For sports facilities, nothing is more versatile than a well-maintained field. It can play host to myriad sports and activities, have room to accommodate hundreds, or even thousands, of spectators and family members, and, when combined with other, similar rectangular fields, can provide the stage for athletes of all ages to show off their abilities and talents.
From soccer, football, field hockey and lacrosse, to rugby, ultimate, quidditch and more, these locations offer fields that can host anything you may need.
Chesterfield, Missouri
In Chesterfield, Missouri, just 20 minutes west of St. Louis, the field action happens at the 176-acre Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex (CVAC) on 10 multi-purpose fields suitable for all types of sports. Five of the fields are full size and host games and practices for all ages for 11v11 soccer, lacrosse, ultimate and flag football. There are also five mid-size rectangular fields that can host 9v9 soccer and youth lacrosse. All 10 can be split into smaller fields, too, to capitalize on the small-sided approach to sports like lacrosse, soccer and field hockey.
Chesterfield recently hosted league play for St. Louis Youth Lacrosse Association, which had more than 110 teams, about 1,900 players and an estimated 45,000 spectators throughout the seven-week season. Chesterfield also hosts the annual Ascension soccer tournament in August, which brings in about 90 teams. In July, CVAC will play host to a 3v3 Live soccer tournament for boys and girls, with about 135 teams.
“Working with the City of Chesterfield has been a great experience,” says Hayden House, regional event director for Perfect Game. “They’re attentive to our needs as well as the needs of our patrons and help Perfect Game run some of the best events in the region. Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex is a top-notch facility that is always well kept, and players, coaches and fans have nothing but good things to say.”
Columbus, Indiana
Blackwell Park in Columbus, Indiana, is home to the Richard J. Wigh Soccer Center, which can accommodate as many as 40 fields, depending on the layout, ranging from as small as 20 by 30 feet to high school regulation dimensions. The 59-acre park also has a championship field with lights, press box, bleachers, restrooms and concessions stand.
The Circle K Fieldhouse at Nexus Park is a state-of-the-art indoor facility with a full-size field that can accommodate soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey and more. The turf facility has scoreboards, concessions and a state-of-the-art speaker system, and there are 26 tip-and-roll bleachers that can seat about 900.
In 2021, Blackwell/Richard J. Wigh Park hosted the Indiana Association State Cup soccer tournament, which had 62 teams and nearly 900 players. The facility has also hosted the Rugby Indiana Semi-State, with 30 teams. This year, H3 Athletix hosted its Elite 7evens Midwest Championship with 50 teams.
“Our parks department prides itself on building relationships with event owners,” says Brady Buckley, associate director of sports for Columbus Parks and Recreation. “We also receive invaluable support from our local sports groups whenever we host an event. It’s truly a group effort.” The Columbus Area Visitors Center can help tournament owners with sponsorships, securing volunteers for events, marketing and more.
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi has a wide range of outdoor facilities that can accommodate field sports. Bill Witt Park is an ADA compliant venue with 12 natural grass soccer fields, restrooms and a concession stand. There is a nearby dog park, hiking and biking paths and, slated to open in August, a 25-yard pool.
The Cabaniss Athletic Complex has four artificial turf fields, with wheelchair access. The main field has seating for 8,541 and includes a video board, restrooms, concession stand and press box. Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi offers the Momentum Sports Complex, with four artificial turf fields and lighting.
And then there’s the Corpus Christi Sports Complex, set to open in February, which will include a 5,000-seat natural grass soccer stadium and be home to Corpus Christi FC Sharks pre-professional club of the United Soccer League Two. The project will have two multi-use turf fields, and there will be five other natural grass soccer fields.
The city hosted the 2024 Copa Padre Easter Shootout, with nearly 3,000 athletes and spectators, and the 2024 Gulf Coast Soccer Tournament with 2,000. Coming in November is the 44th Annual Turkey Shootout soccer event and the Third Coast Classic football event, both bringing at least 2,200 athletes and spectators.
“The Corpus Christi Sports Commission has only been around for two years, and we’re looking forward to welcoming a lot more groups in the near future,” says CCSC Executive Director Joey Jewell. “We have ample field space tailored to suit events of all sizes. Our dedicated team is focused on ensuring not only a phenomenal experience for athletes, but also seamless operations for event organizers.”
Erie, Pennsylvania
The Erie Sports Center, one of the largest field facilities in Western Pennsylvania with 10 grass fields, has a recently renovated indoor dome and a FIFA-accredited turf field. The Sports Center has hosted major tournaments such as Lax Bash lacrosse events that have attracted more than 3,000 athletes and 6,000 spectators since its inception. USA Ultimate, Spikeball and Great Lakes Alliance soccer have also been hosted at the Erie Sports Center. Coming in August is the Midwest Gaelic Athletic Association’s Adult Irish Games, with over 400 athletes.
Just opened this spring are the seven multi-purpose fields at the Erie Insurance Fields at McKean, near Interstate 79. Also, Mercyhurst University in Erie has three new turf fields.
