MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 17, 2024) – Premier Sports Campus, a cornerstone of Manatee County’s athletic community, is entering an exciting new chapter with the creation of two distinct divisions: Premier Sports Campus North and Premier Sports Campus South. This evolution marks a significant step in expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Established in 2011 in Lakewood Ranch, Premier Sports Campus quickly gained recognition for its meticulously maintained fields and state-of-the-art facilities. Hosting a wide range of regional and national competitions the campus has become a hub for sports tourism, drawing athletes, families, and coaches from all over the world. In November 2023, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) President’s Cup event brought nearly 10,000 athletes and more than 22,000 spectators to the area for a weekend event. Those visitors accounted for nearly 8,000 room nights and more than $18 million in economic impact to Manatee County.
Welcoming everything from professional soccer matches to community tournaments, Premier Sports Campus has earned a reputation as one of the leading venues in the nation. The transformation into Premier Sports Campus North and Premier Sports Campus South builds on that legacy by introducing new opportunities for recreation, fitness, and community engagement for both residents and visitors to Manatee County.
Premier Sports Campus North will feature the newly approved $44.2 million Athletics & Aquatics Center. The 44,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will include a competition-sized swimming pool, a therapy pool, locker rooms, restrooms, and a geothermal yard.
“This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing top-tier recreational facilities and programs for our community,” said Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Dr. Bob McCann. “This park, a space dedicated to fostering recreation, environmental sustainability, and community connection will serve as a vibrant hub where families, friends, and neighbors can gather, play, and create lasting memories in a beautiful natural setting.”
Additionally, the center will offer 24 pickleball courts—14 of which will be covered—walking trails, and parking for approximately 166 vehicles.
Premier Sports Campus South will continue to host large-scale sporting events, maintaining its outdoor fields, concessions, and event space with day-to-day management shifting from the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau to Manatee County Sports & Leisure. This division will carry forward the tradition of serving as a venue for attracting and hosting major sports tournaments both nationally and internationally.
“This allows the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau to focus on competitively attracting national sporting events to Premier Sports Campus South which stimulate an annual $45 million impact to the local economy,” said, executive director Elliott Falcione.
The continued attention to programming and facilities represents Manatee County’s commitment to growth, community engagement, and athletic excellence. Residents and visitors can look forward to a bright future filled with new opportunities to play, compete, and gather.