STADIAWORLD by Stadionwelt SPORTS VENUES THE ANNUAL YEARBOOK OF STADIUMS AND ARENAS OPERATION Digitalisation, sustainability and more TECH REPORT Technical trends in sports venues 2023|24
GET YOUR TICKET NOW: 13/14 September 2023 Frankfurt am Main Deutsche Bank Park www.arena-summit.de 50 % discount for Stadionwelt+ and business clients with the voucher code: stadionwelt2350 Partner Status: 28/07/2023 YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES:
www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 3 FOREWORD Dear readers, you have before you the already 9th issue of our international yearbook SPORTS VENUES. Last year we headlined: “The dawn of a new era” – and this era, after the exhausting Covid crisis, has long since begun. But the industry has shown strength, endurance and also changeability – and thus overcome the pandemic. But that certainly does not mean that there are no more tasks to be accomplished. On the contrary: the climate crisis is also a huge challenge to which sports and event venues all over the world can – and must – contribute. In an exclusive interview, Sam Booth, for example, tells us how this challenge can be approached. Since January this year, he has been Director of Sustainability at the operating company AEG Europe, whose portfolio includes some of Europe’s leading venues. He describes how he found his way into the industry, what his core tasks are as a sustainability manager, how he promotes sustainability in his professional and private life – and he also tells us how venues are already tackling climate change today. It is one of many interviews worth reading in this yearbook, which again presents portraits of some of the leading sports venues around the world. For example, STADIAWORLD takes a look behind the scenes at Arthur Ashe Stadium: the largest tennis stadium in the world hosts the US Open in New York every year. But there are many more facilities on the grounds in Flushing Meadows that the operators take care of. As usual, the exclusive construction report provides an in-depth overview of global sports facility construction. The report once again proves the role that major sporting events play in terms of the willingness to invest. For instance, a lot is being done in Germany, where UEFA EURO 2024 is already casting its shadow and will require some modernisation and improvements to the venues. But in the field of events, too, it is becoming apparent that sustainable solutions are more and more in demand – such as in Paris, where use will mostly be made of existing venues or temporary solutions for the 2024 Olympic Games. This yearbook also covers the field of infrastructure once again. The Tech Report, as usual, deals with high-tech solutions, highlighting the latest technology trends and tricks in the sector. All these old and new tasks will once again be combined and addressed at the eps ARENA SUMMIT. We look forward to welcoming you to Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park on 13 and 14 September 2023, when the industry will meet and exchange ideas for the fifth time in Frankfurt. Until then, we hope that this yearbook will again give you some food for thought. Enjoy reading! Benedikt Hellmann Editor Old, new challenges
4 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com CONTENTS INTRO 6 New openings: Hello venue world While investments are being made in the existing infrastructure in many places, many new openings were and are still on the agenda. A look at selected projects. 10 “The big moments happen at Wembley” In April 2023, Wembley Stadium celebrated its 100th anniversary. Liam Boylan, Wembley’s Stadium Director, looks back at the most important events of the venue as well as upcoming changes in the future. 12 The stadiums of the 2023/24 season The highlights of the five large European leagues – England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – will be presented on the following pages. In addition, there is an overview of the geographical allocation of all venues. 20 Will the Olympic dream come true? Hungary’s capital has many venues in its portfolio: modern and large stadiums, indoor arenas, even a Formula 1 circuit. However, the long desired Olympic dream has not yet come true. A closer look at Budapest’s infrastructure. OPERATION 22 Venue comparison: LANXESS arena vs. Žalgirio Arena While the European handball elite has been traveling to the EHF F4 to the LANXESS arena in Cologne since 2010, the final tournament of the EuroLeague in basketball was held in the Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas. A comparison. 24 Venue comparison: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium vs. Emirates Stadium The two North London clubs Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur are rivals not only on and off the pitch, but also in terms of infrastructure. STADIAWORLD compares the two clubs’ stadiums. 26 Venue comparison: La Bombonera vs. Estadio Monumental When Boca Juniors meets River Plate, the air of Buenos Aires is on fire. The stadiums are cult, but are now quite outdated. Plans for the future are in place for both stadiums, but will this jeopardize their legendary status? 28 Arthur Ashe Stadium: A venue like no other The Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world. The venue in New York City hosts the US Open every year. But the operators of the facility also take care of several other stadiums. A look behind the scenes. 31 “Continue to enhance the US Open experience” Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, talks about the operation of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the fan experience at the US Open – and about the effects of bad weather. 32 All-rounder near the Seine The Accor Arena in the Bercy district of Paris is a true multitalent. The arena has already been the venue for a number of major international events – and more will soon follow. 34 “Iconic, mythical and audacious“ In this interview, Nicolas Dupeux, CEO of the Accor Arena as well as the adidas arena and the Bataclan, talks about the venue landscape in Paris, the preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics and his goals for the future. 36 Stadium and arena in a double pack The Groupama Stadium, home of Olympique Lyon, is not only the third largest stadium in France – it also impresses with technical and sustainable innovations. Directly next door, another venue is currently being built: the LDLC Arena. 