From Chicago’s downtown soccer stadium to Folsom Ranch’s winter sports hub, U.S. destinations are investing in facilities that boost tourism, teams and community impact
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
Chicago Fire unveils a visionary $650M stadium to anchor downtown Chicago development
Chicago Fire FC has revealed plans for a $650 million soccer-specific stadium in downtown Chicago, designed to seat 22,000 fans and fully financed by club ownership. Set within The 78—a 62-acre riverfront development—the stadium blends modern innovation with Chicago’s industrial design heritage through a mix of brick, steel and glass.
The venue prioritizes fan experience with low, close seating, an exposed canopy to enhance crowd energy and a purpose-built supporter section for 2,000 fans. Hospitality features include 50 suites, over 500 Loge seats, and 3,500 Club seats, setting a new standard in comfort and matchday experience.
Beyond soccer, the stadium will serve as a year-round hub for concerts, festivals, international matches and community events. It also marks the first major phase of The 78, expected to include restaurants, storefronts and public plazas. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, with the stadium opening in 2028. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and generate significant tax revenue for the city.
Huntsville, Alabama greenlights $44M ice center expansion to boost curling ambitions
Huntsville’s city council has approved a $44.6 million expansion of the Ice Sports Center (ISC), doubling the facility’s size with a targeted completion in early 2027. The project includes a dedicated five-sheet curling rink, upgraded locker rooms and a second-floor warm lobby designed for events, transforming ISC into the South’s premier ice sports hub.
The move addresses severe scheduling constraints that currently force late-night bookings, limiting participation for many of the Rocket City Curling Club’s 130 members. Shifts away from general arena ice toward specialized curling ice, using reverse osmosis for ultra‑flat surfaces, will align Huntsville/Madison County with elite curling venues and could pave the way for national events.
While applauded by curling advocates, local officials note the city still trails peers in basketball infrastructure. With construction slated to begin soon, the expanded ISC signals a growing investment in niche sports as part of Huntsville’s tourism and recreation strategy.
Altru Sports Complex breaks ground in Grand Forks, North Dakota, bringing year-round recreation by 2027
The City of Grand Forks, North Dakota, along with the Grand Forks Park District and Altru Health Systems, has broken ground on the 215,000-square-foot Altru Sports Complex. Designed by JLG Architects and slated for completion in fall 2027, the facility will serve as a regional destination for tournament play, community recreation and year-round sports performance, especially in North Dakota’s challenging climate.
The complex will house a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard instructional pool, full-size indoor turf for football and soccer, eight pickleball courts and an elevated walking/running track. It will also feature Altru-branded performance and training spaces and serve as the new home venue for the Red River Valley Wahoos swim team. These amenities aim to meet both competitive and community-level demands.
Funded in part by a voter-approved extension of the city’s sales tax and a $10 million naming rights contribution from Altru Health Systems, the project saw spring construction bids come in 20% under budget. Organizers are now exploring opportunities to expand offerings even further.
New sports complex aims to keep local talent in Corpus Christi, Texas
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Detroit has their WNBA team slated for 2029 and will build Riverfront Sports Complex at former Uniroyal site
Detroit. Michigan was officially awarded a WNBA franchise at the end of June 2025, and plans are now underway to transform the former Uniroyal tire factory site into a multisport complex and youth academy to support the new team. Anchored along the Detroit River just west of Belle Isle, the 44-acre city-owned site will house indoor courts for basketball and volleyball, outdoor fields for soccer, football and lacrosse, and serve as the WNBA team’s headquarters and practice facility.
The development is backed by Pistons owner Tom Gores and a coalition of local investors, with strong support from Mayor Mike Duggan and philanthropic groups tied to the city’s revitalization. The complex represents a shift from earlier luxury housing proposals toward a year-round, community-centered hub for both professional and youth sports.
The project also builds on a decades-long effort to remediate and reclaim the site, once considered too polluted for public use. A portion has already been cleaned, and planning is underway to expand environmental efforts as the facility moves toward city approval and eventual construction.
Lockport, New York breaks ground on New Kenan Civic Center to support its growing sports and events demand
Lockport, New York has officially broken ground on the new Kenan Civic Center, a modern, multiuse sports and community facility designed to meet the city’s growing demand for indoor recreational space. Slated to open in fall 2026, the center will feature a turf field, four basketball courts, three volleyball courts, a dance and yoga studio, community rooms, art spaces and a workout facility. It will also offer 50,000 square feet of open space for expos, conventions and special events.
Driven by increased participation and capacity limits at the current Kenan Center, which sees 100,000 annual visitors, the new complex will focus on youth and community engagement. It is set to host AAU basketball and volleyball tournaments, wrestling and cheer competitions and other non-hockey indoor sports—filling a regional gap while complementing nearby facilities like Cornerstone Ice Arena.
Designed with long-term sustainability in mind, the new center moves beyond outdated infrastructure and represents a major step forward in eco-efficiency, accessibility and community pride for Lockport.
Folsom Ranch, California unveils ambitious year-round winter and multisport complex plan
Out in northern California, Folsom Ranch is poised to become a major destination for year-round winter and multi-sport activity with a proposed 21-acre sports complex now under review by the City Planning Department. Spearheaded by The Mettle Shop, LLC—whose team brings experience from major venues like Golden 1 Center and Sutter Health Park—the plan calls for a 410,000-square-foot facility that includes three NHL-sized rinks, a 126,000-square-foot illuminated turf field and flexible spaces for a wide range of athletic and entertainment uses.
Designed to fill a regional gap in year-round ice access, the complex would address growing demand in the greater Sacramento area, where ice sports participation is rising but full-sheet rinks remain scarce. Each rink could be reconfigured for events like basketball, volleyball, wrestling and curling, supporting both elite competition and youth development. Outdoors, the pavilion would serve turf sports during the day and potentially host large-scale events like concerts and the Folsom Rodeo at night.
Strategically located with major arterial road access and nearly 800 planned parking spots, the complex also connects to Folsom’s bike and trail system, reinforcing its role as a community hub for recreation and regional tournaments alike.
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