stadium
17 February 2025
StadiumDB comstadium
Feb 17, 2025StadiumDB com
17.02.2025 09:59
source: StadiumDB.com; author: Miguel CioĹĂłczyk Garcia
Same look, similar capacity, similar solutions. The architects of the Stade Ali la Pointe seem to have drawn fully from the emblematic Stadio San Nicola in Bari. The twin brother of the Italian âspaceshipâ, however, has unique modern touches and its hosts hope for a better future than that of SSC Bari.
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When work began on Stade Ali la Pointe, Stadio San Nicolaâs glory years were, to put it lightly, long behind it. Nonetheless, the two venues have in common a large number of seats - 40,000 (Douera) and 57,000 (Bari) - and a rare layout: inclined stands without a facade, with empty spaces in which the entrances to the upper sectors are located. The home of second-tier SSC Bari owes the nickname spaceship to this configuration.
And while the appearance may be surprising, it has to be appreciated for its uniqueness. You can appreciate it yourself in this year's Stadium of the Year edition if you decide to choose the Douera stadium for your favourite five of the 23 venues opening in 2024. Although it is not one of the favourites, it deserves attention not only because of its old-fashioned layout.
An interesting design element is the glass building on the west side, which contrasts aesthetically with the austere concrete facade. The building bears the coat of arms of the host - the Mouloudia Club d'Alger - and the year it was founded: 1921. The club's colours are responsible for the appearance of the stands which shimmer in green (lower level) and red (upper level). A partially glazed roof protects the fans from the weather.
However, it was not at all clear that the host of Stade Ali la Pointe would be MC d'Alger, the first Algerian team to win a continental competition (the 1978 African Champion Clubs' Cup). USM Alger and CR Belouizdad also wanted to play at the stadium, but a day after MC Alger's centenary celebrations in 2021, Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that the club had been chosen as the host.
Before this could happen, construction encountered serious delays. Although it began as early as 2010, progress on the site came to a standstill after the initial work was completed. It was not until 2016 that construction resumed, which, with long delays, continued until 2024. President Tebboune named the facility after Ali la Pointe, a hero of the 1954-62 Algerian War of Independence.
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Thunder To Remain In Okc Through 2053 With New $1B Arena Deal SignedAs the Oklahoma City Thunder storm their way to game six of the NBA Finals, they have also closed a major deal with the Oklahoma City Council to remain in the city through 2053 and secure a new lease on their stadium.
According to KFOR News, the Oklahoma City Council views this deal as âone of the primary accomplishments of the city government.â
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19 June 20255 min readThunder To Remain In Okc Through 2053 With New $1B Arena Deal Signed
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Chicago Fire Planning $650M Stadium As Bears, Sox Projects StallMajor League Soccerâs Fire have taken close note of other pro stadium deliberations around Chicago, and they are determined to have a much smootherâand quickerâpath from concept to reality.Â
The Fire began their formal effort to develop a $650 million, soccer-specific stadium near downtown Chicago, holding a community meeting Monday night with local alderman Pat Dowell about the clubâs plan to anchor The 78, an undeveloped parcel on Chicagoâs South Loop.Â
As the neighboring Bears, White Sox, and Stars have each faced numerous obstacles in their pursuits of new facilities, particularly around obtaining public financing, the Fire and owner Joe Mansueto are moving full steam ahead with a private financing plan designed in part to have a new facility open roughly 33 months from now.Â
âWeâre completely focused on making sure we deliver,â Fire president of business operations Dave Baldwin tells Front Office Sports. âWe see ourselves as something of a sleeping giant, particularly as the biggest MLS market with only one team, and we want to ensure that this world-class city has a soccer stadium to match.â
There is little time for any sort of delays, though, as the club intends to secure all its needed zoning and preliminary approvals in the coming months and have shovels in the ground by the end of the year, and perhaps sooner than that. Such a rapid timeline would allow the Fire to stay on schedule for the stadiumâs planned spring 2028 opening in collaboration with Related Midwest, the developer that owns The 78 land.Â
There is no active consideration, meanwhile, to have the White Sox join the Fire at The 78, Baldwin says. The MLB club has actively studied the site as a potential ballpark location for more than a year, and said earlier this month they âremain confidentâ the site could still house two facilities, but nothing has progressed beyond that.
