Stadium Industry Updates 30 January 2024
A new stand for Red Star FC, Karting in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Safe standing for St. Mary's Stadium and much more in our latest Stadium Industry Updates!
Red Star opened new East Stand
Red Star FC, third tier Championnat National club in France, has opened their new East Stand at Stade Bauer, the opening is part of the revamp of the stadium.
In February 2022, the club received the green light for redeveloping their home stadium to a 10,000-capacity stadium with stands build close to the pitch to improve connection with the players. The new east stand was planned to be opened back in August but due to delays in the project, the stand opened on Januari 12 with an opening ceremony on January 18.
The completion of the whole project is due in the first quarter of 2026 that also includes the Bauer Box, a mixed-used venture that will offer offices, shops and health services.
Read more at: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/01/22/red-star-unveils-new-east-stand-at-stade-bauer/
Milan set to present new €300m San Siro proposal
The Municipality of Milan will present a €300m proposal plan to redevelop the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, better known as San Siro Stadium. The stadium is currently shared by AC Milan and Inter Milan.
The redeveloped stadium is reported to have a capacity of 75,000. This is 800 less than the current capacity. 10,000 seated are planned to be premium seats while the access system to the stadium would be renewed. The surroundings of the stadium would also be revamped to be greener and more accessible.
Last month, Inter Milan launched a fan consultation initiative related to a proposed move to a new 70,000 capacity stadium. Earlier, in October, Inter revealed initial concept images from Populous of a new stadium planned to be opened ahead of the 2028-29 season.
Read more at: https://sempremilan.com/repubblica-council-300m-san-siro-renovation
St Mary’s Stadium will implement a new safe standing area in the North Stand
Southampton FC, English Championship football club, is preparing to introduce safe standing in the North Stand exclusively to home supporters with the goal to “enhance matchday experience”. This is the result of fan feedback and will first be used on February 18, the match against Manchester United.
Away fans, who currently share the North Stand with the home fans, will be moved to another part of the stadium.
Earlier this month, AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town, both Premier League clubs, also announced the introduction of safe standing in their stadiums.
Read more at: https://www.footballtradedirectory.com/southampton-to-install-safe-standing-section
New hospitality Division launched at Cádiz CF
Cádiz CF, Spanish Laliga club, has launched a new hospitality division with to goal to widen the availability of their home stadium on non-match days. This includes a new stadium tour, company events and celebrations, weddings, exclusive breakfasts and more.
This project will extend to the new Sporttech City project presented in October that will include an event centre, data centre, health and sport warehouses, offices and a user experience centre.
The club is collaborating with the firm KPMG on the project.
Read more at: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/01/22/cadiz-launches-hospitality-division/
LaLiga teams up with Fever
A new partnership is announced by LaLiga with Fever with the goal of reaching a wider audience. Fever is a live entertainment discovery platform designed to improve the non-matchday use of its member clubs’ stadiums.
Executive general manager of LaLiga, Jorge de la Vega, said: “this agreement reinforces our commitment to entertainment and reaching other audiences. It also means an expansion in the options offered to clubs, in their positioning and in the opportunities for them to stand out in their cities beyond football. It also enhances the value of Boost LaLiga, continuing with the aim of finding new ways to make the most of the stadiums”.
The CEO and co-founder of Fever, Ignacio Bachiller, added: “this collaboration with LaLiga is an important step for us, as it allows us not only to expand our catalogue of spaces and experiences but also to keep demonstrating Fever’s role as a catalyst in the world of culture and entertainment”.
Read more at: https://newsletter.laliga.es/global-futbol/laliga-teams-up-with-fever-to-continue-growing-in-the-entertainment-sector
Barnsley agrees to a 30-years lease to remain at Oakwell
Oakwell stays the home of League One football club Barnsley after they signed a deal with the town’s council. The announcement came after the town’s council bought out the family of former owner Patrick Cryne that resulted in a 100% ownership of the stadium.
Sir Steve Houghton, council leader said the agreement would pave the way for “much needed investment” while the chairman added that it would “open up opportunities as we look to modernise Oakwell”.
A joint statement made by the two partners said: “this investment is an important lynchpin in a partnership which will see Oakwell become even more of a sporting centre and cultural home for the whole borough long into the future. t will create a platform for Barnsley FC to use Oakwell for unique fan experiences and events, music concerts, corporate conferences and community activities on a regular basis for generations to come. The move also secures the future for the newly formed Barnsley FC women's team who will continue to play games at Oakwell throughout the regular season and beyond."
Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68061594
Facial recognition usage hinted by CEO in Serie A
Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A has detailed plans for all top-tier stadiums in Italy to be fitted by facial recognition in order to combat racism.
The CEO has been speaking after AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was racially abused during an away match at Udinese. One fan is banned from the stadium said Udinese. The club will play a match behind closed doors as punishment.
Luigi De servo stated: “The plan is to equip the stadiums of all the teams registered in Serie A with video surveillance systems capable of scanning the faces of those entering the stadium at the entrance, associating them with the personal data present in the nominal tickets, so as to immediately trace the identity of fans who engage in racial discrimination. The data would be collected by the clubs but made available to the police.”
The rollout is hoped to be taken place by the end of the season.
Read more at: https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2024/01/23/serie-a-ceo-calls-for-league-wide-facial-recognition-tech/
Karting experience to be opened at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
A new F1 karting experience is going to be opened under the South Stand of Tottenham Hotspur stadium. The opening is set on February 6, the ticket sales started on January 25, but an exclusive pre-sale was created for F1 Unlocked members, Tottenham Hotspur season ticket holders, One Hotspur members, Premium members and those that registered for early access.
The karts feature a 18cm LED display, provided with data and interesting updates, immersive in-kart audio with sounds effects taken from onboard recordings of F1-drivers. The steering wheel will have an DRS button, allowing greater speed when you are close to a competitor in front.
Different F1 touchpoints will be placed throughout the venue to further enhance guest's experience. The venue will also feature a “Fan Zone” with 5 VR racing simulators, a Pit Stop Challange, F1 memorabilia and a restaurant. The karting experience consists of 3 different track layouts that are inspired of F1 circuits. 1-to-1 and group coaching sessions will be available.
The karting experience is the result of the partnership between Tottenham Hotspur and F1, that aims to create apprenticeship and career opportunities.