Etihad Park Topping Out Ceremony carried out by NYC FC
New York City FC has installed the final steel beam at Etihad Park, finishing construction of the stadium’s structural frame. Despite an extraordinarily harsh winter, the installation of the final steel beam was completed on schedule, bringing New York City FC’s promise to build New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium closer to reality. The Club will begin playing matches at Etihad Park in the 2027–28 MLS season, more than a decade after their MLS debut.
The topping out ceremony celebrated this historic moment and honoured the all-union construction crew, whose work has brought New York City FC’s vision for Etihad Park to life. Following the ceremony, the stadium’s final steel beam was raised and installed by a crew of Ironworkers Local 361 union members. These crew members included: JC Steel Superintendent Matt Bispo; Crane Operator Mark Jones; Crane Oiler Bobby Bernardo; Foreman Anthony Stonish; Ground Crew Matthew Warren and Ray Glynn; Connectors Cameron Jacobs and Will Grogan; Signalman Gerard Dolce; and Apprentice Dennis Brown. A tree was placed on top of the beam and raised with it, as part of a centuries-old tradition of placing a tree at the highest point of a structure to symbolize growth, resilience, and good fortune for the building and the people who gather there.
New York City FC was joined by elected officials, union leaders, hundreds of construction workers, fans, and community members.
“Today’s milestone is not just a marker of construction progress, it is the realization of a vision that will shape the future of this Club and the sport in New York City for generations. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our all-union construction teams and partners, that vision is becoming reality. We look forward to welcoming our fans to Etihad Park for the first time next summer and to marking the beginning of a new era for New York City FC,” said New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman Marty Edelman.
“Today marks an important milestone towards finally giving New York soccer fans our own stadium," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "I want to thank all of the workers who have gotten us to this point, including the more than 300 hard-working men and women from Queens who have been hired on this project. Etihad Park represents more than just a soccer stadium -- it's the type of project we want to see: fully electric and union-made by and for New Yorkers."
“The installation of the final beam at Etihad Park marks a poignant milestone for the entire New York City FC community, especially for our fans who have been waiting years for their own stadium. After nearly a decade of searching for the right place to build a home for our Club, we’re proud to celebrate the remarkable progress made in such a short time. We are especially grateful to Turner, the City, and our union partners for helping create a stadium that reflects the impact our Club has on our city,” said New York City FC CEO Brad Sims.
Etihad Park’s construction is being privately financed by New York City FC and constructed with 100% union labor. The 25,000-seat stadium will be the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the country and remains on schedule to open for the 2027-28 MLS season.
Since breaking ground in December 2024, more than 300 Queens residents have been hired on the project. Etihad Park’s workforce is all-union, with members from Local 1 Plumbers, Local 3 IBEW (Electrical Workers), SMART Local 28 (Sheet Metal Workers), Local 45 Carpenters, Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 46, Local 79 Laborers, Local 638 Steamfitters, Local 731 Excavators, Local 1456 Painters, and DC9 Painters. The food for the event was catered by Antonio’s Kitchen, a local restaurant based in East Elmhurst, Queens. When the stadium opens, it will be operated by 32BJ and UNITE HERE Local 100.
Etihad Park is part of the broader Willets Point Redevelopment, projected to generate $6.1 billion in economic impact and will deliver 2,500 affordable homes — the largest 100% affordable housing project in New York City in 40 years — a 650-seat public school, a 250-key hotel, over 40,000 square feet of public open space, 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs. The first 880 units of affordable housing will be welcoming residents starting this spring.
“Etihad Park represents everything we envisioned for soccer in the largest market in the country -- a world-class, fan-first stadium that will elevate New York City FC and Major League Soccer. This is a transformational project that will be a cathedral for the sport, an anchor in the city’s sports landscape, and an inspiration for the next generation of players and fans across New York. The impact of this stadium will be felt for decades to come,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
“Today's topping off of Etihad Park represents a tremendous milestone in the rebirth of Willets Point, the growth of The World’s Game in The World’s Borough and the cementing of Queens’ status as the cultural heartbeat of New York City,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This modern, all-electric stadium will bring New York City Football Club’s brand of world-class soccer and immense economic opportunity right to our doorsteps in Queens, in addition to the more than 300 active union construction jobs that have already been filled by borough residents. Etihad Park will be a crown jewel of Queens for many decades to come — welcome home, NYCFC.”
