Populous Expands Americas Design Leadership
Global design firm Populous today announced the hiring of Loren Supp as Senior Principal and Head of Design, Western U.S. In this role, he will oversee design quality across Populous’ offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland.
In addition to leading project design efforts, Supp will join Populous’ design team, led by Scott Capstack, Global Director and Head of Design of the Americas, to strengthen and elevate design quality across the region.
Based in Populous’ Los Angeles office, Supp will champion continued design excellence throughout the Western U.S. while playing an active, hands-on role in guiding key projects from concept through completion.
"Loren is a highly respected design leader with distinct vision and deep expertise in large-scale, complex projects. His experience leading design across a diverse range of venue types makes him an outstanding addition to the firm. We look forward to seeing Loren’s philosophy shape some of our most significant projects," said Jonathan Maille, Populous Global Director and Managing Director of the Americas.
Supp returns to Populous after working for the firm from 2008 to 2011 and brings more than two decades of experience leading high-profile projects across numerous project typologies around the world. His award-winning portfolio spans sports stadiums and professional training facilities, major airports and cultural venues.
He also brings expertise in integrating artificial intelligence and advanced parametric methodologies into professional practice, further positioning Populous to continue to deliver innovative, future-ready solutions for its clients.
“Populous has an exceptional culture grounded in design excellence and collaboration,” Supp said. “I am honoured to return to the firm to help advance design leadership, integrate emerging technologies and deliver projects that draw people together across the Western U.S. and throughout the Americas.”
Among his many accomplishments, Supp’s portfolio includes Shell Energy Stadium in Houston; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; and the Seattle Seahawks’ Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
“I’m excited to welcome Loren back to Populous and to work closely with him in this role,” Capstack said. “He brings together big‑picture vision with disciplined, hands‑on project leadership, and we look forward to collaborating with Loren to further strengthen our creative culture across the Americas.”
Supp serves on the Board of Trustees for ArtsFund, the largest nonprofit supporter of the arts and culture sector in Washington and is a visiting instructor at the University of Washington. He has a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Washington.
Humanforce to Elevate Workforce Experience at KSE Colorado Venues
Humanforce, a leading global provider of intelligent, AI-driven human capital management (HCM) solutions for frontline workforces, today announced a strategic partnership with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) to optimize workforce management across KSE Colorado venues. The partnership encompasses Ball Arena, home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, where the Colorado Rapids compete, and Paramount Theatre.
In particular, Ball Arena employs an average of 700–800 staff members, scaling to more than 1,000 during major events to support a wide variety of functions including security, guest services, and ticket operations. Managing such a dynamic and flexible workforce presents unique challenges, particularly as the venue transitions between NBA, NHL, and large-scale entertainment events.
By implementing Humanforce’s modern, cloud-based platform, Team KSE will gain real-time visibility of schedules, staff event availability, and attendance, while streamlining communication and engagement to event staff through a modern mobile app experience. The solution will enable KSE to deliver seamless and consistent employee experiences across its operations.
“It is our responsibility to deliver a world-class event experience for our fans and that starts with our staff,” said Kelsey Cerrone, Sr. Director, Event Safety & Integrated Operations, KSE. “By managing workforce operations effectively, we can boost employee engagement, which creates a positive ripple effect on the game day experience.”
Humanforce's platform is designed to help frontline organizations manage large, shift-based workforces, bringing together scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, HR and employee engagement into a single system. Humanforce Connect extends that further — governing fulfilment across internal teams, external pools and agencies in one place, purpose-built for organizations where labor demand spikes fast and spans multiple workforce types.
With Humanforce, Team KSE will streamline workforce operations across multiple employment types and departments, ensuring employees are onboarded consistently, scheduled efficiently, and paid accurately, helping raise the bar for live sports and entertainment experiences in Colorado.
