New research highlights $262 billion in nationwide investment and OCVIBE’s role in shaping Anaheim’s future as a connected sports and entertainment destination. 

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2026) — Sports venues are anchoring a growing wave of mixed-use development across North America, with 107 projects open, under construction or planned representing an estimated $262 billion in combined development costs, according to new research released by Visit Anaheim. The findings highlight a national shift in how cities are leveraging sports and entertainment to drive economic development, with Anaheim's $5 billion OCVIBE project emerging as a leading example of this transformation. 

Commissioned by Visit Anaheim and authored by journalist Peter Keating, From Arenas to Neighborhoods: How Sports Is Driving a New Generation of Mixed-Use Development examines how sports-anchored districts are evolving beyond traditional arenas and stadiums into vibrant neighborhoods that integrate housing, hospitality, dining, entertainment and public spaces. The research documents a sharp increase in projects under construction, greater involvement by team owners and a declining share of public funding. 

The research reveals several significant trends: 

  • $262 billion in development: 107 sports-anchored mixed-use projects are operating, under construction or planned across North America. 

  • Rapid growth: 23 projects are currently under construction, compared with just four a year earlier. 

  • Greater private investment: Public funding represents an average of just 5.5% of financing for projects under construction, compared with 13.5% for recently completed developments. 

  • Increased team ownership involvement: Sports teams or ownership groups participated in 78% of projects in the planning stage last year, compared with 43% of developments in place in 2024. 

In Anaheim, these trends are taking shape through OCVIBE, a nearly 100-acre development backed by a $5 billion private commitment from the Samueli family, owners of the Anaheim Ducks. 

The project builds upon the City of Anaheim's decades-long vision for the Platinum Triangle, including its planning and zoning efforts and investment in the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). OCVIBE is transforming expansive surface parking lots and existing commercial areas surrounding Honda Center into a connected district featuring entertainment, restaurants, residences, public art and gathering spaces. 

“What's happening in Anaheim is the realization of a vision that has been taking shape for decades,” said Mike Waterman, president and CEO of Visit Anaheim. “The City had the foresight to invest in infrastructure and plan for a more connected community. Now, through the extraordinary private investment of the Samueli family, OCVIBE is bringing that vision to life, creating new experiences for residents, attracting visitors and strengthening Anaheim's position as a leading destination.” 

Among its planned features, OCVIBE will replace approximately 62 acres of surface parking, introduce 20 acres of open space and establish three miles of pedestrian pathways. A planned pedestrian bridge connecting the district to ARTIC will strengthen access to regional transportation while creating a more walkable environment. 

“For decades, the land around most arenas and stadiums had one job: parking,” said Peter Keating, author of the white paper. “Redeveloping that land is fundamentally reshaping the character and economics of the surrounding communities, including Anaheim. This is a significant change in American development: stadiums and arenas are becoming anchors for community life. They are concentrating housing, entertainment, and commerce in places once designed only for event-day traffic. These districts are becoming centers of economic and civic activity in their own right. They are increasingly important throughout the year to local businesses, and to the daily lives of residents who may never even attend an event.” 

With its first major openings scheduled for 2027, OCVIBE represents a new chapter in Anaheim's evolution and offers a case study for cities nationwide exploring how public infrastructure and private investment can work together to create lasting economic and community value. 

The full white paper, From Arenas to Neighborhoods: How Sports Is Driving a New Generation of Mixed-Use Development, is available here. 

 

About Visit Anaheim  

Founded in 1961, Visit Anaheim is the official destination marketing organization for Anaheim and Garden Grove, driving visitation, economic impact and destination stewardship throughout the region. Home to iconic attractions and unexpected discoveries alike, Anaheim is a place where creativity, connection and curiosity come together. Through transformative projects such as OCVIBE and DisneylandForward, Visit Anaheim is helping shape the future of the destination while showcasing the vibrant energy that makes Anaheim uniquely its own.