âWe wish them well, but right now, thereâs no plan for any other stadium at The 78,â Baldwin says.
The Fire, meanwhile, also unveiled initial designs late Monday for the 22,000-seat stadium. Working with Gensler, which designed several other MLS facilities, including ones in Los Angeles and Austin, the early drawings aim to reflect the grittier nature of Chicago with a heavy focus on brick and steel.Â
âWe want this to be truly emblematic of Chicago and are working around a theme of âenduring elegance,ââ Baldwin says. âThe core idea is to have something that looks like it would have fit right into the landscape of Chicago from 50 years ago and will be just as appropriate 50 years from now.â
That said, the design also pulls some influences from other recently developed MLS stadiums, as well as soccer facilities in Europe.Â
âOne of the first things we did after Joe got involved with the team was move downtown to Soldier Field,â Baldwin says. âWeâve loved being in the city, but weâre really looking forward to having a true home-field advantage and that level of intimacy with our supporters right on top of the pitch.â
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16 June 20255 min readChicago Fire Planning $650M Stadium As Bears, Sox Projects Stall
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$3.8B Commanders Stadium Deal At Risk Over Political RiftAs the Commanders look to advance their $3.8 billion plan to build a new venue at the site of the former home of RFK Stadium, the issue has devolved into a political back-and-forth between the District of Columbiaâs top two officials.
Less than two months after first completing the stadium deal with Commanders owner Josh Harris, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser said that delays by the D.C. Council to approve the latest budget are already imperiling a plan for the facility targeted for a 2030 opening.
âA delay sacrifices our exclusive seat at the table and $2.7 million in private investment,â Bowser said. âThe Commanders and my team are ready to iron out the details with the Council and respond to any concerns. It should be clear, but let me emphasize: If the Council strips the deal terms or budgeted dollars from the budget, it kills our agreement with the Commanders.â
The agreement between Bowser and the Commanders does require preliminary approval of the stadium plan by July 15, at which point the team would be able to talk with other jurisdictions. Neighboring Maryland and Virginia have made separate pushes toward a new stadium, but never got as far in negotiations as D.C.Â
D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, already a skeptic of the $1.1 billion in public support targeted for the Commanders stadium and related infrastructure, called Bowserâs comments inaccurate. He also said, despite the language in the stadium deal, there is more time to work with than what Bowser suggests.
âThe Commanders have said the earliest they would need the Districtâs money and go to the bond markets to finance construction is next summer,â Mendelson said. âWe will work within the Commandersâ 2030 timetable.â
Part of the backdrop of the political battle between the two officials is Bowserâs late May delivery of a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, weeks later than expected and a particular source of public frustration for Mendelson, as he claimed it has unduly compressed the Councilâs legislative work to fund the upcoming year.Â
Along similar lines, Mendelson has frequently balked at the prospect of reviewing and voting on an agreement as large as the Commandersâ stadium in just a matter of weeks, but he still pledged to move the governing body he leads as fast as possible.
âI have heard over and over from citizens and fellow councilmembers that the Council should do due diligence of this multibillion-dollar deal before voting to approve it,â he said. âThe Council will move forward quickly to analyze the mayorâs terms, improve the deal where possible for taxpayers, and approve a new football stadium. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false.â
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12 June 20255 min read$3.8B Commanders Stadium Deal At Risk Over Political Rift
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12 June 2025
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$2.4B Browns Stadium Plan Clears Hurdle With $600M State BackingThe Brownsâ $2.4 billion plan to build a domed stadium and mixed-use development in suburban Brook Park, Ohio, has taken a major step forward as the state legislature has approved $600 million in public funding toward the project, but many more hurdles remain.Â
After weeks of debate, the Ohio Senate passed a $60 billion state budget for the next two years that includes the Browns funding, arriving in the form of a âperformance grantâ from an account of unclaimed state funds that would be paid back to the state through future tax revenues. That senate move follows a prior approval by the House that instead provides the funding in the form of state-backed bonds.Â
A reconciliation process will now start to resolve the differences in the two funding mechanisms before it moves to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. Whatâs clear, though, is that there is state-level legislative support for the Browns and this project.Â
âWhat this does is take idle money and puts it to work to create jobs, to create incremental taxes, and thatâs why weâre so excited about this project,â said Ohio Senate budget chief Jerry Cirino, a key architect of the plan to use the unclaimed state funds, which derive from sources such as utility deposits, uncashed cashierâs checks, and forgotten bank accounts.Â
Two big steps, however, remain for the Brownsâ plan to become reality. Another $600 million in local money will need to be found to get to the 50-50 split the team envisions between public and private funds for the project.