“KSE sets the standard for live sports and entertainment, and we’re proud to support their commitment to delivering an exceptional experience — starting with the people who make it all happen. This partnership reflects our vision to be the best-in-class HCM platform for frontline and flexible workforces, globally,” said Clayton Pyne, CEO, Humanforce. “As live sports and entertainment venues worldwide face mounting pressure to attract, retain, and empower their people, Humanforce is uniquely positioned to help them turn workforce operations into a competitive advantage.”
The KSE partnership underscores Humanforce’s accelerating momentum in North America and its position as the intelligent, AI-driven HCM platform of choice for organizations managing large, dynamic frontline workforces.
For more information about Humanforce, visit www.humanforce.com.
Inter Miami partner with Shift4 to enhance fan experience
Inter Miami CF have announced a new partnership with Shift4, the global commerce technology provider powering the experience economy, with the company’s industry-leading integrated payment technology now powering ticketing and concession purchases at Nu Stadium, delivering a seamless matchday experience from the moment fans arrive through the final whistle.
As part of the partnership, Shift4 has been named an Official Partner of Inter Miami CF and the Official Payment Processing Partner of Nu Stadium, the Club’s newly opened, state-of-the-art 26,700-seat home in the heart of Miami.
“With the successful opening of our new home, it’s important that every aspect of the fan journey reflects the world-class experience we aim to provide at Nu Stadium,” said Euan Warren, Vice President of Partnerships at Inter Miami CF. “Shift4’s innovative technology plays a key role in delivering a fast, frictionless environment for our fans.”
“We’re excited to partner with Inter Miami CF to power incredible fan experiences on matchday,” said Dustin Alpert, Head of Sports & Entertainment at Shift4. “Our cutting-edge commerce technologies complement the team’s operations at its brand-new stadium to ensure a frictionless experience for both ticketing and concessions purchases. Shift4 proudly provides commerce services at thousands of arenas and venues in North America across every major sports league, and we look forward to continuing to explore opportunities to support the broader Inter Miami ecosystem in the future.”
In addition to powering payments across the venue, Shift4 receives prominent brand visibility and integration within Nu Stadium, including at Grab & Go stations designed to enhance speed and convenience for fans.
K-array brings 360-degree audio to Africa's most advanced hockey arena
Morocco’s capital city of Rabat continues to cement its position as a pillar of international sporting infrastructure. The latest milestone in that ambition is the new Rabat Ice Hockey Arena. They have added a new Olympic-sized ice hockey rink that doubles as a multipurpose event space, integrating lighting, structural elements, LED walls and a high-performance audio system.
Recognised as the largest and most modern hockey arena on the African continent, the venue sets a new benchmark for sports and entertainment infrastructure in the region. At its heart, there is a K-array sound system specified to fill the entire arena with immersive, intelligible audio for any event.
The project was delivered by Cegelec, a subsidiary of VINCI Energies that specialises in consulting, design, engineering, construction and the maintenance of commercial and industrial buildings and infrastructure projects at large. Cegelec’s audiovisual division managed the installation of professional equipment across the venue. K-array equipment for the project was supplied through EcmaPro Systems, the brand's exclusive distributor in Morocco.
The brief was ambitious and precise. The venue required an audio system capable of supporting 360-degree entertainment across a wide variety of use cases, from speeches and sporting announcements to music performances and large-scale public events.
Large sports venues present a complex acoustic environment. Reverberation, crowd noise and structural reflections can significantly undermine intelligibility, particularly in a space designed to accommodate thousands of spectators. A compact, precisely controlled system was essential, and it needed to be capable of delivering high output without creating the acoustic problems that less directional alternatives can introduce.
K-array’s combination of line array technology, active subwoofers and integrated DSP amplification met those requirements while remaining architecturally unobtrusive. The installed system consists of 48 Mugello KH2P I passive line array elements, 16 Thunder KS3 I active subwoofers and nine Kommander KA208 amplifiers.
