Inside the $150M Portland Facility & Other Game-Changing Sports Investments

Explore Portland’s latest multi-purpose sports facility, key infrastructure updates, and practical insights for sports planners seeking top-tier event destinations

In a groundbreaking move for women’s sports, RAJ Sports has announced plans to construct a $150 million, 12-acre performance center in Hillsboro, Oregon. This facility will serve as the training hub for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Portland’s soon-to-be-established Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. The facility is designed with a holistic approach to athlete development, offering world-class training spaces, cutting-edge recovery resources, and amenities tailored specifically for female athletes.

The complex will feature two full-sized soccer fields, a 17,000-square-foot practice gym with two basketball courts, and a 63,000-square-foot training area. Beyond standard training equipment, the facility will also include a 5,000-square-foot strength training space, recovery lounges, hyperbaric therapy, active recovery pools, and red-light therapy to enhance athlete recovery and longevity.

This project underscores RAJ Sports’ commitment to investing in women’s sports and fostering an environment where female athletes receive the same level of support and resources as their male counterparts. The initiative represents a major step forward in bridging the gap between men’s and women’s sports infrastructure, setting a precedent for future developments.

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Golden State Valkyries: Raising the Bar for Women’s Facilities

Further highlighting the shift toward prioritizing women’s sports, the GS Valkyries have unveiled plans for a new facility tailored specifically to female athletes. The Valkyries, part of the growing landscape of professional women’s basketball, are setting a new standard with a facility that acknowledges unique needs.

The upcoming training center will provide state-of-the-art amenities designed to optimize female athlete performance. It includes an expansive strength and conditioning area, high-performance recovery zones, and spaces dedicated to athlete wellness and mental health support. By focusing on the needs of female athletes, the Valkyries’ facility will help reshape expectations for women’s sports infrastructure.

This investment reflects a broader trend in professional sports—recognizing that women’s teams require more than just repurposed spaces initially designed for male athletes. With this athlete-first approach, the facility aims to attract top-tier talent and elevate the team’s competitiveness on a national level as they hit the ground running.

San Diego FC Unveils First-of-Its-Kind Performance Center

On the West Coast, San Diego FC has made headlines with its recently unveiled performance center. Designed as a premier training hub, the facility integrates advanced technology and sports science to enhance player development.

San Diego’s newest sports complex is designed with sustainability and innovation in mind. It features an advanced recovery center, high-tech sports analytics integration, and custom training areas that cater to the individual needs of players. The center is also expected to serve as a model for future soccer facilities across the country.

With San Diego FC preparing for its inaugural season, the performance center will serve as a cornerstone for the team’s development strategy. Beyond professional sports, the facility is expected to contribute to community engagement by hosting youth training programs, coaching clinics, and other local soccer initiatives. This integration of professional and community-based sports development aligns with the club’s vision of fostering a thriving soccer culture in Southern California.

National Expansion: 12 New Facilities Coming in 2025

On a national scale, the Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) have announced plans to open or break ground on 12 new sports venues across the country in 2025. These facilities will focus on expanding opportunities for youth and amateur sports while also contributing to local economies through sports tourism and event hosting.

SFC’s projects will cater to a variety of sports, from basketball and volleyball to track and field, ensuring that communities across the U.S. benefit from modernized athletic spaces. The expansion is expected to create thousands of jobs while attracting large-scale tournaments and events that generate revenue for local businesses.

Some of the new facilities include Kentucky Sports Factory in Madisonville, KY, which has its grand opening scheduled for March, as well as the first phase of Crossroads Sports Complex in New Lenox, IL, which at the time of full completion will have the most extensive array of versatile synthetic turf fields designed for tournaments and community events in the Midwest.