Stadia & Facilities

British company installs Champions League pitch - 9 May 08

The first all-England UEFA Champions League final will be played on a Moscow pitch installed by a British company.

New Twins stadium adds $1.2 million in revenues - 28 Apr 08

The Minnesota Twins new baseball stadium is set to generate between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion in additional revenue for the club.

FA and Wembley Stadium to refinance building loans - 25 Apr 08

The English FA and Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL) are refinancing the loan taken out to build the stadium, after it made a loss of £22 million in its first year of operation.

NMBM seeks operator for Port Elizabeth stadium - 11 Apr 08

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has invited proposals from interested parties to engage in a process which will lead to the appointment of a stadium operator for the new multi-purpose stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Maze stadium delays frustrate sports leaders - 28 Mar 08

Leaders of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish Football Association and Ulster Rugby have rejected an invitation to meet a Northern Irish government committee over the proposed Maze sports stadium.

Qatar upgrades track for F1 bid - 28 Mar 08

Qatar is to upgrade its Losail International Circuit, which is best known for hosting major motorcycling events, to cater for Formula One.

Confederations Cup prize money tops $17 million - 14 Mar 08

Prize money for the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup will be $17.6 million, with the winning team picking up $3.75 million and the runners-up £3.25 million.

Lord's looks to secure test future - 28 Feb 08

Lord's, the biggest cricket ground in England, announced plans for a £200 million redevelopment scheme in a bid to secure its two Test matches each year.

Rio unveils bid details for 2016 Olympic Games - 9 Jan 08

Rio de Janeiro unveiled details of its bid to stage the 2016 Olympic Summer Olympic Games, mostly using facilities built for last year's Pan-American Games.

Doha’s Aspire Zone becomes public corporation - 9 Jan 08

The Emir of Qatar has passed a decision to establish a public corporation under the name ‘Aspire Zone’ to run the sports and leisure precinct formerly known as the Sport City - the main venue for the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

HOK Sport ramps up design of New Zealand Rugby Stadia - 9 Jan 08

HOK Sport Architecture, moved ahead with the designs for the redevelopment of Auckland’s main rugby ground, Eden Park, and the new Dunedin Multi-Purpose Stadium, as New Zealand steps up its stadium construction programme for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Comcast-Spectacor offers 2008 predictions for sports industry - 4 Jan 08

Executives at Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm, forecast technology playing an ever-increasing role in presenting, selling and communicating events in 2008.

Liverpool to downgrade stadium plans - 18 Dec 07

English Premier League club Liverpool said that plans for its new stadium in Stanley Park will be downgraded.

Florida sets stadium lure for MLS franchise - 17 Dec 07

Plans to commit $50m of pubic funds to build a new soccer stadium in Miami, Florida could be the first step in attracting a Major League Soccer franchise to the state.

VANOC celebrates completion of venues in Whistler - 13 Dec 07

The Vancouver Organising Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will unveil all Whistler Olympic and Paralympic competition venues in a ceremony this weekend.

MCC seeks Test guarantees to fund stadium upgrade - 5 Dec 07

Lord's Cricket Ground in London is seeking a guarantee that Test cricket will continue to be played at ‘the home of cricket’ in order to raise £20 million from sales of 75-year debenture seats.

Ghana commits to five new stadia - 23 Nov 07

The Ghanaian Government has approved the construction of five new stadiums in its five regions with work to begin in 2008 and 2009.

Trump on course for £1 billion golf resort - 21 Nov 07

US real estate developer Donald Trump has Won ‘outline approval’ from local councilors in Scotland to build 'the world's greatest' golf attraction.

London 2012 unveils Olympic Stadium - 8 Nov 07

The organisers of London 2012 have unveiled the design for the Olympic Stadium.

Green light for Reds stadium - 7 Nov 07

Liverpool City Council has given Liverpool FC the green light to build a new £400m stadium near the club’s existing Anfield site.

HOK Sport wins award for Torino venue - 6 Nov 07

International architects HOK SVE and Studio Zoppini have won a Gold Medal awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) for their work on the Torino speed skating arena.

