#United States #Mesa #Athlete Development #Sports Academy #Arizona Athletic Grounds

Arizona Athletic Grounds Partners with Sports Academy

Introduction

On May 21, 2026, Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG), a renowned hub for sports and entertainment, unveiled a new strategic alliance with Sports Academy. This exciting partnership aims to elevate AAG's elite athlete development platform, thereby propelling both organizations into a new chapter in the realm of athlete training and performance enhancement.

What the Partnership Entails

The core of this collaboration is the operation of AAG's cutting-edge Sports Performance Center by Sports Academy. By integrating their national training model within the AAG campus, Sports Academy aims to provide a comprehensive ecosystem for athlete development. Their focus will be on structured, high-performance environments that yield measurable outcomes, ensuring that athletes receive the support they need to thrive.

Mike Burke, AAG's Vice Chairman, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Arizona Athletic Grounds was built to become a complete destination for athlete development, competition, and community impact. Partnering with Sports Academy accelerates that vision by bringing one of the most respected performance systems in the country onto our campus."

A Comprehensive Development Ecosystem

This partnership extends far beyond location expansion; it embodies a holistic approach to training that includes performance training, data-driven diagnostics, recovery services, and tailored membership structures to accommodate athletes of all ages—from youth sports participants to adults.

Chad Faulkner, CEO of Sports Academy, commented on the opportunity presented in Arizona: "This expansion is about more than opening another location. It's about extending our culture and our standard into a market ready for it. Arizona gives us the opportunity to deliver a complete performance system at scale."

With this initiative, athletes and their families will gain access to a wide array of resources including performance schools, team training programs, private coaching sessions, return-to-play services, and adult fitness classes. The future looks promising as further expansion is anticipated in the coming months.

Nate Borunda, Co-Founder and COO of Sports Academy, echoed this sentiment, saying, "Our belief is simple: greatness isn’t born, it’s trained. This partnership allows us to bring that mindset to a broader community. Every athlete deserves a system, a path, and a place to develop."

Upcoming Initiatives and Community Impact

The rollout of Sports Academy at Arizona Athletic Grounds will be phased, with several initiatives including early access opportunities, community events, and program announcements leading up to the official opening. This approach not only focuses on athletes but also emphasizes community engagement, allowing AAG to further its mission of making a substantial impact through athletics.

About Arizona Athletic Grounds and Sports Academy

Arizona Athletic Grounds has established itself as one of the largest and most active sports destinations in the United States, welcoming over 2.9 million visitors each year. Located in Mesa, Arizona, the campus is dedicated to hosting a diverse array of youth, amateur, and professional sporting events. The commitment to fostering an integrated sports ecosystem continues to grow through intelligent partnerships like the one with Sports Academy.

On the other hand, Sports Academy, supported by The Human Performance Company, is a leading organization focused on delivering sport-specific coaching and athlete development programs. Their commitment to optimizing athletic outcomes through performance science and technology ensures that they are at the forefront of modern sports training.

In summary, this partnership heralds a new era for athlete development and community engagement in Arizona, promising to deliver exceptional training services and resources to aspiring athletes across the state. The combined expertise of Arizona Athletic Grounds and Sports Academy will undoubtedly redefine athletic training and development in the region.