emphasis on flexibility. Many of the venues featured are designed to host far more than sports competitions, incorporating concerts, conventions, community programming, fitness amenities and entertainment offerings under one roof. This multi-use approach helps operators maximize utilization, diversify revenue streams and better justify the significant capital investments required to develop modern facilities.
At the same time, several projects illustrate how youth and amateur sports remain at the center of sports tourism growth. Facilities in Pulaski County, Williamsburg, Concord and Sioux City are being built not only to attract tournaments but also to serve local athletes, leagues and families. The dual focus on visitor attraction and community benefit has become a defining characteristic of many successful sports tourism developments.
As destinations continue investing in new venues, the challenge will be balancing ambition with long-term sustainability. The most successful facilities will likely be those that can adapt to changing event demands, serve residents alongside visitors and remain active 365 days a year rather than relying solely on marquee tournaments or occasional headline events.
— Sports Planning Guide