The KH2P I is a slim, dual-8" line array element incorporating K-array's Electronic Beam Steering technology, which allows sound beam dispersion to be digitally adjusted for precise aiming across the listening area, while mechanical steering provides additional command over both horizontal and vertical coverage patterns.
The Thunder KS3 I is a compact active subwoofer built around a 21" cone driver and a 4 × 2,500W DSP amplifier module, complemented by the eight-channel Kommander KA208 at 2,500W per channel. Both are integrated with the K-array Connect ecosystem, enabling remote configuration and signal routing of the entire system via mobile app. The KA208 is also manageable at scale via K-framework3, K-array's professional loudspeaker design and system tuning software.
K-array’s engineering team worked closely with Cegelec throughout the project, providing system design consultation, acoustic modelling and analysis, on-site setup and tuning, and audiometric measurements and optimisation. The collaborative approach ensured the final system met the performance requirements of a modern multipurpose arena.
“Installing a system of this scale in a purpose-built hockey arena brings its own set of acoustic demands,” says Najib Bouskour, director of Axians, a VINCI Energies company. “K-array’s combination of precise beam control and clean high output gave us the tools to achieve consistent coverage throughout the venue, whether the arena is hosting a hockey match, a concert or anything else.”
The inauguration of the arena underlined both the quality of the installation and the wider ambitions of the venue. At the first tournament held on the ice, Morocco’s national hockey team claimed the championship, defeating several competitors, including the Portuguese national team.
Looking ahead, the hockey arena will host the 2026 IIHF Men’s Development Cup in June, bringing international ice hockey to Rabat and to the African continent at that level for the first time. With a K-array system engineered for long-term reliability and flexibility across event formats, the arena is ready to meet that occasion and every event that follows.
Gloucestershire Cricket partner with MCR Systems for EPOS
A new till system has been installed to enhance payment provision across the venue for all domestic and international cricket fixtures, as well as conferences and events hosted at Seat Unique Stadium.
Stadia EPOS by MCR Systems will significantly improve operations at the stadium, delivering faster transactions, enhanced product visibility, and reduced queue times during peak periods. Designed specifically for high-footfall venues, the system will streamline matchday service while elevating the overall fan experience.
Joe Kaniecki, Head of Partnerships at Gloucestershire Cricket, said: “It’s incredibly important that we provide best-in-class payment services during our popular matchdays, and we’re delighted to partner with MCR Systems, who have an outstanding track record in delivering exactly that.
“With the Women’s T20 World Cup, men’s and women’s bilateral fixtures, and a busy white-ball summer ahead, this partnership is vital in our ongoing commitment to delivering excellent customer service.”
Steve Bottrill, Managing Director at MCR Systems, said: "We are thrilled to be named the official EPOS provider for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. This partnership highlights our commitment to excellence and innovation. At MCR Systems, we believe in building lasting relationships with organisations that share our values."
The latest EPOS system installed by MCR Systems is already in use across the venue, supporting fans attending the County Championship matches at the start of the season.
MANCHESTER STORM RETURNS HOME TO THE AO ARENA
Manchester Storm is set to make a historic return to the AO Arena for the 2026/27 season, marking a powerful homecoming that reconnects the club with its roots and marks a new era for ice hockey in the city.
The move comes at a time of unprecedented momentum for the club, who reached the play-off finals in April for the first time in 24 years, an achievement that reflects both their on-ice success and the sport’s rapid growth across the UK.
Founded back in 1995 as a tenant of the then newly-opened Manchester Arena, the original Manchester Storm quickly became one of British ice hockey’s most iconic teams. In their inaugural season, the Storm secured the First Division championship before becoming founding members of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 1996.
Storm’s early years were defined by success and spectacle. The club claimed the league championship title in the 1998–99 season and lifted the Autumn Cup the following year. During this golden era, AO Arena became synonymous with record-breaking crowds and electric atmospheres. A standout moment came during the 1996–97 season, when 17,245 fans packed the venue for a clash against rivals the Sheffield Steelers, setting a British attendance record that still stands today.
