New sports venues, renovations and events make Virginia a top sports destination.  Below are some highlights:

STATEWIDE

New Transportation Options for Athletes and Spectators:

AMTRAK Virginia– Passengers can enjoy a single-seat ride from Lynchburg, Richmond, Norfolk, Newport News — and Roanoke by fall 2017— to Washington, DC, as far north as Boston or across the Commonwealth. Check www.AmtrakVirginia.com for stop off and stop over suggestions.

Washington, DC area Metro subway’s new Silver Line Phase 1 with service to Reston, Virginia is now open. Phase 2 will extend service all the way to Washington Dulles Airport and is expected to open 2020.

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Arrington
Nelson County Preserve is 300+ acres of plush open space perfectly set to host events of all sizes.  It has also been the location for The Festy Music Experience, the annual Lockn’ Music Festival and in June 2017 the Spartan Race.

Lynchburg
The new 130,000-square-foot Liberty University Indoor Track & Field Facility features a six-lane hydraulically banked (curves can be raised or lowered for different events) 200-meter track, staging area and warm-up track for athletes, accommodations for field events, locker rooms, weight and training rooms, coaches’ offices, concessions and seating for 1,500 spectators.

Liberty University Shooting Complex will open in late 2017.  The outdoor space will include a pistol range, a rifle range, an instructional area, and a three-gun competition range, skeet and trap, 5 stand area, outdoor archery, sporting clays, and biathlon course.

Richmond
Pedego Richmond provides another unusual and exciting way to experience the region. From the Virginia Capital Bike Trail which starts in Richmond and extends 50 miles to Jamestown, to all the exciting venues to ride in Richmond, Pedego electric bikes are a perfect fit.

COASTAL VIRGINIA

The new 5,108 sq. ft. Tennis Operations Center at Huntington Park Tennis Center includes lockers, bathrooms, showers, a pro shop, a conference room, and a multi-purpose room. The area also features a 60-acre park with a public beach and public boat ramp, a rose garden, ball fields, and a 15,000 square foot playground overlooking the James River.

Norfolk Collegiate School, completed an addition of a $2.6 million athletic complex featuring two side-by-side, competition-size artificial turf fields with lights. The artificial turf fields are pre-lined for soccer, field hockey, women’s lacrosse and men’s lacrosse and spectator seating for approximately 500 fans.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Fairfax
Pinecrest Golf Course is the first American FootGolf League certified course in Fairfax County! The par 60 course is 1,965 yards with 18 holes. FootGolf combines soccer and golf and is perfect for all ages

The Burke Lake Golf Center opened in April 2017 a new 4,000 square foot clubhouse, two-story driving range structure, parking lot expansion and plans include preparations for future expanded practice short game areas.

Lake Fairfax Bike Park and Pump Track is now open in Reston, and features a 5,000-sq- ft track for a broad range of bike wheels. The track measures 50 x 100 feet and is suitable for bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

Stafford
Embrey Mill Park opened in May 2016 with approximately 58 acres. The park includes 6 lighted rectangular fields (4 synthetic) for youth soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey; playground; concession stand; parking lots; and restrooms.  Also included in the park is an indoor recreation facility of 75,000 square feet with a 50 meter x 25 yard competition pool, a shallow warm-up and warm-down pool with a play area for younger children, and a therapy pool for rehabilitation. The facility also includes a full-sized basketball court, an area for exercise and fitness equipment, and a few classrooms for programming purposes. 

VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS

Hot Springs
The Omni Homestead’s newest adventure, the Ridge Runner Zip Tour, is now open. During this three hour tour spanning more than 4,000 feet, fly through the treetops on eight zip lines and then descend 1,300 feet on the Red Tail Racer (opening early 2017) for an exhilarating experience with views of five mountains.

Roanoke
The Berglund Center Coliseum underwent several major renovations in 2016, in preparation for the inaugural season of the Roanoke Railyard Dawgs, a new franchise in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Renovations include: seat replacement, fresh paint, new 6MM HD scoreboard with live video capabilities, handrails, Club 611 VIP lounge and new ice plant and dasher system.