“Welcoming the state’s first soccer stadium to our backyard is a powerful signal of what’s possible when development is done with community intention and impact in mind. This project will bring new opportunities for our neighbors, support local small businesses, and strengthen the economic engine that makes Queens, the World’s Borough, so dynamic. It’s an exciting moment, not just for today, but for the generations of neighbors and entrepreneurs who will benefit from what’s being built here. This topping-out ceremony represents real investment in our community and the future of Queens,” said New York City Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry.
"Today's topping out is yet another testament to the dedication and skill of the union tradesmen and tradeswomen who have been entrusted with this project that will not only provide New York City its first soccer-specific stadium, but also create thousands of family-sustaining careers and much-needed community reinvestment in Queens," said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. "The Building Trades and our members are proud to play such a key role in providing NYCFC and its supporters a home at Etihad Park and look forward to seeing the project completed in time to host matches in 2027."
“Today, we celebrate a success story of government and private industry working together to build a community where working people can thrive. Etihad Park and the broader Willets Point redevelopment is delivering good union jobs, affordable housing, a new school and open space. Etihad Park will also provide permanent jobs for 32BJ members and thousands of others, creating real economic growth for Queens and beyond,” said Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ.
“Today’s topping out represents decades of opportunity to come for the hardworking men and women of the food service industry—the cooks, servers, and concession staff who will bring Etihad Park to life. It is an honor to stand with NYCFC, New York elected officials and fellow Labor leaders as we celebrate the union construction workers building this stadium,” said Jose Maldonado, President of UNITEHERE Local 100.
“Willets Point is one of the most rapidly growing neighborhoods in New York City and a once-in-a-generation investment in Queens that will deliver thousands of affordable homes, new jobs, public green space, a new public school and more,” said Jeff Blau, CEO, Related Companies, and Scott Wilpon, Partner, Sterling Equities, on behalf of Queens Development Group. “As we move one step closer to welcoming the first residents this Spring, we are proud to celebrate this key milestone for Etihad Park, the city’s first professional soccer-specific stadium, alongside New York City FC, city leaders, and local partners who helped bring the longstanding vision for this community to life.”
“I am excited to see this project continuing to move forward and doing so with 100% union labor,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “This installation of the final steel beam brings us one step closer to the completion of New York City's first professional soccer-specific stadium. I look forward to the progress continuing and the economic benefits that this will bring to our borough.”
"Queens is the most diverse county in the country, and now it will be home to a world-class soccer stadium. This ceremony is an exciting milestone for the families, small businesses, and communities in Queens who will benefit from the jobs and economic activity this project brings. I thank former Councilman Francisco Moya for his leadership and commitment to the development of the stadium; I am proud to see this investment in our borough moving forward," said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.
"Our community is growing alongside this project, and I've worked to make sure that growth includes the people who call Queens home. Over 300 Queens residents are earning union wages on this job site and building careers that will last long after the final beam is in place. That's what real development looks like; not just new buildings, but new opportunity for working families. I'll keep fighting to ensure every major project in Queens delivers that same return to our neighborhoods,” said New York State Assembly Member Larinda Hooks.
“This topping-out ceremony marks an exciting milestone not only for New York City FC, but for Queens and our entire city,” said New York City Council Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. “Etihad Park is more than a stadium, it represents years of commitment, the strength of organized labor, and a vision for what thoughtful development can achieve. I look forward to the day when fans fill this stadium and contribute to the economic growth of our borough. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible, especially the hardworking men and women who quite literally built this vision from the ground up.”
“Today’s a very exciting day for everyone in Queens and for all soccer fans. In about one year from now, NYCFC will be playing MLS soccer in their very own state-of-the-art 25,000 seat soccer stadium,” said Chuck Apelian, Chair of Queens Community Board 7. “We can’t wait for that day and kudos for everyone who helped make this happen.”
