A new wave of sports venue projects is putting economic impact, community development and long-term sustainability in focus
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news
Eastland Sports Complex, a $67M youth sports hub, coming to Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is moving forward with Eastland Sports, a $67 million youth sports complex breaking ground on the east side of the city. Expected to open in 2028, the 29-acre development will feature a 100,000-square-foot indoor facility with 10 basketball courts, six outdoor multipurpose fields and a dedicated restaurant. Charlotte Soccer Academy will also establish a presence on the campus and help guide programming and operations.
Organizers envision the project as more than a tournament venue, with the centrally located complex positioned to help drive revitalization and future development around the former Eastland Mall site. Additional hotels, restaurants and other businesses are expected to follow, creating a sports-centered destination in an urban setting rather than a suburban market.
The economic potential is significant, with Eastland Sports projecting $169 million in annual impact, 126,000 hotel room nights and 500 jobs. Similar facilities demonstrate the model’s potential: Rock Hill’s sports center generated more than $62 million in economic impact and 137,000 hotel stays in 2024. For Charlotte, North Carolina, Eastland could bring that tournament-driven impact directly into the city’s east side.
Canadian city of Surrey, British Columbia, set for new 10,000-seat arena
Surrey, British Columbia, is advancing plans for a new 10,000-seat City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre that will become a major home for sports, concerts and cultural events. The agreement in principle between the City of Surrey and Surrey City Development Corporation includes the Vancouver Giants as the anchor tenant, with the Western Hockey League club relocating to the new venue. Completion is targeted for 2030.
Located directly across from City Hall and Surrey Central SkyTrain Station, the arena will anchor a broader sports and entertainment district featuring a luxury hotel, conference space and housing. The project carries an estimated net cost of $360 million and is expected to expand Surrey’s capacity to host major events while creating new opportunities for tourism, investment and community activity.
City officials project the development will generate approximately $2.4 billion in economic benefits over its first decade. The project is funded through Surrey’s 2026 budget, with the city acquiring the five-acre site through a strategic land swap. The arena is positioned as a catalyst for continued growth in Surrey’s City Centre.
Missouri State plans major athletics facility upgrades, starting with McDonald Arena
Missouri State University has unveiled a long-term athletics master plan designed to modernize its facilities and strengthen the game-day experience, with historic McDonald Arena positioned as the first phase. The university’s Board of Governors reviewed the vision this month, while initial construction steps are expected to begin in the coming months. The project could be completed ahead of the 2027 football season.
Planned improvements at the 1940s-era arena include a new football team locker room, an extended tunnel connecting the building to the field and conversion of the main court into a large weight room. Updated athletic training, examination, office, equipment, laundry and restroom spaces will further modernize the facility and support daily operations.
Future phases, dependent on additional private fundraising, would focus on Robert W. Plaster Stadium and the surrounding campus. Potential upgrades include premium seating and suites, a fan welcome plaza, expanded hospitality areas and a new indoor football practice facility. Together, the improvements are intended to enhance recruiting, athlete development and the overall experience for Missouri State fans.
New drone video highlights six months of progress at Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Upgrade your planning process by exploring fresh insights and best practices with SPG InSite.
$49M indoor youth sports facility breaks ground in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with fall 2027 opening targeted
Did you think Kalamazoo was done yet? The city has broken ground on a separate $49 million indoor youth sports complex that is expected to open in fall 2027. The 140,000-square-foot, tournament-ready facility will be built over 20 acres near Oshtemo Township and feature eight basketball courts convertible to 16 volleyball courts, a 200-by-85-foot indoor turf field, flex and team rooms, ticketing, a lobby and café.
Funded through a 4% incremental lodging assessment approved by 82% of Kalamazoo County hoteliers, the project is designed to strengthen the region’s sports tourism economy without creating new taxes or fees for residents. Officials estimate the facility could generate 36,000 additional hotel room nights annually, with visitors also supporting local restaurants and businesses.
The venue will balance tournament activity with community programming, hosting major competitions on weekends while providing leagues, camps and clinics during the week. Its location offers convenient access to U.S. 131 and I-94 and sits within 15 minutes of 98% of Kalamazoo County hotel rooms. The Sports Facilities Companies will lead operations, management and marketing as the facility develops into a regional sports tourism asset.
Designs revealed for the new Macon Arena in Georgia
Macon-Bibb County has unveiled designs for the new Macon Arena, a 230,000-plus-square-foot venue expected to open in late 2028. Planned for the current Macon Coliseum site, the 10,000-capacity arena will support concerts, sporting events, conventions, family entertainment and community programming. Groundbreaking is expected later this month, with construction phased to maintain operations at the existing facility.
The design incorporates elements of Macon’s history and identity, including exterior lines inspired by the Ocmulgee River, musical staff and record details, and a roof shaped like a guitar pick. Inside, flexible seating, premium clubs, suites, loge boxes, terraces and a signature spectator bridge are designed to enhance the experience while providing strong sightlines throughout the venue. Dedicated space will also showcase the Macon Sports Hall of Fame.
An approximately 30,000-square-foot flex hall will expand the venue’s capabilities with space for trade shows, conferences, high school sports and an additional ice sheet. Outdoor plazas will accommodate festivals and civic events, while two parking decks add 800 spaces. The project team includes MFA Project Management, PBK Architects and Barton Malow+Sheridan Construction.
$281M Miami University sports arena construction begins in Oxford, Ohio
Miami University is preparing to transform its Cook Field site as construction fencing goes up ahead of a planned mid-September groundbreaking for a new $281 million campus arena. The venue will replace Millett Hall, which has served as the university’s primary sports arena since 1968, and is expected to open in fall 2028.
The new arena will feature basketball and volleyball competition spaces, practice courts and flexible areas for campus events, including commencements, concerts, career fairs and other live performances. University officials say the project is designed to strengthen the student experience while supporting broader economic development around the arena district, which will include a hotel and other development.
As Cook Field closes, some nearby student parking lots will also be taken out of service, while a portion of the walking track will remain accessible. Miami is investing $13 million in new student courts and activity spaces at Chestnut Fields and elsewhere to offset the loss of Cook Field facilities. Final arena design approval is expected later this fall.
SPG Take
The latest round of sports venue announcements offers a compelling reminder that bigger does not always mean better, but thoughtful development can make a lasting difference.
Charlotte’s Eastland Sports project stands out because it aims to put sports tourism at the center of urban revitalization, rather than simply building another tournament complex on the edge of town. Kalamazoo is taking a different but equally interesting approach, using lodging revenue to fund a facility designed to generate more hotel demand without adding new taxes for residents.
Meanwhile, Surrey and Macon are betting on large arenas as catalysts for broader sports, entertainment and cultural districts. Those investments carry greater risk, particularly when projected economic benefits stretch across a decade or more.
Miami University’s $281 million arena also raises an important question about scale and priorities.
The opportunity is real, but the strongest projects will be those that connect ambitious facilities to measurable community needs, year-round programming and a sustainable economic strategy.
— Sports Planning Guide
