New venues across the U.S. are redefining sports tourism, recreation and fan experience from pros to amateurs
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
Forsyth County, Georgia approves a $3B arena-led development aimed at luring NHL expansion
Forsyth County, Georgia has officially greenlit The Gathering at South Forsyth, a $3 billion mixed-use development centered around a proposed 18,000-seat NHL-ready arena. Approved by the county commission, the 100-acre project represents a major step toward potentially returning professional hockey to the region.
Led by Krause Sports and Entertainment, the development will include retail, residential, hotel, and entertainment spaces designed to become a regional tourism and economic driver. Officials say the project will be privately funded, with no burden on taxpayers, and backed by real estate tax revenues generated onsite.
Developer Vernon Krause confirmed the arena would only be built if an NHL franchise is secured. The site—near Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Georgia 400—is shovel-ready, and Krause plans to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman soon.
Local leaders hailed the vote as transformational. “This is a monumental period for Forsyth County,” said Commission Chairman Alfred John. While the NHL hasn’t announced expansion plans, supporters believe the region is primed for a third shot at professional hockey.
Time will tell whether it will come together, and even if it does, whether or not it will actually be successful.
The Picklr launches a new 13-court indoor pickleball facility in Utah County
The Picklr, a rapidly expanding, a Utah-based indoor pickleball franchise, has opened one of its largest venues yet—right in the heart of Utah County. Located just south of Pioneer Crossing in Saratoga Springs, the 40,000-square-foot facility features 13 courts, including two championship-sized ones, along with upscale amenities like full locker rooms, a players’ lounge and even a podcast room.
This marks The Picklr’s first Utah County location and the eighth in the state, as the franchise continues its national expansion with more than 40 facilities across 30 states. Future openings are planned for Bluffdale and Spanish Fork.
Driven by a statewide passion for pickleball, Utah ranks No. 2 nationally for pickleball obsession. This new facility lands amid a regional boom where Orem, Mapleton, Springville and Provo have all been named among the top 50 U.S. pickleball cities in 2024.
Springfield, Illinois inflates the world’s largest sports dome at Scheels Sports Park
Springfield, Illinois, is now home to the largest air-supported sports dome in the world, which marks a monumental step forward for the city’s growing sports tourism industry. The newly completed dome at Scheels Sports Park spans over 710 feet in length, 275 feet in width and soars nearly 100 feet high—large enough to hold the entire Scheels store and then some.
Dubbed the Springfield Clinic Dome, the facility is expected to draw 250,000 visitors annually, generating $25 million in economic impact and more than 50,000 hotel nights, according to local officials.
“This is a milestone for the park and our city,” said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher.
The dome is part of a larger $65 million complex, which will feature indoor and outdoor multi-sport facilities, including up to 15 youth baseball or softball fields, six full-size baseball diamonds or eight full-size soccer fields. The dome will open to local athletes in Autumn 2025, with tournament play expected in 2026, making Springfield a serious player in youth sports tourism.
Bakersfield College unveils a new $60 million athletic complex
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Tennessee’s MTSU is set to unveil $25M Stephen and Denise Smith Athletic Performance Center
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) will officially open the new Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center with a public ribbon cutting on July 30, 2025. Located in the north endzone of Floyd Stadium, the 85,000-square-foot, three-story facility is set to be the crown jewel of the university’s $25 million Build Blue Campaign, aimed at elevating its athletic infrastructure.
The new center will house Blue Raider Football operations and offer top-tier strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sports medicine facilities accessible to all MTSU student-athletes. Highlights include a rehabilitation center, a dedicated nutrition hub, a lobby named after longtime supporters Tommy and Judy Smith, and the premium third-floor SRM Concrete Club.
“This facility is a bold symbol of our commitment to student-athlete excellence on and off the field,” said MTSU President Sidney McPhee.
With football operations moving from the Murphy Center to the SAPC, fundraising now shifts to Phase II: renovating the historic Murphy Center. Public tours will follow the July 30 ceremony.
Kansas City Current plan for a second stadium near Riverside training complex
Following the landmark opening of CPKC Stadium, the first purpose-built venue for a professional women’s sports team, the Kansas City Current is moving forward with a second, smaller facility in Riverside, Missouri. The $16.8 million project, approved by the Riverside Board of Aldermen, will include a 2,000-seat outdoor stadium and a 17,000-square-foot performance center adjacent to the team’s $18 million training complex.
Slated to break ground July 17, 2025, the new venue will offer indoor and outdoor training areas, locker rooms, a player lounge, and flexible meeting space. Officials say it provides a strategic option for hosting smaller-scale tournaments like the Big 12 Soccer Championship, which drew between 1,500 and 3,000 fans last year.
The development also grants the team a sales tax exemption on construction materials and falls under a pre-existing tax increment financing plan. As co-owners Angie and Chris Long pursue global ambitions—including expansion into Europe with Denmark’s HB Køge Women—this Riverside expansion is set to strengthen the Current’s foundation at home.
Boca Raton, Florida breaks ground on a new $20M luxury pickleball and padel facility
Boca Raton, Florida is set to become a racquet sports hub with the groundbreaking of Boca Paddle, a $20 million, 100,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility slated to open early 2026. Developed through a public-private partnership with CityPickle, the new venue will feature 25 courts, including 14 indoor pickleball and six padel courts, plus a full-service restaurant, wellness amenities, coworking space and more.
Backed by United Pickleball Association (UPA) board member Brian Levine and Butters Construction, the project aims to address the local shortage of dedicated, weatherproof pickleball venues while creating a true community destination. Programming will cater to all levels, from beginners to pros, with leagues, lessons, clinics and over 200 hours of daily court availability.
Mayor Scott Singer called Boca Paddle a “premier pickleball destination,” fitting for a city that boasts seven of the world’s top 10 pickleball players. As the fastest-growing sport in America, pickleball continues its meteoric rise and Boca Raton is claiming its place at the center of the action.
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