“We’re proud to see the world’s game finding a permanent home in the world’s borough. Etihad Park represents more than a stadium -- it’s a powerful investment in our local economy, creating good-paying jobs and catalyzing economic activity that will continue to support small businesses across Queens. This location in the heart of the most diverse place on Earth further solidifies Queens as the new destination in NYC. From construction to game day operations, this project is delivering real economic impact for our communities and helping ensure Queens continues to grow as a global destination,” said Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce.
One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha officially opened
One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha was officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger and Prime Minster Christopher Luxon at a ceremony on a wet and stormy morning in New Zealand.
Populous and Warren and Mahoney (WAM) led the architectural design, bringing expertise in global stadium design to the NZ$683 million project and ensuring a fan experience that rivals any other venue across the world. The world-class multi-use stadium construction was led by contractor BESIX Watpac.
As the final piece in the rebuilding of Christchurch following the earthquakes that devastated the city in 2011, One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha is a true multi use facility designed to maximize year-round activation, from sporting fixtures to major concerts and everything in between.
Populous Senior Principal Josh Robson said the Populous and WAM design team took a performance-based approach, working with building scientists and engineers to maximize the multi-use adaptability of the Stadium.
“From studying the light, to using fluid dynamics to assess air movement, acoustic modelling for reverberation and attenuation, and patron movement simulations to reduce queue times, each layer was carefully balanced to deliver an exceptional fan experience,” Mr Robson said.
The cold never bothered us anyway
To further enhance the event day experience, the architects designed the seating bowl to maximize atmosphere, by bringing fans close to the action for both sporting and large concert events. Spectator comfort was also prioritized through the design of a permanently fixed roof, so it can be used throughout the year, in all weather conditions.
Ordinarily, this would mean an artificial playing surface inside. However, having previously designed the world’s first permanently covered stadium with a natural grass playing field at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Populous was able to bring this experience to the project.
“This knowledge was applied to One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha. The fixed roof combines a lightweight structure with transparent ETFE, precisely calibrated to provide optimal natural light to sustain the living turf below, while creating a bright, weather-protected environment that elevates every moment within,” Mr Robson said.
Stadium manager Venues Ōtautahi Chief Executive Caroline Harvie-Teare said it was ironic to have rain and wind battering the new stadium on its opening day.
"It's incredible having a roof – it really does give us the ability to do things all year round. A diverse range of content. So the irony of today being the ceremonial opening – it certainly showcased its benefit," she said.
The stadium has capacity for more than 37,000 people at concerts, the ability to transform into a cut-down event mode, and the flexibility to support a range of sporting and cultural events.
The venue is the largest construction project ever undertaken by Christchurch City Council.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said “Christchurch has a real sense of momentum about it, and the Te Kaha Project has played an important role in the long journey of the city’s rebuild.
“I’m delighted that this day has finally arrived and we get to see this amazing stadium finished. I’m so proud of Council staff and everyone who has contributed to delivering One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha – on time and within budget no less.”
Creating a cultural connection to the land
Te Kaha is a shortened version of Te Kaharoa (meaning ‘enduring strength’), which is the name that Ngāi Tūāhuriri gifted to the land bounded by Madras, Hereford, Barbadoes and Tuam streets.
The stadium’s exterior features a unique steel façade, measuring 800 meters, with a design that reflects the Canterbury landscape, including the iconic Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula, the Port Hills and the Southern Alps. This design creates a visual connection between the stadium and its surroundings. No matter where visitors are viewing the building from externally, the façade will mirror the landscape behind it.
Inside, the seating bowl features a one-of-a-kind kowhaiwhai pattern inspired by the hammerhead shark (mangōpare) which represents strength, tenacity, speed and agility, designed to inspire performers and athletes using the stadium.
Reimagining the event experience
The guest experience is at the heart of the stadium. Populous APAC Director and Senior Principal Chris Paterson said the venue is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and comfortable with exemplary food and beverage offerings, industry-leading seat design and a variety of spaces to encourage social gathering and connections.
“It is far more than a stadium, it is a place where collective memory is made, where victories are shared, artists are celebrated, and the community gathers in moments of unity. As the final anchor project of the city’s rebuild, we designed the Stadium to embody resilience and renewal, standing as a physical expression of the region’s strength and optimism,” Mr Paterson said.
