Kino Sports Complex’s New $31.2M South Complex Opens Friday

TUCSON, AZ — The Kino Sports Complex’s new $31.2 million South Complex expansion officially opens Friday, when it will host the 30th Annual Fort Lowell Soccer Shootout starting tonight. This is the first time the Shootout will happen all at one venue, but Kino’s expansion is certainly up to the 385 youth soccer teams’ challenge, Pima County officials say. In previous years, the tournament was played at multiple parks across Tucson.

The Shootout is the first of what will be many tournaments and entertainment events played at the new South Complex. The project's construction was finished earlier than scheduled and was completely paid for by tourism-related and Kino Stadium District fees and taxes.

Teams and community members visiting Kino’s South Complex will see the new 20-court pickleball area and 12 new natural grass, lighted fields where football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer and other sports can be played. They’ll also spot new parking areas – enough to accommodate more than 700 additional vehicles. The expansion also brings a new concessions area and locker rooms.

The County’s goal is to have the 300-acre Kino Sports Complex – which officials say is the Southwest region’s and Southern Arizona’s largest outdoor entertainment and sporting arena – draw local and regional teams. “It was really designed to keep all of our families in Tucson and Pima County from having to drive up I-10 and to have events and tournaments in the Phoenix metropolitan area,” wrote Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator. “It will attract teams and activities from Albuquerque to Los Angeles. That’s its entire purpose. It’s here to provide the assets for the community to develop and enjoy at the same time,” he explained.

The Kino Sports Complex still has another 90 acres slated for future sports-related development including an indoor court, a stadium and sports-related hospitality businesses such as restaurants, hotels and retail establishments. But nothing is 100 percent set in stone yet. “We’ve had many discussions over the last two to three years to get where we are, and we’re still having those about what to add, what’s necessary, what we need to do to make it better and more enjoyable for the public and the future,” Huckelberry said.

Soon the Kino Sports Complex’s new expansion’s pickleball courts will see some official action as the South Complex hosts the City of Tucson’s Senior Olympic Festival pickleball games Jan. 29-Feb. 1.

Kino Sports Complex gates open this afternoon at 3 p.m., with the Fort Lowell Soccer Shootout’s opening ceremony starting at 6 p.m. Then tonight’s Shootout competition begins at 7 p.m., with the Renegades Atletico Tucson versus the Renegades Real Madrid. The weekend’s competitions additionally include youth from France, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Australia and several other countries.