39 “A number of innovative topics” In this interview, Xavier Pierrot, Deputy General Director responsible for the Groupama Stadium and the LDLC Arena, talks about sustainable venue operations, the strategy in Lyon – and the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games. 40 Industry get-together with numerous highlights Renowned speakers, exciting collaborations and diverse partners: The eps ARENA SUMMIT 2023 in Frankfurt promises two exciting days full of inspiration and innovation for the industry on September 13 and 14. 42 “Exchange between the different parties is crucial” An Interview with Sam Booth, the new Director of Sustainability with AEG Europe, about his previous stations, his current role, personal goals – and the venue operation of the future. CONSTRUCTION 46 SPORTS VENUES 2023/24: Construction Report STADIAWORLD’s comprehensive construction report shows developments in stadium projects worldwide and where schedules had to be adjusted due to the COVID pandemic. 48 Construction report: Stadium and arena projects in Europe Europe has a lot to offer in terms of stadium and arena infrastructure. The trend towards increased multifunctional use of venues continues unabated. 54 Construction report: UEFA EURO 2024 After the 2006 World Cup, this time mainly modernisation work is on the agenda. 58 Billions for buildings A trend has developed in the USA to build new stadiums and arenas worth billions. New construction and renovation projects in the United States confirm this trend. 62 How NFL Stadiums prepare for the World Cup More than a third of all NFL stadiums will host FIFA World Cup games in 2026. Numerous modernisations are already being planned or implemented. 64 MLS: The stadiums in 2023 The introduction of Lionel Messi has given the entire Major League Soccer a boost in international perception. Reason enough to take a look at the stadiums of the US league. 66 South America: Building boom through World Cup bid? Four South American countries are bidding to host the FIFA World Cup 2030. If successful, they would have some catching up to do. 70 Construction report: Stadium and arena projects in Asia In Asia, China and Japan are traditionally the focus of stadium and arena projects. But things are also picking up the pace in Saudi Arabia, where the desert state prepares for its first major national team tournament. SPORTS VENUES 2023/24: CONSTRUCTION REPORT The unique overview by STADIAWORLD 46
www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 5 CONTENTS 72 Brisbane prepares for Olympics – “stadium wars” in New Zealand In Australia and New Zealand, various major projects are currently either in the planning phase or have already been started. With a view to the 2032 Olympic Games, Brisbane in particular is facing promising construction projects. TECHNOLOGY 74 Tech Report: Ongoing innovation Behind the curtains, all technologies involved in venues are moving on. Yet the obvious and visually perceptible ones are always in the foreground. And new milestones are set continuously. 76 Floodlight: Germany ahead of UEFA EURO 2024 The European Championship is currently causing a wave of retrofitting and new installations in the host country Germany. The trend towards coloured light and show compatibility continues here and everywhere. 80 Athletics: Certificates and guidelines for the infrastructure Track and field events require certified surfaces and must orient themselves to further guidelines that also affect the stadium infrastructure. 81 World Athletics to create new short track product to grow the sport World Athletics intends to introduce the new term ‘short track’ to replace the current term ‘indoor’ to describe events and performances that are set on a 200m track, traditionally staged indoors. 83 Better results, less injuries Conica invests in research and collaboration with athletes to further optimise running surfaces. Recently, a research facility was commissioned in Germany for this purpose. 84 d&b adds sparkling audio to the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica The Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica – known as the Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Light) – is now providing an unparalleled stadium sound experience, thanks to the new sound system by d&b audiotechnik. 86 Displays: Digital signage is growing While the boom in huge media displays is levelling off slightly, operators continue to equip their venues with contemporary solutions for signal distribution to monitors and screens throughout the building. 91 World premiere with ASB GlassFloor During the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup Madrid witnessed a world premiere that will profoundly impact the sports world. 92 Camera technology for Turkish Stadium In order to be able to better identify and track offenders in the stands in the future, the operator of the Alsancak Mustafa Denizli Stadium opted for a video security solution from the German manufacturer Dallmeier. 94 Grass or synthetic turf? Debates in the US leagues A consistent pitch quality and multifunctionality of the stadium are arguments in favour of artificial turf. But many professionals complain about the risk of injury and demand the conversion to natural grass pitches. 97 Digital grass management: The Dutch League approach Higher quality football pitches, better data-driven maintenance, fewer injuries, and all perfectly aligned with sustainability goals: the benefits of the Hi Pitch Screener (HiPSter) are noticeable in both the short and long term. EVENTS 98 Major sports events in 2023 & 2024 Basketball, handball, American football – even Olympic Summer Games and the UEFA EURO 2024: Numerous sporting highlights all over the world await in the upcoming twelve months. 99 30 grandstands for the largest inclusive sports festival Thousands of athletes with intellectual and multiple disabilities, their support teams, and fans celebrated the world’s largest inclusive sporting event. NUSSLI transformed Messe Berlin into a multi-sport facility for the tournament. 102 Paris 2024: Venue plan as sustainability approach Next summer, all eyes will turn to Paris. The city will host the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in 2024, focusing on sustainability by primarily utilising existing and temporary venues and minimising distances between them. 104 UEFA EURO 2024: The venues The European Football Championship 2024 will take place from 14th June to 14th July in Germany – for the second time after 1988. STADIAWORLD shows the host cities and tournament stadiums. 