New stadium completed in Ghana - 5 Nov 07

The 20,000-capacity Essipong Sports Stadium Complex in Ghana - one of the match venues for the African Cup of Nations - has been completed.

Italy to play Six Nations at Stadio Flaminio - 2 Nov 07

Italy will play next year's home Six Nations matches at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome, despite fears that reconstruction work has fallen behind schedule.

Coca-Cola donates $2m to Olympia restoration fund - 31 Oct 07

Olympic Top partner Coca-Cola has made a $2 million donation to the Hellenic Olympic Committee towards the restoration of its site in Ancient Olympia, which was damaged by recent forest fires in Greece.

Singapore to build motorsports track - 31 Oct 07

The Singapore Government aims to build the city state’s motor sports industry by working with the private sector to build a permanent race track.

Find an anchor tenant, Rogge tells LOCOG - 30 Oct 07

IOC president Jacques Rogge wants the organisers of London 2012 to find an anchor tenant for London’s Olympic stadium.

WA calls on federal funding for Perth stadium - 29 Oct 07

The Western Australian state government is calling the federal government to support funding of a major Au$1 billion sports stadium in Perth.

HOK Sport wins Fort Wayne contract - 17 Oct 07

HOK Sport has been hired to design a new $30 million minor league baseball park in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Demolition time for Tigers Stadium - 16 Oct 07

Lobby groups have until next Monday to prevent the city of Detroit handing authority of the 95-year-old Tigers Stadium over to the city's Economic Development Corp for demolition.

Funding crisis hits Eden Park redevelopment - 15 Oct 07

New Zealand rugby faces another crisis after Auckland's new mayor John Banks said he would not honour the previous encumbent's undertaking to pay $30 million towards the $190 million redevelopment of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Sportfive and Deloitte to consultant for Wroclaw EURO 2012 stadium - 11 Oct 07

The Sportfive agency and consulting firm Deloitte were commissioned to provide consulting to the City of Wroclaw for the construction of the EURO 2012 stadium.

Stadium financiers target Brazilian market - 3 Oct 07

A new alliance between a major stadium investment group and an arena development company is set to provide a new source of stadium financing in Brazil and Portugal.

Dubai invests in sports club infrastructure - 27 Sep 07

Dubai Municipality is undertaking three major projects worth $17.6 million to increase its sports infrastructure.

New Jersey Nets accepting bids for arena name - 24 Sep 07

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority will find out today which companies are interested in buying the naming rights to the New Jersey Nets basketball team's 20,000 seat Continental Airlines Arena, at the Meadowlands sports complex.

Real Madrid has highest brand value in Europe - 20 Sep 07

Real Madrid is the ranked top of Top 25 Ranking of Europe's Most Valuable Football Associations according to research from BDO Consulting.

IMG appointed to sell Indians ballpark naming rights - 20 Sep 07

Sports management company, IMG was appointed by Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians to sell the naming rights to their ballpark.

Vegas set to get new 20,000-seater venue - 24 Aug 07

Casino operator Harrah’s Entertainment and event promoter AEG have unveiled plans for a new 20,000-seat sports and entertainment venue in Las Vegas.

Auckland venue to get nod for 2011 final - 24 Aug 07

New Zealand rugby chiefs have confirmed the final and semi-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup are set to be staged at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Hurricanes confirm switch to Dolphin Stadium - 23 Aug 07

The University of Miami football team has confirmed it is to quit the Orange Bowl after 70 years – and play its home fixtures at the Dolphin Stadium.

Ricoh Arena boosts IT offering - 23 Aug 07

The home stadium of English soccer side Coventry City has unveiled a major new IT system to boost its hospitality services.

EDINBURGH CLUB UNVEILS £51m STADIUM PLANS - 21 Aug 07

Scottish Premier League soccer club Hearts has unveiled an ambitious £51m stadium redevelopment programme.

ATLETICO DE MADRID TO MOVE TO FUTURE OLYMPIC STADIUM - 1 Aug 07

Spanish Primera Liga club Atletico de Madrid signed an agreement with the City Council of Madrid to move to the city's proposed future Olympic Stadium.

