Key Takeaways
- The Sports Facilities Companies will operate the Ontario Sports Empire, a 190-acre multi-use complex in Ontario, California, opening Fall 2026
- The facility will feature 20 long fields, 14 youth diamond fields, 8 full-size diamonds, 4 football/rugby fields, and 2 championship diamond fields
- SFC currently manages over 90 venues nationwide and produces nearly $1 billion in economic impact annually across its network
- The partnership will expand SFC’s venue footprint to the West Coast for the first time
- ASM Global will collaborate on food, beverage, and sponsorship operations at the complex
Expanding West: SFC’s First California Venue
The Sports Facilities Companies announced October 7 that it has been selected to operate the Ontario Sports Empire, marking the company’s first managed venue on the West Coast. The 190-acre complex in Ontario, California, is scheduled to open in Fall 2026.
The facility is being positioned as the largest multi-use sports complex west of the Rockies, though specific comparison metrics were not provided in the announcement.
Facility Specifications and Design
The Ontario Sports Empire will include facilities for multiple sports. The complex features 20 long fields, 14 youth diamond fields, 8 full-size diamonds, 4 football/rugby fields, and 2 championship diamond fields, along with concessions and additional amenities.
The variety of field types indicates the venue is designed to host tournaments and events across baseball, softball, soccer, football, rugby, and lacrosse. The inclusion of both youth and full-size diamond fields suggests programming for age groups ranging from elementary through high school and adult leagues.
Economic and Community Impact
Ontario Mayor Paul S. Leon said the project “will bring new jobs, boost tourism, create lasting opportunities for our local businesses, and provide a vital space where families, community members, and sports enthusiasts can thrive.”
SFC operates over 90 venues nationwide through its SF Network, which includes approximately 4,000 team members. The company reports nearly 30 million guest visits annually and produces almost $1 billion in economic impact each year across its managed facilities.
John Sparks, SFC Senior Vice President of Venue Management, said the facility “will set a new standard for excellence, drawing athletes and families from across the nation.”
Operational Structure
SFC will collaborate with ASM Global on food, beverage, and sponsorship operations at the Ontario Sports Empire. ASM Global is a venue management and services company that operates facilities worldwide.
The partnership model follows SFC’s approach of managing sports programming and operations while working with specialized partners for ancillary services like concessions and corporate partnerships.
Strategic Implications for Regional Sports Tourism
The addition of the Ontario Sports Empire to SFC’s portfolio extends the company’s geographic reach into Southern California, a market with significant year-round sports tourism potential due to climate and population density.
For tournament organizers and sports organizations, the 190-acre footprint and field variety provide capacity to host large-scale multi-sport events or run concurrent tournaments across different age groups and sports.
The Fall 2026 opening timeline positions the facility to begin capturing bookings for the 2027 tournament season, when many national and regional sports organizations finalize their venue selections.
via: PRNW
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