The Browns will also need to resolve an ongoing legal dispute with the city of Cleveland, which is fighting the teamâs move out of downtown. A law named for former Browns owner Art Modell, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1995, states that a team playing in a publicly supported stadium in Ohio cannot move without giving the city in question six monthsâ notice and an opportunity to buy the franchise. There are competing lawsuits from the team and the city surrounding the dispute, with little sign of an immediate resolution.Â
The Broncos, meanwhile, have been linked to a series of land purchases near Burnham Yard, a railyard property just south of downtown Denver that has been eyed as a potential site of a new stadium. The teamâs lease at its current stadium, the 24-year-old Empower Field at Mile High, ends in 2030, and Broncos president Damani Leech told Front Office Sports earlier this year that âpretty soon, we need to figure out what weâre doingâ after that expiration.
The team, led by the Walton-Penner family ownership group, declined to discuss the transactions, but regarding the stadium deliberations broadly said, âNo determinations have been made as we continue to evaluate several options in and around the Denver metro area.â
An amassing of separate real estate, however, has a similarity to the Bears, who currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago but are increasingly pursuing a new facility on land they own in suburban Arlington Heights, Ill.
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12 June 20255 min read$2.4B Browns Stadium Plan Clears Hurdle With $600M State Backing
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Oakland Athletic Sets Date For Breaking Ground On New $1.75B Vegas StadiumThe Oakland Athleticsâ relocation to Las Vegas will take a significant step forward this month as the team prepares to break ground on its new $1.75 billion ballpark in the heart of Sin City.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for June 23 at 8 a.m., marking a major milestone for the franchise and its future in Southern Nevada.
While preliminary construction began in late April, the upcoming event will serve as a formal celebration with team officials and local dignitaries in attendance. Expected guests include Athletics ownership, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, members of the state legislature, and representatives from the Clark County Commission.
The stadiumâs construction is expected to take 32 months, with the goal of completing the venue in time for Opening Day 2028.
In the interim, the Athletics are playing their home games at a minor league ballpark in Sacramento, California, as they await the completion of their permanent home in Las Vegas.
The teamâs pursuit of Las Vegas began in 2021, after Major League Baseball authorized the franchise to explore relocation options. The move came following years of stalled efforts to secure a new stadium in Oaklandâa process that has drawn criticism regarding its sincerity.
Looking ahead, the organization anticipates strong local support for the team once it arrives in Las Vegas, citing expectations of a predominantly regional fan base for home games, the team told the Review-Journal.
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12 June 20255 min readOakland Athletic Sets Date For Breaking Ground On New $1.75B Vegas Stadium
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Archi-Tectonics Tops Field Hockey Stadium In Hangzhou With 125-Meter Free-Span Wing RoofArchi-Tectonicsâ Field Hockey Stadium at Hangzhou Asian Games Park is characterized by a diaphanous 125-meter free-span wing roof, doubling as a landscape sculpture. Positioned five meters below ground level, the stadium seamlessly integrates with the natural contours of the landscape, presenting itself as an organic element within the Park. Unlike conventional stadiums that isolate themselves, Archi-Tectonicsâ design aims to harmonize with the environment. The playing field is set within a recessed oval grass plain, blending into the parkâs rolling terrain. Winka Dubbeldam, Founding Partner of Archi-Tectonics, emphasizes their unique approach, stating, âMost stadiums are fortresses. Ours is more like land art.â As an integral part of the landscape, the 5,000-seat stadium facilitates a smooth transition between the plaza and the playing field, adapting to the varying elevations. Spectators enter through a glass atrium with 35-meter high ceilings, offering a grand entrance. In plan, the roof and field take the shape of intersecting ovals, drawing inspiration from geometric configurations like the Seed of Life or the Vesica Piscis.
