Industry update: more on ticketing, sustainability and development

Read more on the Academy plans of Crystal Palace FC, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s newInteractive Data Space, reusable cups at Leicester City FC and more in ESSMA’s weekly industry update.

SMART & Sustainability

• Standard deLiège is starting a recycling process for cigarette ends. In total, 13 ashtrays were installed at strategic places across the stadium to collect and recycle it. The ashtrays also work as ballot box where the fans are invited to respond to simple questions with their cigarette ends.
  

• In a bid to reduce single-use plastics, Leicester City FC will be introducing reusable pint cups at King Power Stadium. The cups will be used on all concourse areas, with designated recycle bins located around King Power Stadium for supporters to dispose of their cups so that they can be washed after each match and recirculated. It is estimated that the move will prevent 3.2 tonnes of plastic from polluting the environment during the 2019/20 season.

Development & Construction

• Crystal Palace FC has revealed plans to develop its Academy site in Bromley to secure Category 1 status. The plans include campus-style internal and external refit to all buildings, new classrooms, lecture rooms and meeting and spaces, a new medical treatment, a sports science facility, a restaurant, etc.

Operations & Ticketing 

• TSG 1899 Hoffenheim opened a SAP Interactive Data Space to encourage better data use throughout its operations. The high-tech collaborative meeting room allows its users to access all the sports and business data generated by the Bundesliga club as well as the tools required to capitalise on it.

• Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, SD Eibar, Deportivo Alavés and CA Osasuna have agreed to set away ticket prices at €25 for matches between these teams. The initiative is now spreading to across LaLiga Santander clubs. The main objective of the collaboration isn’t to increase attendances but the desire to encourage a philosophy of union, bringing fans from different regions together to support their teams at a fan-friendly price.

General News

• The Royal Spanish Football Federation and FIFA continue to work together on challenges of Integrity in football. Actions implemented in Spanish football in the 2018/19 season within the Global Integrity Plan were presented. Likewise, results have been displayed in different areas such as training, monitoring of the competitions, investigation and, where appropriate, the complaint process to disciplinary bodies.
  

• KRC Genk joins forces with four other Belgian clubs including Royal Antwerp FC, KAA Gent, STVV and Waasland-Beveren during four Pro League home matches to collect items(food and hygienic products) for donation. The clubs are supporting a voluntary association called Vincentius that assists people in poverty as part of a nation-wide inition, de Warmste Week.