“In bringing people together, it reinforces the enduring connections between people and place and ensures the stadium belongs not just to the city, but to its people.”
Over the next month of the project, system checks, turf care and staff training will continue ahead of the first event, Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round which will be held from 24 to 26 April 2026.
Dodgers launch sponsorship with UNIQLO for iconic ballpark
In the 64 years that the Dodgers' home ballpark has opened its doors to fans, it has always been formally known as Dodger Stadium. That time-honoured name isn't going away, but it will be a little longer starting in 2026.
UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium was officially christened on the eve of Opening Day, when officials from the Dodgers and Japanese retail giant UNIQLO came together to announce a new partnership that includes the latter acquiring the naming rights to the field at the former's ballpark.
Founder/chairman Tadashi Yanai and executives Daisuke Tsukagoshi and Koji Yanai were present on behalf of UNIQLO, while owner/chairman Mark Walter, president/CEO Stan Kasten and manager Dave Roberts were on hand to represent the Dodgers.
"It took a long time with a lot of great people on both sides," Kasten said. "We have, I think, two leaders in their fields: the world champion Dodgers, and then, of course, the renowned-around-the-world UNIQLO brand. As Mr. Yanai said to me earlier, we both aim to be No. 1 in the world, and that's why our partnership was kind of meant to be."
Kasten then presented Tadashi Yanai with a home plate signed by the members of the Dodgers -- "symbolic of this being his new home," Kasten said.
The deal marks UNIQLO's first major sports partnership in the United States. The company came into the agreement with an awareness of what the Dodger Stadium name means to people in L.A. and did not want to take that away altogether.
"Dodger Stadium has been loved by the fans over many decades, so we have to respect that history while expressing our partnership together with the Dodgers," said Koji Yanai, who specializes in sports partnerships at Fast Retailing Co., UNIQLO's parent company. "This UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium name may be very new for everyone, but I hope in the near future, the fans will like it and will love it."
The new name will be displayed around the ballpark: along the baselines, on the inside of the seating bowl below the press box and, most prominently, on a new sign above the batter's eye that was unveiled at Wednesday's event.
That begged the obvious question from one reporter: If a player goes deep off the UNIQLO sign, will he get some sort of gift in return?
"It's a very great idea that I was just given there," UNIQLO founder and chairman Tadashi Yanai said, as translated by an interpreter. "Definitely, we want to take this into consideration."
"We like that idea, too," Kasten chimed in.
The partnership also goes beyond the ballpark. The Dodgers and UNIQLO are working together to develop initiatives to benefit communities in Los Angeles, which will be announced at a later date.
"Fusing diverse perspectives and values that would constitute your power and strengths," Tadashi Yanai said. "That's exactly [what] the Dodgers and Los Angeles have, and we are so excited to join this family to explore endless possibilities and opportunities to make this world a better place."
The Dodgers have had a long-standing presence in Japan that has led to their history of signing great Japanese talent, from Hideo Nomo to their modern-day trio of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. The team established itself as a destination for Japanese players through its early groundwork.
Now UNIQLO, already a brand with a worldwide presence, is planting roots in L.A. with a similar intention.
Harmonic elevate sports streaming solutions
Harmonic have announced powerful new innovations that further elevate the company’s sports streaming solution. The advanced capabilities enhance fan engagement, unlock new opportunities for sports content monetisation and strengthen content protection. Harmonic's advanced sports streaming platform empowers sports broadcasters, pure streamers, service providers and rights holders to meet the rising demand for immersive, interactive streaming experiences while maximizing the value and security of premium live sports content.
“Live sports represent the most valuable and demanding content in streaming today,” said Jean Macher, senior director of global SaaS solutions at Harmonic. “Sports fans expect immersive, real-time experiences — and sports rights buyers need solutions that can monetize live events while delivering compelling viewing experiences that keep fans engaged. Our enhanced live sports streaming solution, built through collaboration across the sports ecosystem, reinforces Harmonic’s commitment to helping customers maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.”
Enhance Fan Engagement with Multiview
Harmonic’s new in-house server-side multiview solution allows fans to watch multiple games or camera angles simultaneously. The new capability is compatible with any end devices, ensures synchronized playback with exceptional video quality and low latency, and can be deployed in a geo-redundant environment for maximum reliability. Through API or UI, customers can easily compose any HD or UHD multiview templates.
