Bay Area Host Committee Teams Up with America SCORES and MLK Middle School to Launch “Sports for All” Hub, serving San Francisco’s Portola and Bayview Neighborhoods

Site is the first of nine Regional Hubs and Part of America SCORES’ “Field of Dreams” Initiative

San Francisco, CA (May 8, 2025) — Today, the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC), in partnership with America SCORES Bay Area (SCORES) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Middle School unveiled the first Sports for All Hub at MLK Middle School on the border of Portola and Bayview neighborhoods of San Francisco. 

This vibrant new space is the first of nine interconnected sports hubs—one in each Bay Area county—designed to deliver safe, inclusive, and high-quality sports infrastructure to young people throughout the region. These hubs represent a cornerstone of BAHC’s Sports for All initiative and aligns with America SCORES’ Field of Dreams campaign, which seeks to expand access to free play, organized sports, youth development, and community wellness in under-resourced communities. 

“This is not just a field—it’s a celebration of access, equity, and community,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, President & CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. “We’re proud to invest in a space that will uplift youth and families for years to come and are grateful to our growing coalition of partners, including our newest supporter, Kaiser Permanente, whose commitment to community health help power our foundation’s initiatives.” 

Located on the border of the Portola and Bayview neighborhoods—home to a high population of San Francisco youth and one of the city’s most underserved areas—the MLK Middle School site meets a critical need for accessible recreational space.  

“Every family and child in Portola and Bayview deserve access to safe, vibrant spaces to play and thrive,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The new Sports for All Hub at MLK Middle School delivers a space for the whole community, giving kids a place to play and grow. I’m proud to partner with the Bay Area Host Committee and local leaders to ensure that access to sports and opportunity reaches every neighborhood.” 

The facility is designed for multiple sports. It will support boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, baseball and softball, is lined for track, ad will host one of the longest standing youth flag football programs in San Francisco.  The field is also accessible to neighborhood residents and community sports programs.  

In partnership with the school, America SCORES—a nonprofit empowering youth through soccer, poetry, and service learning for over 20 years—will manage the field installation, expand its already thriving after-school program, and help steward the site’s continued impact. 

"This project began seven years ago with a simple conversation—and today, it stands as a true Field of Dreams for the MLK community,” said Colin Schmidt, Executive Director of America SCORES Bay Area. “We’re proud that SCORES helped bring it all together over the years, and deeply grateful to SFUSD, our partners, The Herbst Foundation, The Caerus Foundation, and especially the Bay Area Host Committee for helping turn this vision into reality." 

Thte MLK Middle School field space before the renovation.

The BAHC announced its cornerstone Sports for All initiative back in March aimed at transforming access to sport across the Bay Area. With eight more hubs to follow across the region, Sports for All is poised to deliver on the BAHC’s mission to unite the Bay through sport. This effort is part of the Bay Area Host Committee Foundation’s broader mission to unlock the power and culture-shaping influence of mega-sporting events to drive access to community sports programs, create economic and workforce opportunities, and protect the Bay’s natural environment. 

 
About America SCORES 
Since 2001, America SCORES Bay Area has uplifted over 28,000 youth through free, school-based programs that combine soccer, poetry, and service learning. Our Poet-Athletes build confidence, creativity, and leadership—on and off the field. Initiatives like the Field of Dreams transform underused spaces into safe, vibrant fields of opportunity, expanding access and creating lasting impact across San Francisco and Bay Area communities. 

About the Bay Area Host Committee  

The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) is the region’s first long-term sports entity, dedicated to uniting the Bay Area through sport by building pride, connecting communities, and reenergizing the region. As a nonprofit, BAHC partners with local teams, civic leaders, and businesses to bring world-class sporting events to the Bay Area—driving lasting economic, cultural, and social impact.   

BAHC is proud to have Boston Consulting Group (BCG), EA SPORTS, and other visionary organizations as founding partners, supporting its mission to bring communities together and create lasting legacies through world-class events and sports.   

For more information, visit https://bayareahostcommittee.com/ or contact info@bayareahostcommittee.com.