Five in Five

In March 2025, the Virginia Beach Sports Center hosted five consecutive weekends of national-level tournaments, including the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championship. For a venue that opened just five years ago, the stretch fulfilled the boldest promise made during its design: a performance-ready platform capable of elevating Virginia Beach as a serious player in national sports tourism.

Developed through a design-build partnership between the City of Virginia Beach, MEB, Hanbury, and Clark Nexsen, the 285,000-square-foot facility pairs a 12-court basketball complex with a hydraulically banked indoor track. Situated near the oceanfront and adjacent to the convention center, it was conceived as part of a broader civic strategy to stimulate off-season tourism and bring new opportunities to the region. The addition of the indoor track positioned the venue to attract collegiate and professional events, expanding beyond traditional youth and high school tournaments. That investment is paying off, as recent national tournaments have drawn thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators from across the country.

“The success of the Sports Center has exceeded our expectations,” said Nancy Helman, Virginia Beach CVB Director. “We’re proud to see how this venue continues to attract national attention and to foster lasting partnerships with our community, visitors, athletes, and event organizers. We look forward to building on this momentum for years to come.”

The core programmatic component of the venue is a 200-meter hydraulically banked indoor track, the first of its kind in the United States, built to NCAA Division I specifications with the express goal of attracting NCAA National Championships. Eight sprint lanes, dedicated field event zones, and a reconfigurable infield allow the space to transition between multiple formats, with seating for over 5,000 spectators. The surface converts for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and cheer, enabling efficient scheduling while preserving a high-caliber athlete experience.

Early collaboration with event organizers and broadcast consultants informed many of the facility’s operational features. Lighting meets professional broadcast standards, and camera positions and media infrastructure were integrated from the outset. Warm-up lanes, doping control rooms, and team support zones are positioned to ensure secure access and smooth circulation.

Twelve hardwood basketball courts, convertible into 24 volleyball courts, define the primary court zone. Mezzanine-level concessions and viewing platforms offer uninterrupted sightlines, and circulation paths for athletes, officials, and spectators minimize congestion and support efficient event turnover. 

Meeting rooms, vendor zones, and flexible rental spaces are distributed throughout to support logistics and auxiliary programming. The building’s design anticipates change, enabling the venue to adapt to evolving event requirements.

Beyond its immediate success as a tournament venue, the Virginia Beach Sports Center has strengthened the city’s long-term economic strategy, driving new investment in the resort area between the boardwalk and the Sports Center. Its steady stream of events has positioned Virginia Beach within a competitive network of sports destinations, supporting consistent activation across the Oceanfront district.

More significantly, the facility has helped diversify the city’s economy, smoothing seasonal fluctuations and supporting surrounding businesses and infrastructure. In this role, the Sports Center operates as a civic catalyst, reinforcing broader goals for sustainable growth and positioning Virginia Beach for continued expansion as a year-round destination.