Bournemouth confirm stadium redevelopment planning timeline
AFC Bournemouth have confirmed that plans for the redevelopment of Vitality Stadium have been recommended for approval by BCP Council, with a planning committee meeting date set for Friday 22nd May.
The recommendation marks a significant milestone for the club, coming 14 months after first engaging with the BCP Planning Department regarding its proposals to enhance and modernise AFC Bournemouth’s home.
Throughout the process, the club and its professional advisors have worked closely and constructively with officers from the BCP Planning Department to address all matters raised during consultation and assessment.
The club has also been greatly encouraged by the backing shown by local residents, organisations, businesses and charities throughout the consultation process.
The feedback and support has reinforced the importance of the stadium redevelopment not only for AFC Bournemouth, but for the wider community across the BCP area.
In recommending the application for approval, the Council has recognised the substantial economic, social and environmental benefits the redevelopment will bring to the local area.
The proposals are designed to secure the long-term future of top-flight football in Bournemouth while also delivering meaningful community and infrastructure improvements.
As part of the application, AFC Bournemouth has agreed what represents the club’s biggest ever commitment to local infrastructure investment. The planning obligation package, worth in excess of £1,000,000, includes measures aimed at addressing parking pressures in surrounding residential streets, improving sustainable travel infrastructure and uptake, and improving Kings Park for the benefit of local communities and supporters alike.
The proposed redevelopment comes at a pivotal moment, with the club enjoying its best ever season on the pitch and the exciting prospect of what can be achieved.
Consequently, the opportunity to increase capacity and improve facilities is seen as crucial to supporting the continued growth and ambitions of AFC Bournemouth.
Jim Frevola, President of Business Operations at AFC Bournemouth, commented: “Reaching this stage in the process is a hugely significant achievement for everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth. Over the past 14 months there has been an enormous amount of hard work, collaboration and positive engagement between the club, our advisors and BCP Council officers. We’re grateful for the cooperation and commitment shown throughout.
“This proposal represents a major investment not only in the future of AFC Bournemouth, but also in local infrastructure and the wider area around the stadium. We would like to thank BCP Council for their constructive approach in helping us reach this important milestone, and we now look forward to the upcoming planning committee meeting.”
Kilmarnock release update on Rugby Park playing surface
Work is underway on the installation of a new hybrid, grass pitch at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, Kilmarnock Football Club have confirmed.
It’s an exciting time for Ayrshire’s only Premier club. This summer will see the return of a slick, grass park at the stadium, as everyone looks forward to watching Neil McCann’s Blue & White army take to the top-flight in the manager’s first full season in charge.
This ambitious project coincides with the construction of Bowie Park – the club’s brand-new training facility, which will be operational soon.
On Monday, May 18 CY Turf commenced the process by starting to lift the artificial surface, which was laid in 2019. This was the second astroturf pitch implemented by the club, with the initial artificial surface laid almost 12 years ago.
Upon the completion of this phase, principal contractor, The Malcolm Group, will continue the works.
Gregg McEwan, general manager said: “The agreed scope of works includes the reinstatement of the main playing surface incorporating the new hybrid natural grass system, associated rootzone constructor, irrigator upgrades, under-pitch heating, kerbing works, and pitch surround build-up and surfacing works.
“The club’s target remains to have the pitch completed and in a match-ready condition for the commencement of the 2026/27 season, with works programmed accordingly.”
The club a have also announced that the old artificial surface will be donated to a charitable cause in Africa.
Further progress updates will be issued in due course as the club approach a return to football in July.
FanCompass and Diamond Baseball Holdings Extend Partnership
FanCompass, the global standard in digital fan engagement for sports and entertainment organisations, has announced a three-year renewal and extension of its partnership with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organisation that owns and operates professional baseball teams across North America.
The renewed agreement builds on a successful collaboration and reinforces a shared commitment to delivering meaningful, fan-first experiences across DBH’s roster of clubs. FanCompass will continue to support the rollout of its FC CORE platform, helping clubs create a consistent and engaging digital destination for their fans.
“FanCompass has been a valuable partner in helping our clubs build deeper connections with their audiences while also enhancing the value and consumer engagement we provide to our partners,” said Andrew Judelson, Chief Commercial Officer at DBH.
Since the inception of the partnership, FanCompass and DBH have worked together to implement engagement strategies that drive participation, deepen fan loyalty, and create new opportunities for clubs to connect with their communities. That ongoing elevated fan connection enables more thoughtful, insight-driven sponsor activations, aligning brand partnerships with fan interests in an authentic and meaningful way.