all images by SFAP Shanghai
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The roof of the structure draws inspiration from the traditional Meinong oil paper and bamboo umbrella, spanning the entire distance in one continuous sweep. A single curved beam holds the roof in place, maintaining tension in the mesh. Positioned about a meter above the building, the roof creates a natural draft that brings cool air over the spectators. Surrounding the sunroof is a ring, ranging from 1 meter in diameter at its thinnest to 1.5 meters at its thickest, anchored by four substantial concrete sculptural elements. According to the team, the concrete abutments do not support the structure but instead weigh it down, contributing to the overall tension of the construction. Collaborating with structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti, Archi-Tectonics conducted prototyping and testing to achieve an ultra-lightweight structure, enabling the impressive free span of the roof. The construction process involved a comprehensive 3D modeling approach, integrating every aspect from construction staff management to material flows, budget considerations, and detailing. This project, comprising a park and seven buildings, became the first in China to achieve full coordination in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and received recognition for this accomplishment.
the stadium is covered by a 125-meter free-span wing roof that shades the lobby and stands
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The structure, made of poured-in-place concrete, features an entrance plaza leading to a glass lobby beneath the sloping stands. On the ground floor, VIP lounges and parking areas are positioned beneath the main lobby, integrated into the topographyâs slope. Apart from hosting field hockey games, the stadium serves as a venue for outdoor film screenings, concerts, and various events. The double-curved glass facade enveloping the lobby is supported by an engineered hardwood and steel structure, creating a play of light and shadow. Balancing modern engineering, the stadium incorporates traditional local finishes, such as interior walls clad in locally sourced bamboo, contributing to a sustainable building rooted in the regionâs heritage. The surrounding sloping landscape, designed by !Melk!, adopts a sustainable sponge city approach, integrating local vegetation and elegant pavement patterns to incorporate porous areas. Initially planned as a non-permanent structure for the Games, the architects proposed and the client agreed to transform it into a hybrid facility with cultural functions for the neighborhood after the conclusion of the Asian Games. The 2023 edition of the Asian Games, the second-largest international sporting competition after the Olympics, took place in October.
the stadium has a seating capacity for 5,000 visitors
the structure appears to emerge out of the folding landscape
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project info:
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architect: Archi-Tectonics NYC, LLC
collaborators: Thornton Tomasetti Engineers, !Melk Landscape and Mobility in Chain traffic engineers LDI: Zhejiang Province Institute Of Architectural Design And Research (ZIAD) construction drawing design consultation: Powerchina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited (HDEC) general contractor: China Power Construction Group East China Survey and Design Research Institute Co., Ltd. landscape design: !Melk NY construction unit: Zhejiang Xinsheng Construction Group Co., Ltd.
location: Hangzhou, China built area: 18,000 sqm / 5000 seats date: Winning of competition May 2018
completion: October 2022, Opening Games Oct 2023
photography: SFAP Shanghai | @shaofengap
Design Boom- Stadium
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07 June 20255 min readArchi-Tectonics Tops Field Hockey Stadium In Hangzhou With 125-Meter Free-Span Wing Roof
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Chicago Soccer Club Announces $650M Stadium Build In Vacant RailyardChicago Fire Football Club has unveiled plans for a new US$650 million stadium on a long-vacant parcel of land in Chicagoâs South Loop neighbourhood.
The open-air venue will be built specifically for soccer (football) on a nine-acre portion of âThe 78,â a 62-acre vacant railyard site bound by two major roads and the Chicago River located just south of the cityâs downtown.
The Fireâs team owner will privately finance the 22,000-seat stadium, according to the club. The team is targeting completion in time for the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The development has seen multiple false starts over the past decade, but the recent investment announcement is expected to anchor the project.
Global architecture firm Gensler (US) will design the stadium, which will feature a canopy over seating areas and a natural grass pitch.
While stadium construction will be privately funded, major public infrastructure upgrades are required to prepare the site. These include relocating existing rail lines, reinforcing the riverfront seawall, and installing water, sewer and power lines. Related Midwest, the siteâs Chicago-based developer, is expected to seek support from the city through a pre-approved $450 million tax-increment financing (TIF) district to fund these works.
The stadium would have direct access to multiple Chicago Transit Authority lines at Roosevelt Station and could be linked to water taxi service along the river. Additional elements of the broader development are set to include housing, commercial space and an extension of the Chicago Riverwalk.
