The present study was conducted to examine and model the structural relationships between the environmental and aesthetic quality of sports facilities and students’ motivation for sports participation, emphasizing the mediating role of place attachment. In terms of purpose, this research is applied; regarding data collection, it follows a descriptive-correlational design based on the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. The statistical population consisted of all secondary school students in Tabriz during the 2025-2026 academic year, from which 400 individuals were selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Data collection tools included three standardized questionnaires: environmental and aesthetic quality, place attachment, and the sports motivation scale. The validity (face, content, and construct) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability) of the instruments were evaluated and confirmed. Data analysis was performed using SmartPLS software. The findings indicated that the proposed structural model possesses an excellent fit. The results revealed that the environmental and aesthetic quality of sports facilities has a direct, positive, and significant impact on students’ motivation for sports participation. Additionally, enhancing the physical quality of the environment significantly increases place attachment, which in turn has a direct and positive effect on sports motivation. Furthermore, the mediating role of place attachment in the relationship between environmental quality and sports participation motivation was confirmed. It is recommended that managers and designers employ participatory design, improve maintenance systems, and introduce visual diversity in sports facilities to create an environment that reduces physical inactivity and promotes adolescent health.