Chicago Southland's Top Sports Facilities

It’s no secret that sports play a big part in the attraction to the Chicago Southland. From indoor and outdoor venues for activities as diverse as soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball and even the latest craze, pickleball, there is something for everyone. Events and activities in this region are ample thanks to a variety of sports facilities. And they’re not only for Southland residents, though. Sports planners have a distinct advantage in their objective to put on a high-profile function and give participants and spectators what they expect: A great experience.

WINTRUST SPORTS COMPLEX

The key to it all is versatility, which is something every sports venue in the Southland possesses. Take Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. Located just south of Midway Airport, it’s a 116,000-square-foot facility offering the equivalent of eight high school basketball hardwood courts or one championship court (16 volleyball courts). It hosts events as diverse as basketball tournaments from Adidas, Under Armour and Nike for high school boys and girls. It recently hosted a Major League Table Tennis event with athletes from around the world. Next year, construction of the WNBA Chicago Sky’s training center will begin next door.

Versatility is more than just access to great amenities. Wintrust Sports Complex is able to operate an event’s ticketing process and the upcoming and adjacent Wyndham Garden Bedford Park hotel set to open in 2025. There is also free parking, with 1,100 spots. A multi-purpose room can be the headquarters for staff during an event and there is an arcade and even a laser-tag arena for athletes to enjoy. All of that elevates an event and puts the experience, and its perception, on a higher scale.

SOUTHLAND CENTER 

The Southland Center, in Lynwood, is a 100,000-square-foot facility that defines versatility. It’s reconfigured seasonally for different sports, offering two indoor Desso turf soccer fields and four basketball courts November through March, and 10 indoor basketball courts or 14 volleyball courts April through October. In the winter, the turf accommodates sports like flag football, lacrosse, track and even marching bands, in addition to baseball, softball and soccer. Outside, there are five baseball fields along with four soccer fields.

Once again, it’s more than that for event planners. For example, there is plenty of free parking – 1,200 spots – and access is seamless for those unfamiliar with the area because the facility is located just off of Illinois Route 394. On event day, Southland Center staff is on site to ensure the proceedings come off without a hiccup.

ROMA SPORTS CLUB

The Roma Sports Club, in Frankfort, expanded by 20,000 square feet in 2024 to a total of about 70,000 square feet, built in partnership with the Ultimate Volleyball Club. Altogether, that gives the facility six volleyball courts, three basketball courts and five pickleball courts. It also features an indoor turf field for soccer, ranging 150 by 210 feet, which is also rented out for baseball and rugby.

Roma Sports Club is also home to a one of the area’s biggest indoor competitive soccer leagues in the winter, with more than 100 participating teams ranging in age from 8 to high school. It also has its own competitive travel soccer program which practices outside in the fall and spring when the weather is (hopefully) better.

MATTESON COMMUNITY CENTER

Matteson Community Center, in Matteson, is a 73,000-square-foot facility with a large variety of places to play – two indoor basketball courts, two youth baseball diamonds, a soccer field and even a full football field with seating. But that’s not all; it also offers tennis courts and courts for pickleball, which is a sister to tennis and very popular with the senior population. The center has two pickleball courts outside and six inside.

Don’t forget the other amenities at Matteson Community Center, which include indoor pools, saunas and indoor and outdoor tracks for those who want to walk or rev things up with a brisk run. There are shower facilities for guests as well, not to mention four parking lots – three in front of the building and one in the rear. Photo by Paul Park.

SEAT GEEK STADIUM

That’s just the start of the sports venues available in the Southland. Consider SeatGeek Stadium, in Bridgeview, home of the Chicago Stars FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby. It is a 469,000-square-foot facility with a regulation-size soccer field. There are also regulation-size natural grass and turf fields, along with a 90,000-square-foot sports dome with an indoor soccer field. The events held here are plentiful. In addition to shows, concerts, and festivals, SeatGeek Stadium is a rotational host to USA Rugby’s American Series where the men’s and women’s National Teams compete in matches against other national rugby teams. And sitting 700 feet from the stadium’s entrance is the Bridgeview’s newest hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites-Bridgeview, which offers 109 guest rooms and restaurants.

