SIS Pitches new Rapid Hybrid Turf solutions combat struggling surfaces
With fixture schedules intensifying and sporting venues hosting more events than ever, SIS Pitches has launched two new hybrid pitch systems designed to help grounds teams and stadium operators tackle mid‑season deterioration and tight installation windows without compromising performance.
SIS Pitches’ GAMEREADY Hybrid range offers two new hybrid grass pitch solutions, both of which significantly reduce the typical lead time associated with new pitch installations. Thanks to the new range, grounds teams benefit from a solution that is faster and more cost-effective to install than traditional hybrid carpet systems, requiring less forward planning.
The first of the two innovative systems is GAMEREADY Pre-stitched turf, a premium-grade sports turf, which is grown and stitched at an off-site turf farm before being harvested and installed within just two days as a reinforced, high-quality match-ready hybrid playing surface.
Ideal for grounds teams and stadium operators faced with a struggling pitch mid-season or a short installation window due to a busy events calendar, the turf is grown either by SIS Pitches or one of its trusted turf farm providers before being stitched at a 45mm depth using the state-of-the-art machinery from SISGrass. In as little as eight weeks post-stitching, the turf is harvested with the hybrid fibres in place, before being transported to the stadium. The pre-stitched hybrid turf is then installed by specialist teams within a two-day window, providing immediate game-ready reinforcement.
In independent testing by the University of Tennessee, GAMEREADY Hybrid was found to provide the most natural feel as well as greater consistency, safety, stability and traction than both conventional hybrids and natural grass playing surfaces. These benefits were successfully demonstrated at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the USA, highlighting the system's proven performance at elite standard.
The pre-stitched surface assures stadium operators of reduced upfront investment by eliminating the need to commit to a conventional hybrid carpet around a year in advance. SIS Pitches' pioneering system allows turf from any farm to be selected and stitched a minimum of eight weeks before being harvested.
The second GAMEREADY Hybrid system is SIS Pitches’ Rapid-stitch Turf, which sees premium natural turf installed and stitched simultaneously. The result gives grounds staff the opportunity to plan for an installation window of as little as three days – a timeframe never previously thought possible for a machine-stitched hybrid surface.
GAMEREADY Hybrid Rapid-stitch Turf redefines expectations for time-pressed grounds teams and stadium operators, enabling ultra-fast, high-quality stitched hybrid pitch installations during the tightest windows. Offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional hybrid carpets, it combines rapid installation with deeper hybrid stitching—at least 85mm—for a more durable, maintenance-friendly playing surface with an extended lifespan.
Crucially, the Rapid-stitch system allows grounds staff to source turf from their preferred farm at short notice while still benefiting from gold-standard stitched hybrid reinforcement. This approach eliminates the high costs, limited availability, and long preparation times typically associated with traditional hybrid carpets kept in reserve.
Each Rapid-stitch Turf pitch is installed using the manufacturer’s next-generation SISGrass Hybrid machines, which feature the world’s fastest hybrid stitching technology. Their unmatched speed reduces full-pitch installation times by up to 78%, while a design that’s up to 70% lighter than competing models minimises turf stress and surface compaction. With fully customisable stitching depths ranging from 45mm to 180mm, these machines were instrumental in developing the GAMEREADY Hybrid range.
The stronger reinforcement created between the fibre and the rootzone extends the lifespan of the Rapid-stitch Turf to a minimum of two years – a standout advantage for clubs struggling throughout winter. Like the Pre-stitched equivalent, GAMEREADY Hybrid Rapid-stitch Turf has also been tested by the University of Tennessee and proven to provide a faster, more responsive and more stable surface than traditional hybrid carpets.
SIS Pitches’ Rapid-stitch Turf set a new record in elite stadium turf delivery at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where a ready-to-play Rapid-stitch surface was successfully installed at the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium in just 56 hours.
Ivo Lamot, CEO at SIS Pitches said: “The launch of our GAMEREADY Hybrid rapid turf solutions marks the start of another exciting chapter for grounds teams and stadium operators worldwide, by setting the bar even higher for what can be achieved with hybrid pitch installations. Our Pre-stitched and Rapid-stitch hybrid pitch systems are a direct response to the increasingly tight turnaround windows stadium operators are faced with when accommodating busy fixture schedules and demanding events calendars.
