RICHMOND – Athletes take note of Virginia’s new and updated sports venues and events in 2016.
From the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University in Lynchburg to the USA Ultimate Beach Championships in Virginia Beach to many new sporting complexes being built throughout the state, Virginia has much to offer competitors and spectators this year. Below are some highlights of what’s new in sports in Virginia for 2016.
What’s New at Sports Venues
Dominion Raceway & Entertainment – Thornburg, VA
Dominion Raceway & Entertainment is coming in the spring of 2016, the racetrack will have a 2 mile road course, a 4/10ths mile paved NASCAR oval track and 1/8th mile drag strip. The facility will also be available for meetings, conventions and special events.
Embrey Mill Park – Stafford, VA
Embrey Mill Park is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in the 2016 with approximately 58 acres, home to as many as 12 fields, including areas for soccer, lacrosse, and football. Also included in the park will be the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center, an indoor recreation facility of 75,000 square feet will house a 50 meter x 25 yard competition pool, a shallow warm-up and warm-down pool that will also include a play area for younger children, and a therapy pool for rehabilitation and senior citizens. Also included in the indoor recreation facility is a full-sized basketball court, an area for exercise and fitness equipment, and a few classrooms for programming purposes.
Ali Krieger Sports Complex – Woodbridge, VA
Named after the U.S. Woman’s National Soccer World Cup champion, Ali Kreiger, this complex is situated on 29.7 acres. When complete, the complex will include nine rectangular multi-purpose fields, a softball field, two Little League Fields, restrooms, a tot lot, and parking. The first phase of this project is scheduled to open in early 2017.
New Tennis Operations Center Opens at Huntington Park Tennis Center – Newport News, VA
The center’s new 5,108 sq. ft. building includes lockers, bathrooms, showers, a pro shop, a conference room, and a multi-purpose room that will be used by officials for tournaments. The area also features a 60-acre park with a public beach and public boat ramp, a rose garden, ball fields, and Fort Fun, a 15,000 square foot playground overlooking the James River.
Cregger Center at Roanoke College – Salem, VA
A 155,000 square foot facility featuring a fieldhouse with a 200m indoor track and a gym with seating for 2500 basketball fans will open in August 2016 expected to host regional and possibly state high school track meets as well as the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Indoor track meet in 2017.
Two New Artificial Turf Fields at Norfolk Collegiate School – Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Collegiate School, an independent, coeducational day school, recently finished an addition of a $2.6 million athletic complex featuring two side-by-side, competition-size artificial turf fields with lights. This is the only turf facility in the Hampton Roads region with two side-by-side fields with lights. The artificial turf fields are pre-lined for soccer, field hockey, women’s lacrosse and men’s lacrosse and there is spectator seating for approximately 500 fans.
What’s New in Sports Events
Great Chocolate Race 10 Mile/5K – Hampton, VA
Feb. 13, 2016
The inaugural event, showcasing two great scenic courses in Hampton, will conclude with an amazing chocolate after party catered by the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel.
Richard Bland Invitational Softball Tournament – Dinwiddie, VA
March 4-5, 2016
Richard Bland College of William & Mary will host the Richard Bland Invitational Softball Tournament at the Dinwiddie County Sports Complex. College teams traveling to the Petersburg Area will be Cuyahoga Community College (OH), Pitt Community College (PA), Louisburg College (NC), Potomac State College (WV), CCBC Catonsville College (MD), and Southern Maryland College (MD).
USA Hockey High School National Championship – Ashburn/Reston, VA
March 17-21, 2016
40 of the best high school hockey teams will compete for the 2016 USA Hockey High School National Championships. The tournament will crown championship teams in two divisions, with the competition being held at the Ashburn Ice House and Skatequest ice rinks. Over the next two months, teams will qualify for the National Championships by winning their respective league, state championships or qualifying tournaments.
Shamrock 5K Trail Run – Harrisonburg, VA
March 19, 2016
The Shamrock 5K Trail Run is a beginner 5K run that takes place at Hillandale Park. This event is the perfect run for beginners and benefits the area’s wheelchair basketball team.
