Jacksonville’s Future Hub for Sports, Entertainment, and Community Connection

One City Center is a planned 400-acre sports, entertainment, and mixed-use district poised to become a major regional destination in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Strategically located at the northern end of Western Boulevard, the development is a key priority for the City of Jacksonville. It represents a core part of its vision to create a dynamic environment where residents, military families, visitors, and businesses can thrive. In 2025, the City enlisted VenuWorks to spearhead the planning, launch, and long-term management of this ambitious complex.

The project is anchored by a versatile indoor sports and conference facility, a large outdoor field complex, extensive trails, and open green spaces, with future mixed-use development planned. One City Center is designed to enhance Jacksonville’s tourism appeal, retain local event activity, and generate sustained economic growth for Onslow County. This unified destination will integrate recreation, hospitality, entertainment, housing, retail, and community spaces. VenuWorks is instrumental in guiding the project from its pre-opening phase through to its long-term operations, providing planning support, transition services, daily facility management, marketing, event booking, and ongoing collaboration with the City to maximize community use and economic benefits. The development is structured as a public-private partnership, emphasizing strong local engagement and efficient, responsible operations.

One City Center is being built to host a wide array of events, including youth and amateur tournaments, regional championships, military functions, consumer shows, and large community gatherings. The indoor and outdoor facilities are designed to operate in synergy, supporting weekend tournament traffic, weekday recreational programs, and year-round events that drive hotel occupancy, restaurant patronage, and visitor spending. Beyond sports, the district is envisioned as a comprehensive destination featuring retail, residential, hospitality, and entertainment offerings. The master plan includes concepts for a hotel, a mixed-use commercial core, an amphitheater, and nature-oriented recreation to extend activity beyond game days and tournament weekends.

The result is a development that transcends the traditional sports complex. In addition to tournament-ready facilities, the master plan incorporates trails, boardwalks, green spaces, and recreational amenities. These elements are thoughtfully designed to create a vibrant civic destination for residents, military families, and visitors alike.