U.S. cities invest in stadiums, fieldhouses, and sports complexes to boost tourism and community growth
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Plymouth, Minnesota weighs $135M investment in fieldhouse, ice center expansion and regional soccer complex
Plymouth is weighing a bold, multi-project investment that could reshape its sports and recreation landscape while positioning the city as a regional destination. City leaders are exploring up to $135 million in athletic improvements, including a permanent fieldhouse, expanded ice facilities and a new outdoor soccer complex. The concepts emerged from resident surveys and internal planning, signaling both demand and long-term ambition.
The proposed projects address clear operational gaps. A $55 million fieldhouse would replace the city’s seasonal dome with a more efficient, year-round facility, while another $55 million would add a fourth sheet of ice and long-overdue upgrades at the Plymouth Ice Center. A third initiative would convert the long-vacant Four Seasons Mall site into a $25 million turf soccer complex.
To advance the plan, Plymouth is seeking legislative approval for a 0.5 percent local sales tax referendum. Officials emphasize that visitors would cover more than half the cost, while voters would ultimately decide the project’s future this fall.
Oklahoma City unveils first look at MAPS 4 Soccer Stadium
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has unveiled first-look renderings of the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, a downtown venue set to anchor a future sports and entertainment district and serve as the home of OKC for Soccer’s USL Championship club. Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the stadium opening in January 2028 ahead of the club’s USL debut.
Located on a nine-acre site donated by Echo Investment Capital, the stadium blends Oklahoma’s natural landscape with a modern urban feel. Design highlights include a skyline-facing north end, a canopy roof inspired by prairie grass and a dynamic fabric façade enhanced by programmable LED lighting. City leaders emphasized the project’s economic, cultural and community-building potential.
To align the stadium opening with a world-class fan experience, OKC for Soccer will officially launch play in 2028, while fielding a U-23 team in 2027. Season ticket reservations are underway through the newly announced 1910 Founders Club, offering early access and exclusive stadium-related benefits.
Bluegrass Fieldhouse set to anchor Owensboro, Kentucky sports scene by summer 2026
Owensboro has officially named its new downtown indoor sports complex the Bluegrass Fieldhouse, marking another milestone for a project designed to elevate the city’s youth sports and tourism profile. The 88,000-square-foot facility, now under construction at Third and Cedar streets, remains on track for a summer 2026 opening and is already generating momentum among event organizers.
The venue will feature seven full-size, convertible courts capable of hosting basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other indoor sports. City leaders envision the fieldhouse as a year-round tournament hub, filling a gap in Kentucky’s indoor sports landscape while creating consistent activity beyond traditional peak seasons.
Tourism officials expect the Bluegrass Fieldhouse to deliver meaningful economic impact. Thousands of visiting athletes and families are projected to drive hotel stays, restaurant traffic and attraction visits throughout the year. With national event planners already engaged, Owensboro is positioning the facility as a competitive regional destination with long-term benefits for downtown vitality.
Davidson County, North Carolina is moving forward with new sports complex
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Detroit City FC secures city approval for 15,000-seat AlumniFi Field Stadium in southwest Detroit
United Soccer League’s Detroit City FC cleared a major hurdle toward building AlumniFi Field, after the Detroit City Council unanimously approved incentives and agreements for the 15,000-seat stadium planned at Michigan Avenue and 20th Street in Southwest Detroit. The privately owned venue will rise on the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site and include a 421-space parking deck and a 76-unit affordable housing development, positioning the project as both a sports and neighborhood investment. Site preparation and environmental abatement are already underway.
Public support centers on a $74.2 million brownfield tax capture over 30 years to fund cleanup and infrastructure, while the club committed more than $2 million through a 12-year Community Benefits Agreement. Those commitments include annual funding for housing, education and cultural groups, a small-business loan fund, local hiring priorities and a $17 minimum wage for stadium employees.
Team leadership framed the stadium as a civic project, targeting a 2027 opening that expands professional soccer while delivering lasting community benefits.
New indoor pickleball facility set to open in Cascades Marketplace this spring in Loudoun County, Virginia
A new indoor pickleball destination is coming to Cascades Marketplace this spring in Loudoun County, Virginia, as The Picklr continues its rapid national expansion. The 30,000-square-foot facility will transform a former Marshalls space in Sterling into a climate-controlled club designed to support year-round play and consistent court conditions.
The Picklr Sterling will feature 10 professional-grade courts, including two championship-sized courts, with surfacing provided by Just Courts. The facility will also include a pro shop and private event space, positioning the club for league play, tournaments and social gatherings. Operators say the focus is on creating a player-first environment that serves both newcomers and experienced competitors.
Membership will include unlimited open play, leagues and tournaments, along with access to The Picklr Academy for adult and junior instruction. Members can also use their passes nationwide, connecting Sterling players to a growing network of more than 500 planned Picklr locations and roughly 5,000 courts across the country.
Tampa Bay Rays, Hillsborough College pass agreement to move forward with new stadium deal
The Tampa Bay Rays and Hillsborough College have taken a formal step toward a potential new stadium, as the college’s trustees approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding tied to a large-scale redevelopment of the Dale Mabry campus. The framework envisions a multi-phase project across roughly 113 acres, combining a new Rays ballpark with hotels, housing, retail and newly constructed academic facilities. While financing, design and timelines remain unresolved, the vote opens a 180-day window for exclusive negotiations.
Under the proposal, Hillsborough College would retain a dedicated “College District” for modernized academic space, while leasing the remaining land to the Rays for at least 99 years. The team would control the stadium and surrounding mixed-use development, with key issues such as property taxation, zoning and MLB approval left to future binding agreements.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signaled support for the concept, emphasizing the state’s interest in keeping the Rays in Florida while limiting public involvement to infrastructure improvements rather than direct stadium funding.
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