Now, nearly three decades on, the Storm’s return represents a full-circle moment not just for the club, but for the people behind it. Members of the current coaching staff were part of that original era as players, bringing with them an emotional connection to the arena and its legacy.
This homecoming also arrives amid a wider rise in the popularity of ice hockey across England. Increased grassroots participation, growing fan engagement, and rising visibility of the Elite Ice Hockey League have all contributed to the sport’s resurgence. Manchester Storm’s return to a major arena stage is expected to further accelerate that growth, attracting new fans and re-energising its long-time supporters.
AO Arena, one of the UK’s largest and most iconic live entertainment venues, will once again transform into a fortress for ice hockey in the city, reviving the spirit of the ‘Storm Shelter’ for all generations to enjoy.
“We're proud to welcome Manchester Storm back to AO Arena, it's a move that strengthens our venue's position as a world-class sports and entertainment hub, as well as the UK's largest indoor sporting arena. This homecoming will bring new energy to the city centre, driving footfall for local bars, restaurants, and hotels while creating more opportunities for fans to engage with the sport. It's a major step forward for ice hockey's growth in the UK and a brilliant moment for Manchester's already thriving sporting community," said Gemma Vaughan, AO Arena's General Manager.
“This is a major milestone for our partnership group and a vision we’ve worked towards for some time. returning Manchester Storm to the AO Arena is a proud moment for everyone involved. It’s about giving our fans a premier stage in the heart of the city and delivering an outstanding live experience. Together with our leadership team and Canadian partners, our ambition is clear — not just to compete, but to lead in the elite ice hockey league and beyond. This marks the start of an exciting new era for the club. Manchester Storm is coming home,” said Emma and Ryan Finnerty, representing the Manchester Storm ownership group.
"Moving into the AO Arena reflects the ambition of the team and the continued growth of the league. Manchester is one of the country’s most vibrant sporting cities, and we’re proud to support the storm as they take this next step and showcase Elite League ice hockey on ONE of the UK’s most iconic stages. This move will also enhance the experience for visiting teams and supporters, providing a world-class environment that reflects the scale and ambition of the league,” added Mark Brooks, Head of Commercial Operations at the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Red Bull New York open new training facility
Red Bull New York have unveiled its new RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, New Jersey. The cutting-edge complex is the most innovative soccer training facility in North America and further positions the Club to attract and develop the best talent for the organisation.
The complex sits on an 80-acre land parcel and includes eight full-size outdoor soccer pitches, featuring a mix of heated, irrigated natural grass and turf surfaces with one 350-seat match field designated for Academy games. Outdoor areas are equipped with advanced training technology including multi-angle camera tracking systems for analytics and player development. Along with the First Team and Red Bull New York II, the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center will also serve as home to the Red Bull New York Academy and Youth Training programs.
“The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center will serve as a centerpiece for the continued growth of the game in our region and across the country,” said Marc de Grandpré, President & General Manager, Red Bull New York. “This facility brings our entire pathway together, from academy to first team, and creates an environment where players can train, develop, and compete at the highest level every day. It reinforces our commitment to building from within and developing the next generation of players.”
As announced in January, RWJBarnabas Health is the official naming rights partner of the Performance Center. The partnership designates RWJBarnabas Health as the Official Hometown Healthcare System and EMS Provider of Sports Illustrated Stadium, Red Bull New York, Red Bull New York II, Red Bull New York Youth Programs and Academy. Additionally, RWJBarnabas Health serves as the Official Health and Wellness Provider for Red Bull New York Youth Programs.
“Today is an exciting milestone as we officially open the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health. “What began as a shared vision is now a world-class facility that will support elite athlete performance, advance innovation in sports health and serve as a source of pride for our community. This partnership reflects our deep commitment to building a healthier New Jersey—on and off the field—and we are proud to invest in a state-of-the-art facility that will inspire excellence for generations to come.”
