Seven new MLS stadiums are scheduled to open over the next five years, three of them in 2021.
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SOFI SCORES: SoFi Stadium’s center-hung videoboard commands attention during Los Angeles Rams and Chargers games. (Getty Images) The crowds will come later, but these stadiums are making their mark The two most expensive stadiums in the world opened in 2020 to muted applause, underscoring the pandemic’s devastating effect on the sports and entertainment industry. SoFi Stadium, at cost of $5 billion, and Allegiant Stadium, a $2 billion facility, represent the future of NFL stadium design with starkly different looks. What they both shared, though, was playing games in empty venues. Fans were not allowed to attend Rams, Chargers and Raiders games. In Southern California, state and local requirements prevented both Los Angeles NFL squads from hosting fans. In Las Vegas, team owner Mark Davis made the decision to ensure fairness for all of Raider Nation. Overall, both buildings reflect their surroundings on the West Coast. SoFi Stadium’s swoopy roof canopy… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Year for Big Buildings
Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Year for Big Buildings
Read MoreAmid the quiet, sponsorships, renovations and even some events continue Most sports and entertainment venues sat empty for nine months after the pandemic shut down the industry. Teams, facility managers, concessionaires, marketers and ticketing firms still got deals done, though, whether it was in person, over the phone or online. During these unprecedented times, give credit to all those in the business that kept the ball rolling forward with the creativity and resiliency that’s been the backbone of live entertainment for decades. On the marketing side, Oak View Group, owner of VenuesNow, made the biggest splash, signing $400 million naming rights deals with Amazon (for Climate Pledge Arena) and UBS Arena, respectively, for new NHL arenas opening this year in Seattle and New York. Legends got a big deal done with Ball Corp., the maker of Mason jars, to take over naming rights at the old Pepsi Center, owned and… Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Venues
Continue Reading Year End 2020: Big Venues
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HELLO, COLUMBUS: MLS Cup 2020 champions the Columbus Crew open a new stadium this year with ample concourse space. (Gerardo Prado) Coming out of COVID-19, the newest generation of Major League Soccer stadiums will feature contactless and cashless operations in ticketing, food service and restrooms, according to teams building those facilities. In most cases, design tweaks have been made to blueprints to address upgraded safety and sanitization protocols. Austin FC, for example, has gone from 80% to 100% touchless restroom fixtures by adding automated faucets and toilets, team President Andy Loughnane said. The same is true with FC Cincinnati for going completely touchless in restrooms, said team President Jeff Berding. Both teams are scheduled to open their stadiums in March, pending the start of the 2021 MLS season. “We started working with (architect) Populous on prospective design changes after the pandemic began,” Berding said. “We understand the safety of our… Continue Reading Teams Add Touchless to Stadium Plans
Continue Reading Teams Add Touchless to Stadium Plans
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GREEN PALACE: The construction of Climate Pledge Arena continues in Seattle. (Courtesy Seattle Kraken) Head of sustainability for company part of Climate Pledge Arena team Chris Roe is head of energy and sustainable operations for online retail giant Amazon, which acquired naming rights for Climate Pledge Arena, the $1 billion transformation of old KeyArena and future home of the NHL Seattle Kraken. Roe provided an update on the company working with Oak View Group (owner of VenuesNow) to develop the world’s first net zero-carbon sports and entertainment venue. The arena is set to open in fall 2021. What’s your background and your role with Amazon? I lead our team at Amazon working on renewable energy as well as our sustainable buildings, in support of our climate pledge, which is our commitment to have a net zero carbon footprint. We’re focused on driving to 100% renewable energy as part of our… Continue Reading Amazon’s Chris Roe: Pledge Drive
Continue Reading Amazon’s Chris Roe: Pledge Drive
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