Industry update: more on safe standing, broadcasting and new stadium projects

Read more on the stadium project of Montpellier HSC and the Gibraltar Football Association, redevelopment at Liverpool FC, a safe standing trial in the French Ligue 1 and 2, broadcasting via Twitter, youth academies, etc. in this short industry update by ESSMA.

Safety & Security

• Four clubs from the French Ligue 1 and 2 - AS Saint-Etienne, Amiens SC, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and RC Lens - will trial safe standing in the 2018/2019 season. At the end of next season, the trial will be evaluated with lessons learned and they will decide what to implement in the following seasons.

Construction & Development  

• Montpellier HSC have unveiled their plan to build a new 30,000 seat stadium. The new Louis Nicollin Stadium is expected to cost €150 million and is set to open ahead of the 2022/2023 season. In addition to the new stadium of Montpellier HSC, the project will include a venue to host handball and basketball as well as retail space.
• Liverpool FC will redevelop its Kirby Academy site and the Eddie McArdle community playing fields. The plan includes combining the training facilities of the first team and the Academy on one new training campus. Redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2020.
• The Gibraltar Football Association submitted a plan to build a new 8,000 seat national stadium. Together with ESSMA Corporate Partner, The Stadium Consultancy, they have developed the design and concept of their new stadium. Construction is expected to start in the beginning of 2019.
• KV Mechelen is constructing a new business stand at the AFAS Stadium. The stand will consist of four floors including a business lounge, skyboxes with outside seating, a press stand and more. The renovation is expected to finish by the start of the 2018/2019 season. 

Fan Experience & Hospitality

• AS Roma broadcasted its friendly match against Latina Roma live on Twitter. It’s a first for the club to broadcast a game live via Twitter. With the initiative, they aim to engage with as many AS Roma fans as possible.

Partner news

• Following a survey with 123 European clubs, ECA have published their Youth Academy Study. The report provides an overview of best practices at youth academies across European football clubs with topics such as technology, human resources, coaches & performance teams, medical & sport science, etc.