The custom-designed facility is fully equipped with multiple gyms for both the professional and Academy teams, a dining hall that includes dedicated nutrition spaces and a professional chef, academic spaces for youth education and a comprehensive medical suite and innovation lab with physiotherapy spaces promoting best in class preventative health, rehabilitation, and recovery. Additional resources include the integration of aquatic therapy spaces, innovative fatigue detection processes, advanced diagnostic modalities and an ortho biologic system to support advanced treatment and clinical care.
Backed by a commitment to provide Red Bull New York players and staff access to the best available supportive athlete care, Gerardo Chiricolo, MD will continue in his role as the Club’s Chief Medical Officer, working closely with the Club’s training staff and athlete care team.
“The RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center represents a major step forward in how we care for professional athletes and the next generation,” said Dr. Chiricolo. “This facility isn’t just about treating injuries; it’s about preventive care, optimizing recovery and supporting each athlete’s long-term well-being. Equipped with a broad range of innovative resources including a wellness lab, state-of-the-art training equipment, advanced rehabilitation tools, real-time training load monitoring and performance insights, we can deliver customized care at a level that simply wasn’t possible before. This ensures that every decision we make is precise, proactive, and centered on the individual athlete.”
Red Bull New York constructed the RWJBarnabas Health Performance Center in partnership with Gensler Architects, March Construction, The LandTek Group and interior design agency Drive21. Having broken ground in 2024, the construction of the facility has been completed as the sport of football celebrates its most exciting time in the history of the country.
Highlights of the RWJBarnabas Health Performance Center:
- Over 80 acres of land.
- 88,400-square-foot Main Building.
- 4,635-square-foot Pro Gym.
- Total of eight grass fields (includes five heated and one turf field).
- First Team locker room with hydrotherapy areas that include hot/cold plunge pools, temperate treatment /physical therapy pool and sauna.
- Full locker room for Second Team with access to hydrotherapy areas.
- Entire campus covered by high-speed Wi-Fi for collection of player performance data from player performance tracking systems including platforms Kinexon (player performance) and GameOn (video analysis).
- Full-service kitchen designed around providing high nutritional value meals for peak player performance.
- Demonstration kitchen for chef and nutritionist to provide meal preparation education for Academy and Professional players.
- Dedicated Academy spaces including change rooms and full locker rooms. Educational spaces for Academy players and Youth Programs including classrooms, study spaces and coaching clinics.
FC Nevski Sofia & IPA unveil new Georgi Asparuhov Stadium
FC Levski Sofia and IPA - Architecture and more unveiled the concept for the new Georgi Asparuhov Stadium at a special press conference last week.
During the event, PFC Levski Sofia President Nasko Sirakov, future club owner Atanas Bostandzhiev, and Arch. Tsvetan Petrov, Managing Director of IPA - Architecture and more, presented the project’s key parameters, financing model, and the expected benefits for both the club and the wider public.
The project envisions a complete transformation of the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium into a modern, multifunctional sports facility that meets the highest European standards. The ambition is for the stadium to comply with UEFA Category IV requirements, allowing Sofia and Bulgaria to host top-tier international matches.
The concept combines a contemporary architectural vision with strong functionality and a clear identity, aligned with the spirit and history of PFC Levski. The goal is for the new stadium to become not only a home worthy of the club and its supporters, but also a recognizable modern landmark for Sofia and Bulgaria.
The project emphasizes the use of high-quality materials, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable construction solutions. A new façade of perforated metal panels is planned, giving the stadium a distinctive appearance while improving acoustics and reducing noise impact on the surrounding area. The façade will also incorporate dynamic lighting, enhancing the stadium’s presence both day and night.
Structurally, the design includes a monolithic construction for Stand A, prefabricated elements for Stands B, C, and D, and a roof supported by steel trusses. The stadium will be fully covered by a canopy designed to ensure optimal natural light reaches the pitch.