106 “The chance to experience something truly unique” In an interview with STADIAWORLD, Nick Addecott, Director Sports & Entertainment at The Maverick Group, explains the concept of the Stadium Golf Tour and the approach of implementing it in the UK. 108 Sport abroad: The internationalisation of the US leagues Frankfurt, Paris, London, Melbourne or Abu Dhabi – the four major US sports leagues are on big trips again in the upcoming season. What are the leagues’ concrete plans? Which teams will play their games abroad and where? OTHER CONTENT 112 Company Index 114 Imprint A VENUE LIKE NO OTHER Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world. A look behind the scenes. MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS IN 2023 & 2024 The UEFA Euro 2024, Olympic Summer Games and many other sporting highlights all over the world are coming up. 98 TECH REPORT: ONGOING INNOVATION Lighting, displays, surfaces and more: Tech topics and trends around sports and entertainment venues. BILLIONS FOR BUILDINGS A trend has developed in the USA to build very expensive new stadiums and arenas. It does not seem to be abating. 58 74 28
6 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com INTRO Whether stadiums or arenas, new venues are still being built and opened all over the world. The demand for new and modern infrastructure is unbroken – and sometimes even though modern facilities already exist. For example, just outside Los Angeles, where a new multi-billion-euro arena is currently under construction. Located right next to the most expensive stadium in the world – the SoFi Stadium – it will provide a new home for the LA Clippers. Until 2024, the NBA franchise will continue to play in the Crypto.com Arena – which is also undergoing a nine-figure renovation. The costs for the new building in Inglewood, on the other hand, are many times higher. The Intuit Dome is expected to cost more than 1.6 billion euros. By contrast, the SAP Garden in Munich costs “peanuts” at 150 million euros. Located in the Olympic Park in Munich, the new building is intended to be the home of the EHC Red Bull Munich and the FC Bayern Munich Basketball. In addition, other events such as gaming will take place. After various delays, New openings: Hello venue world While investments are being made in the existing infrastructure in many places, many new openings were and are still on the agenda. A look at selected projects. Picture: LA Clippers The Intuit Dome costs more than 1.6 billion euros. Arena MRV: New home of Atlético Mineiro. Picture: imago/Sports Press Photo With some delay, the SAP Garden opens in 2024. Picture: Flo Hagena
www.riedel.net STADIA CONVENTION CENTERS EVENTS THEATERS CRUISE SHIPS See us at IBC booth 10.A31 ALL-IN-ONE | REPLAY | CLOUD LIVE VIDEO PRODUCTION SDI | IP | HYBRID VIDEONETWORKS ALL STANDARDS | WIRELESS | IP INTERCOM
8 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com INTRO Picture: STADIAWORLD BBBank Wildpark: The big Liverpool FC came for the opening game. In the city of Valencia a new multipurpose arena is being built. the SAP Garden is finally scheduled to open in 2024. The BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe has already opened. On 19 July, the Liverpool FC came to Baden for the opening match. The Karlsruher SC had to admit defeat with 2:4. However, the loss did not dampen the joy about the opening of the stadium. The Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro also got a new stadium. In April 2023, the club’s own MRV Arena in Belo Horizonte was opened after almost exactly three years of construction. The stadium cost the equivalent of just under 180 million euros and has space for about 48,000 visitors. The new home of Linzer ASK offers considerably less space. With a capacity of 19,080, the Raiffeisen Arena is still one of the largest stadiums in Austria. Reason enough for the Austrian Football Association to play national team matches in Linz. However, it is not the only stadium opened in Linz in 2023. With the Hofmann Personal Stadium, city rival Blau-Weiß Linz received a new sporting home, too. The Valencia Basket Club still has to wait for such. The opening of the Roig Arena, which will host concerts, shows, cultural and art events in addition to the Spanish first division club’s home games, is planned for 2024. In addition to the stadiums and arenas just mentioned, numerous other venues will see the light of day in the coming year. For example, Co-op Live in Manchester, the largest arena in the UK, is scheduled to open after a oneyear delay. In Hong Kong, the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park, including a stadium and an arena, is planned, and in Liverpool, the new stadium of Everton FC is to be opened. Even though millions of euros are being spent on refurbishing and upgrading existing infrastructure in many places, there are still also many new stadiums and arenas that can then say “hello venue world”. Two new stadiums for Linz – here: the Raiffeisen Arena. Picture: imago/Daniel Scharinger Picture: Roig Arena
Entry made easy with the Axess SMART SCANNER 600 NFC. With the NFC module, it is now possible to use the NFC chip of the mobile phone to pass through a gate. Compatible with both Android and iOS wallets, this is perfect for use in stadia and arenas. The process is fast, contactless and allows you to keep your ticket on your smartphone. In addition, all barcode and QR-Code tickets can be read using the SMART SCANNER, meaning swift entry for all fans. teamaxess.com Axess SMART SCANNER 600 NFC