Cregger Center at Roanoke College, a 155,000 square foot facility featuring a fieldhouse with a 200m indoor track and a gym with seating for 2500 basketball fans, opened in August 2016.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

The Spearhead Trails continue to grow with new trails opening soon including: Stone Mountain, Haysi Trail, Coeburn Connector, Coal Canyon and Equestrian Trail.

Four new boat landings will open along the 37 mile New River Water Trail in Giles County. The New River is home to many species of freshwater game fish including bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, flathead and channel catfish.

Major & New Events in Virginia (new events denoted with *)

37th Annual Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament - January 13-14 2017 – Hampton
This is the largest college and high school tournament in the world.  Held annually at the Hampton Coliseum, the Virginia Duals attracts some of the country's best high school and college wrestlers.

ODAC Men’s and Women’s Conference Championships – February 23-26, 2017 - Salem Civic Center

ODAC Indoor Track Championships – February 26, 2017 - Roanoke College

Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship - March 3-5, 2017 – Richmond
The championship will return to the Richmond Coliseum under a new format where the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship will all be held at a neutral site.

MEAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament - March 6-11, 2017 AND March 5-10, 2018 – Norfolk
The conference championship single-elimination tournament for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and has been held every year since 1972 and seeding is based on regular season records.

Shamrock Festival Volleyball Tournament – March 11-12, 2017 - Roanoke Valley

NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Championship – March 17-19, 2017 - Salem Civic Center

Charlottesville Ten Miler - March 18, 2017 - Charlottesville & Albemarle County
This is the area's oldest footrace and attracts thousands of runners. The course winds through the University of Virginia, the Downtown Mall, and many other portions of the city.

Charlottesville Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K & Kids Mile – April 1, 2017 - Charlottesville & Albemarle County
A course that is known for its rolling hills and beautiful scenery, generally hosts more than 1,000 runners each spring.

Alpha Energy Solutions 250 at Martinsville Speedway – April 1, 2017 – Ridgeway
The drivers of the Alpha Energy Solutions 250, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will experience exciting racing action as they battle it out to the finish on the tough half-mile oval shaped track.

STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway – April 2, 2017 - Ridgeway
The Martinsville Speedway will play host to the STP 500 in high octane action as the drivers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series roll out to take their stab at winning the famous Grandfather Clock trophy.

Hampton Roads Corporate Challenge - April 12-22, 2017 - Virginia Beach and Chesapeake
This is a multi-day sporting event for businesses to compete in nine different sports and is great for team building, boosting employee morale and promoting health and wellness.

*Checkered Flag 5k and Kids Run - April 27, 2017 (kickoff to NASCAR race weekend) - Richmond Raceway Complex
RIR will host the first Checkered Flag 5k and Kids Run with the race taking place on its expansive property.  Participants will cross the finish line where racing legends have made their mark and enjoy music, food trucks, and craft beer afterwards.

*Pirelli World Challenge - April 28-30, 2017 – Alton
The Pirelli World Challenge race weekend features thrilling multi-class racing with top drivers competing in the hottest production-based race cars such as Bentleys, McLarens, Ferraris and more. The races follow a 50-minute start to finish sprint format with no scheduled pit stops.

Nike Girls Basketball Invitational - April 28-30, 2017 – Hampton
The Invitational will feature over 220 female 13u-16u amateur basketball teams from across the country. They will compete on 20 courts over 3-days at the Hampton Roads Convention Center and Boo Williams Sportsplex.

National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) Mid-Atlantic District III Regional Tournament Division I - May 12-14, 2017 – Martinsville
The NCBA and the Martinsville Mustangs Baseball Team invite baseball fans of all ages to come enjoy four college club teams participate in the double-elimination tournament at Hooker Field.

MotoAmerica Superbike Championship of Virginia - May 12-14, 2017 – Alton
The country’s best motorcycle racers compete on one of America’s premier road courses and battle it out on the fastest production-based motorcycles in the world. The weekend includes full days of racing action plus fan activities such as stunt shows, demo rides and more.