“The launch of our next-generation hybrid stitching machines in 2025 paved the way for us to completely revolutionise how new hybrid surfaces are supplied and installed, and we’re proud to be able to make such a significant breakthrough in capability while simultaneously enhancing performance. We’re hugely committed to powering more play and this new range will enable grounds staff and operators at some of the most iconic, multi-use stadiums in the world to achieve just that.”
For more information on SIS Pitches’ GAMEREADY Hybrid range, visit www.sispitches.com/surface/rapid-hybrid-turf
Lawo Delivers Fully IP‑Based Video Infrastructure for University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision
The University of Nebraska’s HuskerVision has completed the second phase of a multi‑year modernization effort with the deployment of a comprehensive ST 2110‑based video infrastructure powered by Lawo. Following an audio‑first transformation in 2023—HuskerVision’s initial step into IP workflows—the new video implementation brings all major athletic venues into a unified, software‑based production environment. The result is a campus‑wide media fabric capable of handling simultaneous shows from multiple control rooms, while giving student operators access to the same tools used in top‑tier broadcast facilities.
The earlier audio upgrade had introduced HuskerVision to Lawo’s IP ecosystem through mc²56 production consoles, A__UHD Core processing, A__stage 64 and A__mic 8 interfaces, and HOME Management for routing and orchestration. “Doing audio first was key,” recalls recently retired Chief Engineer Scott Guthrie. “We learned timing, stream management, PTP, device discovery—all the fundamentals. When it came time to roll out video, everyone was ready.”
That readiness was crucial as the university moved towards their SMPTE ST 2110 implementation designed and integrated by BeckTV. With Nebraska’s athletic venues spread across a wide geographic area—including Memorial Stadium, Hawks Championship Center, the Devaney Center, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Haymarket Park, and the Dillon tennis and Hibner soccer complexes—the goal was to bring all locations together through a single IP backbone feeding three co‑located control rooms inside Memorial Stadium. This allowed operational consolidation while dramatically boosting routing flexibility.
At the core of the new video infrastructure is Lawo’s .edge platform, used both as a high‑density gateway and as a full IP processing node. Multiple .edge frames provide 3G‑SDI and 12G‑SDI ingest, while native ST 2110 connectivity and quad‑25GbE interfaces feed the production fabric. The system’s ability to present SDI inputs as network “proxies” gives HuskerVision high scalability with minimal bandwidth overhead. “We can bring in signals from any venue—whether five cameras from volleyball or a full football package—and everything just shows up in the fabric,” says Director of Technology Garrett Hill. “Routing video or audio essences independently is as easy as moving blocks around.”
One of the most operationally transformative areas is the truck dock at Memorial Stadium. Using .edge for video and A__stage64 for audio, HuskerVision can now exchange 24×24 bidirectional signals with national broadcast trucks, accommodating 12G‑SDI, HDR, SDR and ST 2110 feeds without additional hardware. “Trucks get whatever flavor they want,” says Guthrie. “Up, down, HDR, SDR—it’s all handled right there in the IP edge.” Hill notes that the increase in available I/O and native processing “has completely changed how we interact with visiting crews.”
Workflows inside the control rooms benefit heavily from Lawo’s HOME Apps, running on COTS servers. The HOME Multiviewer, combined with theWall layout builder, enables dynamic, venue‑specific monitoring setups that can be reconfigured in seconds. Meanwhile, the HOME UDX app provides on‑demand up/down/cross conversion directly in the network, reducing the need for traditional baseband converters. BeckTV Senior Engineer and Nebraska alumnus Brock Raum describes this flexibility as the project’s defining characteristic: “From season to season your shows change—and sometimes just from sport to sport. You might have soccer in one control room one day and football in another. With HOME Apps you shut down the tools you don’t need and spin up the ones you do. We’ve played with the webRTC app, downstream keying, UDX—you name it. The flexibility of using COTS hardware with the HOME App system is the highlight of the whole solution. If I need an app for a set of shows, I use FLEX credits. When I don’t, I shut it down and reuse those credits for something else.”
