WILLIAMSBURG — The Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center opened Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew a large crowd for tours, demonstrations and activities.
The facility includes 200,000 square feet of space with boardrooms, ballrooms, breakout rooms and other flexible-use areas. It also features what organizers say is the largest indoor roll-out turf system in the United States, designed for soccer, football and other sports. The center is a joint project of James City County, the City of Williamsburg and York County.
Opening remarks were delivered by Scott Stevens, chair of the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority, who introduced the Fife and Drum and Honor Guard as well as Grayson Torrence, a 22-year-old New Kent singer and songwriter who performed the national anthem and competed on “American Idol.” Remarks also were given by officials from Williamsburg, James City County and York County, along with tourism representatives.
Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons said the project represents a locally driven investment in the city’s future. “Now is the time another generation invested in Williamsburg, and this time we did not have a billionaire or corporation stepping in to fund the next big thing. Instead, we did it ourselves,” he said.
Tourism Council Chair Ruth Larson called the facility a “game-changer” for the Greater Williamsburg area. She also cited projected demand for the center, including more than 100,000 room nights through 2029. She said organizers anticipate 35,000 visitors in 2026, 113,000 in 2027 and 66,000 in 2028, with additional bookings still coming in. She added that 43 weekends in 2027 are already booked, including one wedding.
The final speaker was Ali Krieger, a Virginia native and former U.S. women’s national team defender and special guest for the event. “One of the things that I love most about the World Cup is being reminded about the incredible power of sports to bring people together. No matter where you’re from, what language you speak or what your background may be, sports create connection … that’s exactly why today matters,” she said.
After the ribbon cutting, attendees used the facility for basketball, pickleball, volleyball and soccer. A ninja gym also was open, and booths lined the upstairs and downstairs halls featuring local organizations and businesses.
