The Oklahoma City metro is taking its sports fandom to new highs in the last half of the 2020s, with several major additions coming to the area. And that’s excluding the 2028 Olympic Games.
Developments range from as far south as Norman’s University of Oklahoma campus to as far north as the $18 million renovations to A.C. Caplinger Sports Complex in Edmond.
These projects could reshape the future of sports in Oklahoma City, specifically in how the capital city could shake when three major professional sports facilities open in the months before Oklahoma City hosts Olympic softball and canoe slalom for the 2028 Olympic Games near these venues.
However, to Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, the projects are not just shaping but potentially defining the city in the coming years, calling it “a very intentional and effective strategy.”
“All of this has brought direct economic impact, but the even greater impact has been the way these brands and these events have elevated our identity on a global stage, which has changed our city forever,” Holt said.
“These opportunities in sports have come to define us.”
Here is a look at a few major sports facilities under construction in and around Oklahoma City in the next few years.
Construction continues on OKC Thunder home, Continental Coliseum
Inspired by the Roman Colosseum and other world landmarks, Holt believes that the Continental Coliseum could be the great building for Oklahoma City to hang its hat on.
“Great cities build great buildings,” Holt said. “Urban places across the span of human history have used their collective power to build great buildings. What is Paris without the Eiffel Tower? What is New York City without the Empire State Building? What is London without Big Ben?”
The new arena is being built on what was once the home of the Myriad Arena, which was demolished last fall. The site is located immediately north of Paycom Center, which will be torn down after the opening of Continental Coliseum.
By the size of its budget, the Continental Coliseum is the largest public or private project in the history of Oklahoma City.
The project broke ground in March 2026, with a timeline just tight enough to finish the project before the 2028-2029 NBA season.
“I just hope this is going to be such a stunning piece of architecture that we all think that anything we build, let’s make it beautiful, let’s make it fit and complement everything we’re doing,” Thunder chairman Clay Bennett said in March.
Multipurpose Stadium adds football and soccer to the future of OKC
Oklahoma City will add professional football and futból in 2028 with the addition of the new stadium downtown.
In 2025, residents voted on a MAPS 4 plan that allowed for the construction of a new multi-purpose stadium, which will be used primarily for soccer. The new team will enter the United Soccer League and have both men’s and women’s soccer.
The stadium will be the first of its kind with the closest seats to the field in professional soccer globally.
“We truly believe we can set the bar for how downtown venues interact with their communities,” OKC for Soccer President Court Jeske said. “This will be a home for women’s and men’s soccer, football of all levels, concerts and so much more. Don’t think of this as a stadium, but as a community center with a field in the middle.”
But soccer won’t just be the only tenant, as United Football League co-owner Mike Repole confirmed to The Oklahoman, they will be adding professional spring football to the mix.
Repole believes not only the stadium but the market is there for Oklahoma City to be a largely successful market, even without a team.
“If Oklahoma City had the stadium that is going to be ready in 2028, the team would’ve been there this year,” he said. “That’s how confident I am in the city. That’s how confident I am in the state. That’s how much I know you guys love your football.
“To me, this is the perfect market for a UFL spring football team.”
Softball capital of the world adds new facility
The City of Oklahoma City is investing $25.4 million into a new indoor softball facility next to Devon Park.
The unanimous vote was approved at the May 5 city council meeting. The two-story facility, which is anticipated to begin construction this summer, will include two practice fields equipped with nets that can be lowered for batting and pitching practice.
There will also be a climate-controlled walkway for teams to get to the stadium field from the practice facility.
The aim is to complete the construction in late 2027 in time for the 2028 Women’s College World Series and the 2028 Olympic softball games hosted at the park.
New basketball arena coming to OU
The University of Oklahoma men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s gymnastics team will have a new home as the college constructs a new arena to replace the Lloyd Noble Center.
The arena is expected to seat 8,000 and was originally expected to be completed by a 2027-2028 deadline, but those dates may be pushed back.
The plan was approved in tandem with the Rock Creek Entertainment District in September 2024.
“A large coalition came together to support this initiative that will create thousands of new jobs, more housing, and exciting new entertainment options for our residents that will help make Norman a destination city,” OU President Joseph Harroz said.
Edmond sports complex upgrading with $18M of investments
A.C. Caplinger Sports Complex, at 900 S Bryant Ave. in Hafer Park, built in the 1970s, is undergoing $18.25 million in upgrades, the cost paid from capital improvement tax and the city park tax.
The complex, next door to Pelican Bay, will feature 10 ball fields, new lighting and amenities, more parking, covered bleachers, two restroom areas, a playground, and synthetic turf infields.
With cooperative weather, the new-and-improved fields and features will be done by this spring, Conyers said. “The next thing that people will be able to see out there will be the installation of the artificial turn infields,” he said.
Contributing: Steve Lackmeyer, Jenni Carlson, Joe Mussato, Ryan Sharp, Colton Sulley, Richard Mize, The Oklahoman
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: These 5 sports venues under construction now are reshaping OKC metro