On Friday, city leaders, developers and community partners gathered at Eastland Yards in east Charlotte to officially break ground on the Eastland Sports Campus, a $67.1 million amateur sports complex that officials say will anchor the long‑awaited redevelopment of the former mall site. The 29‑acre project will include six full‑size multipurpose fields and a 100,000‑square‑foot indoor center built to host basketball, volleyball and other events. City officials say the campus is slated to open in late 2028 and is designed to bring regional tournaments and jobs to East Charlotte.
What the campus will include
The project page from EDGE Sports Global describes multiple outdoor turf fields designed to host tournaments and events, plus an indoor fieldhouse with convertible courts, a medical and training center, and spaces for academic programming. EDGE Sports Global also notes that Charlotte Soccer Academy will develop and program the outdoor venues. Designers have added food and beverage options along with walking and bike paths intended to connect the campus to the broader Eastland public spaces.
Who’s building it and how it was funded
The Eastland Sports Campus is set up as a public‑private partnership that pairs national operators with local organizations to run and program the facilities. Public funding increased in 2024 when the city signed off on an additional allocation, pushing public investment above $41 million, according to WFAE. Developers say the remaining costs will be covered with private capital alongside the city’s previously approved contributions.
Cost, timeline and economic impact
The city’s announcement puts the total price tag at $67.1 million and projects an annual economic impact of roughly $169 million, with more than 500 jobs and about 130,000 hotel room nights tied to events at the campus, according to the City of Charlotte. Mayor Vi Lyles called the project “an exciting new chapter” for Eastland, and Robert Bolton, managing partner of Eastland Sports Campus, said the effort reflects “months of collaboration” between public leaders and private partners. City officials say construction will continue with site preparation this year, with a late‑2028 opening targeted.
Where Eastland fits
The Eastland Sports Campus is one piece of the larger Eastland Yards redevelopment, an 80‑acre overhaul of the former Eastland Mall that includes apartments, townhomes and a 4.5‑acre county park. Earlier reporting on the site’s long timeline and the master plan led by Crosland Southeast noted that the sports facility was intended to serve as an anchor for retail and housing already under construction, as reported by Axios Charlotte. Progress on nearby parcels, from senior housing to new retail leases, has been cited by city leaders as evidence that the broader project is moving forward.
With shovels now in the ground, city officials and partners say the focus shifts to construction logistics, hiring and programming the campus for youth play and tournament action. Photos and video from Friday’s ceremony have been shared by the city and organizers as the project moves from planning into full build‑out.
