Round Rock’s Next Play: Expanding the Sports Capital of Texas
Round Rock, Texas, has long been a powerhouse in sports tourism, and its latest expansion plans reaffirm its reputation as the “Sports Capital of Texas.” The city’s dedication to top-tier sports facilities has fueled its rapid growth, and with new significant facility expansions in the works, Round Rock is taking its sports offerings to the next level.
A Legacy Built On Sports
Round Rock’s rise as a premier sports destination began 25 years ago with the arrival of the Round Rock Express, a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Long before sports tourism became a widespread economic strategy, Round Rock’s city leaders recognized its potential. They saw beyond the game itself—investing in sports as a catalyst to put Round Rock on the map, draw visitors, and drive sustained economic growth. This foresight paved the way for a bold, long-term commitment to expanding sports infrastructure, attracting major events, and creating a lasting impact on the Round Rock community.
Meeting The Demand: Strategic Expansions
Round Rock’s approach to growth is clear—build on what works and elevate it to the next level. The city’s premier facilities, including the Round Rock Sports Center and the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (MPC), have become cornerstone venues in the region. The city dove into the indoor space with the opening of the Round Rock Sports Center in 2014, followed by the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex in 2017 to meet the need for high-quality outdoor fields.
With these key facilities in place, the question became: What’s next? Rather than pursuing entirely new ventures, Round Rock is doubling down on its strengths, ensuring it remains a top-tier destination for tournament directors and athletes alike. “Our mindset was always, ‘What’s next?’ When we evaluated our approach, the answer wasn’t about chasing the next big thing—it was about doubling down on what we already do best. We’ve built something great, and the key was simply to expand on that success. That’s what has driven our growth and facility expansions,” says Chad McKenzie, Director of Round Rock Sports Management and Tourism.
Inside The Round Rock Sports Center Expansion
The Round Rock Sports Center, originally opened in 2014, is undergoing a significant expansion to keep pace with the evolving sports landscape—designed not just for growth, but for adaptability. The expansion will add two additional basketball courts or four volleyball courts, strategically built to accommodate the evolving needs of tournament directors, athletes, event organizers, and Round Rock residents.
One of the most significant enhancements is the introduction of permanent, retractable bleacher seating, creating a true championship atmosphere. Beyond the courts and seating, the expansion is designed for maximum versatility. A seamless connection between the new and existing spaces—using large garage-style doors—will allow the facility to transform based on event needs. “We can open it all up and have an eight-court facility, or close it down and operate a two-court and a six-court space separately. There is a lot of flexibility we are building into this facility,” McKenzie shares.
Key additions:
- Two additional basketball courts or four new volleyball courts
- Permanent retractable bleacher seating to create a championship-style atmosphere
- Flexible facility design with garage-style doors that allow seamless transitions between an 8-court and a 2-court/6-court configuration
- Enhanced event hosting capabilities, ensuring space for both competition and banquets without disrupting gameplay
The Round Rock Multipurpose Complex Expansion
Since its opening in 2017, the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex has established itself as a premier national destination for field sports. Now, with demand continuing to grow, the complex is adding six additional fields, bringing the total to 16, and introducing key upgrades designed to elevate the athlete and spectator experience.
A new press box and locker room facility will be strategically placed between two championship fields, plus permanent stadium seating for three of the championship fields, creating an upgraded atmosphere for high-stakes competition. “This allows us to create a true championship environment while also giving us the flexibility to host one massive tournament or multiple smaller events at the same time,” McKenzie explains.
The Multipurpose Complex was designed as a national-caliber venue from the start, consistently attracting premier events from across the country. With this expansion, Round Rock can now take its hosting capabilities even further. “With 16 fields, we can split the complex in half, allowing two national events to run simultaneously, essentially doubling our capacity for major tournaments,” McKenzie notes. The Round Rock Multipurpose Complex is cementing its reputation as a go-to for the biggest and best in field sports while simultaneously providing more practice and competition space for local athletes.
Key enhancements:
- Six additional fields, increasing the total to 16
- A new press box and locker room facility
- Permanent stadium seating for three championship fields
- Greater flexibility for large-scale tournaments and smaller events
A Community-Driven Vision
The expansion wouldn’t be possible without strong community support. In a historic move, Round Rock voters overwhelmingly approved a $230 million quality-of-life bond, the largest in the city’s history, with $80 million allocated for sports facility expansions. This voter approval underscores the community’s commitment to maintaining top-tier recreational and tourism amenities. With $21.6 million in economic activity generated by sports tourism in 2024 alone, the impact of sports is already clear—and this number is poised to grow even further with this investment.
Beyond tourism, these enhancements significantly benefit local athletes. The Multipurpose Complex will now feature ten synthetic turf fields—doubling its capacity for local practices and games. The Sports Center expansion increases available court space by 33%, with future growth already in the planning stages.
Whats To Come for the Round Rock Sports Center
The next planned expansion for the Round Rock Sports Center, known as Sports Center 2, will solidify the facility’s status as a national player. The addition of 6 more courts will bring the total to 14 basketball courts or 28 volleyball courts, all under one roof. “When you have 14 basketball courts or 28 volleyball courts all under one roof, that becomes a big-time national player,” said McKenzie.
While the Sports Center has previously hosted national events like judo, table tennis, and netball, it has primarily been a regional hub. The new expansion will allow for growth in local tournaments while positioning Round Rock to attract larger national events. The city is hoping to pass the next bond for Sports Center 2, with the expansion planned to tie seamlessly with the existing facility, in the next 5-7 years. With such strategic expansion plans, Round Rock is ensuring that the Sports Center isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter, more efficient, and ready to host a wider range of events than ever before.
The Future of Sports in Round Rock
Strategically positioned just off I-35 and surrounded by hotels and restaurants, Round Rock’s sports venues are built for both convenience and excellence. With all additional courts already booked ahead of construction completion, the city’s reputation as a premier sports destination continues to soar.
The Round Rock team is actively seeking to book events once expansions are completed. The new Sports Center will be finished by December 2025, and the MPC expansion is expected in May-June 2027. The Sports Center is open to various sports, including volleyball, basketball, fencing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and futsal. With the new facility layout, the team is now also considering cheer and dance events, with the expanded Sports Center able to accommodate separate warm-up and competition spaces.
“For us, Round Rock is truly the sports capital of youth sports. Our goal is to provide top-tier sporting events for both local athletes and visiting teams, with world-class facilities that cater to every sport—indoors or outdoors. We want to be the destination that’s top of mind for tournament directors and a place where teams know they’ll compete in exceptional venues. When athletes hear their event is in Round Rock, they should know they’re getting the best—unmatched facilities, outstanding service from arrival to departure, and an experience that sets us apart. That’s what being the Sports Capital of Texas means to us.” – Chad McKenzie, Director of Round Rock Sports Management and Tourism
Round Rock isn’t just maintaining its title as the “Sports Capital of Texas”—it’s redefining what it means to be a leader in sports tourism. As Round Rock looks ahead, its commitment to excellence ensures that athletes, coaches, and fans will experience world-class competition for years to come.
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