All workflows—video routing, tally, device control and multiviewer changes—are orchestrated through Lawo VSM, which gives operators a single, intuitive control layer across the multi‑venue environment. According to Guthrie, “VSM lets us go from a big‑screen volleyball show to a press‑conference recording setup with one or two clicks. In a schedule where events overlap constantly, that’s huge.”
Because HuskerVision relies heavily on student operators, the accessibility of the system was essential. Seven full‑time staff oversee a large student team who are involved in every aspect of the productions. Raum says, “Students are doing real engineering tasks now. They’re learning on the same tools used in the broadcast trucks.” Guthrie adds, “They learn the backend—how to modify layouts, manage essences, fix routes. And they get it.” Hill emphasizes the career value: “Training on the best gear helps them get jobs. Our students leave here ready for the industry.”
With the new IP backbone, HuskerVision can now scale productions, transport media content more efficiently between venues, and support multiple overlapping events with unprecedented ease. As Guthrie puts it, “Our business is making the fans happy. And with this system, we can do better than ever before.”
New Nissan Stadium: Less than one year to completion
A little over two years ago, Tennessee Titans celebrated the groundbreaking of new Nissan Stadium. Now, with less than a year to go until completion, things are in full swing. The daily crew count is up to 2,000 workers, all bringing the new stadium to life.
Crews are still focused on finalizing the exterior enclosure of the building and are making great progress as the TPO roofing reached 85% completion at the end of February. The exterior glass panel system is also nearing completion with just 124 out of 1,184 panels left to install along the east side of the stadium.
Another major sign that the exterior enclosure is near completion came last month when the hydraulic stand jackets that are responsible for lifting the ETFE cable net system arrived. The cables continue to be laid in a grid-like pattern across the field, and the jacks are ready to pull the cables into tension as the big lift date quickly approaches.
Additional work on the exterior has started with the installation of the exterior façade brick at the base of the building. The metal panel cladding is 44% installed and the wood-look metal paneling that will frame the west entry lobby has started going up.
While there is a lot going on with the exterior of the building, the interior is also making great strides. Crews continue to push along the interior buildouts with framing and drywall, making significant progress on all levels of the stadium and 520,000 of the total 580,000 square feet of masonry installed.
Accessibility and allowing fans to easily navigate the new building continues to be a top priority as the building develops. As of the end of February, six of the 27 elevators and 18 of the 44 escalators have been tested and approved. The glass railings inside the seating bowl are 38% complete, food service equipment is 22% complete, and ceramic tile installation has started.
Technology will soon be the focus as the Verizon crews use all the conduits and cable trays to pull Belden copper and fiber cabling that will eventually allowing for full connection of fan devices via Wi-Fi and cellular service.
As the new Nissan Stadium quickly approaches substation completion, there is a lot to be excited about and many more milestones are ahead.
Renzo Barbera Stadium: Palermo make further progress
Palermo F.C. have made further progress in their new stadium project.
Wednesday 11th March marked the conclusion of the preliminary services conference on the Renzo Barbera Stadium redevelopment project, a fundamental technical and administrative step in the process that will lead to the modernisation of the city’s sports facility.
“I am very pleased with the conclusion of the preliminary services conference, which represents a new and important step forward in the process of redeveloping the Renzo Barbera Stadium. The conclusion of today’s phase confirms the technical and administrative feasibility of the work, which is functional to the declaration of public interest of the project, which will be formalised through a specific council resolution. I would like to thank Palermo FC for its fruitful collaboration with the municipal administration and all the bodies involved that took part in the conference, contributing their work and expertise to this result. Appreciation also goes to the City Council for the contribution it has already announced it will make to this process, a sign of a shared willingness to work together in the interests of the city”, says Mayor Roberto Lagalla.
