Richmond will open a new downtown ballpark and host relocated statewide games while the region welcomes back professional golf and NASCAR among a packed calendar of sporting events in 2026. 

The Richmond Flying Squirrels will play their first game at CarMax Park on April 7, marking the end of a decades-long effort to replace The Diamond. The 10,000-seat facility cost about $115 million and features a 360-degree concourse, wider seats and a 32-by-115-foot video board. The ballpark will host 69 Flying Squirrels games as well as concerts and festivals throughout the year. 

The Virginia Commonwealth Games will move to the Richmond region in 2026 after 10 years in Lynchburg. The multisport event draws athletes of all ages across more than 30 sports at venues in Chesterfield and Henrico counties. More than 310,000 people have participated since the games began 36 years ago. Richmond has committed to hosting the event for three years. 

Henrico will host the DIII Champions Classic on Dec. 28-29 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, a new regular-season showcase featuring past NCAA Division III men’s basketball national champions. The inaugural field includeds Randolph-Macon College, the 2022 national champion; Christopher Newport University, the 2023 champion; Babson College, the 2017 champion; and the University of Scranton, which won titles in 1976 and 1983. The two-day event is designed as a national in-season destination for Division III programs. 

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will induct six people on April 25 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump. Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and former NBA player Grant Hill headline the class. University of Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett, youth basketball coach Marcellus “Boo” Williams and former WNBA player Kristi Toliver will also be inducted. Businessman Bobby Ukrop will receive the Distinguished Virginian award. 

LIV Golf will hold its Virginia tournament May 8-10 at Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., in Northern Virginia. The field includes major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. The event drew large crowds when it debuted at the venue in 2023. 

Richmond Raceway will host NASCAR races on Aug. 14-15. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runs Friday night at 7:30 p.m., with the Cook Out 400 Cup Series race scheduled for Saturday evening at 7 p.m. The raceway sold out its 2025 race weekend. 

Other events included the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic women’s basketball tournament Nov. 25-28 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center; the U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships, also at the Henrico facility; and the Allianz Richmond Marathon on Nov. 14. 

A rendering of an aerial view of CarMax Park, Richmond’s $90 million downtown ballpark opening April 7, 2026. The 10,000-seat stadium will host Flying Squirrels games, concerts and festivals throughout the year. (Photo courtesy Richmond Flying Squirrels )

 

BIG BEND — Big Bend residents are divided over a proposed youth sports complex that would transform farmland into one of Wisconsin’s largest athletic facilities.

The development would be located along Big Bend Road and Town Line Road in the Waukesha County village of 1,500 people. Developer Eric Weishaar plans to build indoor and outdoor baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields, along with 1,500 parking spots, a hotel, restaurants and retail space.

Breck Athletics Complex

Developer documents show the complex would feature architecture resembling a Colorado mountain town. If approved, the facility aims to become a premier youth sports destination for national tournaments by 2027.

The proposal has created tension among residents. James Schmittinger, who moved to the area for its quiet, rural atmosphere, strongly opposes the plan.

Watch: Big Bend residents split on proposed massive youth sports complex plan

Big Bend residents split on proposed massive youth sports complex plan

“Why Big Bend? Why this location? Pick a location where you don’t have so many residents around,” Schmittinger said. “To see this coming here breaks my heart.”

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Schmittinger said he would sell his home if the complex is built, citing concerns about traffic, noise and lighting from nighttime games.

“Those games usually go into nighttime, then you have all these bright lights going on,” Schmittinger said.

Weishaar acknowledged residents’ concerns and said he wants to be a good neighbor.

“We’re actually spending more money on specific lights to minimize the light pollution for the surrounding area,” Weishaar said. “We’re going to have some buffer zones between homes in the area, and we’re doing traffic studies.”

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The developer emphasized the economic benefits the complex would bring to the community.

“They’re going to be spending their weekend there, they’re going to be spending their money there, and so when you have all of that, the economic impact is just massive,” Weishaar said.

Not all nearby residents oppose the project. Matthew Welter, whose property could be within 10 feet of the complex, says he’s open to the idea.

“Once I read up on what they’re doing out here, I don’t consider it that bad; it could be a lot worse. It’s not going to be factories, it’s not going to be 100 condos,” Welter said.

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The village plans to hold a public hearing next month to discuss the proposal. Village leaders did not respond to requests for comment.

