The City of Baytown is pleased to announce plans for a new state-of-the-art youth sports and entertainment venue called the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center. This multi-purpose facility will provide top-notch amenities for athletes of all ages while also hosting concerts and other events. Expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center will establish Baytown as a premier regional hub for youth sports and entertainment.
This project is made possible through funding from ExxonMobil as part of a 2022 economic development agreement. The agreement included a provision providing $75 million toward a multipurpose events venue in Baytown.
Located at Decker and Market Street, the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center is anticipated to encompass approximately 150,000 – 200,000 gross square feet and will feature a championship court and entertainment space, seating 3,000 – 5,000 along with 5,000 square feet of meeting space. Designed for flexibility, the venue will accommodate a wide range of large-scale competitions and youth sports tournaments, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and gymnastics. It will also serve as a space for educational programs, concerts, trade shows, conferences and local community events.
The City of Baytown is committed to ensuring residents have a voice in shaping the venue’s future. In the coming months, the community will have opportunities to share feedback on features that will best serve their needs.
Preliminary projections estimate that the venue will attract approximately 205,000 visitors annually, generating substantial revenue for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and retailers. Similar facilities generate approximately $30 – $70 million annually in tourism.
"The ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center will be a pivotal development for our city," said Baytown Mayor Charles Johnson. "Not only will it provide a world-class facility for local athletes and the community, but it will also draw visitors from across the region, boosting local tourism. We’re excited to see how this project will transform our community."
“We are proud to support continued economic development here in Baytown,” said Glenn Hayes, ExxonMobil Baytown refinery manager. “We appreciate the City reaching out to us on this agreement and look forward to the building's development as a valuable community resource for years to come.”
Baytown has also engaged a highly experienced consulting team — known for leading major venue projects across the U.S. — to help guide the development of this venue. The team is led by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) and includes Venue Solutions Group, ASM Global, Husch Blackwell, Elmore Communications, Patiño Strategies and Masterson Advisors. Their combined experience spans development, planning and managing top-tier sports and recreation facilities, such as NRG Park, the Spectrum Center, Kyle Field, and Barclays Center. Their expertise will help ensure that this new venue meets the highest standards of design, functionality and accessibility.
“We are excited to collaborate with the City of Baytown on this transformative project,” said Martye Kendrick, CEO and executive director of HCSCC. “Our team is eager to leverage our deep expertise in sports and recreational facilities to create a venue that not only serves the local community but also attracts major tournaments, fostering new opportunities and vibrant economic growth for the city.”
The project is still in its early planning stages, with the next key step focused on developing a comprehensive master plan. This process will engage a variety of stakeholders, including Lee College, and incorporate community input.
For more information and to stay updated on developments, visit the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center webpage.