City officials have signalled early support for the project, which they say could revitalise the underutilised site. A community engagement process is expected in the coming months, with further renderings and project details to be shared.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, though no contractor has yet been named.
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05 June 20255 min readChicago Soccer Club Announces $650M Stadium Build In Vacant Railyard
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Manchester City ÂŁ300M Stadium Expansion Celebrates Topping OutManchester City Football Club and contractor Sisk have marked a significant moment in the development of the clubâs ÂŁ300M north stand expansion with the topping out of the new structure.
The ceremony celebrated the installation of the final steel beam, signalling that the highest structural point of the project has been reached.
Once completed, the redevelopment will increase the stadiumâs capacity to over 60,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football stadiums in England.
The expansion will also feature a new covered fan zone with space for 3,000 supporters, a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the clubâs history and various food and beverage outlets open year-round.
In addition to sports facilities, the development will include The Medlock, a 401-room hotel operated in partnership with Radisson. The complex will also offer workspace and entertainment options designed to bolster the areaâs appeal beyond matchdays.
At the topping out event, club officials were joined by apprentices working on site, representatives from Sisk and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig. Attendees signed a commemorative artwork that will be permanently displayed in the new museum.
Throughout the construction process, 86 apprentices and trainees have been employed by Sisk and its supply chain, with 62 recruited from the Greater Manchester area.
The finished development is expected to create hundreds of full-time and part-time jobs, as well as additional casual roles, contributing to the economic regeneration of East Manchester â a key priority shared by both the club and local authorities.
The expanded north stand is scheduled to open during the 2025/26 football season, while the hotel, fan zone, workspaces and catering outlets will become operational by late 2026. These new facilities will complement the nearby Co-Op Live arena, a 23,500-capacity venue developed through a joint venture between City Football Group and Oak View Group, enhancing the cityâs entertainment district.
Sisk apprentice, MCFC officials, Sisk Infrastructure leadership and Manchester City Council leader celebrate topping out on 7 May 2025
Sisk Infrastructure and UK North managing director Alan Rodger said: âThe topping out of Manchester Cityâs entertainment destination marks a significant milestone for Sisk and the club. We have achieved some very visual planned milestones recently including quad pod steel and façade installations, and the project is gathering real momentum heading into the football off-season.
âWe would like to thank all our staff, supply chain partners, designers and consultants for helping us reach this stage and we look forward to the next phase of the project.â
City Football Group chief operating officer Roel de Vries said: âThis is a proud moment for Manchester City and for everyone involved in the Clubâs project to create a year-round entertainment destination at the Etihad Campus.
âThe delivery of this project will enable us to enhance and expand our offering to our fans and visitors, both on matchday and non-matchday, and create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community, building on the regeneration work City Football Group has delivered in East Manchester since 2008.â
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said: âThis is a major infrastructure investment which will create and support hundreds of jobs, adding to the remarkable regeneration of East Manchester in which the club has played a constructive role.
âItâs great to see this construction milestone reached. It means it wonât be long before those benefits for the city and the community start to be realised.â
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09 May 20255 min readManchester City ÂŁ300M Stadium Expansion Celebrates Topping Out
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09 May 2025
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Commanders To Return To D.C. Under $4B Stadium Development PlanWashingtonâs NFL team is preparing for a long-anticipated homecoming to the nationâs capital, following an agreement with the District of Columbia to construct a new stadium as part of a $4 billion redevelopment project. Announced Monday, the plan will see the Commanders build their new facility on the site of the old RFK Stadiumâwhere the team played for over 30 yearsâunder a partnership with Mayor Muriel Bowserâs administration.
âThis has been a vision of ours since we bought the team,â Harris said. âWe all experienced the rumbling of RFK (and) the fact that we grew up here gave us that vision to not look at the crumbling concrete that was there but remember in our minds the vivid nature of what Washington football is all about.â
Construction could begin next year, pending approval from the D.C. Council, with the stadium expected to open its doors in 2030.
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the news, calling it âa HUGE WIN for Washington, D.C.â and the teamâs supporters in a social media post.
