What makes a stadium successful?

published in sb 2/2020

Current and future challenges for stadium operators

The single driving question is “What makes a stadium successful?” To answer this is as complex as the question is deceptively simple: It depends.

Although the principles for achieving success are universal, the answer clearly depends on whether the facility is old, existing, or new or in the process of being designed.

The majority of stadiums in Europe are existing facilities, and some date back to the 1980’s. Even the most recent generation of stadia, with a few exceptions, were conceived over a decade ago. The design of these stadiums happened in an era when the top of the agenda was occupied by safety and security, and the priority was to put on the event a few times per year and walk away, safely.

Of course, we all know that sustainability and eco-programmes have taken over the top of the agenda, especially with the realisation that climate change is a world-wide phenomenon.