The Petersburg Half Marathon and 5K – Petersburg, VA
April 16, 2016
The Petersburg Half Marathon and 5K offers runners and walkers of all levels a unique opportunity to experience the American history that abounds in Petersburg. Both races commence and finish along River Street near the historic Norfolk & Western train station in Old Towne. The race will take runners through Petersburg National Battlefield, site of the famous Civil War Battle of the Crater, a pivotal action during the 9-month Siege of Petersburg. They will also see historic Blandford Church & Cemetery where 30,000 Confederate soldiers are buried and go through historic Pocahontas Island, one of the first largest free black communities in the country.
Hampton Roads Corporate Challenge – Hampton Roads, VA
April 19-23, 2016
The Corporate Challenge was created in an effort to bring businesses together in the area to enhance company morale, improve health and wellness and increase business and brand growth. The event will span five days and feature eight sporting events (3v3 basketball, bowling, cornhole, golf, kickball, a ropes course, a 5K race and tug-of-war) throughout Hampton Roads. Businesses will have the opportunity to pick and choose which sports they compete in.
Nike® Girls Invitational Tournament – Hampton, VA
April 22-24, 2016
The Boo Williams Sportsplex and Hampton Roads Convention Center will welcome the Nike® Girls Invitational Tournament. This is the first time the competition has been held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The event will feature female amateur basketball players from across the country. This year’s tournament is expected to draw players from California, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and among others.
Rugged Maniacs at the Virginia Motorsports Park – Dinwiddie, VA
May 7, 2016
Come and test yourself on this 3-mile course with plenty of mud. Climb towers of shipping crates, rocket down a massive water slide, crawl through underground tunnels, leap over fire among many BIG obstacles. There are 25 epic obstacles, but when it’s over there is one rockin’ party! Even at the party you are still moving – mechanical bulls, adult bounce houses and dancing the rest of the day away!
National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top Recruit Spring Fling – Midlothian, VA
May 13-15, 2016
A premier girl’s field hockey recruiting tournament and open to all girls graduating high school in 2017, 2018 and 2019, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Top Recruit Spring Fling is anticipating 125 teams from across the United States and 5,000 total attendee. The River City Sportsplex features 12 sport turf fields, nine of which are lighted.
USA Ultimate Beach Championships – Virginia Beach, VA
May 14-15, 2016
The USA Ultimate Beach Championships are held at the Resort Beach. The fast pace game combining frisbee with soccer and football takes to the sand providing a national level ultimate frisbee competition for players of any caliber. With non-stop movement, athletic endurance and aerial passing, it makes sense where it got the name.
Air Force Association Cycling Classic – Arlington, VA
June 11-12, 2016
The Air Force Association Cycling Classic is the region’s premier cycling event, open to cycling enthusiasts of all abilities. Racing will feature the nation’s top Pro men and women, which are part of the prestigious National Criterium Calendar. Amateurs of all abilities will also be able to participate on Sunday morning’s Air Force Association Cycling Classic Challenge Ride.
American Marksman Competition – Manassas, VA
June-August 2016
American Marksman is a unique new shooting competition at Elite Shooting Sports that will pit amateur shooters of all ages against each other for the title of The American Marksman.
2016 USA BMX ‘Stars and Stripes’ National BMX Tournament – Woodbridge, VA
July 1-3, 2016
A qualifying event for the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2016 USA BMX ‘Stars and Stripes’ National Tournament is part of an annual 30 race National Championship Series, which spans across the U.S. and Canada. The events lead up to the 2016 BMX Olympic Trials on the Supercross track at the Olympic Training Center and ultimately ending with the August 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Premier Girls Fastpitch Elite Futures Showcase – Loudoun County
July 5-10, 2016
The inaugural Premier Girls Fastpitch Elite Futures Showcase debuts in Loudoun with an anticipated 175 teams featuring some of their top national talent in front of college coaches from across the country. Premier Girls Fastpitch provides a national platform where fastpitch softball players can demonstrate their individual and team-enhancing skills. The event will be played at Philip Bolen Memorial Park, Potomack Lakes Sportsplex, Claude Moore Park and several other venues in Loudoun.