The new stands will meet modern standards for comfort, safety, and visibility, ensuring an optimal experience from every seat. The project also includes fully upgraded lighting, sound, and video systems in line with contemporary football requirements and audience expectations.
The stadium will have a capacity of 24,718 seats in accordance with Bulgarian Football Union requirements and 23,032 seats under UEFA regulations.
In addition to football matches, the venue is designed as a multifunctional space capable of hosting large-scale events, including concerts with a capacity of up to 40,000 people.
The total investment is estimated at €120 million.
Once completed, the new Georgi Asparuhov Stadium has the potential to become one of the most modern sports facilities in the region, strengthening Sofia’s position as a destination for international sports and cultural events.
PFC Levski and IPA expressed confidence that the project will be a major step forward not only for the club and its supporters, but also for the surrounding urban environment. The plans also include improvements to the park area and enhanced conditions for public use and recreation.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027.
Additional £4.5m funding secured for Cumberland Sports Village
An additional £4.5 million funding has been secured from the recently formed Cumbria Combined Authority to enhance the Cumberland Sports Village in Workington.
The project had previously secured Workington Town Deal funding and support from Cumberland Council for the development of the site of Borough Park.
The additional CCA funding will result in the scheme being extended to include the replacement of all the terraces and increase the total capacity at the new stadium to 5,000.
The revised scheme will be project managed and delivered by Cumberland Council.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “The Cumberland Sports Village forms a key element in the plans for the regeneration of Workington. The project will provide a transformed community sports and leisure offer within the Lower Derwent Valley close to Workington town centre and the existing Workington Leisure Centre, cricket and bowling clubs.
“As well as sport, the stadium will also act as a focal point for both the community and businesses within the area. An improved hospitality offer means the stadium will also be used for meetings, conferences, functions, events and community activities. We are delighted that the additional funding has been secured.”
John Barradell OBE, Interim Chief Executive for Cumbria Combined Authority, said: “One of our first actions as a combined authority - even before we’d held our first meeting - was to secure an additional £10m in funding for Cumbria from Government. We are delighted that £4.5m of that money has been allocated to Cumberland Sports Village, to help further enhance the plans and create the stadium that fans and residents have been asking for.”
A design team is in the process of enhancing the existing scheme and a new programme of works and updated timeframes will be produced.
A planning application was submitted for the site last year and incorporated the option to deliver a larger scheme. A decision on the application is expected at the May Planning Committee meeting.
Alongside this the development of the community pitch is continuing to progress alongside the Football Foundation.
The new stadium will be shared by Workington Town RLFC and Workington AFC, who are known as Workington Reds. They continue to be closely involved in the project.
Te Kaha Stadium welcomes Super Rugby to AOTEAROA
The Populous designed One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will make its debut today Friday 24 April 2026 when the Crusaders host the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round.
The Ōtautahi Christchurch stadium has been 14 years and NZ$683 million in the making and has been widely praised for its spectator-centric design when it was officially opened by Mayor Phil Mauger and Prime Minster Christopher Luxon on 27 March.
The city of Christchurch, the Crusaders and Super Rugby Pacific have joined forces to bring Super Round to Christchurch in 2026, marking the first time the event will be held in Aotearoa New Zealand and the first major sporting event at the brand new One New Zealand at Te Kaha Stadium.
Global architecture firm Populous and New Zealand-based architects Warren and Mahoney (WAM) led the design of the state-of-the-art venue, bringing expertise in international stadium design to ensure a fan experience that rivals any other venue across the world. The world-class multi-use stadium construction was led by contractor BESIX Watpac.
To further enhance the event day experience, the seating bowl has been designed to maximise the atmosphere by bringing fans close to the action in a coliseum-like experience. Spectator comfort has been prioritised through the design of a permanently fixed roof, so the venue can be used throughout the year, in all weather conditions.
Super Round 2026 will run from Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April, combining world-class rugby with live music and family-friendly fun as fans from across New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the Pacific come together to celebrate a historic festival of footy in Christchurch.