Arsenal renew partnership with Emirates until 2033
Arsenal Football Club and Emirates have announced a long-term renewal of one of the longest-running and most recognisable partnerships in world sport.
The agreement will see Emirates continue as Arsenal's front-of-shirt, training kit and stadium naming rights partner through to 2033, extending what is already the Premier League's longest-running front-of-shirt partnership and marking the beginning of a new era in one of football's most enduring relationships.
Arsenal and Emirates first partnered in 2006 and have since built one of football's defining partnerships. Spanning the entire Emirates Stadium era, the relationship has evolved alongside the club – supporting Arsenal's ambitions, strengthening both organisations' global reach and creating new ways for supporters around the world to connect with Arsenal.
Richard Garlick, Arsenal Chief Executive, said: “Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club's history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal. Emirates has been an integral part of this success – standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades.
Winning the title gives us the opportunity to be more ambitious and build on where we are today. Our renewal reflects a shared belief in Arsenal's future and a shared determination to keep moving forward. The best partnerships, like the best teams, never stand still. Together, we'll continue to challenge and build on the strong foundations we have built together, with the confidence and ambition that our greatest achievements still lie ahead.”
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said, “Over the last two decades, Emirates and Arsenal have built something that goes far beyond a traditional partnership, and one we are immensely proud of. We have grown alongside the club through changes of era and ambition, united by a shared goal of bringing people closer to what they love. In practice, that has meant reaching the millions who follow Arsenal across the Emirates network and beyond and creating experiences for them that neither of us could have done alone.
Very few partnerships in the world of sport can claim foundations like these. What comes next is building on that strength for the millions of Arsenal supporters who carry this club with them wherever they are, in every corner of the world, and we could not be more excited about the history we will make together in the years to come.”
Juliet Slot, Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Our partnership with Emirates has become one of world sport’s most defining. Together we've always looked beyond traditional partnership and towards creating experiences that bring supporters closer to Arsenal, finding new ways to connect with our global community. Today, we're in the strongest position we've ever been in together. That's built on two decades of trust, shared ambition and a commitment from us both to keep pushing forward. We've built incredibly strong foundations and, as our club enters this exciting new era, I cannot wait to see new history made together.”
Source: Arsenal.com
Live Nation take majority stake in three Prague venues
Live Nation has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in three of Prague’s leading live entertainment venues, marking the beginning of a new chapter for O2 arena (20,000-capacity), O2 Universum (5,000-capacity) and Forum Karlín (4,000-capacity). The deal will create new opportunities for artists, audiences, event organisers and the wider economy.
The partnership brings together Live Nation’s expertise in running live entertainment venues around the world with PPF’s long-term stewardship of some of Czechia’s most important cultural destinations. Together, the partners plan to invest significantly in the venues over the long term, enhancing their facilities, improving the experience for fans and artists and helping them evolve for years to come.
The venues will remain open to all artists, promoters and event organisers. The existing management teams will remain in place, providing continuity for employees, partners, artists and audiences.
Paul Antonio, President, Live Nation EMEA, said: “Prague has been one of our most important markets for many years. We’ve invested here by building a strong local team, developing long-term partnerships and bringing major artists and tours to Czech fans. This partnership is the natural next step.
“Our ambition is simple: build on what’s already working, keep improving the venues and bring even more great artists to Prague, while making the experience better for fans.”
Didier Stoessel, co-CEO, PPF Group, said: “For more than two decades, O2 arena and O2 Universum have played a central role in Czechia’s cultural, sporting and social life. This investment represents the next stage in their development and will help ensure they continue to grow and evolve for many years to come.”
This deal builds on several years of growth in Central and Eastern Europe, with Live Nation investing in local teams and expanding into new markets, including Romania and Slovakia, to bring more artists and live experiences to fans throughout the region.
