Developer wants to bring $480M sports district to Columbus. Here’s the plan
A Chamblee, Ga.-based developer wants to bring a $480 million amateur-sports and entertainment “destination” to Columbus, the company announced in a recent news release.
Wisemen Multimedia LLC plans to build the district, calling it the EXE Sports at Ranger’s Speedway, along Victory Drive. This would be the company’s first site.
EXE Sports plans to offer a walkable, mixed-used district, including multi-sport competition fields, a 1.2-mile racetrack, waterpark, live event venues and more.
The developers want to replicate the experience of The Battery Atlanta and the Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, according to their news release.
“We’re thrilled to bring EXE Sports to Columbus,” Eric Brown, CEO of Wisemen, said in the news release. “We’re at the early stage, but this project is more than a destination. It represents a bold new chapter of sports tourism. EXE Sports is designed to activate communities year-round, support amateur athletes at every level, and generate sustained economic impact for host cities like Columbus, which is already a sports destination that successfully attracts tournaments annually.”
The company announced the project in February, but the release recirculated on social media this week, gaining attention from local elected officials like council member Toyia Tucker.
Construction will begin in late 2026 with phased openings planned for 2027.
The project aims to create 2,100 new jobs for the region in the first five years of operation, with an average salary of $82,253, according to the developer’s website.
Teri Sims-Scott, Wisemen’s chief revenue officer, said the Development Authority of Columbus has shown “strong commitment” to bring the project to fruition, according to the news release.
In an email to the Ledger-Enquirer, Missy Kendrick, president and CEO of the Development Authority, said the organization “fully support(s) the project.”
“This is a conceptual plan at this point, and we have nothing to add other than what they have already released,” Kendrick said. “We will continue working with them, and look forward to possibly announcing this in the future.”
Wisemen did not respond to the Ledger-Enquirer’s request for comment before publication.