Cities invest in next-gen sports facilities to boost tourism, pro teams, and youth development
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
Garland, Texas proposes a $70 million soccer complex to host new pro team Atlético Dallas
Garland, Texas is setting the stage for a major sports investment with a proposed $70 million soccer and training complex aimed at hosting the newly announced USL Championship team, Atlético Dallas. Unveiled in May 2025, the team plans to begin competition in 2027 and would lease the facility under a 20-year agreement.
Spanning nearly 65 acres near President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road, the project includes eight soccer fields, two futsal courts, and a multipurpose building with team headquarters, locker rooms, therapy facilities, and a retail store. A third component allocates space for mixed-use development and infrastructure upgrades.
Renderings featured Atlético Dallas branding, though city officials didn’t explicitly tie the site to the team. Still, the club would manage the facility, paying annual fees and a portion of sponsorship revenues.
The plan—slated for a June 3 city council review—signals Garland’s ambitions to become a hub for soccer and youth development. Meanwhile, club leadership is also eyeing a potential move to the USL’s forthcoming top-tier league.
Morocco begins construction tender for world’s largest stadium ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup
Morocco has launched the construction tender for the $320 million Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane province near Casablanca, aiming to create the world’s largest stadium ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup™. Designed by Oualalou + Choi and Populous, the 115,000-seat venue blends modern engineering with cultural symbolism, inspired by the Moroccan “moussem”—a traditional gathering—under a sweeping tent-like aluminum lattice roof.
Currently wrapping up its earthworks phase, the stadium’s next stage includes masonry, metal frameworks, and finishing touches like ceilings and painting. The project, supervised by Morocco’s National Agency for Public Equipment, is expected to take 30 months once the contract is awarded, targeting completion by December 2027.
Strategically located 38 kilometers from Casablanca, the stadium will anchor a 100-hectare sports complex with training fields, a hotel, and commercial facilities. Designed to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, this monumental venue features three steep spectator tiers, lush garden-lined stairways, and five levels of VIP hospitality, symbolizing Morocco’s bold step onto the global sports stage.
A new sports complex in Lawrence, Wisconsin will feature turf fields, volleyball courts, and year-round training
A major new sports facility is rising in Lawrence, Wisconsin, thanks to a partnership between Sports Emporium and One Wisconsin Volleyball. The groundbreaking project, expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2025, is designed to serve athletes of all ages with cutting-edge features and climate-controlled comfort year-round.
At the heart of the facility are two full-size indoor turf fields, perfect for soccer, flag football, and other sports. A third, smaller boarded turf field offers a focused environment for training and skill development. The complex will host youth and adult leagues, as well as clinics and classes, creating a year-round hub for athletic growth.
A 2,000-square-foot strength and agility training zone adds to the facility’s development focus. On the volleyball side, six premium courts cater to high-level play, providing a new home for One Wisconsin Volleyball.
With event spaces available for parties and tournaments, this multipurpose facility isn’t just for training, it’s designed to be a vibrant community sports destination for northeast Wisconsin.
U.S. Open launches an $800 million upgrade to stay ahead in the “Grand Slam arms race”
Will a $40M youth sports complex be built in Portage, Kalamazoo, or Texas Twp?
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With over 1 million fans in 2024, the U.S. Open is about to get even bigger as the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced an $800 million, privately funded renovation of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the surrounding Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Aiming for completion by 2027, the upgrades will modernize the 30-year-old facility with improved amenities for fans, a new south entrance marked by a dramatic steel medallion, and 2,000 additional premium seats.
Players will see major benefits too, with a $250 million, four-story performance center offering expanded locker rooms, dining, and recovery spaces that are designed to support growing player entourages and enhance the athlete experience.
This transformation isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s part of a global “Grand Slam arms race,” with other majors like the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon investing heavily to elevate their own venues.
With record revenues of nearly $560 million in 2024, the U.S. Open is staking its claim to remain tennis’s premier stage—renowned for being modern, massive, and built for the future.
Laredo, Texas invests in youth baseball and international tournament growth
Laredo is stepping up its game in youth sports, pledging $90,000 to support the annual PONY Association tournament while preparing to unveil its $45 million Buena Vista Sports Complex. With more than 60 out-of-town teams expected, the city is betting big on tourism, economic growth, and a stronger regional sports reputation. Parks and Recreation Director J.J. Gomez confirmed construction is on schedule, aiming to host both PONY and Perfect Game’s Fourth of July Cup—a major win given Perfect Game’s national prominence.
The facility, which Gomez says is “likely a top five” in Texas, features nearly completed fields and ongoing work on restrooms, lighting, and securing a temporary occupancy certificate. Once finished, the complex will centralize Laredo’s baseball activity and serve as a magnet for future tournaments, with at least 10 event promotions already expressing interest. The city’s border-town status could also bring in additional tournaments from Mexico, boosting cross-border sports tourism.
Despite a rocky history between the city and PONY, this year’s smooth sponsorship approval signals renewed optimism. Local leaders see the complex as a community anchor and a catalyst for growth. “We have one shot at it,” Gomez said, “and we’re going to do this right so the people of Laredo can have something to be proud of.”
New stadium plans in Dundalk, Ireland announced as Louth GAA looks to grow Gaelic games in County Louth
Louth Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth, is moving forward with plans for a new stadium in Dundalk, Ireland, marking a significant milestone for the county. A funding agreement between Louth GAA and the GAA headquarters at Croke Park has paved the way for phase one of the project with construction expected to begin in Summer 2025.
The new stadium will initially hold around 6,000 spectators, featuring a 4,080-seat south stand, full-size field, modern floodlighting, standing sections behind both goals, parking, and essential facilities. Local contractor Ganson Group will lead the build, with the project scheduled to take approximately 16 months.
Louth GAA Chairperson Sean McClean emphasized the stadium’s importance as a home for county and club teams, as well as a community hub to nurture the growth of Gaelic games. Future phases will expand capacity with a north standing terrace as funding allows.
This development reflects the GAA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing facilities across Ireland, blending tradition with modern infrastructure to support players, fans, and the broader community for generations.
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