“We’re proud to extend our partnership with DBH,” said FanCompass Co-Founder & CEO, Jamie Pardi. “Together, we’re helping clubs create meaningful engagement at scale, strengthening fan relationships while delivering long-term value for their organisations and partners.”
Daktronics elevate game-day experience at Kenan Stadium
Delivering a new game-day experience to Tar Heels fans at Kenan Stadium, Daktronics, partnered with the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totalling more than 10,000 square feet – roughly one square foot for every five seats in the stadium – and more than 14.7 million LEDs. Two main video displays mirror each other at the ends of the stadium, while sideline ribbon, west end super ribbon and east end ribbon displays round out the LED installation taking place in 2026.
"We are excited to recognise 100 seasons of Kenan Stadium by honouring the program's alumni, elevating the fan experience from pregame to postgame and enhancing our historic facility,” said Steve Newmark, executive associate director of athletics at UNC. “As we cheer on the 2026 Tar Heels, we will also commemorate the past while continuing to build toward the future."
Main Video Display Details
Two main video displays will be installed, one on the east end and one on the west end. Each will measure 31.5 feet high by 106.5 feet wide and feature 8-millimeter pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility to appeal to fans in every seat of Kenan Stadium.
“We’re honored to be working with the University of North Carolina on this video display project,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “The new displays will enhance an already amazing game-day experience for Tarheel fans, and to be a part of the 100th year of football at Kenan Stadium is very special.”
These main video displays are capable of variable content zoning, allowing the school to feature the right mix of content to ensure an exciting, memorable game-day experience. Each can display one large image or multiple zones of content ranging from live video and instant replays to game information and statistics to graphics and animations. They can also highlight sponsors and partners with messaging and branding.
Ribbon Display Details
Nine ribbon boards will be installed around the seating bowl of the stadium. This includes two west end super ribbons, a north and a south sideline ribbon, two east tunnel ribbons, two east lower ribbons, and one east upper ribbon. The west super ribbons are approximately 4 feet high, while all the other ribbons are roughly 2 feet high.
Each ribbon display will also feature 8-millimeter pixel spacing for excellent clarity and contrast. Combined, these ribbons add 1,450 linear feet of digital displays to supplement content and statistics on the main displays and to highlight sponsors around the seating bowl of Kenan Stadium.
All of these displays feature Daktronics’ industry-leading environmental protection, ensuring each operates as expected in the North Carolina outdoors.
Hellas Verona select Gensler for new stadium project
Hellas Verona FC has announced that it has selected Gensler, one of the world’s leading architecture and design firms, for the design of the Club’s new, state-of-the-art stadium in the area currently occupied by the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium. This appointment follows the submission of the project feasibility study to the Municipality of Verona in November 2025.
Gensler is internationally recognized for its expertise in architecture, design and the delivery of multi-use sports and entertainment venues. In order to pair this global experience with strong knowledge of the Italian stadium and real estate context, Gensler will work alongside a highly qualified team of professionals, including Sportium and ARUP, under the coordination of Colliers as project manager. Together, the team brings a combination of international design excellence, technical capability and local market expertise.
“This announcement reflects our long-term commitment to the fans, the Club and the city. It represents a significant step toward shaping the future of Hellas Verona by delivering a venue of the highest international standards — a home that our supporters and the entire Verona community can be proud of,” said Dirk Swaneveld, Managing Director at Presidio Investors.
As the project progresses, the Club will actively engage with fans, local residents and businesses through focus groups and surveys, so that the voices of the Verona community can help inform the stadium’s development. While the Club continues to view UEFA Euro 2032 as an exciting opportunity for the city of Verona, the new stadium project is not contingent on the tournament.
Bank of America Stadium Reports Efficient Game-Day Operations Using Evolv Technology
Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc., a leading security technology company pioneering AI-based solutions designed to create safer experiences, shares new insights into the operational impact at Bank of America Stadium driven by ongoing use of Evolv Express® for efficient, high-volume fan entry security screening. As an early adopter of Evolv Express, purchasing Gen1 in 2021, the stadium recently announced their renewal and upgrade to Evolv Express Gen2 and the addition of Evolv eXpedite™ bag screening for employee entrances.