Land Rover Great Meadow International – The Plains, VA
July 9-10, 2016
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have chosen the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition to be held outside Europe. The event, the only U.S. leg of the series, will be held at the picturesque Great Meadow and will also host the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team in its final preparation trial prior to next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University – Lynchburg, VA
July 22-24, 2016
Virginia Amateur Sports, the governing organization of the Virginia Commonwealth Games, announced a five-year agreement with Liberty University and the City of Lynchburg. The Games, will welcome as many as 10,000 athletes of all ages to compete in nearly 60 sports on Liberty’s campus.
USSSA Eastern “C” National Championship – Loudoun County
July 27-31, 2016
The USSSA Eastern “C” National Championship will include approximately 100 teams from the Mid-Atlantic Region. The girls fast pitch tournament will feature players ages 10-18 participating in five age group categories at Potomack Lakes Sportsplex, Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park & Claude Moore Park in Loudoun.
ASA Girls Fast Pitch 14-Under Eastern Regional Tournament – Prince George, VA
July 31 – Aug. 4, 2016
Prince George County has been selected to host the Amateur Softball Association’s ASA Girls Fast Pitch 14-Under Eastern Regional Tournament, bringing 50+ teams to the County.
ASA/USA National Softball Championship – Salem, VA
July 31, 2016 (Girls’ 12 and under), Sept. 2, 2016 (Men’s Slow Pitch)
The Amateur Softball Association (ASA), a volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. A number of games will be held in Salem.
EVP Beach Volleyball World Championships – Hampton, VA
Aug. 12-13, 2016
Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe will host the largest beach volleyball tour in the United States with over 18 events and 5,000 athletes competing each summer.
Special Olympics NIT Softball Tournament – Botetourt County
Aug. 18-21, 2016
32 traditional and Unified Sports teams from across the United States as well as Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America, will converge on Botetourt County for the 2016 Special Olympics North America Softball Invitational Tournament. It will be held at the Botetourt Sports Complex and Moyer Sports Complex.
US Figure Skating South Atlantic Regional – Ashburn, VA
Oct. 5-9. 2016
In partnership with the Washington Figure Skating Club, the Ashburn Ice House will host the US Figure Skating South Atlantic Regional Championships. 10 states and the District of Columbia will be represented in the five-day event, with the top four place winners in each event advancing to their respective Sectional Championships.
Hampton Roads Hero Games – Hampton Roads, VA
Oct. 5-8, 2016
Based on the recent success of the 2015 World Police and Fire Games held in Fairfax, Va., the Hero Games is an event that was created in an effort to give service men and women of the region some recognition and a chance for action-packed, competitive and fun-filled sporting events. This home-grown, give-back event will feature events like a pistol challenge and firefighter challenge, golf, a 5K, Cross Fit & power lifting, etc. It is open to all fire, police, EMS employees and their families.
Insane Inflatables 5K Run – Manassas, VA
Oct. 15, 2016
The Insane Inflatable 5K is a new dynamic and extreme obstacle race, made up solely of inflatable obstacles. It will challenge participants, surprise them, and leave them bouncing back for more.
Salem Half Marathon, 8K and Kids Fun Run – Salem, VA
Oct. 15, 2016
The Salem Half Marathon is a new race to the Roanoke Valley and Salem whose mission is to encourage people to get outside and get physically active. This race will start and finish on Main Street, take runners through the City of Salem neighborhoods, Roanoke College, and the Greenway.
Dominion Charity Classic – Richmond, VA
Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2016
The Dominion Charity Classic, a PGA golf tournament, is on its Champions Tour to be held at Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course. The main attraction of the week-long event will be a three-day, 54-hole Champions Tour play-off tournament with a $2 million purse. The Champions Tour was formerly the Senior PGA Tour and features pros over the age of 50. Its current big names include Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie. The tournament will feature a 54-player field and will be the second of three play-off events for the Champions Tour’s new Charles Schwab Cup play-off structure.
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Visit SportsVirginia.org for information on sports in Virginia including details on sporting events, venues, transportation, accommodations, local sports marketing contacts and more. Sports Virginia – we’re with you from start to finish.