Unlock Programmatic Advertising Through Scene-level Contextual Targeting
Harmonic’s live sports streaming solution now supports programmatic advertising for live sports CTV inventory in collaboration with Viant Technology and its contextual intelligence platform IRIS.TV. The solution automatically generates scene-level contextual segments, including game start and end times, score changes, and key moments, and activates it within Viant’s AI-powered demand-side platform, purpose-built for CTV.
This enables advertisers to bid on highly relevant sports inventory with greater precision and measurable performance outcomes. This innovation also allows publishers to monetize premium moments in real time, including unpredictable events such as overtime, maximizing the value of live sports inventory while delivering more contextually aligned advertising experiences.
Boost Monetization with Dynamic In-Stream Advertising
Server-side in-stream advertising capabilities on Harmonic’s live sports streaming solution are now in production by a leading U.S. regional sports network. Harmonic’s solution dynamically triggers ads based on real-time game moments. Already deployed during live NBA and NHL games, this capability allows sports rights holders to monetize high-action moments without interrupting the viewing experience. In-stream advertising can also be enabled on the new server-side multiview channels for further monetization.
Protect Premium Sports Content with Scalable Watermarking
Harmonic strengthens content protection with integrated, service-based forensic watermarking, helping rights holders combat piracy at scale without added complexity. Through native integration with NAGRA NexGuard - part of NAGRAVISION’s end-to-end streaming security solution - Harmonic enables watermarking as a service, delivering real-time traceability with minimal impact on latency or user experience. Harmonic has also integrated advanced solutions from Irdeto, including TraceMark™ watermarking with both A/B and distribution level watermarking. Together, these capabilities allow sports content owners to quickly identify and shut down illegal streams, protecting the value of premium live sports content.
Harmonic will demonstrate its enhanced live sports streaming solution at the 2026 NAB Show, April 19-22, in Las Vegas in booth W2831. To schedule a meeting with the company, visit www.harmonicinc.com/video-streaming/events/nab/. Further information about Harmonic and the company’s solutions is available at www.harmonicinc.com.
Levy launches umbrella brand Lyvera with £350m goal
- Keith Prowse is the official sports & events premium experience provider for many iconic venues and stadiums across the country, including The Championships, Wimbledon and the Allianz Stadium.
- Gullivers Sports Travel is the UK’s leading and longest-established sports tour operator, providing extensive travel expertise, passion for sport and meticulous attention to detail ensure an unforgettable experience.
- The Experience Golf specialises in luxury golf tours across Scotland, Ireland, and England, offering guaranteed tee times at some of the world’s most iconic courses, paired with premium accommodation, cultural tours and five star hospitality.
- Lime Venue Portfolio is the UK’s largest collection of iconic venues and works to transform events into unforgettable experiences with world-class catering.
- Events International is the market leader in providing premium VIP hospitality packages with nearly 40 years of experience in organising official corporate hospitality at competitive prices.
- Renowned for curating bespoke events and programmes for the past 30 years, The iLuka Collective place the world’s greatest brands at the heart of the world’s greatest sporting events, making the human experience the focal point of everything they do.
- The Venues Collection is a dedicated hotel management brand with a proven track record in driving commercial success. It manages every aspect of a growing range of hotels and purpose-built training centres with accommodation.
Inter Miami prepare for NU Stadium as pitch laid down
NU Stadium's playing surface has been laid down ahead of the inaugural match at the Stadium, which will see Inter Miami face Austin FC on April 4.
The ground has been equipped with locally sourced top-level Bermudagrass. Below are the details of the top features of the newly installed pitch.
Pitch Details:
- Top-notch Bermudagrass dresses Nu Stadium, grown in a farm that grows high-quality sod locally in Loxahatchee, Florida.
- “Lay and Play” sod: a unique process of growing sod that allows it to be laid on the field and have great footing immediately, without moving like traditional thin-cut sod.
- World-class tools such as grow lights, compact sensor devices, and a sophisticated drainage system will ensure the right air, soil, light, humidity, soil moisture, and soil salinity are provided to grow the grass healthy and recover from usage.