Major international tours are already seeing unprecedented demand in these markets. Iron Maiden’s recent shows in Athens, Sofia, Bucharest and Bratislava attracted some of the largest audiences of the band’s 50-year history, while Eric Clapton sold out performances in Prague, Kraków and Budapest. Metallica has also recently broken attendance records in Bucharest and Chorzów.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
Musco becomes Official Lighting partner of Football Queensland
Football Queensland has announced global sports lighting leader Musco as its Official Lighting Partner.
The first in the world to be certified under the FIFA’s Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems to meet an elevated and consistent standard for lighting, Musco will draw on more than 50 years of experience to deliver industry-leading expertise to clubs across Queensland.
“We’re delighted to partner with Musco, who have a proven track record of delivering lighting solutions from community facilities to the biggest sporting venues in the world, including 12 of 16 fields for the recent World Cup,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“This partnership will deliver benefits to football clubs in every part of the state by supporting the planning and delivery of high-quality lighting infrastructure to enhance the experience for players, match officials, coaches and spectators alike.
“We look forward to working closely with Musco to provide innovative lighting solutions for our clubs and venues as we continue improving the quality of football facilities across Queensland.”
“For more than three decades, Musco has been proud to support sport and communities across Australia, with football holding a special place in our global story,” said Musco CEO Jeff Rogers.
“From community pitches to elite venues around the world, we understand the role that quality lighting can play in creating safe, accessible, and inspiring places to play. We’re excited to partner with Football Queensland and look forward to the positive impact this partnership can have in helping more young people participate, develop confidence, and enjoy the game.”
Evolv to provide security services at New Ryan Field
Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc., a leading security technology company pioneering AI-based solutions designed to create safer experiences, has announced that Evolv Express®, the company’s people-screening system, has been selected as a security partner in Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field following a rigorous evaluation process.
As Ryan Sports Development prepares to open the first NFL-type stadium in college sports, they evaluated available screening solutions before selecting Evolv Express to help deliver an elevated fan security experience. Evolv Express uses advanced sensor technology and AI to detect concealed threats and identify the location of the potential threat while allowing people to move through checkpoints at their natural walking pace.
The new Ryan Field, in the final stages of construction, will have a capacity of 35,000 fans when it opens on October 2nd with a nationally televised game. In addition to Northwestern football games, New Ryan Field will also host other athletic and community events throughout the year. The project is designed to set a new standard for the college football experience and boasts several features and innovations fitting its ambitious vision, including the Evolv Express security systems. The multi-year agreement between Evolv and Ryan Sports Development includes a variety of marketing elements and designates Evolv as Northwestern University’s “Official Fan Screening Provider.”
“Our goal for the new Ryan Field is simple: build the best place to watch football in America,” said Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development. “That ambition covers not only the event itself, but also the entire time that a fan is on site. We built a stadium designed to represent the future of college athletics, and so much more, and we rigorously evaluated available screening technologies and selected Evolv Express because it aligned with our goals of delivering a secure, convenient, and exceptional arrival experience.”
“When an institution invests in creating what it believes will be the premier college football venue in the country, every decision matters, including the first impression fans receive when they arrive,” said John Kedzierski, President and CEO of Evolv Technology. “Northwestern had the opportunity to evaluate the industry's leading screening solutions as part of this landmark project, and we are honored that Evolv Express was selected to help deliver the elevated fan experience Ryan Field is designed to provide. It’s a testament to the strength of our technology that one of the most ambitious stadium projects in college sports chose Evolv to help welcome fans through its gates.”
The new Ryan Field at Northwestern is another signature deployment on Evolv’s growing roster of higher education customers, as well as numerous stadiums, arenas, theme parks, schools, hospitals and other public spaces around the world.
Bose Professional acquires Fulcrum Acoustic
Bose Professional, a leading provider of world-class audio solutions, today announced that it has acquired Fulcrum Acoustic, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, amplifiers, and immersive audio systems. Fulcrum will continue operating under its own brand, with its products, customer support, service and partner relationships remaining unchanged. This marks Bose Professional's first acquisition since becoming an independent company following Transom Capital Group's purchase of the business in 2023.
