Stadium Industry Update 5 March 2024
Point deduction Everton reduced, start of renovation MetLife stadium, the economic gains 2023 Woman's World Cup, plans submitted new stadium Oxford United and much more in our latest Stadium Industry Updates!
Point deduction Everton FC reduced from 10 to 6
Everton FC received the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history in November for breaching financial rules in the season 2021-22. Everton went later in appeal.
The appeal board reduced the 10-point penalty to 6 on the grounds that the commission made legal errors when imposing the original sanction. However, the board rejected 7 of Everton’s 9 grounds for the appeal.
Everton FC stated: “While the club is still digesting the appeal board’s decision, we are satisfied our appeal has resulted in a reduction in the points sanction. Notwithstanding the appeal board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023.”
The Premier League stated: “It is satisfied with today’s decision and that the independent disciplinary process, clearly set out in its rules and agreed by all clubs, has been followed throughout.”
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/26/everton-boosted-after-premier-league-deduction-reduced-from-10-to-six-points
Renovation started at MetLife stadium
The project of the renovation of the MetLife Stadium has started. Recently, FIFA announced that the stadium will be one of the host venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The stadium will host 8 matches, including the final.
The project involves the demolition of four corners of pre-existing precast seating throughout the stadium and the installation of a new modular steel composite seating system. The project also encompasses mechanical, electrical, audiovisual, and plumbing adjustments. Additionally, the project involves the removal of 1,740 permanent seats to expand the field’s dimensions to meet the necessary FIFA requirements.
The renovation will be caried out in 2 phases. Phase 1 began in January and is expected to be completed by May 2024. Phase 2 will start in January 2025 and is projected to be completed by May 2025.
Read more at: https://www.constructionbriefing.com/news/skanska-begins-work-on-project-for-fifa-world-cup-2026/8035504.article
The economic gains of the 2023 Woman's World Cup
In a report, published by Football Australia, it is stated that the 2023 FIFA Woman’s World Cup generated $1.32 billion Australian dollars in economic impact for the host country.
Nearly 2 million people attended the games in person, while 70% of the population of Australia have turned in and watched the tournament. 56% of fans that attended the games were woman. The overall woman’s game attendance in the country rose by 123% and streaming for games by 120% over the previous year.
The tournament generated $570 million in revenue for FIFA. It is the first Woman’s World Cup to break even and the second-highest generated income of any sport (behind the men’s World Cup). Due to increased physical activity, the healthcare costs in the country were also reduced by $212.5 million USD.
Australia could host the next Woman’s Asian Cup in 2026, because Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan withdrawn from the race.
Plans submitted by Oxford for new stadium
Oxford United FC announced it has submitted a full planning application to the Cherwell District Council for its proposed new stadium.
The new stadium will have a capacity of 16,000 and will be the first all-electric stadium in the UK. The stadium also includes a safe standing area, sensory room, 130 wheelchair spaces and wellbeing gardens. The plan also features a 180-bed hotel, conference and event spaces and a health and wellbeing centre.
Furthermore, the club announced that it will be undertaking a planning application process to build a bridge as part of the development plans to further enhance connectivity.
A timeline of the construction work is yet to be announced but their lease at the Kassam Stadium comes to an end in 2026.
Read more at: https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2024/february/stadium-planning-application/
LaLiga wins legal battle against Real Madrid and Athletic Club
Madrid’s Court of First Instance No.15 has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Real Madrid and Athletic Club. They claimed that the CVC deal was "an illegal transaction that causes irreparable damage to the Spanish football sector as a whole" and proposed an alternative investment package, which they said offered better value for money.
The “Boost LaLiga” project, signed in December 2021, resulted in LaLiga and its clubs receive almost €2 billion from private equity firm CVC in exchange for an 8,2% share of the league’s income from broadcasting and sponsorship rights for the next 50 years. 37 of Spain’s 42 first and second-division clubs voted in favour of the deal. Clubs that led the opposition were Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Club, resulting in the exclusion of the deal. Then they opted to sue LaLiga with backing from the Spanish football federation (RFEF). Later Barcelona and the RFEF withdrew from the case.
The majority of the almost €2 billion was earmarked for investment in infrastructure, technology and internationalisation. 75% of that sum have now been received with the rest due by the end of 2024.
Read more at: https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/39607885/real-madrid-lose-case-laliga-2bn-cvc-deal
Price adjustment approved by council for new Lithuanian national stadium
The Vilnius City Council approved the changes to the concession contract for the construction of the multifunctional complex with a national stadium.
After the price-indexations, the project would cost €157 million. This is only €1.2 million higher than before the price-indexations because the city authorities expect to save €38.1 million in interest on its loans by paying the concessionaire for its investment over 2 years instead of 22 years.
The renewed concession agreement will still have to be reviewed by the Lithuania’s Public Procurement Service (PPS) and the European Commision (EC).
The stadium, with a capacity of 15,000, would be able to host football and athletics events. The wider complex will include facilities for other sports such as basketball, gymnastics and boxing. Valdas Benkunskas, the Vilnius Mayor, told that the stadium could be built by the end of 2026.
Read more at: https://madeinvilnius.lt/en/news/city/The-municipality-will-approve-the-construction-of-the-national-stadium/#google_vignette
New temporally home for Wasps
Wasps, fallen English Rugby Union team, have secured a temporary stadium location as it seeks to progress plans for a permanent new home and a return to play.
The club was placed into administration in 2022. As a result, the club was ejected from the top-tier Premiership and 167 employees were made redundant, including players and coaching staff. Wasps’ debt at the time totalled £95 million.
Wasps stated: “We can now inform you that we have secured the core sustainable finance and a temporary stadium location in the Greater London/Kent area, aligning with our strategic plans to eventually relocate to Kent. All we are waiting for is a competition to join that will allow us to compete at the highest level – and one that shares our values.”
The new stadium will have a capacity of between 24,000 and 28,000 seats, along with a training ground and hotels.
Read more at: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/02/27/wasps-secure-temporary-home/
Sensory facilities in UK stadiums
Akiko Hashiguchi, A developmental disorders universal consultant, did a one-month trip which took place in November and December to visit 22 stadia in the UK to discover all the sensory rooms that have been built or rebuilt in the last decade. Her latest project was developing a sensory room for the new stadium of Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
She stated: “What I learnt on this adventure was that each club with a sensory room has its own unique sensory room, reflecting the characteristics of the stadium, the opinions of its users and the club’s intentions. The survey also showed that efforts are being made to combine hard side, such as barrier-free routes and facilities, with soft side, such as support and management by dedicated staff. I see sensory rooms as a place where children grow step by step through the sensory room. Some people who take watching football for granted may think it is just a football match. However, for children and their families who have given up watching football because of developmental disorders or other characteristics, sensory rooms can be a starting point to turn giving up into hope and expand the range of their activities and lives.”
Sensory rooms are becoming an important part of the stadium to become more inclusive. In the Stadium Industry Update from last week, you can find one of the latest sensory room that has opened in Europe: “Inzone” from FC Porto.
Read more at: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/03/01/a-sensory-trip-around-uk-football-stadia/