Jacobs Entertainment plans to build 12 youth sports fields in downtown Reno – KRNV

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by Ben Margiott
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Jacobs Entertainment, the developer behind the 'Neon Line' along 4th St., plans to build 12 youth sports fields in downtown Reno near the company's J Resort casino property.
Officials announced Wednesday they also intend to create a new 'traveling youth sports initiative' called the Downtown Reno Amateur Sports Association.
The 12 flat fields, the first 4 of which would open in summer 2026, would host traveling and local teams for soccer and lacrosse, which was recently added as a sanctioned high school sport in Nevada. The remaining fields would be opened in the next 6 years.
“Traveling youth sports is a rapidly growing segment of Nevada’s tourism industry, and we anticipate strong demand from both local families and visitors,” said Garret Gordon, J Resort attorney. “These new fields will allow downtown Reno to host traveling youth soccer and lacrosse tournaments alike.”
The initiative comes amid a severe shortage of flat fields in the Truckee Meadows — no new fields have been built since 2010 despite the region's population growing by roughly 150,000 people.
Additional flat fields could also be built alongside the Truckee River as part of the Truckee River Flood Management Authority's flood project between Rock and McCarran boulevards.
According to a press release from Jacobs Entertainment, the fields would accommodate 7-on-7, 9-on-9, and 11-on-11 play, allowing all age groups to use the facilities.
Currently, Jacobs Entertainment owns land for 3 of the fields planned to open in 2026 — they would be located near the J Resort festival grounds, on Ralston St. at W. 2nd St. and on Washington St. just south of the railroad tracks. The location of the 4th field wasn't immediately clear.
“As the number of fields and visiting teams grows, we anticipate demand for downtown hotel rooms to exceed 1,000 rooms per tournament night,” Jacobs Entertainment CEO Jeff Jacobs said. “This will provide opportunities for other downtown hotels to partner with us and help meet the needs of a new segment of Reno visitors. We’re confident that downtown Reno can accommodate 25 to 30 youth sports weekends per year.”
The fields will be adjacent to ReDirect Athletics, a nonprofit that 'provides mentorship and a healthy outlet to kids of all ages via sports and physical activity,' according to Jacobs.
At Wednesday's Reno City Council meeting, Jacobs representatives are expected to update city council members on progress on the Neon Line, the major effort to revitalize the 4th St. corridor in downtown Reno with more entertainment and housing.
The district currently consists of 3 open residential projects, 2 of which have affordable units.
Earlier this year, Jacobs announced a 400-seat banquet hall, a revamped entrance to the J Resort (formerly the Sands Regency) and The Breeze, a 57-unit affordable housing project at the Bonanza Inn.
When those 57 affordable units open, Jacobs will have opened 184 total housing units in the Neon Line District, 124 of which (67%) will be affordable.
Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on X and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.
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