As part of a recent feasibility study conducted in the greater Fresno, California area, H&LA researched the market’s current development landscape to better understand the trends shaping sports, entertainment, and tourism in the region. From new professional soccer venues to expanding water parks and a growing casino resort footprint, the area is seeing a wave of investment across multiple sectors. Below is a summary of some of the most significant developments identified through this research.
- Fresno is set to join the professional soccer ranks after striking a deal with the United Soccer League (USL) in January 2026 to bring men’s and women’s teams to a new downtown stadium. While the exact site is still being finalized, the 7,000-seat venue is on track to open in time for the 2028 season.
- A second soccer venue is also taking shape: in 2025, the owner of Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment Center announced plans for a 4,000-seat stadium on land adjacent to the existing park. Designed to double as a venue for concerts and other events, the stadium would serve as the home field for Central Valley Fuego FC of The League for Clubs, a national amateur soccer league.
- Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis kicked off the 2026 season with the debut of its newest attraction, Endless River. The 900-foot lazy-river-style experience features a beach-style entry point along with new food and beverage areas woven throughout the course.
- About 25 miles northwest of Fresno, the North Fork Mono Casino & Resort is taking shape in Madera. Set to open in fall 2026, the new property will feature slots, table games, retail space, and multiple dining options — and is expected to generate roughly 1,000 new jobs for the region.
- Surf Ranch in Lemoore, about 35 miles south of Fresno, is underway on a 40-acre expansion designed to boost visitation to the destination. The project will add two additional surf pools, an outdoor performance stage, campsites, and new food and beverage offerings.
- Roughly 45 miles south of Fresno, a 100-acre adventure park has been proposed for Tulare, just off State Route 99 near Visalia. Early plans call for a temperature-controlled indoor amusement park paired with an outdoor water feature park, along with the potential for complementary retail and entertainment development nearby.