From coast to coast, American destinations are investing billions in next-generation sports venues to boost tourism, community access and athletic development.
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Regent University breaks ground on $50m athletic and fitness center in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Regent University is ushering in a new era for athletics with the groundbreaking of its long-awaited $50 million Athletic and Fitness Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Nearly 50 years after the school’s founding, the 31-acre project will finally bring all sports under one roof, featuring a 2,000-seat arena, sports medicine clinic, NCAA track and multiple fields for soccer, baseball and softball; all adjacent to student housing. Chancellor Gordon Robertson, son of founder Dr. Pat Robertson, reflected on the project’s spiritual and historical significance, calling it “a miracle nearly half a century in the making.”
The new complex represents a major shift for Regent’s athletic department, which has long relied on partnerships with local schools and city venues. Athletic Director Michael Allen said the center will be a “game changer,” offering student-athletes a true home base and elevating the university’s sports profile across the region.
Set to open in 2027, the facility will not only advance Regent’s competitive programs but also embody its faith-driven mission. Robertson dedicated the project “to God’s glory,” while Allen emphasized the “Royal Way,” which is a culture of excellence, integrity and character that defines Regent athletes.
Kids, Inc. to open $30m Rockrose Sports Park in 2027 to transform youth sports in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas, is taking a major step forward in youth sports with the groundbreaking of Rockrose Sports Park, a $30 m, 90-acre complex developed by Kids, Incorporated. Entirely funded by private donations, the project will deliver 36 acres of synthetic turf fields for baseball, softball, soccer and football, plus plans for a future indoor facility that will cover dozens of other sports. The park sits on land donated by Rockrose Development, marking one of the largest community-driven, privately funded sports investments in the city’s history. Construction is set to take 18–20 months, with an anticipated opening in fall 2027.
For Kids, Inc.—a non-profit organization serving local athletes since 1945—the project fulfills a decades-long vision for Amarillo’s youth. “This is 100% community-driven,” said CEO Jimmy Lackey. “Not a dime of taxpayer money.” The new facility will reduce rainouts, attract regional tournaments and generate tourism revenue while offering consistent space for young athletes to train and compete.
Grounded in faith and legacy, Rockrose Sports Park continues the organization’s mission of providing safe, high-quality recreation. As Lackey reflected, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we won’t live to see, and this park is part of that message.”
The Island F.C. to open a $25m stadium and bring professional soccer to Long Island, New York
Professional soccer is coming to Long Island, New York, with the launch of The Island F.C., a new MLS Next Pro franchise set to debut in 2027 alongside a privately funded $25 million stadium in Uniondale. The 2,500-seat venue, which will be expandable to 5,000, will rise at the Mitchel Athletic Complex to serve as both the team’s home and a year-round training hub. The project is led by principal owner Mitchell Rechler and team president Peter Zaratin, longtime leaders in Long Island’s soccer development scene.
The Island F.C. will anchor a full youth-to-pro pipeline, beginning with players as young as age 5 and extending to collegiate and professional ranks, including plans for a future women’s team. Building on decades of youth programming from Globall Concepts and the Long Island Rough Riders, the franchise represents a natural evolution for one of the nation’s most soccer-rich regions.
Backed by private investors and local support, the project reflects Long Island’s growing appetite for professional sports. As Rechler said, the new stadium will be “a centerpiece for community pride and world-class soccer in the heart of Long Island.”
New Mexico State opens new athletic facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Rancho Cordova, California, approves $175m arena and mixed-use district to anchor new city center
Rancho Cordova, California, is set to reshape its cityscape with the approval of a $175m mixed-use development anchored by a 7,500-seat arena. The Rancho Cordova City Council unanimously approved the agreement between KozPure Development and Alpha One Sports & Entertainment, paving the way for a major addition to the Sacramento region’s sports and entertainment selection. Designed by Perkins+Will and built by McCarthy, the arena will host men’s and women’s Major Arena Soccer League (MASL and MASLW) teams.
The 28-acre project aims to create the city’s first true downtown district. The hub will blend live sports, residential living, hospitality and nightlife, with plans to include at least 640 housing units, two hotels totaling 800 rooms—including one four-star property, a public plaza, retail and dining spaces and a cardroom. The arena will host more than 200 annual events, from concerts and combat sports to community gatherings, revitalizing the local economy and entertainment scene.
KozPure CEO Josh Wood described the project as a “second urbanized city center” for the Sacramento-Cordova region, complementing downtown Sacramento and positioning Rancho Cordova as a regional destination. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2026, with completion targeted ahead of November 2027.
Roseville, California, unveils Power Playground, an inclusive addition to the $61m Placer Valley Soccer Complex
Roseville, California, is nearing completion of one of its most ambitious recreation projects yet. The Power Playground, a universally accessible play area within the $61 million Placer Valley Soccer Complex, is slated to open in late 2025 alongside the complex’s 10 lighted turf fields. The playground will serve as an inclusive space where children of all abilities can play side by side. Designed through extensive community input, it includes ramps, wheelchair-accessible swings, adaptive slides, misting features, quiet zones and shaded rest areas.
Named for its proximity to the Roseville Energy Park, the Power Playground is sponsored by Roseville Electric Utility, which will contribute a $25,000 annual naming rights agreement to maintain and enhance the facility. Recreation Manager Jeff Nereson said the name reflects both “the power of play” and the city’s locally owned power source, symbolizing energy, joy and empowerment for families.
Part of the Placer Valley Soccer Complex, the playground adds a vital community element to a sports destination expected to attract more than 600,000 visitors annually. City leaders see it as a space that not only promotes active play but also strengthens Roseville’s reputation for family-focused innovation and inclusiveness.
Shaquille O’Neal Foundation breaks ground on $24m youth sports complex in Las Vegas, Nevada
Get ready to welcome a major new addition to Las Vegas, Nevada’s youth sports landscape with the Shaquille O’Neal Youth Development Complex, a $24 million facility now under construction in the city’s northeast valley. Overseen by Taahirah O’Neal, the eldest daughter of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the project is expected to open in 2026 and serve as a hub for youth athletics and community engagement. The complex will feature courts and fields for basketball, football, combat sports and other activities, with programming designed for K–12 students and beyond.
The development represents a public-private partnership between The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, local government and professional sports franchises, with the Boys & Girls Club as its primary beneficiary. The initiative combines philanthropic funding and municipal collaboration to expand athletic access and after-school opportunities in one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.
For the O’Neal family, the project continues a personal legacy. Shaquille O’Neal often credits his early experiences at Boys & Girls Club gyms for shaping his athletic and personal growth, and now Taahirah leads efforts to extend that impact. She called the project “a chance to build something lasting that empowers the next generation,” reinforcing the family’s ongoing commitment to youth development through sport.
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