10 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com INTRO STADIAWORLD: It’s fair to say, Wembley Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in the UK – what makes Wembley so special? Boylan: When you think of places that help define England, some instinctively leap to mind: Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament … and Wembley Stadium. Over the last 100 years it has been the main pivot point of football history in England, and for numerous other occasions that transcend sport and music, which have now been all etched into our shared heritage. Footballers want to play on the pitch, bands want to perform on stage and fans want to go to watch it all at Wembley because the big moments happen at Wembley. Yes, there are other great stadiums across the UK and the world, but we have a saying here that IT ALWAYS MATTERS MORE at Wembley. STADIAWORLD: What role does Wembley Stadium play in the (inter) national venue landscape? Boylan: Nationally, Wembley is still the home of England for both the men’s and women’s senior teams and the host for all major cup finals here in England. On the international circuit Wembley has hosted a World Cup Final in 1966. It has also been chosen for two men’s UEFA EURO tournaments – in 1996 and 2021. England were semi-finalists in the former and beaten finalists in the latter. Last year Wembley hosted the final of the Women’s EURO 2022 which saw the England senior women’s team – the Lionesses – go one step further and become European champions. At club level, to date Wembley has hosted seven UEFA Champions League Finals – more than any other venue. As a belated birthday present it will hold an eighth final in 2024. STADIAWORLD: Looking back on the history of the Stadium: What were the biggest highlights? Boylan: Although synonymous with football, Wembley has hosted a variety of sports throughout its history. Everything from the Olympics (1948 and 2012) to world title boxing fights, NFL clashes, speedway, show-jumping, Gaelic football, hurling, motorsport and greyhound racing. It has also held rugby matches of both codes and was a venue for the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup. Perhaps the three biggest events Wembley will always be associated with though, are the World Cup in 1966, Live Aid in 1985 and the Women’s EURO 2022. 1966 was special as it was a World Cup win on home soil. It is still to this day England’s greatest ever performance at a major football tournament. It was also a classic final, beating close rivals Germany 4-2 in extra-time with Geoff Hurst scoring a hat-trick. It had all the drama you would want from a big game with the right result – if you were an England fan of course. Live Aid in 1985 was also special and really put Wembley on the map as a music venue. There were 70,000 fans in the stadium and along with the other Live Aid stage at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium, the concert was broadcast live to more than one billion people across 110 countries. There were many great performances that day from some of the world’s biggest stars at the time, but it was Queen and Freddie Mercury’s ability to get the crowd involved that everyone recalls. It was only 20 minutes but still considered one of the great stadium shows. Last year’s women’s EURO 2002 success was also epic. Not only was it a first success for an England team in over 50 years, it was a moment that propelled women’s football into the mainstream. It put women’s football on the back and front pages of every newspaper in the UK and Chloe Kelly wheeling away with her shirt off will be an iconic moment that will go down in the stadium’s history. STADIAWORLD: 2022 was a record year for Wembley. Can one say you successfully overcame Covid? Boylan: Strangely, we were the busiest venue in the country during the pandemic. We might have had no crowds and then some crowds, but we were operating and helping government with the Event Research Programme (ERP), which ultimately allowed for live events to come back in force. Covid perversely helped us retool and enhance our skill set. However, it was still a strange period, so it was gratifying to bounce back in such style. 2022 was just exceptional. Liam Boylan “The big moments happen at Wembley” On 28 April 2023, Wembley Stadium celebrated its 100th anniversary. In this interview with Liam Boylan, Wembley’s Stadium Director, STADIAWORLD looks back at the most important events of the venue as well as upcoming changes in the future. Picture: Wembley Stadium COVID HELPED US ENHANCE OUR SKILL SET
www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 11 More than 2.6 million people came through the doors of Wembley Stadium, and we hosted 35 events, including major football finals, heavyweight boxing bouts, an NFL fixture and sell out concerts from some of the biggest names on the globe. It was great to be able to create those magical moments once again. STADIAWORLD: Over the years, a lot has changed, especially infrastructure-wise. In 2002/03 the old Wembley was demolished and replaced with a completely new building. How important was this for Wembley Stadium as an event location? Boylan: As the 20th century drew to a close, it was clear the original stadium was no longer fit for purpose. It was built in the 1920’s and a new millennium needed a modern national stadium to confidently embrace the future. The new Wembley stadium was designed to create the ultimate fan experience for everyone. It has 90,000 seats with no obstructed views – a first for a stadium of such size, where it is traditional to have obstructed views due to vital engineering structures. There is also now more leg room in every seat of the new Wembley than there was in the royal box of the old stadium. The new Wembley is also a more welcoming and inclusive venue for guests with access requirements. There are specifically adapted areas for guests with different access requirements, including 310 wheelchair spaces each with a personal assistant/companion seat. Last year we also opened two multi-purpose sensory rooms within the stadium to better accommodate neuro-divergent guests and their families. It is important that we continually look to adapt and develop the stadium. Customer requirements and expectations are constantly evolving. What might have been fit for purpose ten years ago is not the case now. Wembley needs to reflect that. STADIAWORLD: Do you already have further plans to invest in the infrastructure? Boylan: We are continually looking at ways to improve the stadium and the experience of every customer who sets foot inside. That can be through technology or general maintenance. We never sit still or rest on our laurels. Several of the team have recently been in America, to look at some of the stadiums over there. In many areas we are still world leaders but there are many other aspects that we can learn from and look to implement over the next few years. Technology will be at the forefront of many changes, and I expect new processes for ordering food and drink, VR wayfinding and crowd participation via smartphones to be features coming to a lot of stadia very soon. Spectator magnet in London Picture: Wembley Stadium The new “Home of Football”: Wembley Stadium in its current form opened in 2007. Picture: Wembley Stadium You can find the complete interview series online.