The Erie Sports Commission ensures a positive experience for event owners in several ways, including assisting with venues and participant hotels, permits, on-the-ground coordination and marketing support. “In 2023, more than 80 percent of the events we supported returned, which is a testament to the first-class experience on and around our flat-field venues,” says Ben Huggler, director of Event Services for the Erie Sports Commission.
Panama City Beach, Florida
A major highlight for Panama City Beach is, of course, the beach. With 27 miles of white sand and 100 access points, the area claims the “World’s Most Beautiful Beaches” title. For athletes and their families, the beach just adds to the area’s attractions.
The Publix Sports Park features 13 fields (nine artificial turf and four natural grass) able to be configured to any participants. All have LED lights, and the nine turf fields are AstroTurf with Z-Cap Cooling Technology. There are two Championship fields with a capacity of up to 1,500 fans. With dedicated tournament buildings, on-site concessions, restrooms, pavilions and over 1,000 parking spaces, the Publix Sports Park is one of the largest in the Southeast.
The Sports Park is home to two SNAP soccer events that bring in over 200 teams, and it also provides the home fields for the Kings Hammer Bay United Club, which hosts two large events: the Defenders Cup in March and a Labor Day tourney. The Sports Park has also hosted US Youth Soccer Club Nationals with 144 teams.
“We can have over 4,500 people for one event,” says Chris O’Brien, director of sports tourism for Visit Panama City Beach, which can assist tournament owners and coaches with all aspects of an event. “We really are a year-round destination that lives up to our slogan: ‘The Real. Fun. Beach.’”
Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Florida
Rapidly becoming one of the premier sports and special events destinations in the U.S., the Paradise Coast Sports Complex (PCSC) has nine synthetic turf fields. (With future construction, expect that number to increase to 21 full-size fields.) Eight of the current fields are Olympic size, and the ninth is a professional, state-of-the-art stadium that can seat 3,500 on the main side and a total of about 5,000.
The complex offers locker rooms and separate rooms for medical and referees. It has eight suites, two party suites and two party decks along with a 40-foot programmable digital video board. There’s also an outdoor beer and wine bar called The Cove, full concessions, a convenience store and a merchandise store.
In December, the American Youth Football National Championships will bring nearly 180 teams from around the country to PCSC, followed by the Football University’s National Championships with 80 teams. National Field Hockey hosts a 130-plus team tournament and PCSC hosts other full-facility lacrosse tournaments, often with up to 100 teams. One of the larger, recent events was the South Florida Cup, which had 284 soccer teams. “We host other soccer tournaments with 200-plus teams throughout the year,” says Marketing Manager J.P. Terrasi. “These will draw 6,000 to 8,000 spectators per day.”
For event owners, “We make the whole process interactive and help every step of the way,” Terrasi says. “Our Paradise Coast Sports Complex team prides itself on making sure every experience, whether for a first-time event organizer or a seasoned planner, is exemplary.”
Plano, Texas
Plano has a number of venues that offer multiple fields, including Russell Creek Park, with 20 full-size fields plus two 50-foot by 80-foot fields. There are two full-size synthetic turf fields that are gated, and 10 of the fields have lights. Spectators enjoy shaded seating areas, concessions and permanent restrooms.
Carpenter Park features 11 full-size fields with lights, including four gated, synthetic turf fields. The facility also offers covered spectator seating and restrooms. Archgate Park has nine 30-yard by 50-yard rectangle fields, covered spectator seating and restrooms, while High Point Park adds another six full-size and three 50- by 80-foot rectangles to Plano’s inventory.
Plano goes big with its events, too. The annual Plano Youth Soccer Association’s Labor Day Tournament has about 300 teams and sees about 60,000 athletes and fans. North Texas Soccer’s Tournament of Champions also draws similar numbers. The US Youth Soccer Southern Presidents Cup attracts about 160 teams and 40,000 people.
“At Visit Plano, we’re determined to go above and beyond for our clients to make sure they have the best possible experience here,” says Executive Director Mark Thompson.
Sarpy County, Nebraska
“Field sports are a growing market in Sarpy County, as local sports clubs continue to expand across the Omaha metro area,” says Fred Uhe, the Sarpy County tourism director. “With the CHI Health MultiSport Complex and Papillion Landing Sports Fields coming online in recent years, teams have premier facilities for competition and training.”
The CHI Health Complex in La Vista, just minutes from Omaha, is right off I-80 and offers 12 lighted turf fields that can easily host regional and national qualifying events. The Wi-Fi enabled complex includes offices, concession stand and restrooms. Papillion Landing Sports Fields, completed in 2019, has a full-size turf field, surrounded by 25 grass fields, and can host local, regional and national events. Concessions and restrooms are located inside the Papillion Landing Field House and Community Center.
Sarpy County facilities have hosted everything from the Omaha Wolves annual “Socctoberfest,” one of the state’s largest youth soccer tournaments for boys and girls, drawing up to 175 teams and 2,000-plus players from at least six states; to the 2023 Mixed West Plains Section Championship for ultimate, bringing in 550 competitors; to the 2019 and 2021 US Quidditch Midwest Regional Championships, a national qualifier that drew teams from eight states.
“Sarpy County is an exciting destination for athletes and their families,” says Uhe. “From pre-planning to event assistance, we strive to make event owners as comfortable as possible.” SDM
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