Roanoke Sports Complex to attract over 2M annual visitors, officials say

The city of Roanoke is predicted to see an influx of 2.2 million visitors annually as a result of the Roanoke Sports Complex, a new sports facility that will host local and national youth baseball tournaments, according to a news release.

Roanoke officials announced the construction of the 8-field complex in conjunction with Play It Forward, a non-profit focused on youth sports, last July.

The gist

The sports complex should open in the first half of 2026, said Dave Dickson, co-founder of Play It Forward and developer of the Roanoke Sports Complex.

"This partnership is a major step forward for Roanoke, offering a premier venue for youth sports that will drive economic growth and bring new opportunities to our community,” Roanoke City Manager Cody Petree said in the release.

Prep Baseball, an independent scouting service for amateur baseball players, will host 44 weeks of youth baseball events at the sports complex and eight weeks of national tournaments annually, according to the release from Play It Forward.

"We are thrilled to partner with Prep Baseball,” Dickson said in the release. “Our mission has always been to create meaningful sports experiences that bring communities together, and this partnership helps elevate that vision.”

The Roanoke Sports Complex’s opening was delayed from its original fall 2025 opening date because an agreement with the city of Fort Worth fell through, Dickson said. Fort Worth officials planned to offer water to the site, but weren’t able to. The project developers made new plans to bring water to the site, which include running a 4,000-foot water line down SH 114 to the development, Dickson said.

The background

Play it Forward leased 122 acres of land from the city on SH 114 and Cleveland Gibbs Road to construct the $70 million mixed-use development, Community Impact previously reported.

The Roanoke Sports Complex will have athletic training facilities, retail businesses, restaurants, parks, trails, a hotel and eight baseball fields once it’s fully finished.

The fields can also be used for lacrosse, softball, 7-versus-7 football and rugby.