A respected name in performance audio
Founded in 2008 by Stephen Siegel, Dave Gunness and Chris Alfiero, Fulcrum Acoustic builds loudspeakers around a distinctive engineering philosophy: treat digital signal processing as a core design ingredient from the start. That approach runs through a catalog of roughly 130 products — coaxial point-source designs, patented Passive Cardioid Technology, and the company’s TQ processing.
Fulcrum’s systems are trusted in some of the world’s most demanding venues, including stadiums and arenas, performing arts centers, houses of worship, theaters and clubs. Recent installations include Houston’s NRG Stadium and the Rose Bowl. Fulcrum products are designed and hand-built in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
“We’ve admired Fulcrum for years — not just for its exceptional products, but for the way its team supports customers,” said John Maier, Chief Executive Officer of Bose Professional. “The company has built one of the industry’s strongest reputations through world-class engineering and an unwavering commitment to the people it serves. Our goal is to preserve what makes Fulcrum unique while providing the resources and global reach to help accelerate growth and bring its innovations to even more customers around the world.”
Continuity for Fulcrum customers and partners
Fulcrum Acoustic continues under its own brand — with no change to the products and day-to-day operations. Product lines, specification resources, support, and channel relationships remain in place, and design and manufacturing continue in Whitinsville.
The acquisition combines Bose Professional’s scale, resources and distribution network with the Fulcrum brand, creating opportunities to extend its reach into new markets worldwide. Fulcrum adds nearly two decades of expertise in performance audio, including immersive audio and active acoustics, while broadening Bose Professional’s portfolio of solutions for performance and commercial environments.
“From our first conversations, it was clear Bose Professional understood what makes Fulcrum distinctive and why our approach resonates with customers,” said Stephen Siegel, co-founder and president of Fulcrum. “Our customers choose Fulcrum for the engineering, the craftsmanship and the way we stand behind our work—and none of that changes. With Bose Professional’s global reach and support, we can bring our work to more customers around the world at a much faster pace than we could on our own.”
“I’ve spent my career finding ways to make loudspeakers work better,” said Dave Gunness, co-founder of Fulcrum Acoustic. “This acquisition allows me to reconsider some pages of my notebooks that I couldn’t reasonably pursue before. I can’t wait to see what our team can accomplish, given a broader range of challenges and a worldwide market to serve.”
As previously announced, Bose Professional will begin transitioning to the 802 LABS brand in February 2027. Fulcrum Acoustic will remain a distinct brand throughout the transition, and customers and partners can expect continuity across products, support, service, and business relationships.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Bose Professional. Third Side Capital served as financial advisor to Fulcrum, and Mirick served as legal counsel.
For more information, visit boseprofessional.com and fulcrum-acoustic.com.
Manchester United unveil plans for new fan zone at Old Trafford
Manchester United has today unveiled plans for its first-ever permanent matchday fan zone at Old Trafford, offering supporters a space to meet fellow Reds and enjoy the pre-match build up together.
‘The Paddock’ will sit just 15 metres behind the Stretford End, making it the closest place to the stadium to enjoy great local food, drink, and lively entertainment.
Responding to strong demand from supporters, the new, free-to-enter, 1,300-capacity fan zone will only be open on matchdays, offering all Manchester United ticket holders a dedicated space to enjoy the atmosphere both before and after the game.
The name - chosen after consultation with the Fan Experience working group - is rooted in fan culture, referring to the historic standing terrace adjacent to the famous Stretford End.
The Paddock is part of Manchester United’s new partnership with Levy, the global leaders in hospitality and entertainment, which will see improvements to the matchday experience, including new draught-beer taps, more self-service bars, and a wider range of food and drink across Old Trafford.