The surface has already begun its rapid adaptation, ensuring it will be fully prepared ahead of hosting the action and energy that the reigning MLS Cup champions will bring to Miami starting on April 4.
Ślęza Wrocław arena fitted with AEQ based intercom
The new Ślęza Wrocław multi-purpose sports arena, located in Wrocław (Poland), has recently been equipped with a comprehensive technical system designed to support sports competitions, events, and broadcasts. The facility, with a total area of approximately 11,000 m², is primarily intended for track and field and basketball activities and is part of an ambitious sports infrastructure project in the city.
The venue also features an intercom system based on AEQ technology, which enables clear and reliable communication among the venue’s technical teams. This solution facilitates operational coordination during competitions and broadcasts, ensuring efficient communication between the various workstations.
The intercom system incorporates AEQ Xplorer wireless beltpacks, devices that function as true portable user panels for coordinating the technical team. Based on Wi-Fi connectivity in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, these terminals enable clear and stable voice communications even in dynamic environments such as sports facilities or large venues. Each beltpack features a user interface with programmable keys organized into pages, a multifunction display for viewing destinations, audio levels, battery status, and wireless signal strength, as well as independent volume controls that facilitate communication management during the event. Their compact and rugged design, built for intensive production use and protected against shocks and splashes, allows operators to move freely around the venue while maintaining a constant connection with the rest of the team. The wireless technology used also facilitates integration with managed Wi-Fi networks, enabling mobility within the coverage area and rapid system deployment in professional settings.
The arena’s sound system is based on RCF technology, APEX amplification, and Yamaha digital processing, all integrated into a Dante-based audio network. This infrastructure ensures clear coverage throughout the venue during competitions, events, and public announcements.
For sports commentary and audio production, equipment such as the Midas M32R Live console, Klark Teknik interfaces, and Sennheiser wireless systems is used, configured to facilitate broadcasts and interviews during sporting events.
The design, supply, and integration of the technical systems were carried out by TOMMEX, a company specializing in professional audio and communication solutions
Monumental reveal The Blueprint Studios at Capital One Arena
As part of the ongoing Capital One Arena transformation, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) have announced The Blueprint Studios, a new concept that creates a flexible pathway into arena hospitality for guests looking to gather, host and connect around live sports and entertainment. The new spaces will debut ahead of the 2027-28 season and offer opportunities for multi-year membership.
The Blueprint Studios are inspired by both the vision behind the Capital One Arena transformation and the city of Washington itself, rooted in L’Enfant’s original blueprint for the District that designated the plot of land where the arena sits as a gathering place at a global intersection.
The concept reflects this time-honored communal spirit, providing an entry point for exclusive ownership and guests looking to build their own shared experiences at Capital One Arena. With spaces offering seating designed for groups of eight or more, The Blueprint Studios create a right-sized option for groups and businesses who want to enjoy live sports and entertainment together, without the scale or commitment of a traditional private suite. The Blueprint Studios will be located on the arena’s second level and offer elevated amenities including all-inclusive food and beverage, in-seat service and access to a private lounge that creates natural socializing among like-minded members.
“Capital One Arena is a community convening space in the heart of the nation’s capital that brings guests from all over the world together,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “The Blueprint Studios reflect that spirit, making it easier than ever to gather your circle and build life-long memories over live events. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, networking with colleagues, or hosting small business meetings, the spaces are designed to meet your group’s distinct needs – allowing you to focus on the moments that matter.”
Building on Washington, D.C.’s architectural legacy, The Blueprint Studios will reflect the city’s tradition of intentional, enduring spaces built to bring people together. From Union Station’s sweeping arches to the Capitol’s neoclassical construction, guests will instantly recognize design details inspired by the city’s most iconic landmarks in a refined, welcoming, and intentionally designed social environment.
In addition to small group private spaces and a distinctly D.C. design, The Blueprint Studios will include:
– All-inclusive food and beverage with a rotating menu of elevated arena fan favorites and featured items for every event
– A Blueprint Studios social club with dedicated bar, dining, and restrooms for additional gathering space close to the action
– Access to The Halo, a multi-level hospitality space offering curated dining, service, and retail for select ticketholders
– In-seat service and dedicated concierge team
– One arena parking pass per 8 guests.