INTRO 12 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com The stadiums of the 2023/24 season The highlights of the five large European leagues – England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – will be presented on the following pages. In addition, there is an overview of the geographical allocation of all venues. Some stadiums – especially the largest ones in the respective league – have been keeping their top position for some time now. An example of this is SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, which is the biggest stadium in Germany with a capacity of 81,365. The huge venue was opened in the 1970s, and to stay up to date, the operators regularly invest in the property. Newcomer to the Bundesliga In Germany the stadium of 1.FC Heidenheim, Voith-Arena, will add to the list of Bundesliga venues. For the first time in the club’s history, 1.FC Heidenheim achieved promotion to the Bundesliga this summer. The Voith-Arena, in its current form, has been the home of the FCH since 2010. 13 years ago, the then so-called “Albstadion” was converted into a pure football stadium by means of a major reconstruction, which provided space for 10,000 spectators. In 2011, the stadium was given its current name. For some time now, and regardless of league affiliation, the club has been planning to expand the stadium to 25,000. Another special German venue is the “Stadion An der Alten Försterei”, which is home to 1. FC Union Berlin and now no longer the smallest venue in the league (with 22,012). FCU is also planning to expand its stadium. For the UEFA Champions League games coming up next season (a first, in fact), the club will move to the Olympiastadion, home of city rivals Hertha BSC. Major projects in Spain In Spain, of course, the prestige projects of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid still stand out. Currently, construction is underway in both Barcelona and Madrid, and the two stadiums will be transformed into modern high-tech venues. Even if the sight of the demolition is likely to break the hearts of many football romantics, the departure into the new era is inevitable for Spain’s top clubs. Real’s “Santiago Bernabéu of the 21st Century,” as the club calls it itself, is soon to be finished. FC Barcelona will need to move temporarily and play its home games at the Olympic Stadium, with the modernised stadium probably being ready in 2026. London’s still a hotspot There are plenty of cities in Europe’s top five leagues that host more than one club – but the London metropolis offers a wealth of top-level football. London will again host seven first division teams in the 2023/24 season. In the new season, top-tier football can be watched in London with Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC, Tottenham FC, West Ham FC, Brentford FC as well as Fulham FC. A special home stadium is located in Luton, about 50 kilometres north of London. The Kenilworth Road Stadium has a capacity of over 10,000 and has served as the home stadium of the Luton Town FC football club since 1905. The rise of the “Hatters” resembles a fairy tale – for it is the return to the first division after 31 years. In 1992, the club played in England’s top league for the last time, even having been in the fifth division in the meantime. In any case, the dilapidated stadium exudes a special charm – and it is the counterpart to the modern hightech architecture that can be seen, for example, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Due to teams getting promoted and relegated, stadiums have – on average – become significantly smaller in Germany. With the VELTINS-Arena (FC Schalke 04) and the Olympiastadion Berlin (Hertha BSC), two big stadiums (62,271/Schalke and 74,475/Berlin) have left the Bundesliga stage for now. With Heidenheim’s Voith-Arena and Darmstadt’s Merck-Stadium at Böllenfalltor, two smaller, but also younger stadiums are newly added. It comes as no surprise therefore that the average capacity in the Bundesliga decreases, too. Incidentally, as of the 2023/24 season, the Bundesliga is no longer the only championship of the European top five leagues with 18 teams. In fact, the French Ligue 1 decided last year to reduce the number of teams to 18. In the three other leagues, 20 teams are playing in the new season.
INTRO www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 13 London Brighton Birmingham Wolverhampton Liverpool (2) Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the most expensive stadium in the Premier League, with construction costs of over one billion euros. The Spurs have been playing their home games here since 2019, and the NFL also uses the venue on a regular basis. Picture: THFC England Ø stadium capacity: 38,889 Ø stadium age: 94.4 years Premier League Bournemouth Tottenham Chelsea Brentford Crystal Palace Arsenal West Ham Nottingham St. James’ Park – Newcastle upon Tyne St James’ Park is the home ground of Newcastle United FC (capacity around 52,300). It is the oldest (1892) and largest football stadium in North East England. Last season, Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 21 years. Picture: imago/Wirestock Etihad Stadium – Manchester (visualisation) The Etihad Stadium opened in 2003 and since then more than 700 million euros have been invested in the home of Manchester City FC. The stadium of the current Champions League winner is soon to be expanded – to almost 62,000 seats (see rendering). Picture: Manchester City FC Kenilworth Road Stadium – Luton After 31 years, Luton Town has managed to return to the first division. The dilapidated Kenilworth Road Stadium, about 50 kilometres north of London, holds just over 10,000 spectators. The home ground is definitely a special eye-catcher for traditionalists. Isn’t it? Picture: imago/PA Images Sheffield Fulham Luton Burnley Manchester (2) Newcastle upon Tyne
