A massive $850 million sports empire is making its play for Southern California, with a sprawling 190-acre complex packed with more than 40 fields set to open its gates Saturday.
The Ontario Sports Empire is billed as the largest youth sports destination west of the Rocky Mountains, bringing a sprawling lineup of baseball, softball, soccer, football and rugby facilities to the Inland Empire.
The complex boasts 20 multipurpose fields, 14 youth baseball diamonds and eight full-size baseball and softball fields, along with two championship baseball diamonds and four football and rugby fields.
The new sports mecca sits next to the $150 million, 6,500-seat home of the Ontario Tower Buzzers, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, pairing youth tournaments with professional baseball in one sprawling sports and entertainment district.
To handle the crowds, the development includes a six-level parking structure with 1,300 spaces and a massive 152-by-51-foot jumbotron.
Funded by the city of Ontario and managed by Sports Facilities Companies, the complex is designed to draw traveling teams and families while pumping money into surrounding businesses.
“It is going to transform that region of the country. We circled the West Coast as almost a desert for sports facilities about 5-7 years ago,” Sports Facilities Companies CEO Jason Clement told Buying Sandlot.
Ontario officials have also pitched the project as a long-term investment in the community.
“The Sports Empire is a testament to the vision of our City Council… the Ontario Sports Empire builds on that legacy with a modern venue and a complete sports complex — a place for families to gather, play, compete, and connect for decades to come,” City Manager Scott Ochoa said in 2025.
The complex is about 10 minutes from Ontario International Airport and is surrounded by more than 6,000 hotel rooms, making it an easy destination for teams traveling in for tournaments.
A 230-room dual-brand Marriott hotel is also expected to open next year next to the facility, giving visiting families a place to stay within walking distance of the fields.
The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with dining options available throughout the complex.
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