College football is changing fast, and there are tons of examples to show it. If you’re looking for something recent, check out the Cincinnati Bearcats. They just unveiled their $134 million Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility.
The whole complex, especially the Athletics Performance Center, is so good. Some fans say college teams have better facilities than a few pro football teams these days. You must agree that the Bearcats have entered a new era of elite training.
Cincinnati Bearcats’ Indoor Facility Sets New Standard for College Football
The University of Cincinnati just opened its awesome new Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Athletics Performance Center. This lavish training center, which cost $134 million and is 210,000 square feet, took two years to build.
Since people are comparing this to professional league facilities, it goes without saying what kind of experience the students will have. It will provide top-notch resources for performance, recovery, and training—all under one roof.
Welcome to the new home of Cincinnati Football
The $134 million Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Sheakley Athletics Performance Center is one of the premier facilities in the country. pic.twitter.com/uIFu0C7Yur
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) June 11, 2025
The whole complex has two main parts. The first is an 84,000-square-foot indoor grass field that can be used for football, soccer, lacrosse, and other sports. It’s called the Indoor Practice Facility and has a 120-yard football field that can also be used for other sports.
The second part is called the Athletics Performance Center. It is 96,000 square feet and has three levels. It has an advanced weight room, cryotherapy and thermal healing zones, an underwater trainer, and 110 custom lockers in a high-tech dressing room, just to name a few of its great features.
You will find a private dining hall, spacious meeting rooms, a player lounge, and even a social media content studio that athletes can visit anytime. They mainly try to offer an all-in-one ecosystem for top-tier training.
UC Athletic Director John Cunningham said, “This is a top-level facility—not just in the Big 12, but in the country.” Head football coach Scott Satterfield agreed with him and called it “a game-changer” and “one of the finest facilities in the country.”
And the rest of the appreciation came from the community. @NotWhoYouDream wrote, “Congrats guys! Now go make us proud and win the AAC this year.” @phil513 added, “Hilarious that the local college has better facilities than the pro football team just a couple miles away.”
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@mrrickjunior commented, “Looks really terrific. Good job, Bearcats.” @OhioXsAndOs kept it simple, writing, “Looks great!!! 🔥”
Hilarious that the local college has better facilities than the pro football ball team just a couple miles away
— Philip Leigh (@phil513) June 11, 2025
Looks really terrific. Good job, Bearcats.
– Iowa State guy
— Rick Junior (@mrrickjunior) June 11, 2025
However, not everyone was sold—@RobbyRedRaider said, “I’ve seen nicer 6A Texas high school facilities.” And @Devinlockss joked, “Cincinnati got a new facility before Ohio State—I’m in tears.”
Backed by generous donors Larry and Rhonda Sheakley, the new facility gives the Bearcats a major edge in recruiting and shows the university’s strong commitment to building a high-class athletic program in the Big 12.
