East Charlotte's long‑awaited sports complex finally kicks off in 2026
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A sports complex is expected to break ground at Eastland Yards in east Charlotte in the first quarter of 2026.
Why it matters: The Eastland Yards redevelopment aims to infuse fresh energy into the east Charlotte site that housed the once-vibrant Eastland Mall for 35 years before it closed in 2010.
What to expect: The sports complex will include six full-size soccer fields, a 100,000-square-foot indoor facility for basketball and volleyball, plus other amenities, says Tim Sittema, managing partner and co-founder of Crosland Southeast, the master developer of Eastland Yards.
- The sports complex, a joint venture that includes Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) and EDGE Sports Global, is expected to take roughly a year and a half to complete. CSA will oversee, develop and program the soccer fields, and EDGE Sports Global will develop and operate the indoor facility.
Catch up quick: The sports complex site was originally expected to serve as Charlotte FC's training facility, but the Major League Soccer team opted for a different east Charlotte site that they could move into more quickly.
The latest: Eastland Park, a $12.35 million 4.5-acre park, is the latest layer to break ground at Eastland Yards — and county, city and community leaders gathered at the site Thursday morning for the occasion. The project is expected to open in spring 2027.
- The park will include a splash pad, playground, space for skateboarding, walking trails, a dog lounge, restrooms, multipurpose courts, walking paths and public art.
- Alfred Kloke's Eastland "rising sun" logo, which was used at Eastland Mall, will be part of the splash pad.
Go deeper: Fresh renderings: Eastland Park will break ground in 2025
By the numbers: The total price tag for all of Eastland Yards, which encompasses about 80 acres, is roughly $225 million, Sittema tells Axios.
The big picture: "Our overall redevelopment is ahead of schedule," Sittema says. "We're under construction on the vast majority of the 80-acre site."
- Full project completion is roughly three years out, Sittema says.
- The project includes multiple housing options. The first single-family home was purchased this week. The affordable senior living housing has leased all of its units.
- Sittema is hopeful there will be people living in the site's apartments by the end of the year.
What's next: The apartments will include first-floor retail, which city council is expected to review next month.
- Sittema declined to share names of potential tenants, but noted they include a dance studio and a salon, plus coffee and gelato options.
- The target is to have these businesses open by mid-2026.