Rick McGagh, Director of Fan Engagement at Manchester United, said: “We are delighted that in partnership with Levy, we have implemented a wide range of changes to enhance matchdays, bringing greater choice and better service for supporters across the stadium - something fans have told us they want.
“The proposed fan zone is the latest example of our continued investment in the atmosphere, fan experience and facilities at Old Trafford, while progressing plans for a new world-class stadium."
The Paddock is due to open in the autumn for home matchdays, subject to planning approval.
Shure audio systems play critical part in New Jersey Final
Shure has announced that its wireless, monitoring, remote control and broadcast audio technologies played a critical role during the entertainment segments of international football's premier final. From a packed New Jersey stadium to billions of viewers around the world, Axient®Digital, Axient Digital PSM, ShowLink®, and the DCA901 Broadcast Microphone Array delivered clear, reliable audio throughout the half-time production in one of the world’s most challenging wireless environments.
Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), led the deployment alongside ATK/Clair Global, relying on Shure wireless microphones, in-ear systems and software to support presenters and guest artists across an RF infrastructure built for high channel counts and complex frequency coordination.
"We managed the microphones on the field through ShowLink together, from one position. That changed how fast we could respond when something shifted during the show," said Jim Van Winkle, General Manager of PWS. "At an event of this scale, every second matters. Being able to make adjustments immediately helped us keep the focus on where it belonged: on the performance.”
Built for the Toughest Wireless Environment
To support the halftime show, PWS deployed 12 channels of Shure Axient Digital PSM Digital In-Ear Monitoring Systems, as well as ADX microphone transmitters and AD4Q Digital Wireless receivers with Quadversity™ technology. Quadversity enables four antenna zones per receiver to maximize coverage across the stadium and helps engineers minimize signal dropouts. The team also used 8 channels in Quadversity with a Shure ANX4 Scalable Wireless Receiver.
ShowLink remote control technology connected it all, enabling engineers to manage Axient Digital Wireless microphone transmitters from a single location. Engineers adjusted device settings, monitored performance in real time, and responded immediately to changing conditions, helping maintain seamless operation throughout the event.
The broadcast audio team also used the Shure DCA901 Broadcast Microphone Array to capture immersive stadium audio for the live telecast.
"I used the Shure DCA901 at the Halftime Show, and it gave me eight isolated audio channels from a single microphone location, with steerable lobes that let me remotely shape pickup zones in real time without moving gear around," said Tom Holmes, Production Audio Mixer. "It comprised all of the height sources for my immersive broadcast mix. I had never used it before, but setup was incredibly straightforward with the built-in web browser control panel. One network connection handled audio, power and control, which reduced cable runs and setup time. The time and effort we saved by not having to deploy additional microphones around the stadium was a game changer."
Global Artists Relied on Shure
Chris Martin from Coldplay performed using a Shure SM58® capsule on an Axient Digital AD2 transmitter. The SM58 microphone marks its 60th anniversary in 2026, after decades of being trusted by performers, broadcasters, and audio professionals on the world's biggest stages.
Burna Boy also performed with Axient Digital wireless technology. Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, appearing in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard, along with Justin Bieber, using Shure SM39 Headset Microphones.
Major sporting events present some of the most challenging environments for wireless audio. High channel counts, complex frequency coordination, and extensive RF activity require technology that performers, engineers and product teams can trust. Shure wireless solutions continue to support many of the world’s largest broadcasts and events, helping production teams maintain reliable audio when the stakes are highest.
Learn more about Shure Wireless technology for live and sports events on shure.com/broadcast.
Live Nation announce plans for new São Paulo Arena
Live Nation Entertainment and Cidade Center Norte, Brazil’s most comprehensive planned urban living district, have announced the development of São Paulo Arena, its first venue in São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city and one of the world’s leading entertainment and cultural hubs.
