Key Takeaways
- The Sports Facilities Companies will open or break ground on 11 facilities across the United States in 2026, expanding its national footprint
- SFC currently manages more than 100 facilities that host nearly 30 million guest visits and generate almost $1 billion in economic impact annually
- Nine facilities are scheduled to open between February and summer 2026, with two additional groundbreakings planned
- The expansion follows SFC’s recent addition of Legacy Sports Group to its management portfolio, signaling continued momentum in the third-party operator market
- New venues span eight states and include baseball/softball complexes, multipurpose field parks, aquatics centers, and indoor recreation hubs
National Expansion Across Eight States
The Sports Facilities Companies announced plans to open or begin construction on 11 venues in 2026, with projects distributed across Texas, Florida, Illinois, New York, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Alabama.
Nine facilities are scheduled to open throughout the year, beginning with the East Texas A&M University Agricultural Multipurpose Education and Training Center in Commerce, Texas in late February. The venue will host rodeos, concerts, and university events.
Florida’s Sprowls Horizon Sports Park Presented by FloridaCentral Credit Union opens February 28 in Pinellas Park. The facility features Major League Spring Training replica fields designed to serve as a national destination for youth baseball and softball tournaments.
Additional openings include the outdoor campus at Emerald Acres Sports Connection in Mattoon, Illinois in March, Destination KP in Kings Park, New York in spring or summer, and Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe’s eight outdoor fields in Springfield, Illinois in May. The Springfield venue pairs outdoor fields with a 170,000-square-foot indoor dome for year-round programming.
The Artesia Recreation Center in Artesia, New Mexico opens in May as a two-story community hub with courts, fitness spaces, a running track, and children’s areas. Paducah Sports Park by CFSB in Paducah, Kentucky and the Shepherdsville Aquatics and Pickleball Complex in Shepherdsville, Kentucky are both scheduled for summer openings, with Shepherdsville targeting Memorial Day weekend.
Two groundbreakings are planned for the Odessa Sports Complex in Odessa, Texas and the Gadsden Athletic Center in Gadsden, Alabama. The Gadsden project includes four baseball/softball diamonds, hardwood courts, fitness spaces, indoor aquatics, and family entertainment.
Building on Recent Acquisition Momentum
The 2026 expansion comes on the heels of SFC’s addition of Legacy Sports Group to its management portfolio, which YSBR reported last week. The move added facilities to SFC’s network and demonstrated continued consolidation within the third-party facility management sector.
SFC’s growth trajectory reflects broader market dynamics as municipalities increasingly outsource facility operations to specialized management companies. The company now oversees more than 100 facilities, primarily municipally owned, with approximately 5,000 team members across its SF Network.
The Municipal Partnership Model Under Economic Pressure
Ashley Whittaker, a partner and SVP at SFC, attributed the company’s growth to economic conditions that have made professional facility operators more attractive to municipal leaders.
“With rising construction costs and economic pressure, more and more cities are looking for an operating partner with a track record of performance that will allow leaders to maintain control of their asset,” Whittaker said. “There’s no one like SFC. We’ve been purpose-built to balance mission, margin, and municipal needs.”
The company positions itself as an operating partner responsible for executing facility owners’ visions, including daily operations, local programming such as camps and clinics, tournament and event booking, marketing, and maintenance. This structure allows municipalities to retain ownership while delegating operational expertise to a specialized firm.
SFC’s announcement noted that the number of facilities hiring professional operators has risen significantly over the last five years, reflecting increased recognition of the operational complexity required to run modern sports and recreation venues profitably.
Scale and Economic Impact
SFC’s SF Network generates nearly 30 million guest visits annually and produces almost $1 billion in economic impact each year. The company describes itself as the nation’s leading resource for management and development of sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities.
Jason Clement, CEO and founder of The Sports Facilities Companies, emphasized the company’s focus on community outcomes. “We are obsessed with the mission of improving the health and economic vitality of the communities we serve,” Clement said. “That requires coming alongside each facility owner to collaborate on their unique goals and the custom approach for that community.”
The 2026 facilities represent diverse recreation offerings beyond traditional youth sports. Projects include aquatics centers, pickleball complexes, rodeo and concert venues, and multipurpose recreation hubs designed to serve both tournament play and local league participation.
Several venues incorporate naming rights partnerships, including Sprowls Horizon Sports Park Presented by FloridaCentral Credit Union, Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, and Paducah Sports Park by CFSB. These corporate partnerships provide revenue streams while facilities maintain their community-focused missions.
Positioning for Continued Growth in Facility Management
The 2026 expansion positions SFC to further scale its operational infrastructure across a geographically diverse portfolio. With facilities opening across multiple regions, the company gains market presence in areas ranging from West Texas to Long Island.
The mix of opening dates throughout the year suggests a phased approach to integration, allowing SFC to onboard new facilities while maintaining service standards across its existing portfolio. Spring and summer openings align with peak youth sports tournament seasons, potentially accelerating revenue generation at new venues.
The two groundbreakings in Odessa and Gadsden extend the company’s development pipeline beyond 2026, indicating sustained expansion plans. As construction costs and municipal budget pressures continue to shape the facility development landscape, SFC’s model of balancing public ownership with private operational expertise appears positioned for further adoption.
via: TSFC
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
- Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
- Youth Sports events and tournament management
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
- Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
- Sports technology and data analytics innovation
- Youth sports facilities development and management
- Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn
Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
- Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
- Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
- Elevate the youth sports ecosystem
Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