LIVERPOOL FC KEEN TO SECURE NAMING RIGHTS DEAL - 27 Jul 07

English Premier League club Liverpool FC’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, are reportedly keen to sign a naming rights deal for the club’s proposed new stadium.

LIVERPOOL FC REVEAL STADIUM PLANS - 26 Jul 07

Liverpool FC’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, in conjunction with US architects HKS, have radically redesigned the original plans for the stadium.

LIVERPOOL FC STADIUM PLANS - 19 Jul 07

Liverpool FC is awaiting planning permission to build a new £280 million, 60,000 seat that could be extended to 80,000 capacity stadium.

F1 RACE TO STEP UP SECURITY - 4 Jul 07

Additional security will be in place this weekend for the British Formula 1 Grand Prix, following a spate of terrorist activity.

WESTERN PROVINCE CONSIDERS NEW STADIUM - 19 Jun 07

South Africa’s Western Province Rugby Union is looking to move rugby out of its traditional home at Newlands to Cape Town’s new Green Point Stadium after
the 2010 World Cup.

DESIGN FOR TWO MAJOR SOCHI 2014 VENUES APPROVED - 19 Apr 07

The Sochi 2014 bid saw its Olympic dreams move one step closer to reality as the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia and the Football Union of Russia approved ground-breaking plans for two proposed venues to be located in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park.

PREMIERSHIP CLUB IN REDEVELOPMENT BOOST - 5 Apr 07

English Premier League soccer club Watford have been given the green light for the first phase of an ambitious £32.5m stadium improvement programme.

BEIJING BOSSES REDUCE SECURITY COSTS - 5 Apr 07

Organisers of the Beijing Olympic Games next year say the event will be trouble free – despite spending less on security than previous Games.

SHANGHAI CONFIRMED AS ATP MASTERS SERIES EVENT FROM 2009 - 28 Mar 07

The ATP Board approved Shanghai as the host of the ATP’s Asian Masters Series tournament, starting in 2009.

NFL'S SAINTS SIGN DEAL TO STAY IN LOUISIANA - 27 Mar 07

The National Football League's New Orleans Saints signed a deal with the state of Louisiana stay at the Superdome until the end of the 2010 season.

DODGERS SET FOR SPRING TRAINING MOVE - 19 Mar 07

The owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers says there should be no further hold-up in the club moving its spring training facilities to a complex in Arizona.

PRAGUE ENTERS RACE FOR 2016 GAMES - 14 Mar 07

Prague city chiefs have rubber stamped plans to bid for both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

PENGUINS SECURE FUTURE IN PITTSBURGH - 14 Mar 07

The NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins are set to remain in the city after securing a deal with city, county and state officials for a new $290m arena.

‘TERROR THREAT’ FOR KENYA CHAMPIONSHIPS - 7 Mar 07

Organisers of the World Cross Country Championships in Kenya say adequate security is in place at the event – despite a warning by the US Embassy it could be a possible terrorist target.

STRONG SUPPORT IS SOCHI 2014 BID'S KEY ASSET - 26 Feb 07

The International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission concluded its visit to Sochi, Russia citing the strong local and national backing for the bid at a public and political level as its greatest strength.

IAAF EVALUATION COMMISSION SAYS DAEGU BID “VERY SPECIAL” - 26 Feb 07

IAAF Vice President Helmut Digel described Daegu’s bid to host the World Championships in Athletics in 2011/2013 as “very special” at the conclusion of the IAAF Evaluation Visit to Korea.

LA 2016 GAMES BIDDERS UNVEIL VENUE PLANS - 23 Feb 07

Organisers of Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games have unveiled plans for $112m of improvements to the LA Memorial Coliseum.

NEW WEMBLEY DELAY HITS WARM-UP EVENT - 21 Feb 07

A warm-up event planned to test organisation at the new Wembley Stadium in London has been delayed – but officials insist soccer showpiece the FA Cup Final will still be staged at the venue in May.

BOOKIES BACK WEMBLEY DELAYS TO SCUPPER CUP HOPES - 19 Feb 07

UK bookmaker William Hill has stopped taking bets on the all-new Wembley Stadium in London being ready to stage this year’s FA Cup Final after a flurry of bets it will be played elsewhere.

