Firstly, ESSMA briefly presented the ‘Stadium In Construction’ database, containing more than 145 projects divided over 29 countries. This year ESSMA would like to develop its database from ‘desk research’ to ‘member driven’.  The ESSMA presentation was followed by an introduction of Bowcraft, leading supplier for airtight systems and sponsor of the Stadium Development Seminar.

Session 1

Marcel Boyé -Organizational & Stadium Manager of SC Freiburg- presented the new SC Freiburg stadium. Firstly the necessity of a new stadium was highlighted: current old stadium, issues that couldn’t be renovated and a lack of revenue generated out of stadium exploitation. After this, the presentation focused on the challenges to get backing for the projects, the stakeholders who would be involved in the project and the upcoming steps in the development of the new stadium. The RFP-process (Request for Proposal process) will start this year.

Secondly, Lorenzo Santoni -Responsible B Futura- presented the actual status of Italian stadium infrastructure in the Italian Serie B and in which way B Futura is supporting clubs to improve their stadium infrastructure. The main topic of the presentation was the ‘Nuovo Stadio di Cagliari’: a 21,000-seater stadium with various hospitality areas, training facilities and multifunctional aspects. The stadium should be finished in June 2019. Additionally, the Pescara and Avellino project were briefly mentioned.

Session 2

The Eurostadium Brussels is one of the host stadiums for the European Championships in 2020. Simon Gheysen -Project manager of the Eurostadium- started his presentation by referring to the Ghelamco Arena, the new landmark Ghelamco has realised in Ghent. The presentation of the Eurostadium, a 60,000-seater, focused on the mobility aspects (improvement of mobility, public & green transport), hospitality components of the stadium (the stadium will host Belgium’s largest restaurant with a capacity for 10,000 VIP’s) and innovation/sustainability (the first carbon-negative stadium). The stadium is planned to be finished in the summer of 2019.

The second session was closed by Cenk Cem, Head of Stadium Department of the Turkish Football Federation. Cenk gave an extensive overview of the developments in the Turkish stadium industry. The Turkish government and Football Federation took some great steps forward in the regulation and licensing of the stadiums, which will lead to safer and fan-friendlier stadiums. On top of this, various recently opened and stadiums under construction were shared with the audience.

Session 3

The very first Stadium Development Seminar was closed by William Mannarelli, Project Manager of Espai Barça. The project includes the redevelopment of the urbanism ‘Les Corts’, the miniestadi, Nou Palau Blaugrana, Campus Barça and the New Camp Nou of FC Barcelona, with a total value of € 600 million. The presentation gave a good overview of how the project has been conducted so far (with the integration of BIM and geotechnical studies) and which utilities will be integrated in the redevelopment of the stadium area (roof, F&B, ‘Smart Barça’, sustainability and mobility). The Nou Camp Nou is planned to be inaugurated in the 2021-2022 season.