Where Washington Comes Together
The Blueprint Studios are the latest debut in MSE’s $800+ million transformation of Capital One Arena in partnership with The District. The redesigned arena will create a new entertainment and social hub in the heart of the city as the cornerstone of broader efforts to revitalize the downtown area.
Throughout the transformation, fans across every level will see meaningful upgrades in every part of the arena experience including:
Entry: More access points, highlighted by a new arrival hall – The Grand Pavilion – with upgraded ticketing and security technology to ease entry.
Travel: Wider concourses and double the number of elevators/escalators, including express options designated for each floor.
Gathering: Multiple new social spaces on every floor for convenient places to connect close to the action.
Concessions: Increased concessions locations, several more kitchens, and a new food hall on the 4thfloor concourse
Amenities: Six team stores, a new flagship team store, and increased concourse restrooms
Action: A brand-new scoreboard and large Visibowl™ concourse displays showing the event in real-time
Culture: Works by local artists will turn every level into a living civic landmark with the District Arts Collection.
For further information on the arena transformation, visit DistrictMomentum.com for the latest updates, renderings, behind-the-scenes previews, and more.
Champ Rugby side to build 5000 seater stadium
Champ Rugby side Chinnor RFC have announced plans to build a 5000 seater stadium on the site of its existing ground.
The team's current stadium mostly consists of pitch side standing areas for spectators, with this move laying down a marker of significant ambition for the club.
"We remain committed to being a whole community club at all levels at the Club that we have developed over the last 20 years. We are particularly proud that we are enhancing our community side to make further outreaches and overwhelmed that the Community have embraced our ambitions. The Stadium will be available for community use and entertainment for community local community benefit," said Nick Stainton, Chairman, Chinnor RFC.
“This will continue to further our ambitions to always operate at the top level of the league that we are in. Our sustainability will dramatically improve albeit so will our costs but we will always at least balance the two whilst investing further into community benefits . This may possibly be the most significant infrastructure improvement the Champ has seen for many decades , particularly from a debutant side. Nick Easter’s contract has been extended further which will greatly enhance our ability to perform both on and off field. Nick Easter is very keen to assist our ambitions and will be appointed to the Main Board to help us achieve them," added Chinnor CEO Simon Vickers.
Nick Easter, Director of Rugby at Chinnor said: "“I’m delighted to be signing on at Chinnor and continuing to be part of a great club and its journey. There were other exciting opportunities on offer which I am hugely grateful for but in the end I put a lot of thought into the people in an establishment and at Chinnor they are some of the best I have worked with in rugby They also make me feel valued and trusted in what I do. Alongside this the club have ambition which is also important, something which has shone through on and off the field as we continue to grow sustainably in a hot bed of rugby.”
The work is subject to planning approval and is slated to begin at the end of next season.
Daktronics transform digital displays at T-Mobile Park
Continuing to evolve the digital display experience at T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Mariners have turned to Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, to manufacture and install an upgraded outfield video display, now named Mariners Fire TV, totalling more than 11,300 square feet. The size remains squarely in the top 10 in baseball’s major league and is installed and ready for the first pitch of the 2026 season in Seattle, Washington.
“We pride ourselves in consistently finding ways to elevate the fan experience at T-Mobile Park, and the new Mariners Fire TV in center field represents another great opportunity to make a meaningful impact,” said Mariners Vice President of Content and Creative Services Ben Mertens. “Daktronics has been a trusted partner for years, and this next-generation videoboard reflects our shared commitment to innovation. The size, clarity and capabilities of the new display will bring fans even closer to the game we love, enhancing our ability to showcase both the action on the field and the incredible atmosphere in the stands in a more visually dynamic and engaging way.”
“We’re honoured that the Seattle Mariners have trusted Daktronics with this next-generation video display at T-Mobile Park,” said Daktronics Vice President of Live Events and Spectaculars Jay Parker. “This project reflects our shared commitment to creating an unforgettable experience for fans, where every moment on the field is amplified by our technology. Providing displays that enhance the entertainment for audiences is what we do, and we’re looking forward to helping the Mariners bring their vision to life.”
Video Display Details