The Commanders are expected to invest $2.7 billion into the development, while the District will contribute approximately $1.1 billion over the next several years toward the stadium, public housing, green spaces, and a new sports complex across 170 acres along the Anacostia River. The stadium itselfâplanned to seat 65,000 and feature a roof for year-round useâwill occupy just 16 of those acres.
âItâs a great day in our process to bring the Commanders home,â Harris added, noting he and his fellow owners âare committed to making the single largest private investment in D.C. history.â
Public financing will account for 24% of the total project costâsignificantly below the average of 40% for NFL stadiums built or renovated since 2008. By comparison, recent stadium projects for the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills received between 49% and 60% in public funding, according to data from Conventions Sports & Leisure International Inc. Of D.C.âs contribution, $500 million comes from funds initially allocated for Nationals Park, while another $181 million will be provided by EventsDC for parking infrastructure.
The announcement was made at the National Press Club, where Mambo Sauceâs âWelcome to DCâ played as Mayor Bowser, Harris, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell arrived on stage. A backdrop bearing the message âWelcome homeâ set the tone as Goodell remarked that the new stadium âdramaticallyâ improves Washingtonâs chances of hosting a future Super Bowl.
âWeâre working on the commissioner hard (but also) Taylor Swift, pick an event, pick an act,â Harris said. âThis is about D.C. and making this more than just a stadium and making it attractive.â
Since acquiring the team from Dan Snyder in 2022, the Commandersâ ownership group has explored potential stadium locations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Their plans gained momentum after Congress passed legislation in January transferring control of the RFK site to the Districtâlegislation signed by then-President Joe Biden, following lobbying efforts by Harris and Goodell in late 2024.
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01 May 20255 min readCommanders To Return To D.C. Under $4B Stadium Development Plan
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01 May 2025
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Work Begins On $309M Penrith Stadium RedevelopmentWork has officially commenced on the major redevelopment of Penrith Stadium, marking a major milestone for Western Sydneyâs sporting and entertainment landscape.
The $309 million project, backed by the NSW Government, promises to transform the aging stadium into a modern, multipurpose venue set to benefit the region for generations.
Led by construction firm John Holland Group, the redevelopment will generate approximately 500 jobs during construction and support an estimated 650 ongoing roles once the stadium is operational.
The project is expected to be a significant economic driver for Penrith and surrounding areas, boosting local businesses and enhancing the regionâs appeal as a sporting and events hub.
Premier Chris Minns described the redevelopment as a key part of his governmentâs vision for Western Sydney.
"Weâre excited to see work underway on a stadium that will not only deliver world-class sporting experiences but also serve as a vibrant community and entertainment precinct," Minns said.
"This isnât just a stadium for sports fansâitâs a place for everyone, offering public spaces, multipurpose courts, and year-round community access."
When completed in 2027, the new Penrith Stadium will be able to host up to 30,000 spectators for sporting fixtures and up to 10 major concerts each year.
The venue will also offer flexible spaces for private events, such as conferences and catered functions.
The adjacent training fields will be redeveloped into open community spaces, featuring multipurpose courts, landscaped areas, and family-friendly amenities.
The stadium will continue to support Western Sydneyâs rugby league, union, and football scenes, with its upgraded facilities designed to attract new sporting events and larger audiences to the region.
NRL team the Penrith Panthers are expected to be key beneficiaries of the enhanced venue, with fans set to enjoy better seating, improved sightlines, and upgraded amenities.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car celebrated the projectâs commencement, calling it a win for the region.
"This is a great day for Western Sydney," she said.
"The redevelopment not only delivers a world-class stadium for our mighty Panthers but also creates hundreds of jobs and opportunities for local businesses."
The design has been shaped by award-winning architects Populous and Tyrrell Studio, ensuring the venue meets the highest standards of modern stadium architecture.
With John Holland Group selected through a competitive tender process, the NSW Government expressed confidence that the redevelopment will deliver a premium outcome for Western Sydney.
Minister for Lands and Property and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper reflected on the venueâs long history and its bright future.
"Penrith Stadium has been a cornerstone of the community since 1967," Kamper said.
"This redevelopment ushers in a new era, transforming it into a safe, inclusive, and accessible space for all users."
Construction is set to be completed by late 2026, with the stadium to be in operation for the 2027 NRL season.
