Photos courtesy of city of Scottsdale
Last month marked the grand opening of the Reata Sports Complex, a new 29-acre facility that significantly enhances Scottsdale’s sports infrastructure. This state-of-the-art complex includes five international-sized soccer fields equipped with LED lighting, bringing the city’s total number of sports complex fields to 21.
The Reata Sports Complex, a project funded by a 2019 bond, is designed to be multifunctional. It will host competitive tournaments and serve as a key location for parking and rideshare services during Scottsdale’s major tourism events, such as Barrett-Jackson and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This addition positions Reata alongside Bell94 and Scottsdale Sports complexes as pivotal venues driving sports tourism and bolstering the local economy.
“These facilities not only provide top-notch venues for sports competitions but also support our largest tourism-generating events, contributing to economic growth,” says a city official.
Located at 9809 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd., the Reata Sports Complex is part of a broader initiative to develop up to 13 full-sized multiuse sports fields in the area. The complex’s strategic location and advanced facilities are expected to attract numerous sports events, enhancing Scottsdale’s reputation as a premier destination for sports tourism.
An exciting feature of the new complex is “Polygon Plaza,” a public art piece that is now part of the Scottsdale Public Art Permanent Collection. Created by artist Troy Neiman, the artwork features a design inspired by the classic soccer ball, incorporating 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons—a geometric configuration known as a truncated icosahedron. This piece not only celebrates the sport’s history but also adds a unique artistic element to the complex.
The artwork’s surrounding half-wall, made from bricks produced by Brick by Brick—a program coordinated by Scottsdale’s Human Services department to support individuals facing homelessness—adds both aesthetic and social value to the installation.
The Reata Sports Complex is open daily from sunrise to 10:30 p.m., offering residents and visitors ample opportunities to enjoy its facilities. As part of Scottsdale’s ongoing commitment to investing in sports and recreation infrastructure, the complex not only promotes community engagement but also drives economic growth through sports tourism.
For more information, visit scottsdaleaz.gov/parks.
