It’s like field day for grown-ups.
Sports-based corporate team building can be the perfect solution for fostering friendly competition, fun, and most importantly, connections. But there’s an art to using sports for team building because of the diversity of personalities and interests among group members. A nine-inning softball game might bore some to tears, and a fast and furious round of dodgeball might send others running for the hills.
Finding a sports-themed venue is the perfect solution. Often featuring a range of activities in addition to their signature sports, they allow team members to be competitive and active without pushing anyone’s limits too far. Here are five venues across the country that should be on your roster.
Chicken N Pickle
Wichita, Kansas
The name Chicken N Pickle is bound to turn a few heads. That is, unless one knows about pickleball, the sport that has taken the nation by storm. Thanks to its large paddles, lightweight plastic balls (much like Wiffle balls) and small court, the game is easy to pick up and popular with players of all ages. Chicken N Pickle, a Midwest chain established in 2016, combines pickleball with tasty eats, cocktails and entertainment. Groups looking for a team-building exercises will find plenty of options at its Wichita, Kansas, location.
“We provide the opportunity to have fun socially or competitively with your team,” said Carrie Bartlow, the chain’s senior director of communications. “Our concept is low tech, high touch, so phones are down and people are connecting.”
The complex has 11 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a restaurant, full-service bars, a game yard and a stage for live music. Groups can opt for everything from reserving a few courts to a whole facility buy-out. They can organize a structured group tournament or enjoy open play.
The Wichita complex also features 10 indoor and outdoor event spaces if the group needs a place to gather before or after playing pickleball. These include casual lounges, indoor-outdoor spaces, a bier garden and a chic rooftop. Chicken N Pickle is famous for its better-for-you menu items. Catering is handled exclusively in-house, and the restaurant offers a selection of set menus that feature everything from brunch to tacos and light bites. One of the complex’s on-site event planners can assist with everything from A/V to catering to pickleball.
BigShots Golf + Craft Kitchen
St. George, Utah
As an all-weather, beginner-friendly alternative to traditional golf, virtual golfing experiences have become very popular in recent years and have drawn both ardent and amateur players.
In St. George, Utah, BigShots Golf + Craft Kitchen takes it a step beyond just virtual golf. This virtual golf chain also offers a 235-yard driving range with a climate-controlled bay for teeing off, and their technology allows golfers to accurately track and measure their drives. Groups will find the 52 climate-controlled tee boxes are perfect for virtual options. These include interactive golf games like pinball and the option to virtually play many courses around the world. The facility also has a nine-hole putting course and an outdoor patio and lawn with yard games like cornhole. Its kitchen and bar feature elevated pub fare like smash burgers, pizzas and savory appetizers, as well as specialty cocktails.
BigShots St. George is a great place for team building, no matter the group’s skill level. It has plenty of space for meetings, including a private room conveniently located next to the tee boxes. Groups can book the facility’s yard or its putting course for a larger outdoor event. The facility also does buyouts.
SportsCenter of Connecticut
Shelton, Connecticut
Opened in 1999, the SportsCenter of Connecticut was originally a golf driving range. Today, it’s a 150,000-square-foot complex of indoor sports and venues set on a 20-acre campus. It offers more than 20 sports that corporate groups will enjoy, including bowling, a golf range, mini-golf, batting cages, ice skating and hockey. There’s also target paintball, laser tag, arcade games and virtual reality games.
In addition to all the sports and games, the center has venues that can be rented out for private events. These include meeting spaces in the Rinks Building and the Golf Center. There’s a conference area and a mezzanine.
Entire facility buyouts are also an option. Planners can work with the center to customize their experience, no matter what activities or venue rentals it includes. The center has a preferred list of caterers, including several local restaurants and a food truck. Basic A/V, including a projector and stereo system, are provided.
888 Table Tennis Center
Burlingame, California
Perhaps the best thing about table tennis is that even players with little to no experience are guaranteed to have a ton of fun — and a lot of laughs — while trying their hand at it. In the Bay-area suburb of Burlingame, California, a professional sports facility for table tennis has become a practice venue for some of the country’s top players. In 2024, 888 Table Tennis Center was designated the National Training Center for USA Table Tennis. In addition to being a training center and national competition venue, it’s also a site for meetings and events with an emphasis on fun and friendly competition.
The center can accommodate any style of table tennis, from tournaments to open play, depending on the wishes of the group. Professional table tennis coaches can lead groups through singles, doubles or team tournaments and even provide lessons.
888 Table Tennis Center offers four spaces to rent, including a private space for up to 40 people on the facility’s second floor that has four tables and an area for seating and buffet-style dining. Another space available for rent is the main hall, with 25 tables and space for up to 150 to have tournaments or large events. The training hall has 10 tables and can accommodate 50.
The center can take care of the catering with buffets, food trucks and a full bar, or groups are welcome to arrange their own catering.
The Clays at Lone Oaks Farm
Middleton, Tennessee
Outside of Memphis in Middleton, Tennessee, Lone Oaks Farm is a 1,200-acre property owned and operated by the University of Tennessee. It’s a peaceful venue for many types of events, from weddings to corporate outings and retreats. It facilitates outdoorsy activities for team building that are designed to bring guests closer to nature and each other.
The Clays at Lone Oaks Farm is a shooting range located on the farm. It’s open to the public or available for private events and consists of a 14-station Sporting Clays course and a range of outdoor spaces for target practice or shooting competitions. Shooting clay targets is a lesser-known way to combine sports and adventure, making it an excellent team-building activity. The Clays facilitates these activities in a setting that prioritizes safety and fun.
“If you’ve got a bunch of folks who enjoy shooting or are open to trying it, clay target shooting is a nice challenge,” said Steve Haggh, supervisor of The Clays. “We try to have a variety of targets for people to shoot at so more advanced shooters will have a good time as well as beginners.”
Since the range is open to the public, it’s recommended to call ahead and arrange team-building programs in advance. In addition to the shooting activities, the Clays has several venues for groups to gather, including a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse with a conference room, catering kitchen and even a hunter education classroom. An open-air pavilion provides space for outdoor meetings. Group team-building outings, meetings and events are highly customizable.