Bay Area Host Committee Celebrates Opening of Sports for All Hub at LIFE Academy and United for Success Academy in Oakland
New fully renovated field brings transformative investment to Fruitvale neighborhood, continuing BAHC's commitment to equitable sports access across the Bay Area
Oakland, CA – June 9, 2026 – The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) celebrated today the official opening of its Sports for All Hub at LIFE Academy and United for Success Academy in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, marking another significant milestone in the organization's cornerstone Sports for All initiative. The newly renovated athletic field will provide year-round access to community-centered sports programming and opportunities for one of Oakland's most underserved populations. This marks the third Sports For All Hub which is supported by EA SPORTS, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, PG&E, PNC Bank and Prologis.
The field's story is uniquely powerful: the original outdoor space, once a bare asphalt lot students called the "prison playground," was transformed in 2011–2012 by Life Academy students and their coach Dania Cabello — an Oakland native and former professional player — in response to the tragic loss of three classmates to gun violence. That student-led project became a beacon of hope and community resilience. After more than a decade of being played on, worn in, and loved by the community, the field now asks for the care it deserves—making this renovation a continuation of what the community built, rather than an intervention imposed from outside.
“At EA SPORTS, we believe sport has the power to connect and inspire, and we’re focused on expanding how people experience global football—on screen, in culture, and in communities around the world, said Andrea Hopelain, GM & SVP of Publishing at EA SPORTS. “Moments like this bring that to life, creating real opportunities for young people to play, participate, and see themselves in the game. Through our partnership with the Bay Area Host Committee and our EA SPORTS FC FUTURES initiative, we’re helping grow the next generation of players and fans as part of a global football community.”
Today's official opening features the EA SPORTS FC FUTURES Festival of Football, bringing together students, local players, coaches, and community partners to celebrate the transformed pitch where youth can dream big and play. Inspired by EA SPORTS FC, the on-pitch training sessions connect the digital and real-world game to help youth and coaches level up their skills. As excitement around global football continues to build, EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is investing in youth who are shaping the future of sport and expanding access to the game. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente, Genentech, and PNC Bank will also be featured throughout the opening event.
"This field is about far more than sports," said Zaileen Janmohamed, President & CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. "It represents the resilience, determination, and hope of LIFE Academy and United for Success Academy students and the Fruitvale community. BAHC's Sports for All initiative is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves access to safe spaces to play, grow, and dream. Today, we're honoring the legacy that these students built while creating new possibilities for generations to come."
The space will deliver comprehensive, year-round community-centered sport-for-development programming through partners including Oakland Genesis and the Oakland Athletic League, with implementation support from Oakland-based charity Eat. Learn. Play. for project management and community engagement.
"This renovation wouldn't be possible without the collective commitment of our partners and the deep roots that LIFE Academy and Coach Dania Cabello have built in this community," added Janmohamed. "We're grateful to Oakland OUSD, our funders, and every organization that believes in the power of sports to transform lives and neighborhoods."
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, Kaiser Permanente, 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 www.bayareahostcommittee.com or email info@bayareahostcommittee.com.