Let the games begin.
Small-market destinations across the country are courting all types of sports events to come to their communities, from professional games to youth championships. That’s because sports events represent billions in revenue and countless jobs. But many facilities that accommodate these events aren’t confined to athletics; these venues are multifaceted multitaskers, seamlessly switching from youth sports tournaments to trade shows and meetings.
Here are five new multipurpose sports venues in capable second- and third-tier cities that will be kicking off soon.
Scheels Sports Park
Springfield, Illinois
The brand-new Scheels Sports Park is setting Springfield, Illinois, apart in the youth sports market. The complex features the world’s largest air-supported sports dome at over 190,000 square feet, offering a climate-controlled space that can house six basketball courts and 12 volleyball courts. An administrative building next to the dome houses the Springfield Clinic, as well as office spaces that will be rentable. The park’s outdoor amenities include eight multipurpose, lighted turf fields, which can be configured for baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse, as well as two championship fields and The Yard, a 27,000-square-foot event space, which will host concerts and special events.
The park celebrated a soft opening in late 2025. Outdoor sports events are already booked for spring, and the grand opening is slated for May. By that time, the park will have completed a marketplace building, which will offer a full-size catering kitchen. The Legacy Pointe development where the park is located also features a Fairfield Inn and Springhill Suites.
West Henderson Fieldhouse
Henderson, Nevada
Just 15 minutes away from the Las Vegas strip, the city of Henderson, Nevada, offers a taste of Vegas with a bonus: affordability, fewer crowds and a long list of amenities to please planners and attendees alike. In 2025, Henderson added to its events arsenal and broke ground on the $70 million West Henderson Fieldhouse, which will be operated by KemperSports.
“The area is great for youth sports because we have so much in our area,” said Ed Kirby, national sales executive at Visit Henderson, NV. “There’s great hotels with gaming and restaurants, 300 miles of hiking trails, Lake Las Vegas and lots of family activities in the area.”
The facility, which is expected to be completed in September, will be 160,000 square feet, including two levels, four basketball courts that can be converted to volleyball courts, two hybrid turf fields, a full-service restaurant and bar, and a family entertainment area. Its multipurpose community rooms will offer space for hosting meetings and events. The fieldhouse is expected to generate millions in economic impact and over 200 permanent jobs, and it will offer a 20% discount on amenities for Henderson residents. The West Henderson Fieldhouse is adjacent to the Henderson airport and near several limited-service hotels, as well as a short drive from full-service resorts like the M Resort Spa Casino.
Kenan Civic Arena
Lockport, New York
The city of Lockport, New York, can be found about 30 miles north of Buffalo and 20 miles from Niagara Falls. The small community has a population of just over 20,000, but in the coming year, it will get an upgrade that will serve all of Niagara County. In 2025, the Kenan Center announced plans to create a brand-new Kenan Civic Arena.
This will replace the Kenan Center’s existing 60-year-old arena. The new facility will total 73,000 square feet with a 50,000-square-foot field expanse, including a turf field for soccer, lacrosse, football and track. In addition to a contemporary design and repairs, the new arena will feature upgrades for Wi-Fi and tech compatibility and will meet accessibility requirements.
It’s estimated the arena will bring upwards of 200,000 attendees each year to festivals, trade shows, sports events, concerts and other shows. The new arena is being built on the same property and is slated to open in September.
Greater Williamsburg Sports & Events Center
Williamsburg, Virginia
Thanks to its family-friendly attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia, is an ideal location for both youth and adult sports tournaments and events. This appeal will be bolstered in 2026 with the arrival of the Greater Williamsburg Sports & Events Center. The KemperSports facility broke ground in 2024 and was designed to host sporting events on weekends while being open during the week to address the community’s recreational needs.
“What makes this facility unique is the fact that a lot of complexes in our area only turn on the lights if there’s events there, but we’re open to the community,” said Dana Youst, executive director of the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority.
The center is scheduled to open in August and will boast 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, 36 pickleball courts, an adventure gym and 100,000 square feet of turf, the largest indoor roll-out turf system in the U.S. It will total 200,000 square feet of space with many configurations to support both sports tournaments and corporate events. GWSEC’s in-house culinary team will provide exclusive catering.
Ontario Sports Empire
Ontario, California
Just east of Los Angeles, the city of Ontario is adding another major asset to its sports and events market. The Ontario Sports Empire is as impressive as it sounds — at around 190 acres, it’s the largest sports complex of its kind in Southern California.
The development will include a new 6,500-seat minor league baseball stadium (home to the Los Angeles Dodgers Single-A affiliate), as well as a community sports complex that wraps around the stadium. It will feature 20 long fields; eight full-size baseball and softball diamonds; 14 youth diamond fields; four football fields; and two championship diamond fields. That’s in addition to concession stands, plazas with shaded seating and multiple playgrounds. The stadium is expected to open by April, while the rest of the complex is expected to open in October.
Ontario Sports Empire will also be home to Stadium Village, a hub for entertainment and hospitality, which will include a 227-room full-service hotel. There will also be public gathering spaces for community events. The sports complex is expected to draw over a million visitors annually and will be managed by Sports Facilities Companies.