Bank of America Stadium hosts over 40 large-scale events annually, screening tens of thousands of fans at each event. According to Evolv Insights® data over the first four years of deployment, the venue achieved an average 93% clear rate* at fan entrances - equating to only 7 out of every 100 fans alerting - allowing most guests to move through screening without secondary checks. Thousands of fans are screened in minutes during peak ingress, while security teams have also detected and tagged thousands of potential threat items since the deployment of Evolv Express.
“With a clear rate around 93%, most of our fans are able to walk straight through without interruption,” said John Furr, Director of Safety and Security for Tepper Sports & Entertainment. “That makes a big difference during peak entry, where speed and visibility both matter.”
“Our customers are increasingly focused on understanding how systems perform in real-world, high-volume environments,” said John Baier, Vice President of Sports & Entertainment at Evolv. “This data highlights how venues can combine throughput and operational visibility to support both security and the fan experience.”
The results highlight a broader shift across sports and entertainment venues toward measuring security performance at scale, with a growing focus on throughput, operational visibility, and real-time adaptability. As attendance volumes remain high and fan expectations continue to rise, venues are increasingly looking for solutions that can support both security priorities and the overall arrival experience.
Beyond pro football, Evolv serves a large share of the teams and venues in the other major North American professional leagues with nearly 100 sports organizations around the world in total. Evolv also holds official designations with more than fifty teams and venues. More broadly, Evolv has more than 1,200 customers in industries ranging from healthcare to education to industrial workplaces as well as iconic venues and marquee events worldwide.
Sunderland announce major stadium upgrades
Sunderland AFC have announced the next phase of its multi-year investment programme, with significant enhancements to be delivered across the Stadium of Light and Academy of Light during summer 2026.
Marking the third consecutive summer of major transformation, the latest phase of investment underlines the Club’s long-term ambition to strengthen Sunderland AFC’s status in the Premier League.
This summer’s programme includes multi-million-pound investment into stadium infrastructure, including premium executive boxes, alongside further improvements designed to enhance experiences for supporters, players, partners, and staff.
At the Stadium of Light, a new LED perimeter advertising system will be installed ahead of the new campaign, enhancing the visual experience on matchdays while creating new commercial opportunities for the Club and its partners.
Across the Club’s football operations, significant investment is also being made at the Academy of Light to further develop elite performance environments for the men’s team, women’s team, and academy teams.
This includes upgrades to pitches, the modernisation of first-team training facilities across multiple spaces, and the introduction of new technologies to support performance, preparation, and recovery.
The Club is also investing in the complete refurbishment of its office environments at Black Cat House to create a workspace reflective of the progressive nature and ambition of the business.
Supporting this work is an ongoing technology roadmap spanning both internal and external functions, designed to enhance operational efficiency, supporter engagement, and overall experiences across the Club.
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Tom Burwell: “Following our return to the Premier League, this latest phase of investment reflects both the ambition and long-term vision we have for Sunderland AFC. This is not about short-term change – it is part of a multi-year commitment from the ownership group to build a Club that is sustainable, progressive, and capable of competing at the highest level across every area of the business. From the Stadium of Light to the Academy of Light, we are continuing to invest in our infrastructure, our people, and the experiences we deliver. Significant progress has been made over the past two summers, and this next phase will ensure we continue to evolve and modernise in a way that reflects the scale, identity, and future ambition of Sunderland AFC.”
These latest developments build on substantial investment delivered across the previous two summers.
Before the Club’s return to the Premier League, the Stadium of Light underwent successive summers of unprecedented development through an eight-figure investment programme focused on supporter experience and stadium infrastructure.
This included the introduction of safe standing, new PA and lighting systems, an elite playing surface, a new retail store and ticket office, and the redevelopment of several premium spaces.
General admission areas were also transformed through refurbished concourses featuring legends murals, and new TVs throughout the lower bowl, alongside major enhancements to food and beverage delivery, including new kiosks, eBars, and upgraded beer cooling and pouring systems.
In premium spaces, the Club’s partnership with Delaware North has transformed hospitality experiences, with lifelong Sunderland supporter and two Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks spearheading the launch of Banks on the Wear and 76 Yards.
As the Club builds on its return to the Premier League, this latest phase of investment reinforces Sunderland AFC’s commitment to building world-class environments and experiences across every area of the business.
Why interoperability is the real MVP of sports and entertainment venues
By Ian Godfrey, CTO, TSL
For major stadia and arena venues, the audience experience is defined as much by spectacle as by sport. And meeting those ever-increasing levels of expectation depends on complex technology stacks working seamlessly in the background.
