How Henrico Sports & Events Center Is Rewriting the Playbook on Community Revitalization
Written by: Jeff Gayduk
Published – 3/5/2026
I had read some of the buzz about Henrico County Virginia’s new indoor sports complex, but as is often the case in this business, seeing it in person tells the full story. On a recent tour of the Henrico Sports & Events Center, the first thing that struck me wasn’t the endless rows of hardwood or the gymnastic competition set-up that morning, it was the construction surrounding it. New townhomes rising. Hotels mid-construction. Retail reinvesting. The entire corridor felt in-transformation. Only then did I fully appreciate what this facility build has set in motion.
Not long ago, this stretch of Henrico County was anchored by a declining retail mall, the kind of property many communities across America have struggled to repurpose as department stores shuttered and foot traffic evaporated. Today, that same footprint hums with basketballs bouncing, volleyball whistles and national championship broadcasts.
Looking for more tournament-ready communities beyond one facility? Explore the State Guide to Sports in Virginia to keep scouting.
The 185,000-square-foot indoor complex that opened in late 2023 stands where the former Virginia Center Commons once operated. What had been a fading retail corridor is now one of the busiest indoor sports venues in the Mid-Atlantic region and a case study in how sports tourism infrastructure can drive community renewal.
“We have a wait list,” said Megan Hazzard, managing director for Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, the entity who oversees sales for the facility. “People get mad when they realize we’re booked. They say, ‘What do you mean? You’re new.’ But we couldn’t wait until we were open to start booking. You start booking before you open.”
Built for Volume, Built to Flex
The facility features 12 basketball courts convertible to 24 volleyball courts, all controlled via ceiling-mounted systems. Court dividers allow simultaneous programming — futsal on one side, gymnastics on the other — a level of operational flexibility that keeps the calendar in near-constant motion.
“It’s like a puzzle,” Hazzard said of managing the schedule. “All of those indoor youth winter sports want the same time of year. You balance hotel room nights, national exposure, local access — it’s constant strategy.” The Henrico team manages event bookings outside of a 9 month-prior window, while the organization’s operational partner, ASM Global handles close-in bookings and event op details.
The numbers validate that strategy.
A Puma-sponsored basketball showcase last year drew international competition including 40 teams from Australia along with NBA scouts, collegiate coaches and national media. The center recently secured the National Futsal Championship, relocating an event that had been held in Kansas City for two decades which is expected to generate 10,000 room nights.
“These are full-facility events,” Hazzard said. “They bring in a lot of hotel room nights, a lot of teams. We prioritize those.”
Henrico also partnered with Richmond Region Tourism to land the 2027 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship, underscoring the building’s ability to compete for major bids.
Planning a tournament in the Richmond area? Check out Henrico County, Virginia for facilities, logistics, and local planning context.
Economic Ripple Effect
The center’s impact extends well beyond the hardwood.
Two new hotels, a Residence Inn and Home2Suites are opening adjacent to the property, with additional restaurants in development. Retail brands that had abandoned the area have taken notice, with new national tenants like Barnes & Noble and TJ Maxx setting up shops nearby.
“This whole area was kind of on the decline,” said Dawn Miller, who leads marketing and communications for Henrico Sports & Entertainment. “Now it’s completely revitalized. It’s not just helping us, but it’s benefiting the entire region.”
Even neighboring counties are reporting increased demand tied to tournament traffic.
Beyond a Rec Center Model
While county-owned, the Henrico Sports & Events Center operates with a different philosophy than a traditional recreation facility.
“It’s not a rec center,” Hazzard explained. “Groups do rent the space. The county has invested heavily in rec centers elsewhere, but this building serves a different purpose. People want consistency. They want to know every Monday they’ll be here.”
Weeknights are often fully programmed with youth basketball, volleyball, futsal and adult leagues. Concessions and a bar remain open during league play, and the building offers free Wi-Fi and flexible seating, amenities increasingly important to families balancing work and sports schedules.
Broadcast-Ready Infrastructure
One of the facility’s most forward-looking investments lies behind the scenes.
Henrico installed a dedicated broadcast and audiovisual control room designed for plug-and-play national production. Direct connectivity from the building exterior allows satellite trucks immediate access, reducing cost and logistical barriers for event organizers.
“We wanted plug-and-play for broadcast,” Hazzard said. “When production companies come in, they don’t have to build everything from scratch. It lowers their cost and makes it easy — and they talk to each other.”
The result: ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Network and Comcast SportsNet have all broadcast events from the venue. The American Cornhole League and Atlantic 10 Conference basketball tournament have leveraged the in-house capabilities.
“You see people’s eyes light up when they walk in here,” Hazzard said.
Safety as Strategy
Public safety was another intentional priority. The county integrated a command center for police, fire and EMT personnel within the building and deploys weapons detection for large tournaments.
“If all the county schools use weapons detection, why wouldn’t we do it here?” Miller said.
AI-assisted camera systems allow staff to search footage quickly if issues arise, adding a layer of operational security that reinforces confidence among event organizers and families.
Flexibility Beyond the Courts
The building includes 3,500 retractable seats, expandable to approximately 4,000 for graduations. Eighteen high school commencement ceremonies are hosted annually, requiring rapid conversion from sports setup to ceremony layout and back again — sometimes within days of a 400-team volleyball tournament.
4 locker rooms, a referee “safe haven” and trainers room give this facility the feel of a professional arena.
Upstairs, more than 7,000 square feet of unfinished expansion space remains intentionally flexible.
“We didn’t want to make a knee-jerk decision,” Hazzard said. “Do we add suites? Expand banquet space? Medical offices? We’re still learning what the building wants to be.”
The facility already supports banquets of 1,500 guests on the arena floor, sponsor hospitality in its VIP suite and networking events for regional organizations.
“This whole center is about flexibility,” Hazzard said.
A New Playbook for Community Revitalization
As communities nationwide wrestle with what to do with aging retail corridors, Henrico’s approach offers a blueprint: replace declining consumer retail with experiential infrastructure that draws regional and national visitation.
The Henrico Sports & Events Center is more than a tournament venue. It is an economic engine, a broadcast platform, a graduation hall and a regional anchor.
For planners and municipal leaders evaluating indoor sports investments, Henrico’s early returns send a clear signal: when strategically programmed and operationally disciplined, sports tourism facilities can do far more than fill courts. They can help communities thrive.
By the Numbers: Henrico Sports & Events Center
- 185,000 square feet total facility size
- 12 basketball courts (convertible to 24 volleyball courts)
- 3,500 retractable arena seats (expandable to approximately 4,000 for graduations)
- 18 high school graduations hosted annually
- 7,000+ square feet of future expansion space
- 4 locker rooms for teams pre and post game use
- 2 new hotels opening adjacent to the facility
- 1 former regional mall site transformed into a sports tourism anchor
Want more venue ideas that fit different sports, budgets, and travel distances? Start with the Virginia state sports planning guide.