“We will now move on to the decision-making conference, which will be called upon to evaluate the economic feasibility of the stadium redevelopment project. We continue to work together with Palermo FC with the aim of delivering a modern, high-quality stadium to the fans and the city, one that lives up to Palermo’s ambitions. The common goal – concludes the mayor – is also to make the Barbera one of the venues in the running to host international competitions, starting with the 2032 European Championships”.
“The successful outcome of the preliminary services conference – says Palermo CEO Giovanni Gardini – has enabled Palermo to reconfirm its willingness to commit to the construction of a modern and functional stadium for the benefit of the entire community. The club has always been ready to cover most of the investment in the new facility, linked to a multi-decade concession agreement, well aware of the social impact and benefits that the new project could generate for the entire city in terms of urban regeneration. All this strengthens Palermo’s position in the increasingly narrow list of candidate cities to host Euro 2032, thus enabling further opportunities for joint development. The smooth progress of the project is the result of excellent collaboration between the Club, institutions and bodies involved, all equally aware that this is a crucial opportunity for our city, its inhabitants and its fans. For this reason, we would like to thank the Mayor and all the municipal offices once again for their efforts”.
Xfinity partner NBC Sports & Golf Channel for THE PLAYERS Championship
Comcast’s Xfinity is teaming up with NBC Sports and Versant's Golf Channel to deliver THE PLAYERS Championship in RealTime4K for the first time, transforming the at-home viewing experience for golf fans. Xfinity will also debut Create Your Own Multiview and Fan View for this year’s tournament, giving fans more ways to experience every pivotal moment from one of the PGA TOUR’s most-anticipated tournaments.
“Few moments in golf compare to THE PLAYERS, and this year we’re bringing fans closer to it than ever before,” Vito Forlenza, Vice President, Sports Entertainment, Comcast. “With RealTime4K, Fan View and Multiview all coming together in one easy-to-‑access destination, Xfinity is offering the best way for customers to experience all the drama unfolding on the course – from the opening tee shot to the final putt.”
The Fastest and Most Immersive Picture with RealTime4K
Available for both NBC’s and Golf Channel’s coverage, RealTime4K delivers the fastest, clearest and most vibrant on-screen quality anywhere. RealTime4K uses cutting-edge network technology that only Xfinity can deliver to reduce latency to near real time. This innovation, made possible by Comcast’s continued investments in its best-in-class network, gives fans crisper action, smoother motion, and a more lifelike picture as they follow the world’s best players during every round.
New Ways to Watch with Fan View
Fans can now enjoy THE PLAYERS with Fan View, an interactive on-screen companion that keeps them immersed in the tournament without needing a second screen. With Fan View, customers can:
- Explore each hole of the famed TPC Sawgrass course with interactive hole flyovers that provide a deeper look at every fairway, water hazard, bunker, and green.
- Track the leaders with the real-time leaderboard, see how the course is playing with in-progress scorecards, and check upcoming tee times.
- Dive into highlights, interviews, and tournament news with Clips, a new feature for short videos that mirrors the patterns and simplicity of leading social media platforms.
- View betting odds from DraftKings and FanDuel and quickly initiate bets directly from the TV.
Never Miss a Moment with Create Your Own Multiview
With Create Your Own Multiview, fans don’t need to worry about missing a crushing drive, jaw-dropping approach or a clutch putt while following other major sports. Viewers can watch them all at once by selecting up to four channels airing live sports, making it easier to keep up with THE PLAYERS while also tracking the NBA, NHL, soccer and NCAA basketball conference tournaments, all on one screen.
Fans can say “golf” into their voice remote to launch a comprehensive destination for THE PLAYERS. The hub offers every minute of coverage across NBC, GOLF Channel, Peacock, and ESPN direct-to-consumer’s Unlimited plan, now included for Xfinity TV customers who subscribe to ESPN as part of their TV package. The ESPN app will feature exclusive coverage of TPC Sawgrass’s iconic 17th hole, including special angles and vantage points.
The innovations Xfinity is delivering for THE PLAYERS are part of the company's broader commitment to redefine how fans engage with live sports, all available over a network built and engineered to meet the demands of today’s viewers with a best-in-class entertainment platform and the smartest, most-reliable WiFi with multigig Internet speeds. That ongoing investment enabled the launch of RealTime4K, first introduced during this year’s Super Bowl, where customers in Xfinity homes saw the action up to 49 seconds faster than fans with other providers.