Modern venues are no longer just event spaces; they are now complex, multi-layered production environments. In many ways they resemble full-scale broadcast facilities that need to be capable of supporting everything from live sports and concerts to global live media distribution, often within the same operational window.
As a result, the challenge facing venue operators is no longer simply deploying more technology, but instead, how to make increasingly diverse and distributed systems work together as a coherent whole.
Managing increasing in-venue complexity
Venue AV and technical teams are now managing a vast ecosystem of technologies: broadcast infrastructure (in-venue, connecting to OB providers and specific feeds for tenants/franchises/artists’ live streams etc), AV systems, lighting, graphics engines, replay platforms, digital signage networks are only the start. Systems are sourced from different vendors, each with its own control protocols, interfaces, and operational logic.
Historically, audio and video domains were tightly coupled, often delivered as part of vertically integrated systems where signal transport and control logic were closely linked. That model worked when venues supported a narrower range of use cases and technologies evolved at a slower, more linear pace.
Read the full article from ISSUE 47 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst47_digitallr/66
From Transactional to Experiential: The Future of F&B in Global Stadia
Russell Partnership Collection
Founded in 1989 with a vision to create a positive difference across the food and hospitality sector, over three decades later, we’re proud to have lead, developed strategy and operated with some of the world’s largest global events, including the London 2012 Olympic Games, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, Expo 2020 Dubai and the 2018, 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Today, we continue to deliver strategic consultancy and operational support globally, across multiple sectors including business, government, higher education, major events, conference and hotels. We have the privilege of working worldwide with clients and operators across stadia and events including Silverstone F1 British Grand Prix, Wembley Stadium, the R&A Open Championship, Royal Ascot, LIV Golf and the Jockey Club to name a few.
As independent industry specialists, our services range from developing long-term F&B strategy / masterplans to delivering future partner procurement processes. Contract evaluation, commercial modelling and operational efficiencies are also key services we deliver for clients as venues develop longer term partnerships with operators and maximise the commercial and revenue impact to the bottom line.
How has F&B / hospitality industry changed post pandemic?
Since the pandemic, food, beverage and hospitality has shifted from being a background amenity to becoming a centre-stage driver of the modern event experience. Whether at a sports game, concert, conference, or festival, what guests eat, and drink plays a defining role in how they perceive and remember an event. Today, fans and attendees expect more than entertainment, they want memorable, meaningful, and high-quality culinary moments that complement the event itself. As a result, stadiums, arenas, and live venues worldwide are investing heavily in elevated food and beverage offerings that shape how people feel, engage, and return.
Arenas as Cities: The Rise of the 365-Day Hospitality
By George Vaughan, The Digital Line
If you build it, they will come.
For decades, stadium economics followed this simple, cinema inspired logic. Create a meeting place for fans of sports or music to congregate and they will gravitate to it. But in today’s landscape, that assumption no longer holds. Building the venue is only the starting point; the real challenge is giving people a reason to return when there is no event at all.
In today’s world, a modern stadium no longer sleeps. Lights remain on in its restaurants, visitors move through its lobbies, and office workers sip coffee in spaces that, just days before, were filled with thousands of chanting fans. The transformation is subtle but profound: the stadium has evolved from a periodic venue into a permanent destination.
What once seemed unusual now defines the direction of the industry. Increasingly, venues operate not as single-purpose sports facilities, but as miniature urban ecosystems - places designed to generate economic, social and cultural activity every day of the year. The result is the rise of the “365-day hospitality model,” where the success of a stadium is defined not only by what happens on a matchday, but also by what happens in between.
From Event Peaks to Everyday Footfall
For much of the 20th century, stadiums followed a simple rhythm. They opened for matches or concerts, produced intense but short-lived bursts of revenue and then sat largely dormant. While this model was sufficient in an era of lower construction costs and fewer expectations, it is increasingly difficult to justify today. Modern venues often cost hundreds of millions, if not billions to build and maintain.
More and more the reality is that idle time is no longer economically viable.
In response, developers and operators have reimagined the stadium as a year-round destination. Rather than relying solely on ticket sales and event-day spending, they seek to maximise daily footfall. Visitors no longer need a match ticket to justify a trip. A family might come for dinner, a business might host a conference, or tourists might book a stadium tour as part of a broader itinerary.
This marks a fundamental transition: from attendance-driven revenue to destination-driven revenue. In this new model, stadiums compete not only with other sports venues, but with restaurants, hotels and entertainment districts across the city.
Read the full article from ISSUE 47 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst47_digitallr/62