Gov. Pritzker Cuts Ribbon at SCHEELS Sports Park

SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today joined local officials and business leaders to celebrate the opening of the new SCHEELS Sports Park complex. This facility is projected to attract 250,000 annual visitors, bring an estimated $25 million in annual economic activity, and boost Springfield’s tourism economy. The new complex will also provide opportunities for youth in Springfield and across the region to access new, state-of-the-art facilities that provide opportunities for the community to come together.

“The SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe is more than just a sports and recreation tourism destination — it is an engine to grow local economies, support small businesses, and create jobs here in Springfield and across the entire state,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “This is an inspiring display of public-private partnership — coming together to invest in our communities, generate economic growth, and most importantly, create a space for our kids to have fun.”

With support from local partners, the SCHEELS Sports Park represents over $60 million in public-private investment to enhance Illinois’ tourism infrastructure and foster long-term economic momentum in the region. The complex features the world’s largest air-supported dome, and the facility is designed to host a suite of indoor and outdoor sporting events and entertainment programming. Located near Springfield’s SCHEELS sporting goods store at Legacy Pointe, the sports park joins several restaurants, retailers, hotels, and more in this growing entertainment hub.

This new complex will expand the state’s capacity to host large competitions and events, drive tourism efforts forward, and generate economic opportunity in Springfield and beyond. Early development activity associated with the SCHEELS Sports Park project is already underway. A new 91-room hotel property in the surrounding area will help accommodate the influx of visitors in the years to come, with the sports park expected to draw approximately 50,000 overnight stays in the Springfield area.

The Pritzker Administration continues to prioritize business development, promote economic expansion, and collaborate with local convention and visitors’ bureaus to attract more people and events to the state. Illinois welcomed 113 million domestic and international visitors who spent a record $48.5 billion in 2024, alongside a new all-time high of $367 million in hotel tax revenue in FY25. Within that broader growth, sports tourism remains a key driver, with Illinois ranking top ten in the nation in a $275 billion national industry. Building on this momentum, earlier this month, Governor Pritzker announced nearly $5 million in grant funding to support tourism attractions, market the state’s destinations, and bring new events and festivals to communities statewide.

“The SCHEELS Sports Park development has been years in the making, but it’s not just a park — it will serve as a premier destination for a wide range of family-friendly and community events,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “We are seeing hundreds of people, from athletes to spectators to organizers, come to Springfield for tournaments each weekend, boosting our local economy and bringing in tourism dollars. This facility will have a lasting effect on the Springfield community for decades to come.”

“Today is not just a ribbon cutting, it’s a statement reflecting the commitment from community leaders and stakeholders working together to shape the city of Springfield into a destination to visit for families across the country,” said State Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield).

“SCHEELS Sports Park represents a transformative investment in Springfield’s future,” said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher. “This facility not only creates new opportunities for our local athletes, but also strengthens our economy by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and showcasing our city as a premier destination for sports.”

“SCHEELS Sports Park is exciting on many levels. Its presence will not only boost the local economy by attracting thousands of visitors each year, it is also helping to drive new development at Legacy Pointe that will have a lasting impact on the community,” said Mike Murphy, President & CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

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