Stadium Project News
Saudi-Chinese joint venture wins $306 million Qiddiya Stadium contract
A joint venture between China’s Fangda Group and Saudi Arabia’s IKK Group has secured a $306 million contract to design, supply and install exterior façade systems for Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia. The 863-day contract covers the stadium, museum and ancillary buildings at the Populous-designed venue, which will accommodate more than 45,000 spectators and host matches during the 2034 Fifa World Cup. Read more here.
Kalamazoo Event Center construction advances toward 2027 opening
Construction continues on the Kalamazoo Event Center in Michigan, with crews pouring concrete aisle steps in the arena’s seating bowl and preparing exterior supports for perforated sunshades scheduled for installation next spring. The new venue, scheduled to open in fall 2027, will become home to the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings and Western Michigan University’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball programs. Read more here.
Barclays Center completes third phase of $150 million renovation
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center has completed the third phase of its five-year, $150 million renovation, featuring a redesigned main atrium, upgraded premium hospitality spaces and a new American Express entrance and lounge. Designed by Populous, the latest improvements include a 9,000-square-foot event-level club with a 93-foot LED screen, an art installation featuring 550 LED sculptural screens and a modernized production control room. Read more here.
Frisco approves incentives for Toyota Stadium District development
Frisco City Council has approved an economic development agreement supporting a mixed-use district surrounding Toyota Stadium, home of MLS club FC Dallas, including a 250-room hotel, convention center, retail and restaurant space, and a parking garage. The agreement provides up to $5 million in hotel occupancy tax rebates over 10 years and allows the city and developers to pursue state grants, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Read more here.
Stadium technology news
Inside the video technology powering Northwestern’s new Ryan Field
Northwestern University’s new $875 million Ryan Field features 11 LED displays totaling more than 32 million pixels, extensive wireless camera coverage and the school’s first dedicated in-venue production control room. The 35,000-seat stadium, which opened October 2, uses Grass Valley production equipment, Evertz routing and replay systems, and Riedel communications technology to deliver its game-day presentation. Read more here.
Fox Sports expands specialty camera coverage for World Series
Fox Sports has deployed 63 cameras for its 2026 World Series coverage, including three wireless DirtCams buried near home plate and the pitcher’s mound, 4K and 8K Nucleus cameras, and two aerial drones. The production also features high-speed cameras, augmented reality graphics for pitch and swing tracking, and an extensive microphone network to capture game action from multiple perspectives. Read more here.
Prime Video introduces AI-Powered virtual camera system for NBA coverage
Prime Video is introducing Prime 360, an AI-driven, photorealistic virtual camera system, as it begins its second season of NBA coverage. The technology gives viewers new perspectives on game action through digitally generated camera angles, expanding basketball broadcasts beyond traditional camera positions. Read more here.
Stadium business news
Nebraska Athletics taps Legends Global for Memorial Stadium Premium Seating sales
Nebraska Athletics has expanded its partnership with Legends Global, appointing the company to oversee premium seating sales for Memorial Stadium’s Big Red Rebuild renovation. The two-phase project will introduce new suites, theater boxes and an updated West Club in 2027, followed by luxury loge boxes, a new luxury club and a Bunker Club in 2028. Read more here.
LOSC Lille moves to take control of Décathlon Arena operations
French Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille has signed a memorandum of understanding with construction group Eiffage to acquire the companies that operate, manage, and maintain the 50,000-seat Décathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The proposed transaction, expected to close in early 2027, follows an agreement for the club to repay €24 million (US$26.7 million) in outstanding rent to the stadium’s public owner, Métropole Européenne de Lille. Read more here.
Brazil’s Arena Fonte Nova signs new naming rights deal with Acelen
Brazilian energy company Acelen has acquired naming rights to the 48,000-seat Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, home of Esporte Clube Bahia, renaming the venue Arena Acelen Fonte Nova. The agreement replaces a four-year sponsorship deal with betting company Casa de Apostas, signed in 2024, following changes to Brazil’s online gambling regulations, although the financial terms of the new partnership were not disclosed. Read more here.