BIDDERS READY FOR EURO 2012 FINAL RUN - 16 Feb 07

Representatives from the three bids of Ukraine-Poland, Hungary-Croatia and Italy for UEFA’s Euro 2012 tournament handed over the final part of their bid documents.

USOC UNVEILS CHINA TRAINING CENTRE - 13 Feb 07

The US Olympic Committee has confirmed it is to spend $500,000 on establishing a training centre in China ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

N. IRELAND FACE WINDSOR PARK SWITCH - 12 Feb 07

Northern Ireland soccer matches may be switched from Windsor Park, Belfast, unless £325,000 can be found to repair the storm damaged roof of the North Stand.

SOCCEREX LONDON FORUM AT WEMBLEY - 19 Jan 07

With unprecedented demand for the Soccerex London Forum 2007, a get together and conference for 1000 of the most influential leaders in world football, Soccerex and Wembley have decided to move the date of the event to 9th May 2007.

HALLIGAN TO TAKE SECURITY SUMMIT DELEGATES INSIDE OLD TRAFFORD - 18 Jan 07

‘Halligan will examine the issues and challenges faced by his team and the strategic, managerial and operational solutions adopted in the high- pressure environment of match day at the home of one of the biggest names in sport.’

SECURITY CONFERENCE SECURES PREMIER PARTNER - 19 Dec 06

Hyder Consulting, whose staff have devised and implemented security for events including the Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, has become the premier partner of next month’s third International Sports Security Summit at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

IRELAND WIN RIGHT TO HOST 2011 SOLHEIM CUP - 15 Dec 06

The Ladies European Tour has confirmed the 2011 Solheim Cup will be staged at Killeen Castle in Ireland - a venue not expected to open until 2008.

WORK STARTS ON 2012 PARALYMPIC SITE - 15 Dec 06

Work has begun on the site of the Paralympic tennis and archery venue for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

THG NETS EUROLEAGUE HOSPITALITY CONTRACT - 14 Dec 06

Euroleague Basketball has signed a hospitality programme for VIP guests and fans at the 2007 Final Four.

SA CHIEFS DENY 2010 DELAYS - 14 Dec 06

The winners of the major contracts for work in South Africa ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup are to be announced before the end of the year, according to the country’s deputy minister of finance.

COWBOYS UNVEIL ‘BIGGEST EVER NFL STADIUM’ DESIGNS - 13 Dec 06

The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys has unveiled the design plans for its 100,000-seater expanded-capacity new stadium in Arlington, Texas.

WEMBLEY SET FOR GERMANY - 12 Dec 06

England are set to kick-off their new era at the all-new Wembley Stadium against old foe Germany.

GIANT LOAN DEAL PUSHES NY TEAMS CLOSER TO GOAL - 8 Dec 06

The hopes of the New York Giant and Jets to build a new $1.2bn shared super stadium in New Jersey have taken a big step forward after the NFL approved $300m in loans.

FIFA TELLS SOUTH AFRICA NOT TO DELAY FOR 2010 - 7 Dec 06

FIFA has rapped out a warning to South Africa to get work started on the venues it intends to use for the 2010 World Cup.

FA CONFIRM WEMBLEY AGREEMENT - 20 Oct 06

The English Football Association has confirmed the new Wembley Stadium will be open for business early next year – confirming weekend reports.

SPURS SCRAP 2012 STADIUM PLANS - 17 Oct 06

English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur say they have scrapped plans of moving into the Olympic Stadium being built for the 2012 Games.

WEMBLEY SET FOR 2007 CUP FINAL - 16 Oct 06

After all the setbacks and delays, the English Football Association is set to finally confirm the new Wembley Stadium will be open for business in time to stage next year’s FA Cup final.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR CONSIDER BID FOR WEMBLEY STADIUM - 14 Sep 06

English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur is reported to be considering bidding for the new Wembley stadium.

HOSPITALITY ISSUES NO BARRIER TO ENGISH WORLD CUP BID - 1 Sep 06

An English bid to stage the FIFA World Cup should not be hampered by concerns over the ability to provide sufficient hospitality facilities around stadiums, according to a senior industry figure.