NASA Mid-Atlantic HyperFest - May 19-20, 2017 – Alton
HyperFest, “the Automotive Amusement Park,” is an annual motorsports festival featuring drifting competitions, fan slide-along rides, car shows, eating contests, helicopter rides, karting, craft beer tastings and more for the whole family to enjoy.  

IWLCA Champions Cup & IWLCA Capital Cup Lacrosse - June 16-18, 2017 and July 13-16, 2017 – Richmond (Chesterfield County)
Both events will be returning to River City Sportsplex and Clover Hill Athletic Complex. These Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association tournaments bring in 400 girl's lacrosse clubs from around the U.S. and Canada and over 400 college coaches for recruiting purposes.

*Teen Masters Bowling National Championships - July 1-7, 2017 – Richmond
400 of the best youth bowlers in the country will compete at AMF Hanover Lanes with social activities taking place at American Civil War Museum and the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

*NSA World Series Class A - July 17-21, 2017 - Newport News, Williamsburg, York County
The NSA World Series Class A Girls Fastpitch softball brings an anticipated 125-150 teams to compete and also provides a platform where players can demonstrate their individual skills.

Triple Crown US Baseball Championships - July 19-30, 2017 – Richmond (Henrico County)
The championship will return to the region each year through 2020. It features nearly 80 elite high school baseball travel teams from across the country competing in three age groups (16U, 17U, and 18U) to earn national championship honors. College coaches and scouts will be on hand to evaluate players representing 17 states.

The Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University - July 22 - 24, 2017 – Lynchburg
This annual event is held in July (for most sports) and open to all ages and skill levels. From archery to wrestling, this event offers sports competition venues for 55+ different Olympic and Pan American sports. In 2015, the Games hosted nearly 9,900 athletes.

*US Lacrosse Nationals - July 28-30, 2017 – Richmond
Nationals bring together many of the best boys/girls youth lacrosse teams from across the country for three days of high-level competition in a fun atmosphere at River City Sportsplex, which features 12 artificial turf fields, nine of which are lighted.

*International Senior Softball Association World Championships - August 11-13, 2017 – Richmond
100+ teams will travel to Richmond for the 23rd annual World Championships and will compete at five venues - Glen Allen Softball Complex, Dorey Park, Poor Farm Park, Pole Green Park and Henderson Sports Complex.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Sectionals (18 & over) - August 11-14, 2017 – (40 & over) - September 15-18, 2017 –
(55 & over) - September 22-25, 2017 – Newport News
All tennis matches will be played at Huntington Park Tennis Center.

Michelin GT Challenge IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - August 25-27, 2017 – Alton
VIR’s championship is the only mid-Atlantic stop in the premier North American sports car racing series. In addition to the headlining Michelin GT Challenge race, the weekend will feature several support series including the newly named Biscuitville Grand Prix race of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Charlottesville Women's Four Miler – September TBD 2017 - Charlottesville & Albemarle County
One of the largest footraces in the Charlottesville area (and Virginia's largest all-woman race) the Charlottesville Women's Four Miler attracts thousands of women each year to run for a great cause.

Crawlin' Crab Half Marathon & 5K - October 6-8, 2017 – Hampton
This 3-day event starts with a Sports and Fitness Expo and then continues with a scenic course taking runners through historic downtown and along the Chesapeake Bay with live bands, cheer stops and concludes with a huge outdoor Craft Brew Fest.

Hampton Roads Hero Games - October 20-29, 2017 - Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
An event for first responders where they compete in action-packed, competitive sporting events, such as: Golf, CrossFit, Softball, Volleyball, Firefighter Challenge and Pistol Challenge, to become the Hero Games Champion.

*United States Classic Orienteering Championships, November 11-12, 2017 – Quantico
2018 and beyond

*State Games of America - July 31-Aug. 4, 2019 – Lynchburg
This Olympic-style event features competition between almost 15,000 medal winners from State Games throughout the country.  This is the first time Virginia has been selected to host the Games and is a collaborative effort of Virginia Amateur Sports, Liberty University, and the City of Lynchburg.

AAU Junior Olympics - July 29 - August 8, 2020 – Hampton Roads region
AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program.