Finding the perfect gift is always a challenge and often a scramble. But not if you start with a solid list!

If you happen to be shopping for folks in the sports, entertainment, or real estate businesses this holiday season, you’re in luck! Here’s our annual, last-minute holiday wish list just for them. You’re welcome. And Happy Holidays!

For The 2026 FIFA World Cup: Overwhelming success.

With the draw complete and the groups all set, let’s hope for a home World Cup that’s as positive, successful, and effective as it is exciting. The sport is once again at a critical juncture here in the States, with good momentum behind the American squad, a host of outstanding soccer cities in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and the opportunity to take soccer to even greater heights and more eager markets here in the States. Here’s hoping we do.

For Venues: A full embrace of the “phygital.”

With all the advancements being made in both fan experience and technology, sports and entertainment venues are quickly embracing the confluence of the two. By combining physical and digital experiences – from enhanced connectivity and greater digital engagement to interactive experiences and personalized content – concerts, games, and shows of all kinds can become even more personal and immersive. Expect it to be a trend that becomes a standard.

For Municipal Leaders: A city-seal-shaped stress ball.

City leaders are facing challenges of their own, especially when it comes to development projects. Infrastructure needs, unplanned growth, activism, and complex government structures are slowing or stalling many beneficial projects or keeping them from getting off the ground altogether. But all is not lost. These projects take time, prudence, collaboration, and patience. Some deep breaths and steady calm for all involved would be in order.

For University Communities: Campus creativity.

With federal and state funding continuing to erode and operating costs rising, many colleges are looking for new ways to generate additional revenue from their existing campus assets. If you have any cool ideas for helping repurpose underutilized facilities or attracting private investment, their Elves On The Shelf might be all ears.

For Fans: Sponsor engagement.

Beyond fans, nothing’s more indispensable to venues and teams than sponsorship. Sponsor support helps keep the lights on – in many cases, literally. And while sponsors that develop truly interactive programs almost always see ROI, it’s incumbent upon fans to understand the symbiotic nature of these relationships and engage with sponsoring companies whenever possible. Because supporting the businesses that support your team is next-level fandom.

For Real Estate Developers: Sage advice.

It’s a crazy time in the real estate business. Interest rates and capital costs are high, office demand is low, inflation is up along with construction costs, supply chains are delayed, insurance premiums are up, and the “debt cliff” is looming. For developers, contractors, and everyone in between, it’s an uncertain time. A bit of clarity and some sound advice would be welcome gifts.

For The Industry: AI intelligence.

According to Morgan Stanley, the real estate sector is expected to see $34 billion in efficiency gains by 2030 thanks to AI advancements. From data analysis to insights to market trends, it’s already helping firms identify risks, optimize operations, and improve decision-making and productivity. Let’s hope that continues while also allowing us to manage the technology in a way that empowers rather than supersedes our teams.

For The Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty: A fancy keyring.

Greenville Pro Soccer could use something swanky to hold the keys to GE Vernova Park, its new 6,300-seat stadium at BridgeWay Station in the city of Mauldin, South Carolina. In addition to being the permanent home of the Triumph and Liberty, it will be the Upstate’s stage for youth and college sports, concerts, festivals, competitions, and community events of all kinds when it opens its doors next year.

For The Baltimore Orioles: Good health.

Injuries and other challenges forced the Birds to use 70 different players during the 2025 season, a Major League Baseball record. Here’s hoping their new high performance training center in Sarasota, Florida (and the acquisition of All-Star slugger Pete Alonso!) contributes to a productive offseason, a healthier 2026, and a return to the top of the American League East.

For The USL: More office space.

As the fastest-growing league in the world, the United Soccer League doesn’t need much this holiday season. But with a successful women’s league, a men’s first-division league in the works, and successful Championship, League 1, League 2, Academy, and Youth programs, they may be forced to expand their Tampa offices soon. If you’re ever thinking about a new HQ guys, we’re here to help!

For High School Athletes: Guidance.

Now that NIL is trickling down to the scholastic level, these young athletes don’t just need commercial opportunities. They need the guidance, foresight, maturity, humility, and restraint that must accompany those opportunities. Let’s hope we, the adults in the room, can model and provide it for them.

For The Ohio State Buckeyes: Another natty.

Not unlike last year, our hometown team had an amazing regular-season before a title-game stumble. Was it a bad game or a bad sign? Hard to say. But they’ll get the opportunity to redeem that loss and maybe go on another record College Football Playoff run this month and next. We’ll be behind them, as always, and there’s still room on the bandwagon if you care to join. Please forgive the noise, face paint, and schizophrenia.

For All: Peace, prosperity and a happy and healthy 2026.

Happy Holidays from all of us at McCullers Group! And if the New Year has you ready to plan, fund, design, build, or optimize your facility, give us a jingle!