INTRO 14 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com Marseille Rennes Lyon Monaco Nice Montpellier Strasbourg Reims Nantes Lorient Brest Paris Lille Lens France Ø stadium capacity: 33,218 Ø stadium age: 51.9 years Ligue1 Toulouse Stade Gabriel Montpied – Clermont-Ferrand On the last matchday of the 2020/21 season, Clermont Foot were promoted back to the top division after 76 years. The Stade Gabriel Montpied, the league’s smallest venue, opened in 1995 and was named after the city’s former mayor. Picture: imago/PanoramiC Groupama Stadium – Lyon The Groupama Stadium, home of Olympique Lyon, is the third largest stadium in France (approx. 60,000). A unique selling point: it is the only stadium in Ligue 1 that is 100% privately owned. By the way: The new LDLC Arena is currently being built next door. Picture: Populous/Intens-cité/Lotfi Dakhli Stade Saint-Symphorien – Longeville-lès-Metz The Stade Saint-Symphorien is located in Longevillelès-Metz, on the south-western city border of Metz. The home ground of FC Metz was originally opened in the 1920s, but was recently extensively rebuilt in several stages for 60 million euros. Picture: imago/PanoramiC Parc des Princes – Paris The Parc des Princes, translating to “Prince Park”, is a UEFA Category 4 stadium and home to Paris Saint-Germain. Rugby matches and concerts have also taken place here. The venue was originally built as a cycling track and has undergone several renovations. Picture: STADIAWORLD Longeville- lès-Metz Le Havre Clermont-Ferrand
INTRO www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 15 Dortmund Freiburg Munich Augsburg Stuttgart Leipzig Sinsheim Mainz Frankfurt Cologne Leverkusen Mönchengladbach Bochum Bremen Wolfsburg Berlin Germany Ø stadium capacity: 41,063 Ø stadium age: 33.2 years Bundesliga Voith-Arena – Heidenheim On 4 September 2010, the home ground of 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 was ceremoniously opened. Since 2011, the stadium has borne the current name Voith-Arena. The club will play in the Bundesliga for the first time ever in the 2023/24 season. Picture: imago/Sportfoto Rudel Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor – Darmstadt Newcomer to the Bundesliga: SV Darmstadt 98 are now back in the top flight after their relegation back in 2017. The home stadium has just been freshly rebuilt – and it can now present itself to the Bundesliga in fresh splendour. Picture: SV Darmstadt 98 SIGNAL IDUNA PARK – Dortmund With over 81,300 places, the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is still the biggest stadium of the Bundesliga. Almost 25,000 fans cheer on BVB in the south stand alone. The stadium will also be used for UEFA EURO 2024 games (group stage, round of 16 and semi-final) . Picture: Borussia Dortmund Stadion An der Alten Försterei – Berlin The home of Union Berlin has a capacity of 22,012, but will soon be expanded. The goal pictured here led to entry into the Champions League – however, Union Berlin will play the UCL games at the Olympiastadion, the home of city rival Hertha BSC. Picture: imago/Matthias Koch Heidenheim an der Brenz Darmstadt
INTRO 16 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com Genoa Turin (2) Lecce Naples Rome (2) Empoli Florence Sassuolo Bologna Italy Ø stadium capacity: 35,162 Ø stadium age: 59.8 years Serie A Milan (2) Udine Verona Bergamo Monza U-Power Stadium – Monza The Stadio Brianteo, officially “U-Power Stadium” due to sponsorship, is the municipal football stadium in Monza in the Lombardy region. The home of AC Monza is located only four kilometres southeast of the famous Formula 1 race track. Picture: imago/Buzzi Milan – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium (visualisation) The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium is the largest stadium in Italy (nearly 76,000). AC Milan and Inter share this venue. Debates about the stadium’s future and plans for new constructions have been going on for years. A proposal from Populous is shown here. Picture: Populous Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – Naples The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, formerly Stadio del Sole or Stadio San Paolo, is a football stadium with athletics facilities in Naples. The home ground of SSC Napoli is named after the argentinian club legend Diego Armando Maradona, who died in 2020. Picture: imago/LaPresse Stadio Benito Stirpe – Frosinone The Stadio Benito Stirpe was only opened six years ago, although planning for a new home for Frosinone Calcio had actually already begun in the 1970s. It seats just over 16,000 spectators. The photo shows the players celebrating their third promotion to Serie A. Picture: imago/LaPresse Salerno Frosinone Cagliari
INTRO www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 17 Barcelona Madrid (4) Valencia Cádiz Sevilla (2) Pamplona Villareal Palma de Mallorca San Sebastian Bilbao Vigo Spain Ø stadium capacity: 36,137 Ø stadium age: 53.7 years LALIGA Almeria Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – Madrid Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was opened in 1947 – the stadium is currently being renovated. The “Bernabéu of the 21st century” will have a lockable roof and a new façade, to name some highlights. The 800 million euro project is to be completed soon. Picture: imago/Mario Aurich Spotify Camp Nou – Barcelona The home of FC Barcelona is currently a construction site, too. The renovation is scheduled for completion in 2026. The stadium will fundamentally change its appearance, as the costs exceed the one-billion-mark. The club will temporarily move to the Olympic Stadium. Picture: imago/NurPhoto Cívitas Metropolitano – Madrid The Cívitas Metropolitano originally opened in 1994. From 2011 until 2017, it was rebuilt – for instance, the athletics track was removed. Since September 2017, it has been the home ground of Atlético Madrid. It is the third largest stadium in the country. Picture: Atleticodemadrid.com Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán – Seville The Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville has been the home of Sevilla FC since 1958. But not only that: On 18 May 2022, the UEFA Europa League Final took place here (see picture above). German team Eintracht Frankfurt won against the Glasgow Rangers. Picture: imago/Fotoarena Girona Grenada Vitoria-Gasteiz Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
XXXXXXXXXXX 18 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com Bad internet connection? We have a solution!