Comcast Business is a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS Championship, where the strongest field in golf will meet the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass from March 10 – 15.
Borussia Dortmund release shirt to mark 100th year of stadium
The sleeves, collar, and flocking reference the characteristic running track that surrounds the pitch and has been part of the sporting action for decades. The colour scheme and look of the BVB logo are inspired by the sandstone walls that have framed the stadium since its opening in 1926. The back of the jersey features the inscription “100 Jahre Stadion Rote Erde” (“100 Years of Rote Erde stadium”).
“Rote Erde stadium is one of the most defining places for BVB – a piece of home that, over decades, has shown what Borussia Dortmund stands for. With the special jersey, we are capturing the architecture, atmosphere, and history of this stadium and translating them into a contemporary design that visibly connects BVB’s tradition and present,” says Kerstin Zerbe, Managing Director of BVB Merchandising GmbH.
The jersey will be available from Thursday, March 19, at 10:00 both in the online shop and in BVB fan shops, and comes in a special box including a small extra. In addition to the classic version, a long-sleeve option will also be available. The price is € 110. Fans can choose from current player names as well as legends for the flocking. There will also be a fan merchandise collection themed around the special jersey. More information can be found here: https://sondertrikot.bvb.de/.
Tennessee Titans renew subscription of Evolv Express
Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc., a leading security technology company pioneering AI-based solutions designed to create safer experiences, today announced that it has renewed its Evolv Express® subscription agreement with the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans, one of the company’s earliest customers in professional football. The renewal will update Nissan Stadium’s 17 systems to Express Gen2, the latest version of the company’s flagship product, and covers all of the stadium's public entrances.
The renewal continues a trend as early Evolv customers reach the end of their initial subscription term and extend the partnership. In the first quarter of 2025, for example, about half of Evolv’s business came from existing customers—organizations that have already deployed Evolv solutions and have chosen to deepen their investment.
The renewal agreement includes the Titans’ current Nissan Stadium and the new Nissan Stadium, a domed facility with a capacity of about 60,000, currently under construction. The new stadium, which is situated immediately to the east of the current building, is scheduled to open in spring 2027. The Express systems will be relocated after the conclusion of the 2026 football season.
With its downtown location and adjacency to Nashville’s famous Lower Broadway entertainment district, the stadium is heavily utilized for football and beyond. In addition to Titans games, the venue hosts the annual Music City Bowl, CMA Fest, Tennessee State University home football games, and concerts from some of the world’s leading performers. Since they were originally commissioned in September 2021, the Express systems at Nissan Stadium have screened almost 5.8 million total guests.
“We’re very pleased to continue our relationship with Evolv,” noted Ashlee Stokely, the Head of Stadium, Operations & Experience for the Titans and Nissan Stadium. “When we first installed Express four years ago, the improvement to our guest ingress experience was significant and immediate. With Evolv’s help, we look forward to continuing secure and efficient entry in our current building and an even better guest experience when we move into the new Nissan Stadium in 2027.”
“The Titans represent two key milestones for Evolv,” observed John Baier, Evolv’s Vice President of Sports & Entertainment. “As our first renewal in professional football and our first opportunity to spec the design and capabilities of Express into a new football stadium, this renewal demonstrates that we’re delivering real value to our customers in sports and beyond.”
The Titans renewal highlights Evolv’s ongoing growth and long‑term partnerships within professional football. It also reinforces a strong presence in Nashville, which includes other iconic venues such as Bridgestone Arena, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium. Evolv also serves multiple schools, hospitals, and other venues in the Nashville metro area.
Evolv Express uses advanced sensor technology and AI to detect concealed threats and identify the person and location of the potential threat, while allowing people to move through checkpoints at their natural walking pace. The system is designed to screen visitors effectively while helping minimize congestion and disruptions to traffic flow at entry points. Worldwide, Express is trusted by sports and entertainment organizations to support efficient guest entry screening.
