Williamsburg’s Winning Play
Regional Indoor Sports Venue Will Drive Economic Growth in Historic Triangle
The long-awaited Williamsburg Sports and Events Center is set to open in July 2026, and momentum is building with the “topping out” ceremony projected for late January 2026. That ceremony will mark a significant milestone as the final major structural steel element will be proudly put in place. Progress on the center is rapidly moving forward as exterior wall panels are currently being installed, with concrete slab placement not far behind.
The 200,000-plus-square-foot sports and events center is the result of a collaborative and forward-thinking regional alliance involving the City of Williamsburg, James City County, York County, Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association (WHMA) and the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority (HTRFA). The new facility is designed to meet growing demand for local sports and recreation outlets, and to offer an outstanding venue for sports and events tourism which is an integral part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s economy. Though the Sports and Events Center is a destination all on its own, it will complement the Greater Williamsburg region’s existing attractions.
Residents will be able to utilize the facility in a wide variety of ways, including recreational sports (basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, futsal, flag football, etc.), meetings, corporate events and more during the week. In addition, local and regional visitors will be able to participate in tournaments and meets that will draw thousands of people to the Williamsburg region on weekends.
The construction of the sports and events center and campus is spearheaded by an exceptional design-build team composed of experts selected by HTRFA, and led by MEB as general contractor, Clark Nexsen as lead design firm, architecture firm GuernseyTingle, site contractor Henderson Inc. and the Timmons Group handling civil design. The vibrant, welcoming architecture was designed to complement the region’s historic character.
Richard Hibbett, Jr., client engagement practice leader at Clark Nexen weighed in on the project: “Our design-build team is extremely excited about the progress of the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center. The facility will benefit the Williamsburg Region in so many ways, and we’re proud to be part of a project that will be a catalyst for tourism and increase the quality of life for the residents and businesses of the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County.”
Hibbett continues. “We’re grateful for the forward-thinking leaders of this region who have made this project a reality, including the City of Williamsburg, James City County, York County, the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association, Colonial Williamsburg, and so many more. The partners of MEB, Clark Nexsen, GuersneyTingle, Timmons Group, Henderson, and Victus Advisors are excited for the grand opening in 2026!”
The center will include hardcourt space sufficient to support at least 12 basketball courts that can be converted to 24 volleyball courts, 36 pickleball courts, ceiling-mounted basketball goals, volleyball nets, court dividers, scoreboards, and shot clocks.
MEB describes the project’s other details: “There will be a state-of-the-art indoor rollout turf system sized to cover the entire hardcourt space, providing significant flexibility and allowing for indoor soccer, field hockey, football, and lacrosse, amongst countless other sporting events, and there will be dedicated space to support visitor, spectator, and team arrivals, gathering, viewing areas, food and beverage, administration, and registration.”
Sports tourism in Virginia generated $2.7 billion in direct spending in 2022, resulting in a total economic impact of $4.5 billion statewide, according to a study by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Tourism Economics.
The Coastal Region, which includes Greater Williamsburg, accounted for 27% of this spending, contributing $1.2 billion in total economic impact. This included:
• $364.3 million in total labor income
• Support for 11,136 part-time and full-time jobs
• $94.7 million in state and local tax revenues
With the addition of a regional sports center in the Historic Triangle, the Greater Williamsburg area has the potential to capture a larger market share, further boosting economic benefits for the entire Coastal Region.
To Book Your Space for 2026 and Beyond:
Steve Ryan, Kemper Sports
sryan@kempersports.com
224-383-6009
