Gateway Hospitality takes over Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Sports Complex

Gateway Hospitality LLC has assumed operations of the former Aviator Sports and Events Center, which is now Floyd Bennett Sports Complex, at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. The transition starts with facility assessments, cleanup and community outreach as the operator works to keep existing programs running and expand access over time.

Why it matters: - The management change puts a new operator in charge of a major Brooklyn recreation site that serves families, athletes, schools and community groups across the five boroughs and the surrounding tri-state area. - The transition could affect local sports leagues, events and school partnerships while the facility is assessed and reactivated. - Gateway Hospitality LLC plans to restore community trust and shape future programming around neighborhood needs.

What happened: - Gateway Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of ExplorUS, has assumed operations of Aviator Sports and Events Center. - The facility will move forward as Floyd Bennett Sports Complex. - The complex is located in the historic hangars of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. - The announcement came July 13, 2026. - Frank Pikus, CEO of ExplorUS, said the company’s priority is to support programs the community values and bring the complex back to life in a way that reflects local needs.

The details: - The complex spans 175,000 square feet and includes indoor and outdoor facilities built for year-round activity. - The site has hosted youth sports, recreation, events and community programming for generations. - Gateway Hospitality’s first priorities are facility assessment, operational readiness, cleanup efforts and identifying ways to safely expand access. - The operator is working with sports, recreation and educational partners, including FC Copa, Aviator Hockey & Figure Skating LLC, Green Meadow Farms, Xavier High School and Xavierian High School. - Existing partnerships and scheduled activities will continue wherever possible during the transition. - Families with questions about leagues, schedules or programming are being directed to their respective organizations and league operators for the latest updates. - The complex is available for sports, recreation, educational, community and special event use. - Organizations interested in booking space or exploring partnerships can contact events@floydbennett.com. - Community members can share ideas, concerns and suggestions at community@floydbennett.com. - Facility updates, booking information and future announcements are available on the complex’s website.

Between the lines: - The transition signals a shift from a legacy operation to a phased relaunch built around maintenance, partner coordination and community feedback. - Improvements will happen over time because of the complex’s size and operational complexity. - Gateway Hospitality says planning will be coordinated with the National Park Service as the site moves forward. - ExplorUS brings nearly 30 years of hospitality and recreation management experience to the effort.

What’s next: - Gateway Hospitality will continue facility assessments and cleanup before broader activation expands. - Longer-term priorities will depend on facility needs, community input and operational feasibility. - More updates on programming, partnerships and future initiatives will be shared as they become available. - Community engagement is expected to help shape how the complex is used and developed going forward.