FA BOSS HITS BACK OVER WEMBLEY HOLD UPS - 31 Aug 06

The chief executive of English soccer’s Football Association has distanced the governing body from blame for the on-going delays in the building of the new Wembley Stadium in London.

ISF PRESIDENT PRAISES BEIJING VENUE - 31 Aug 06

The president of the International Softball Federation (ISF) has heaped praise on the organisers of the Beijing Olympic Games, proclaiming the new purpose-built facility for the sport in China as one of the best in the world.

USTA TURNED DOWN $100M ROOF PLAN - 31 Aug 06

US Open chiefs have admitted they had investigated putting a roof on the Arthur Ashe Stadium – but turned their noses up at the $100m price tag.

KING DELIGHT AT USTA VENUE NAMING - 30 Aug 06

The US Tennis Association has turned its back on potentially millions of dollars and opted not to sell the naming rights to its new National Tennis Centre.

SLAZENGER TEAMS UP WITH ENGLAND HOCKEY - 24 Aug 06

England Hockey has signed a major partnership with sports brand Slazenger.

NEW INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT - 17 Aug 06

A brand new international Rugby League tournament, the Federation Shield, will kick off in England this autumn.

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE WILL DISCUSS SPL 2 - 16 Aug 06

The Scottish Premier League is to discuss the creation of a second tier Premier League at this week’s meeting of the clubs.

SHARJAH TO HOST TWENTY20 TOURNAMENT - 15 Aug 06

The Sharjah stadium could be set to host a Twenty20 club tournament early next year, according to organisers.

SPORTELMONACO 2006 EXHIBITION SPACE SELLING OUT - 14 Aug 06

With more than 2 months to go before the opening of SPORTELMonaco 2006, exhibitors have committed to more than 85% of the expanded floor space in the Grimaldi Forum.

VOLVO SIGNS UP FOR NZ OPEN - 14 Aug 06

Car manufacturer Volvo confirmed it is to sponsor November's New Zealand Golf Open at Gulf Harbour.

NATIONWIDE SECURES NEW SPONSORSHIP OF ENGLISH FA - 11 Aug 06

Nationwide Building Society and The Football Association (The FA) announced today (Friday 11 August 2006), a new partnership that will see Nationwide become the exclusive Official England Team Sponsor.

BETONSPORTS SHUTS DOWN OFFICES - 11 Aug 06

Sports betting company BETonSPORTS told its employees that it would be shutting down its Costa Rican and Antiguan offices.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS SPORTS TV - 10 Aug 06

News International signed a sponsorship and advertising deal with digital stadium-based channel Sports TV.

NFL CHOOSES GOODELL AS NEW COMMISSIONER - 9 Aug 06

The US National Football League’s 32 team owners chose Roger Goodell to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner.

NAMING RIGHTS PANEL ANNOUNCED FOR SOCCEREX 2006 - 8 Aug 06

Soccerex is delighted to announce a unique panel that will be discussing Naming Rights at the 10th Soccerex, to be held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, November 26-28, 2006.

SOUTH AFRICA STADIUMS WILL BE READY - 7 Aug 06

Work on three new stadiums in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will be completed in three years.

SETANTA SHARES PREMIER LEAGUE IN US - 7 Aug 06

Setanta Sports agreed a deal to sublicense the rights for more than 90 English Premier League matches in the 2006-07 season from Fox Soccer Channel.

GAMEBOOKERS SPONSORS FC NANTES - 7 Aug 06

Online sports betting and casino operator Gamebookers agreed a deal to become the official gold sponsor of French Ligue 1 club FC Nantes.

MINISTERS OF SPORT SIGN UP TO SOCCEREX - 4 Aug 06

Soccerex, the world's largest business to business football convention, is delighted to announce that subject to Parliamentary commitments, the UK Minister for Sport, Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP will be attending the 10th annual Soccerex convention, held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 26th-28th November 2006.

PSV AND PHILIPS EXTEND SPONSORSHIP DEAL - 3 Aug 06

Dutch Eredivisie club PSV’s main sponsors Philips extended their contract by five years, until the summer of 2011.