RVA Big Market to Move to Midtown Green in 2027
Vendors and operators should prepare for the 2027 site relocation to the former Washington Commanders training facility.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Remote Work
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The RVA Big Market will relocate from Bryan Park to the city-owned Midtown Green site in 2027. This move, designed to accommodate significant infrastructure upgrades, marks the latest transition for the long-standing community institution.
Why it matters
The relocation allows organizers to sidestep major construction disruptions at Bryan Park while gaining improved vendor capacity and ADA accessibility. For local businesses, this shift to the former Washington Commanders training facility changes foot traffic patterns for the surrounding districts.
Founded in 2007, the market has grown to attract 15,000 peak Saturday attendees after spending six years at its Bryan Park location. Organizers are now moving to a former professional training facility to ensure operational stability over the coming decades.
The players
RVA Big Market
A long-standing Richmond community institution that hosts weekly vendor events and was formerly known as the South of the James Farmers Market.
City of Richmond
The local municipal authority that owns the Midtown Green site and manages local infrastructure restoration projects.
The details
The relocation is driven by upcoming dam removal and stream restoration projects at Bryan Park that threaten the market's current footprint. By moving to the city-owned Midtown Green, organizers secure a site with more room for vendors and upgraded ADA-compliant infrastructure. While the primary market shifts in 2027, the winter market will continue to operate at Bryan Park for the time being.
Timeline
2007: The market launches as South of the James.
2020: The market moves to Bryan Park.
2021: The market rebrands to RVA Big Market.
November 2026: The winter market commences at Bryan Park.
2027: The market begins operations at Midtown Green.
Market Landscape
This move marks the second significant relocation for the organization following its 2020 transition to Bryan Park. It reflects a broader trend of repurposing former professional sports assets for public and community use within the city.
Vendors should prepare for the 2027 transition by reviewing new site logistics and potential changes in customer flow near Midtown Green. Operators should monitor the city's calendar of major events at the new location, as scheduling conflicts may impact future capacity.
The takeaway
The move to Midtown Green offers a permanent solution to the ongoing construction interruptions at the market's current site. Operators should track the 2027 opening schedule and the city's master plan for secondary events at the training facility to gauge potential customer reach.
Further reading
For updates on how local commercial events adapt to site shifts, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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