The best mixeduse stadiums, Sport arenas design, World buildings, Sporting architecture
The best mixeduse stadiums
15 October 2024
Sporting real estate has transformed in a short period of time. In most countries around the world, certain stadiums have traditionally been specifically designed with one sport in mind. Football, cricket or rugby are designated to that ground and there will be no change to that landscape.
There have always been exceptions: Australia has employed multi-use stadiums for many years, and now it seems that the rest of the world is catching up.
The Benefits of Multi-Use Stadium Buildings
Spectators are only part of the equation: A multipurpose venue allows them to enjoy more than just one sport. They may be fanatical supporters of the main tenants of the stadium, but they will be drawn in by other activities.
Certain football grounds in the UK and mainland Europe now have additional facilities for NFL, rugby and others. There are non-sporting events to take into account too, with many stadiums opening their pitch for rock concerts.
In the United States, the biggest locations also have shopping facilities, along with top-class restaurants and bars. Sports betting and casino are on offer too, and anyone interested in roulette, for example, can check it out along with a host of other card and table games.
eSports is another element that some stadiums factor in. The world of competitive video gaming is big business, and including this will attract audiences and more revenue.
A multi-use stadium covers sports and much more besides, but which are the best locations around the world?
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: London, England
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is a shrewd businessman who knows there is more to running a club than just soccer. As part of his plans for Tottenham Hotspur, a move from their White Hart Lane ground was a priority and in 2019, they made a delayed departure to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The football club remains the focus, but other sports to feature here include boxing and rugby union. There’s even a world-class go-karting facility under the main playing area, but the most important side hustle for Tottenham is American football.
The new stadium was constructed with the NFL in mind, and Spurs now host a number of official regular season games. The current contract between Tottenham Hotspur and the NFL runs until the 2029/30 season, and there’s even talk of a UK franchise team being based here.
Other grounds in the UK, including Old Trafford and the iconic Wembley Stadium, are multi-purpose, but none are as busy as this north London venue.
The Nou Camp: Barcelona
The stunning Camp Nou stadium is home to Barcelona FC. As one of the giants of European football, it’s no surprise that they enjoy some of the best facilities in the world.
In terms of sport, soccer dominates here, but in recent years, the Nou Camp has opened up to rugby, and it has hosted games by the Catalan Dragons. The bigger reach of this venue shows how stadiums can go beyond sport to host a huge range of other forms of entertainment.
Camp Nou is one of the best locations in Spain for rock concerts, with U2, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson among the many artists to have played here. In 1982, over 121,500 people attended a mass given by Pope John Paul II at the stadium.
Madison Square Garden: New York
In the heart of New York, Madison Square Garden was one of the first arenas to cover a multitude of different sports. Those who remember the great boxers of the 1970s will recall that several of the world’s biggest bouts took place here.
First opened in 1964, MSG is still capable of hosting boxing, but the main focus now is on basketball and hockey at the top level. The NHL is represented by the New York Rangers, while the New York Knicks fly the flag for basketball’s NBA.
Scotiabank Arena: Toronto
The Scotiabank Arena may lie across the border in neighboring Canada, but it still hosts teams who play in North America’s top leagues. The sole Canadian representative in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors, play here, as do the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL.
To underline just how diverse some stadiums can be, the Scotiabank Arena also hosts the National Lacrosse League team, the Toronto Rocks.
The success of these stadiums shows that the biggest sports clubs around the world need to rethink their facilities. Is there more that can be done to attract other sports and additional events to boost revenue?
The potential is enormous, and it’s almost certain that every new stadium around the world will now be designed with other sports competitions and additional forms of entertainment in mind. It will be fascinating to see what the architects produce, but will any compare with the best multi-use stadiums already in existence?
Comments on this guide to The Best Multi-Use Stadiums are welcome.
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