News

The Odessa Sports Complex is being positioned to serve two distinct audiences simultaneously. On weeknights, the venue is intended to function as a local hub for youth leagues, clinics, camps, and open play. On weekends, the goal is to operate as a tournament destination drawing regional and out-of-state teams, with economic spillover to Odessa hotels, restaurants, and businesses.

Pinellas Park’s highly anticipated youth-focused sports complex will finally welcome guests this weekend. A celebration is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

SFC, based in Clearwater, Florida, has a national platform for managing and developing sports and recreation facilities. RCI is based in Texas and runs facilities in the central United States.

In a relatively short time, Paradise Coast Sports Complex has quickly become one of Florida’s most dynamic examples of how a modern sports destination can anchor tourism, serve residents and drive long-term economic growth.

The Sprowls Horizon Sports Park, located in Pinellas Park, is scheduled to open February 28, 2026. The facility will feature professional-caliber playing surfaces, Major League Spring Training replica fields, and spectator-friendly amenities aimed at hosting youth baseball and softball tournaments. SFC will serve as the operating partner, managing day-to-day operations, local programming, event bookings, marketing, and maintenance.

The Hoover Metropolitan Complex had a record 785,000 visitors in fiscal 2025 and record $101 million economic impact, General Manager Shannon Ealy told the Hoover City Council Monday night.

The Sports Facilities Companies has announced that William Knox and his firm, The Legacy Sports Group, have joined the SFC team. Through a strategic collaboration, The Legacy Sports Group will become part of SFC, which manages and develops sports, recreation, wellness and events venues, a move aimed at strengthening SFC’s capabilities in sports tourism, destination development and community impact initiatives nationwide.

As we kick off 2026, we’re taking a moment to look back at the Destinations, Event Organizers, Facilities, Events, and RFPs that made 2025 such a strong year across the Playeasy community.

From standout hosting moments to highly engaged RFPs, 2025 was shaped by partners who leaned into visibility, collaboration, and growth. This year-in-review highlights the Top 5 Destinations, Event Organizers, Facilities, RFPs, and Events based on engagement and activity throughout 2025.

Before we fully turn the page to the year ahead, let’s revisit the partners and moments that helped define the past year.

The Hoover Metropolitan Complex, a classic case of “if you build it, they will come,” has moved toward ever-greater success and versatility since getting its start with a $14.5 million stadium opened in 1988. The stadium was built by the city of Hoover to host the Birmingham Barons professional baseball team and then in 1998 became home to the SEC Baseball Tournament, which it still hosts.

The Rocky Mount Event Center has earned silver in the 2025 Stella Awards for Best Conference Center, recognizing its exceptional hospitality and service. Located in downtown Rocky Mount, the venue combines state-of-the-art facilities with genuine Eastern North Carolina hospitality to deliver world-class event experiences.