OZINGA FIELD

If you’re a baseball fan, then head over to Ozinga Field in Crestwood, the home of the Frontier League Windy City ThunderBolts. The stadium has a capacity of 3,200 people and is located between Interstate 294 (the Tri-State Tollway) and Interstate 57, a convenient spot. Ozinga Field has undergone several important upgrades in recent years, including the Picnic Pavilion in left field, and the Glenmark #WinCITY Party Patio in right field. The venue hosted the Frontier League all-star game in 2023, and the stadium was painted down to an even shine.

ADDITIONAL SPORTS FACILITIES

MEGAPLEX SPORTS CENTER

The MegaPlex Sports Center, in Homer Glen, is a 78,000-square-foot rental space that can accommodate basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, indoor and outdoor soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading – and yes, pickleball. Don’t forget that it can also host both tournaments and practices.

JOHN HUMPHREY COMPLEX

Head out to Orland Park, and you’ll run into the John Humphrey Complex. Orland Junior High offers baseball and softball fields, along with walking and bike paths. Orland Park’s athletic facilities together offer more than 30 baseball and softball fields, 23 outdoor soccer fields, and one indoor, along with multiple gymnasiums.

SCHUESSLER PARK

The recent big draw is two new artificial turf football fields at Schuessler Park, which opened in July. It’s home to several teams and leagues, including Pioneer Football, Orland Park Soccer Club, Orland Park Sting and Chicagoland United Soccer. Park officials say the turf is state of the art and playable in all weather conditions.

MEMORIAL PARK FIELDS

Memorial Park Fields, in Midlothian, recently upped the ante for 13U through 15U youth baseball. It formerly had one field that could go up to 90-foot bases; now it has two. It also has five skinned fields with four that can go up to 80-foot bases, and another baseball field with a grass infield. But the best part for players and parents might be the usage of Midlo infield mix which drains really well. That means the facility hardly ever has to cancel events.

Like other Southland sports venues, parking isn’t a problem considering there are two huge lots flanked by street parking. Plus, because it’s in a local neighborhood area, it’s an intimate, five-field setting, and for event planners, facility leadership pride themselves on offering one-on-one service.

LINCOLNWAY SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION

There have been many projects going on recently at Lincolnway Special Recreation Association. The facility provides recreation services for those with disabilities, and features a gym, classrooms, a kitchen, a wheelchair softball field and a playground outside. It boasts the largest wheelchair basketball program in the United States, and offers a wide array of sports, including softball and volleyball in addition to basketball and gymnastics, swimming, tennis, golf, bowling and even bocce. Fitness programs include Zumba, Tae kwon do, yoga and strength/conditioning.

That’s not all. Lincolnway Special Recreation Association – which is a cooperative of eight local member park districts, and one of 31 Special Recreation Associations (SRAs) in the state – is building a sensory garden that will open this fall, along with a butterfly garden and a We Go Swing, where individuals in a wheelchair could swing by themselves or with a partner. It has hosted multiple North American Wheelchair Basketball League’s Adult and Junior Championships, most recently in 2024.

GAELIC PARK CHICAGO

Last but not least, Gaelic Park Chicago in Oak Forest—a renowned venue for weddings, corporate conferences, accommodations, Irish culture, performing arts, and festivals—has also become a setting for elite paintball championships. As a mainstay in the National X-ball League, the premier tournament paintball circuit in the World, Gaelic Park Chicago has proven to be equipped to host any scaled paintball competition.

INFORMATION FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS

For organizers looking to hold events in the Chicago Southland region, there are financial incentives available based on actualized rooms (restrictions apply) and a local tourism grant program for non-profits’ marketing purposes. Visit Chicago Southland provides an array of event services: pre-event, on-site, post-event, professional.

Whew – that’s a lot going on. No matter the season, and no matter the sport, the Chicago Southland offers virtually everything for sports event planners and attendees alike. The region is a five-hour drive from eight U.S. states.

But at the end of the day, the most important product that these facilities offer is easy:

A whole lot of fun, and a great experience.

For organizers interested in staging events at any of the above facilities as well hotel accommodations, please contact Visit Chicago Southland’s Sports Market Manger, Kristy Campbell at [email protected] and 708-895-8200.

Related Articles