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Key Takeaways

• Breck Athletic Complex would include 155,000 square feet of indoor turf for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training in southeastern Wisconsin
• The 42-acre project features 20+ outdoor fields across baseball, softball, soccer, futsal, and lacrosse
• National tournament operators have committed to 25-30 year lease agreements, according to the developer
• SC Wave, a Milwaukee Wave-affiliated soccer club, is named as a key tenant seeking a permanent home
• A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 before the Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission

Multi-Sport Destination Planned for Agricultural Land

A proposal to convert 42 acres of farmland in Big Bend, Wisconsin into a regional youth sports destination is advancing through the local approval process. Eric Weishaar, owner and developer of Breck Athletic Complex, presented plans to the Big Bend Plan Commission in November.

The project would require amending the village’s comprehensive plan to change the land designation from Medium Density Residential to Commercial. A joint public hearing between the Village Board and Plan Commission is set for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.

“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” Weishaar said during the November meeting.

Facility Breakdown and Phased Construction

The development would include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza seating, seven full-size soccer fields, three futsal fields, and four lacrosse fields. The 155,000-square-foot indoor facility would support year-round training across multiple sports.

Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. The site plan also incorporates commercial outlots along Highway 164 for a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail.

Construction is planned across eight phases. Soccer fields would come first, with a potential opening as early as spring 2026 if ground breaks this coming spring. Baseball and softball fields are targeted for spring 2027 to give tournament operators lead time for scheduling.

Long-Term Tenants Already Committed

Weishaar told commissioners that national tournament operators have committed to lease agreements spanning 25 to 30 years. SC Wave, affiliated with the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer organization, is also identified as a key partner.

“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.

The complex is expected to draw teams from outside Wisconsin for weekend-long tournaments, creating demand for nearby lodging and dining.

Community Compatibility a Focus

Developers emphasized that the facility would use modern LED field lighting designed to minimize light spill into nearby residential areas. Tournaments are expected to conclude by 10 or 11 p.m.

“This is not something that is going on all night,” Weishaar said.

The project still requires zoning and site plan approvals. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet tenant timelines.

If approved, Breck Athletic Complex would join a growing list of large-scale youth sports facilities positioning themselves as regional tournament destinations. The combination of indoor and outdoor capacity, long-term operator commitments, and adjacent commercial development reflects a model increasingly favored by developers seeking year-round revenue streams.

via: GM Today

photo: Courtesy of Village of Big Bend

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A little more than 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District students received an early Christmas present at Pajaro Valley High’s first annual toy drive event on Dec. 23.

Children from H.A. Hyde, Ohlone and Hall District elementary schools got a chance to pick from an assortment of toys inside the gymnasium prior to the varsity girls’ basketball game against North Monterey County.

The youngsters also got a special visit from Santa Claus and Little Santa Claus, who spoke to the group prior to making their way to the newly packaged basketballs, board games, backpacks and stuffed animals.

“My mission is to not just coach basketball, but help young people and help families through a difficult time during Christmas,” Pajaro Valley girls’ basketball head coach Darren Jackson said. “For most families, it’s difficult for them to go out and purchase gifts. It was an awesome turnout.”

It’s been nearly a decade since Jackson began the toy drive tradition with his wife Melissa, a teacher at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas. 

“[Melissa] was telling me there’s a lot of kids that’s struggling, and there’s a lot of homeless kids out there,” Jackson said. “So, she inspired me through her job.”

Jackson spent 24 years at North Salinas High before taking the helm at Pajaro Valley in September. The Grizzlies’ first-year head coach said he was hoping to keep the tradition alive in Watsonville.

Jackson and the girls’ basketball team were dished an assist from PV High Activities Director Julie Brusa.

Brusa and ASB student body members stepped in by helping collect dozens of donations, including 25 bicycles given out through a raffle.

“[Brusa and the ASB student body] played a role,” Jackson said. “It was a girls’ basketball function but we turned it into a school function.”

FLORENCE, Ala. (December 30, 2025) – For a second straight year, the University of North Alabama Department of Athletics will host a free youth clinic to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the UNA Rec Center.
 
The free clinic is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and is open to ages 4-12.
 

“Hosting our second annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day clinic reflects our commitment to empowering girls through athletics,” said Debbie Williams, UNA Associate Athletic Director for Business Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator. “After welcoming over 100 young girls last year, we are excited to continue growing this event by giving our female student-athletes the opportunity to inspire confidence, demonstrate leadership and highlight the positive impact of sports both on and off the field.”
 
All of UNA’s women’s sports programs, including student-athletes and coaches, will be involved in the camp. This includes women’s basketball, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, cheer and dance, cross country, women’s golf, soccer, softball and women’s tennis.
 

Following this event, the UNA women’s basketball team will host FGCU at 6 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena. The NGWSD celebration will continue during the game. This game will also serve as Youth Sports Night.
 
NGWSD is an initiative created by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The annual observance is the first Wednesday of February during National Signing Day.

To register, click here.

 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.