Three municipalities unite to build a next-generation sports complex designed to capture year-round tournament business.
By Jeff Gayduk
I’ve never met a hard hat tour I didn’t like. There’s something about walking through a facility before the final touches; exposed steel beams, unfinished floors, crews still fine-tuning systems AV systems, that reveals a building’s true intent. On a recent visit to the new Williamsburg Sports & Events Center, that raw stage made one thing clear: this wasn’t designed to be just another facility. It was built to compete.
When the doors open at the new Williamsburg Sports & Events Center this summer, tournament directors will discover a purpose-built, 200,000-square-foot indoor complex that has the look and feel of an upscale conference center. Purpose built to solve a regional indoor facility shortage and within a stone’s throw of iconic attractions such as Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, this building positions the Greater Williamsburg area as a serious year-round sports tourism player.
At the heart of the complex is a 114,000-square-foot unobstructed main hall capable of hosting 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts or 36 pickleball courts simultaneously. All equipment is ceiling-mounted, with integrated shot clocks and court-dividing curtain systems that allow multiple events to operate independently under one roof.
“We wanted this to be flexible and future-forward,” said Heidi Hume, who leads non-sports sales and event development for the facility. “This building is designed to handle everything from youth tournaments to large-scale trade shows.”
Retractable Turf Adds National Differentiation
Perhaps the facility’s most distinctive feature is what Hume says is the largest retractable turf system in the United States. Controlled by iPad, the motorized system deploys using winches and an air-assisted base that reduces friction during rollout.
“The first time I saw it operate, I was shocked,” Hume said. “The air pressure actually lifts the turf several feet off the ground as it rolls out. It’s an incredibly powerful system.”
Once deployed, the turf can accommodate multiple small-sided soccer configurations and a variety of field sports, including flag football, lacrosse and field hockey. The hardwood floor remains the primary surface, but the conversion capability significantly expands programming options.
Related: Exploring Virginia between matches
Designed for Tournaments and More
While sports tourism is a core driver, the Williamsburg Sports & Events Center was intentionally developed as a multi-use venue.
Three oversized loading docks allow for RVs, boats and large-scale expo equipment. Protective flooring systems enable seamless transitions from court sports to consumer shows and conferences. A 4,000-square-foot banquet hall with air walls provides divisible meeting space for education sessions, team functions or awards ceremonies.
“We’re already seeing interest from a wide range of users,” Hume said. “Sports tournaments, community events, expos, conferences. The flexibility is what makes this building so strong.”
Elevated Spectator Experience
The facility also emphasizes parent and spectator comfort which is an increasingly important factor for tournament hosts.
The central “Hub” lobby space features boutique-style seating, upscale finishes and integrated power stations along corridor bar tops, allowing parents to work remotely while events are underway.
A full-service catering kitchen supports conferences and banquets, while a grab-and-go café will offer fresh food options alongside traditional concessions. Local beer and wine selections are planned as part of the food and beverage program.
An on-site adventure gym resembles a ninja-style interactive play area, adds another dimension for tournament families, offering supervised recreation for younger siblings during multi-day events.
Regional Collaboration Fuels the Project
The project represents a partnership among the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The three municipalities collaborated to address a long-standing shortage of indoor sports space in the region.
“There was simply more demand than existing facilities could handle,” Hume said. “Schools were stretched thin. This building solves that problem while also creating a new driver for sports tourism.”
In addition to hosting regional and national tournaments, the facility will support local Parks & Recreation programming and community events, ensuring consistent year-round utilization.
Williamsburg Sports & Events Center By the Numbers
- 200,000 total square feet
- 114,000-square-foot main competition hall
- 12 basketball courts
- 24 volleyball courts
- 36 pickleball courts
- Retractable turf system (iPad-controlled)
- 4,000-square-foot divisible banquet hall
- Three large-capacity loading docks
- 1,000+ free parking spaces
