Updates from our Sports and Entertainment Sector
At Plan A, we are proud to develop our in-house expertise and knowledge through working groups streamlined into sectors.
On behalf of our Sports and Entertainment sector, Josh Banwell and Will O’Donnell recently attended the “Game on! London’s newest sports and entertainment venues” event at the NLA.
As the Sports and Entertainment market continues to grow and evolve, so does the demand for venues and stadiums to offer a strong return on investment. The focus is on the ability of stadiums to attract users all year round through multipurpose activities while creating a strong relationship with the community and surrounding areas. These considerations require architects and design teams to exceed typical expectations by involving specific disciplines and specialisms from the onset of the project.
Findings and insights from industry experts highlight the growing trend of increased redundancy in the “kit of parts” stadium model and emphasise the importance of activating concourses and the surrounding public realm. This shift places a stronger focus on liveability, inclusivity, and flexibility. Whether through additional sporting facilities for public use, integration with nature and wildlife, or even a large-scale reconfiguration for special events, architects are now required to design state-of-the-art stadiums that break away from the traditional, isolated model. Instead, the objective is to create more dynamic, multifunctional spaces that are not limited to match days or one-of-a kind events.
Whilst the inclusion of additional amenities is on the rise, questions remain about balancing commercial focus with community engagement to deliver socio-economic benefits—such as new infrastructure (shops, restaurants, schools, etc.), local jobs, and community facilities. The success of a project is often determined by finding the balance between creating the best project for all users while preserving commercial interests. Equally important is the ability of clients and architects to listen and adapt the design of the stadium to meet the demands of all stakeholders involved.
Another key industry trend is the increase in renovations, especially in the European markets. This trend encourages architects to become more sensitive to local communities and existing infrastructures. It also highlights the importance of early engagement with specialists within the design team to consider the wider impact of the new stadiums and create a cultural experience that provides opportunities year-round, encouraging visitors to return.
As Design Managers, we are able to identify scope gaps, and our expert inputs can greatly benefit architects when designing Sports and Entertainment projects. Effectively managing and tracking how the client evolves and adjusts the design brief is also essential for project success, helping both the design team in their work and the client in maintaining the design vision and project objectives. Plan A’s continuous development process and knowledge sharing with our peers makes us experts in anticipating, addressing, and mitigating risks and opportunities throughout the design process.