XXXXXXXXXXX www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 19 Order your print version today! www.stadionwelt-shop.de
20 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com UEFA Supercup Final (2020), UEFA Europa League final (2023), annually the Formula 1, plus world championships in athletics (2023), swimming (2022), judo (2021) and modern pentathlon (2023), European championships in soccer (2021) and wrestling (2022) – and finally the Olympics in 2036? Looking at the recent and upcoming sporting events in Budapest alone, Hungary should not have the worst chances of hosting the world’s largest multi-sporting event. Nevertheless, the country and its capital still seem to be running somewhat under the radar. Time to take a closer look at Budapest’s infrastructure in terms of its stadiums and arenas. Hungary has unsuccessfully bid to host the Olympics six times (in 1916, 1920, 1936, 1944 and 1960), and the last attempt (for the 2024 edition) was withdrawn in 2017 due to popular opposition. Most recently, however, the country has once again become something of a sports hotspot. The construction of a new Olympic stadium had been planned specifically for “Budapest 2024”; the stadium was to be built on the edge of the Danube with space for more than 50,000 spectators. When the bid was withdrawn, the project was scrapped – but not the basic idea. The old plans were subsequently revived and modified, and in the summer of 2023 the city of Budapest was able to open the new “Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ” (National Athletics Center) on the same site. In contrast to the international norm, the new athletics center is designed to accommodate different numbers of spectators, depending on the basic operation or competition event. In ‘legacy mode”, the building seats 15,000 in the lower fixed grandstand, which can be expanded during competitions to include a rented, temporary upper tier with 25,000 additional seats. These temporary structures are dismantled after the event and the freed-up space is used for mass sport. In this way, the stadium will serve as a center for international sporting and cultural events, while at the same time being available for popular, recreational and youth sports. A “soft-opening” has already taken place in May 2023. The highest category twice: the soccer stadiums Already completed is Hungary’s new national stadium, the Puskás Aréna. Built in the run-up to EURO 2020, the stadium, which cost around 556 million euros, has already established itself several times as UEFA’s favorite. For the European Championship during the pandemic, after all, it was the venue for the round of 16, plus it Will the Olympic dream come true? Hungary’s capital has many venues in its portfolio: modern and large stadiums, indoor arenas, even a Formula 1 circuit. However, the long desired Olympic dream has not yet come true. A closer look at Budapest’s infrastructure. CITYPORTRAIT: BUDAPEST Picture: STADIAWORLD
www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 21 INTRO hosted the 2020 Supercup Final (FC Bayern vs. FC Sevilla). Several Champions League matches that had to be played on neutral ground due to Covid took also place here. And, it hosted the UEFA Europa League final at the end of May. With space for 67,155 spectators (all-seater) and the highest classification according to UEFA and FIFA standards, it is the largest and most modern soccer stadium in Hungary. Budapest also has a second UEFA Category 4 stadium, the Groupama Aréna. Opened in 2014, the home ground of Ferencváros has a capacity of almost 24,000 and was home to the Hungarian national team until the opening of the Puskas Aréna. Big and modern: Budapest’s indoor arenas In the immediate vicinity of the two stadiums, the MVM Dome and the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna offer two multifunctional arenas. Together with the Duna Aréna, Budapest thus has three arenas with capacities of over 10,000 seats. Opened in 2003 and located directly opposite the Puskás Aréna, the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna was for a long time the largest multifunctional arena in the Hungarian capital. The arena offers up to 12,500 seats for concerts, and almost all stars of various genres have been guests in the past 20 years. In terms of sports, it has also been home to a wide portfolio of the biggest indoor sporting events. In the sports configuration, the arena holds around 10,000 seats. At the end of December 2021, it was replaced by the MVM Dome as the largest indoor sports venue. With space for over 20,000 spectators, the home of the Hungarian national team is even the largest handball arena in Europe. In early 2022, the venue hosted the European Men’s Handball Championship and was the venue for the Final between Sweden and Spain. Until 2024, the venue is set to host the EHF Women’s Champions League Final Four, and the MVM Dome will also host the 2027 Women’s World Championship and 2024 European Championship. The construction of the multifunctional arena cost the Hungarian state more than 300 million euros. In the field of aquatics, Budapest has a state-of-the-art facility in the form of the Duna Aréna, which has already inspired Tokyo in its Olympic preparations. Described by the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee as the “best competitive swimming pool in the world”, it even serves as a model for the Olympic pool to be built in France. Opened in 2017, the three-story venue features two Olympic-size pools, a diving pool and a short course training pool, a sports museum, fitness center, conference rooms and VIP facilities. 6,000 fixed seats are available for spectators, and capacity can be increased to up to 15,000 for major events. At the same time, the arena is not only designed for major professional events, but is also open to the general public on a day-to-day basis. Question mark Olympics In addition, the BOK Sportcsarnok (event center for up to 10,000 spectators, now an Olympic center), Kincsem Park (large, modernized facility for horse and greyhound racing) and the venerable Kis Stadium, which is in need of renovation, provide further facilities for various sports. The Hungaroring, where Formula 1 Grand Prix races have been held without interruption since 1986, is another temple of sports located just outside the city gates. For a population of less than 1.8 million, Budapest’s sports infrastructure is truly exceptional – and this in terms of quantity, quality and modernity. But whether a renewed Olympic bid can really be expected soon is just as unclear as when the next possible Olympic Games (2036) will even be awarded, or what the chances of a Hungarian bid would be. The IOC famously changed its award criteria in 2019 and has since relied on informal and non-public talks rather than voting. Meanwhile, the 2030 Winter Olympics could not yet be awarded due to a lack of applicants. MVM Dome: One of the most modern and largest arenas in Europe. Picture: HHF/Aniko Kovacs