Austadiums
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22 April 20255 min readWork Begins On $309M Penrith Stadium Redevelopment
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22 April 2025
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Washington Commanders Close To New $3B Stadium DealWashington D.C. is close to a deal worth more than $3 billion to bring the Washington Commanders back to the district and build a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site.
Preliminary plans, supported by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the team, outline a financing framework in which the Commanders would fund the bulk of the project. The cityâs financial contribution would instead focus on supporting broader infrastructure and development across the surrounding 180-acre site.
According to documents obtained by NBC4, the Commanders would invest $2.5 billion into the stadium. The cityâs shareâup to $850 millionâwould cover âeligible capital costsâ tied to infrastructure and amenities such as parking, which would serve the entire mixed-use development.
The cityâs portion would be paid in installments. An initial $500 million would be disbursed between 2026 and 2030, with the remaining $350 million to be paid in 2032 using tax revenues generated by the new complex.
Though still under negotiation, the current timeline targets fall 2030 for the completion of the stadium and associated parking structuresâaligning with Commanders owner Josh Harrisâ vision for the teamâs future.
The project comes as D.C. faces $410 million in budget cuts imposed by Congress, a factor that must be addressed before Mayor Bowser can present the cityâs 2026 fiscal year budget. Both the D.C. Council and Congress must approve the final budget plan.
In a key step toward redevelopment, former President Joe Biden signed the RFK Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act into law this January, after the U.S. Senate passed it with unanimous consent in December. The legislation allows the city to move forward with demolition and redevelopment under a new 99-year leaseâclearing the way for formal talks with developers like the Commanders.
Currently, the team is under contract to play at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, through 2027, with the option to extend that arrangement until a new stadium is ready. The team owns both the stadium and the surrounding land.
Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has publicly expressed interest in keeping the Commanders in Landover, proposing a new stadium adjacent to the current site.
The Commanders previously played at RFK Stadium from 1961 until their move to Maryland in 1997, and a return to their longtime home city would mark a major shift in the franchiseâs history and identity.
Stadia Magazine
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17 April 20255 min readWashington Commanders Close To New $3B Stadium Deal
Stadia Magazine
17 April 2025
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Brownsâ Quest For Domed Stadium Starts Nfl Fight For Ohio DollarsA political showdown is unfolding in Ohio as Republican leaders clash over two competing proposals: whether to back a new domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns in the suburbs or push for broader tax hikes to fund long-term upgrades for the Cincinnati Bengals and other professional teams.
Both plans are drawing fire from members of both parties who argue that public funding for NFL stadiums diverts critical resources from priorities like infrastructure and public education.
At the center of the storm is a $2.4 billion proposal from Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Browns, to relocate the team from their current downtown Cleveland lakeshore stadiumâhome since 1999âto a new state-of-the-art facility in Brook Park, about 15 miles away. The plan, pitched as a public-private partnership, seeks $600 million in state funding.
After the Ohio House approved the funds last week, officials in Hamilton County, where the Bengals play, quickly responded by renewing their own request for $350 million in upgrades to Paycor Stadium. The Bengalsâ lease ends on June 30, 2026, and the timing of the ask follows pointed comments from team executive Katie Blackburn, who said at recent NFL meetings in Florida, âWe could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year,â while also indicating that negotiations are ongoing.
The debate now moves to the Ohio Senate following its spring recess.
Team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslamâmajor donors to Republican campaignsâsay they envision a world-class venue with a dome that could host year-round events and stimulate economic development through a nearby entertainment complex. They emphasize that 80% of Browns home game attendees live outside the city, underscoring regional impact.
But Cleveland city leaders are pushing back hard. The current $247 million Huntington Bank Field was largely funded with city and county tax dollars. For many residents, the stadium is a symbol of Clevelandâs enduring support for the Browns, especially after the traumatic departure of the team to Baltimore in 1996 under former owner Art Modell.
That move, tied to a previous stadium conflict, prompted the creation of whatâs now known as the âModell Law,â which requires any professional team whose home stadium receives public funding to reach an agreement with its host city before relocatingâor to provide six monthsâ notice and the chance for the city to purchase the team.
Stadia Magazine
stadium
16 April 20255 min readBrownsâ Quest For Domed Stadium Starts Nfl Fight For Ohio Dollars
Stadia Magazine
16 April 2025
stadium