Field Day, located next door to GigaParts on University Drive, officially opened to the public on Saturday, August 31, to much excitement from area residents.

The entertainment complex boasts a stacked menu with specially crafted food, a stocked bar, a self-pour beer wall, and activities such as indoor mini golf, duckpin bowling, axe throwing, a multi-sport simulator, interactive darts, free karaoke, and more.

Outside, two 25-ft screens rotate through everything from college football to local Huntsville City FC soccer games and other sports. Free family-friendly games, cornhole, giant blocks, and Jenga are also ready to be played in the outdoor area.

Matt Hubbard, Field Day’s founder, expressed his excitement over the venue’s positive initial opening and attendance.

“Opening weekend exceeded our expectations. The energy in the building was incredible, and it was exciting to see Huntsville come out and embrace Field Day from day one,” Hubbard said.

He continued, “We designed this to be a place where people can eat, drink, play, and connect, and seeing families, friends, and coworkers enjoying it together was exactly what we hoped for. The response gives us great momentum heading into football season, karaoke Fridays, and some of our upcoming events!”

Hubbard is no stranger to working in, as he calls it, “the business of fun.”

He previously worked as director of sales and design for a trampoline company for a decade. During that time, he traveled to over 30 countries and saw many entertainment venues. Since then, he has developed and sold two locations similar to Field Day.

When asked why Hubbard chose Huntsville to open his new location, he cited the business potential and the proximity to family. His wife was born and raised in the area and wanted to return to North Alabama.

“We obviously had a lot of success at the other two venues, and so I was like, okay, once I found the building here, I had a recipe for success, and I wanted to bring that to Huntsville to her hometown,” Hubbard said.

The name “Field Day” is more than a catchy title. Hubbard said when coming up with the business idea, he wanted to capture the carefree joy of a childhood school field day, but reimagined for adults.

“The overall concept, ‘field day’ was to invoke the nostalgia of the last day of school, where it was just pure, fun, pure excitement, unadulterated social competition, that classic participation award that you got,” Hubbard said.

As for the games available for customers to play, Hubbard emphasized the special features that Field Day offers, including activities such as axe-throwing with changing digital targets and the high-tech multi-sport simulator.

“Our axe-throwing is really unique because we’re not painting on targets. We’re also using high-end technology with the computer and projector. You can throw axes at zombies, ducks, or you can play tic-tac-toe battleship. You can also scan a QR code and upload your own photo to throw the axe at,” Hubbard said.

According to Hubbard, the multi-sport simulator not only offers a variety of activities but is also a great way for groups of all ages to spend time together.

“We realize that not everybody is a golf expert. We want families to come and enjoy their experience here. So, if not everybody’s into golf, the multi-sport simulator does soccer and basketball. You can kick field goals and throw footballs, play hockey, baseball, home run derby, a bunch of things,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard also said he knows how important college football is to both locals and visitors. Because of that, Field Day will play everyone’s favorite Alabama rivals on the big screens simultaneously.

“Even if Auburn and Alabama are playing at the same time, they’re both on separate screens to make sure everybody’s happy. We’re going to prioritize those teams. After that, we’ll prioritize other SEC teams and then whatever is the biggest game on at the time,” Hubbard said.

In addition to showcasing various sports on the outdoor big screens, Field Day will host free events, including family movie nights, karaoke, and a Taylor Swift Album Release Party.

Family and friend groups aren’t the only ones who can enjoy games and activities at the entertainment complex. Field Day offers corporate packages that include holiday parties, customer appreciation events, team-building activities, and professional development opportunities.

For Hubbard, Field Day may be a business, but it’s one that is built on relaxation, recreation, and connection with others.

“You’re our family when you come. We want this to be an extension of your backyard to hang out and have fun,” Hubbard shared.