The project will be developed through a Live Nation-led joint venture established with Cidade Center Norte. The arena will be Brazil’s first purpose-built, world-class arena, designed to meet the standards of the world’s premier live entertainment venues. It will also be the largest indoor arena for live entertainment in South America.
São Paulo Arena will be located within the Cidade Center Norte district — Brazil’s most comprehensive planned urban living neighborhood. With a capacity of up to 21,000, the venue will host concerts and a wide range of sporting events. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with the arena scheduled to open in 2028.
Live Nation’s investment in São Paulo Arena reflects its long-term commitment to Brazil and its efforts to expand the country’s live entertainment market, bringing more world-class events closer to Brazilian fans. Once operational, the arena is expected to host over 200 events annually, generating significant economic activity, creating jobs, and boosting tourism.
According to Oxford Economics, São Paulo Arena is projected to generate approximately US$159.9 million in direct attendee spending and more than US$311.2 million in total annual economic impact across Brazil by its fifth year of operation. The venue is also expected to support approximately 1,800 jobs annually.
“São Paulo deserves an arena that reflects the energy, passion and cultural influence of one of the world’s great cities,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment. “São Paulo Arena will be the new home for Brazilian and international artists and the fans who make this city one of the most exciting live entertainment markets. We hope this arena will be a source of pride for the city and a destination for unforgettable live experiences.”
“São Paulo Arena is a dream project coming to life, and we are proud to partner with Live Nation to bring Brazil’s first world-class arena to our neighborhood. It reinforces Cidade Center Norte’s long-term commitment to São Paulo’s North Zone, adding a world-class live entertainment venue to a district that integrates malls, a center of exhibitions and events, hospitality, residential living, commercial, education and healthcare hubs” said Flavio Fernandes, CEO of Cidade Center Norte.
São Paulo Arena is being designed by Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group, whose experience includes work on some of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment venues, including Austin’s Moody Center and New York’s Barclays Center. The project brings decades of global expertise to a venue designed for Brazilian fans, artists and the future of live entertainment.
Designed with both fans and artists experience in mind, the arena will feature three seating levels, a dedicated VIP suite level, and superior acoustics to enhance every performance while minimizing noise impact to the surrounding neighborhood. The venue will be climate-controlled and built to the highest standards of accessibility and sustainability.
The project includes a 2,000-space parking garage, dedicated rideshare and taxi zones, and direct connections to major roadways and public transportation, ensuring seamless access for fans.
FC Bayern Basketball to build new home facility for its teams
FC Bayern München eV has submitted a planning application to the City of Munich for the construction of a new basketball performance centre on the FC Bayern Campus in the north of Munich. Club president Herbert Hainer recently confirmed the plans, which have been in development for years, for a new headquarters for the entire FCBB basketball organisation. With this landmark project, the seven-time German champions aim to bring their sporting infrastructure up to the highest international standards and further expand their youth development work.
A New Home For All Teams and Staff
The modern training centre is set to become the future home of all FC Bayern Basketball teams: from the EuroLeague team and the second team (ProB Süd) to the youth teams, with a competition hall to be integrated for the youth squads. The entire office is also due to move from the BMW Park to the Campus site. Shared areas within the newly created performance complex are also planned to be used by FCB's footballers. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the build expected to take around two years.
Construction Due to Start 2027
FC Bayern München eV is the developer of the new training centre, and the club is also the sole shareholder of FC Bayern München Basketball GmbH. The project will be carried out by SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten GmbH; the Dortmund-based practice was the winner of an architectural competition and has extensive experience in sports infrastructure projects.
FCBB's professional team have played and trained since their return to the Bundesliga in 2011 at the basketball hall in Munich's Westpark, opened in 1972 for the Summer Olympics and now known as the BMW Park. The club's steadily growing administrative offices have also been based there ever since. Even after moving into the planned performance centre on the Campus site, the BMW Park is set to remain in use as an attractive venue for matches and events. The arena has been successfully operated and marketed by tenant FCBB for a number of years.