22 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com OPERATION Once again this year, the four best European handball teams met in the final of the EHF Champions League at Cologne’s LANXESS arena. Since 2010, the final tournament of the handball elite league has been held in the cathedral city. In 2023, the handball players of German side SC Magdeburg triumphed for the first time in 21 years. On the other hand, there was a premiere for the Žalgirio Arena, which hosted the final tournament of the Basketball EuroLeague for the first time this year. For the arena in Kaunas, Lithuania, this was certainly one of the highlights since its opening in 2011. Apart from the regular games of Žalgiris Kaunas, the local basketball club, the Žalgirio Arena has so far hardly hosted any sports events with international appeal. A few days after the multifunctional arena opened its doors, it was one of the venues for the European Basketball Championship. In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, matches of the Futsal World Cup were held in the Žalgirio Arena. Among them the semifinals and the final. Otherwise, the event portfolio of Lithuania’s largest arena features sporting events not quite as big. Quite the opposite of the LANXESS arena. The “Mecca of European club handball” has already been the venue for three Ice Hockey World Championships, two Handball World Championships, the 2022 European Basketball Championships and other diverse sporting events of international significance. In addition, the “KEC” (Kölner Haie) have been playing their home games in the LANXESS arena since 1998. Germany’s largest multifunctional arena was also opened in the same year and will thus celebrate its 25th birthday in the fall of 2023. Planning for the Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas also began 25 years ago. The municipality of Lithuania’s second-largest city began working with architect Eugenijus Miliuna on a plan for a new arena in Kalnieciu Park in 1988, as the Kaunas sports hall was deemed too small according to EuroLeague statutes. After several debates, construction of the new arena in Kaunas – at a different location than originally planned though – finally began on September 26, 2008. After about three years of construction, the new home of Žalgiris Kaunas was opened. By contrast, the LANXESS arena in Cologne, designed by the architectural firm of Peter Böhm, was completed somewhat faster: It took just over two years from the groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 1996, before the new building, then called the “Kölnarena” (literally translatVenue comparison: LANXESS arena vs. Žalgirio Arena While the European handball elite has been traveling to the EHF F4 to the LANXESS arena in Cologne since 2010, the final tournament of the EuroLeague in basketball was held for the first time in the Žalgirio Arena in Kaunas. A comparison. Picture: AMG LANXESS arena: Germany’s biggest indoor arena in Cologne. Picture: STADIAWORLD Sketch: LANXESS arena
www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 23 OPERATION ing to “CologneArena”), was officially opened on October 17, 1998. As part of a soft opening, however, the Sharks (KEC) began play in their new sporting home on September 11. Anchor tenant, operator and owner Since then, the Sharks have played uninterruptedly in Germany’s top ice hockey league as anchor tenants in the LANXESS arena. In Kaunas, too, the Lithuanian basketball club and anchor tenant Žalgiris Kaunas has been playing in the Žalgirio Arena since the arena opened. What is special about this is that the club also acts as the operator of the multifunctional arena. Already when the city of Kaunas approved the plans for the construction of a new arena, the club decided to become the operator of the arena. In the end, Žalgiris Kaunas was awarded the contract for 25 years with an option to extend. The owner, on the other hand, is the city of Kaunas. The situation in Cologne, however, is different. From 1998 to 2015, the arena was owned by the real estate fund “Köln-Deutz Arena und Mantelbebauung GbR”. On December 22, 2015, it was announced that the LANXESS arena would be transferred to the ownership of Junson Capital Company Limited from Hong Kong. ARENA Management GmbH remained the operating company. Well before the change of ownership, the arena’s name also changed. For a good ten years, the venue was officially called “Kölnarena” before the LANXESS chemicals group acquired the naming rights for an initial ten years. In 2017, the cooperation was extended ahead of schedule until December 31, 2023. External appearance and inner values Anyone walking toward the LANXESS arena, which is located near the river Rhine, will first notice the distinctive arch that spans the arena roof. As a feature of the arena, it carries the roof of the building. At the Žalgirio Arena, the large LED outdoor screen, which was even enlarged again in 2019, catches the eye quite quickly. At 83.5 x 4 meters, it offers space for sponsors and organizers and is also one of the largest in Europe. Both arenas are united by the material of the facade. Both the outer shell of the LANXESS arena and that of the Žalgirio Arena consist largely of transparent glass, which allows a view into the interior. Both arenas are also impressive on the inside. In Kaunas, for example, one of the largest outdoor LED walls in Europe is joined by a 262-meter LED fascia board between the lower and middle tiers and an LED cube with a surface area of 21.5 square meters each. In Cologne, on the other hand, the old LED cube was replaced in 2019 by four flying displays that can be moved independently of each other. At 8 x 4.5 meters, the four screens achieve a total of 144 square meters. As part of the replacement, a 360° LED ring was also installed on the lower box ring, which stretches 302 meters through the arena. In addition, the LANXESS arena upgraded to an individually movable sound system. Visitors to both the LANXESS arena and the Žalgirio Arena can therefore expect a special arena experience. Venue comparison: LANXESS arena vs. Žalgirio Arena LANXESS arena Žalgirio Arena Germany Country Lithuania Cologne City Kaunas 31 July 1996 Construction start 26 September 2008 17 October 1998 1) Opening 18 August 2011 153 million euros Cost 49 million euros Architekturbüro Peter Böhm Architect Eugenijus Mlinunas 20,000 Max. capacity 2) 20,000 Junson Capital Company Limited Owner City of Kaunas ARENA Management GmbH Operator Žalgiris Kaunas Kölner Haie (Ice Hockey) Main tenant Žalgiris Kaunas (Basketball) 1) Official opening; soft opening already on 11 September 1998. 2) Capacity for concerts. Source: Venues Picture: Zalgiris.lt Žalgirio Arena: EuroLeague Final Four 2023. Picture: STADIAWORLD Sketch: Žalgirio Arena
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzU2MjQ=