A stunning new state-of-the-art sports centre will be the latest jewel added to the crown of leisure facilities enjoyed by visitors to Vilamoura in the Algarve, Portugal.
DETAILS, the management company which oversees all Arrow Global’s hospitality and sporting assets in the elegant area of Vilamoura, beside the Mediterranean coast, has announced a partnership with US-based agency Next Practice Partners (NPP) on the ambitious project.
NPP, a renowned leader in innovative and inclusive planning practices, has professional experience at world class venues such as the Disney / ESPN Wide World of Sports (220 acres with 70+ sports) and an impressive portfolio of clients in operational, strategic and business planning, including the City of Las Vegas (Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World), Los Angeles County (home of the LA 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games), and the Indiana Sports Corp (the first and leading sports commission in the United States).
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As per the partnership, NPP will lead the concept, strategic and business plan development for one of the largest sports centre footprints in all of Europe, with the 25-hectare site due to open in 2026. NPP will also provide additional services including project consultancy and benchmarking.
The new Sports Centre will be a cutting-edge, international facility, with a focus on current and future trends. ESG compliant, it will prioritize sustainability while also supporting the local community, ensuring inclusivity and social responsibility.
DETAILS already boasts a staggering stable of sporting facilities across its golf and hotels portfolio in Vilamoura, including the new Els Club Vilamoura and the Old Course, the Algarve’s second oldest course designed by Frank Pennick. The Old Course recently completed an extensive renovation to elevate on-course playability and ESG measures, as well as unveil a new clubhouse with a premium gastronomic experience.
The development of the Sports Centre will also complement the updated Equestrian Centre at Vilamoura which is scheduled to return to international competition as part of GRANDPRIX’s Winter Series in October 2025.
The details
Nuno Sepulveda, Co-CEO at DETAILS, said: ‘We have several innovative building projects and improvements ongoing to our properties in Vilamoura, but this new development, which we will be working in the concept alongside with NPP, is a particularly exciting venture. This will mark not only a new era of sports for Vilamoura but also for Portugal.
‘With this new sports centre, we will have a suite of facilities that few luxury resorts across Europe can compete with. Our main aim is to transform Vilamoura as an elite sports and leisure destination, attracting visitors from all over the world each year. Holiday makers, property owners, families, sports enthusiasts, high performance sports athletes – this place will be an international demand driver and a game changer to the area.
‘We want Vilamoura to become a pioneer in sporting excellence and this project is really the start of that exciting journey. We know in NPP we have a brilliant partner with whom we are looking forward to working on this landmark development.’
Neelay Bhatt, Founder & CEO of Next Practice Partners, said: ‘At Next Practice Partners, we believe in the power of sport to inspire greatness and to unite communities. The greatest successes don’t come from following status quo and best practices but from innovation and disruption to create next practices. Our collaboration with DETAILS showcases what can be achieved when we dream big and dare to be different.
‘Envisioned as more than just a facility, the Vilamoura Sports Center will be a place where the spirit of sport and the passion for excellence unite. It will be testament to the belief that through visionary thinking, we can create spaces that not only serve but uplift, challenge, and inspire all who enter,’ he added.