Roig Arena Valencia to host elite global basketball tour
Project B have announced that Valencia will host a stop on its elite global basketball tour as part of a multi-year partnership with Roig Arena, one of Europe’s most advanced sports and entertainment venues.
Scheduled for March 12–22, 2027 Project B will coincide with Las Fallas, the city’s iconic festival that fills Valencia with art, fireworks, and celebration each March.
The combination of Valencia’s passionate fans and world-class facilities makes it a natural destination for Project B’s highly anticipated grand prix-style tour. Games will be streamed globally on YouTube and other digital platforms, connecting fans in Spain and around the world.
“Valencia’s basketball culture and global ambition are a great fit for Project B,” said Grady Burnett, Chief Operating Officer at Project B. “Our partnership with Roig Arena will allow us to create a meaningful impact for the economy, the community, and the fans here over many years.”
Roig Arena is an impressive state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue that integrates cutting-edge technology, premium hospitality infrastructure, and a fan-first architectural design that prioritizes sightlines, acoustics, and digital connectivity. The venue is built to support global broadcast standards, immersive in-arena experiences, and seamless streaming integration, setting a new benchmark for world-class sport and entertainment in Europe.
“Project B is redefining what is possible in live sport and is exactly the kind of world-class, culturally relevant event Roig Arena is made for,” said Víctor Sendra, General Manager of Roig Arena. “This will be a celebration of basketball culture and an opportunity to connect Valencia with fans around the world.”
Valencia has long been one of Europe’s great basketball cities. The region consistently produces high-level talent and attracts international players, supported by a sophisticated youth development structure and an engaged, knowledgeable fan base.
Stadium Support Services partner with Worcestershire Cricket
Stadium Support Services, a leading provider of specialist projects and facilities management services, has announced a new three-year partnership with Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
The agreement sees the company appointed as Official Projects Partner for the 2026 season and beyond.
The partnership will see Stadium Support Services featured across Worcestershire County Cricket Club men’s and women’s matchday kits throughout the season, including T20 and the One Day Cup.
Joe Tromans, Chief Revenue Officer at the club, said: “We are committed to delivering the best possible visitor experience on matchdays and beyond, while celebrating the heritage of New Road and continually improving our facilities. Working with Stadium Support Services and drawing on their extensive sports sector experience will help us deliver innovative solutions across the venue. We look forward to building a long-term relationship.”
Cricket remains one of the UK’s most established professional sports, with the county game forming the backbone of the structure. As one of the leading county clubs, Worcestershire County Cricket Club plays a central role in the professional game across all formats.
For Stadium Support Services, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to high performance, professionalism and long-term investment in sporting environments. With offices in the Midlands, the Worcestershire County Cricket Club is a natural partner for Stadium Support Services.
Scott Hudson, Managing Director at Stadium Support Services, said: “This partnership is about alignment. Worcestershire County Cricket Club operates in a high-performance, high-pressure environment where standards, safety and delivery matter – the same principles that underpin how we work. We’re proud to support the club both on and off the pitch this season and to be working with a team that shares our approach to professionalism, resilience and long-term thinking.”
The partnership will see Stadium Support Services supporting Worcestershire County Cricket Club with projects, maintenance and compliance across the next three seasons, with further activations to be announced.
Planning application submitted for Crystal Palace renovation
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed a key milestone in the once-in-a-generation redevelopment Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, as a planning application is submitted for the transformative renovation of the historic sporting and community facility.
Opened in 1964, the centre comprises of an athletics stadium, indoor arena, swimming and diving pools, together with a large gym and a multitude of other internal and external sports facilities.
The historic venue was the site of the first Women’s FA Cup final, and has hosted everything from swimming and diving to world class athletics over the years – but is in need of major investment.
Sadiq announced major plans for a redevelopment of the site in summer 2023 to upgrade sporting facilities for the local community, including a major refurbishment of the 50m swimming and diving pools and improvements to the indoor facilities, external pitches and athletics stadium.
Last year, the Mayor confirmed the appointment of Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver the design and build of the centre. The leading UK contractor specialises in sustainable, community-focused projects and have formally submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Bromley in order to bring the 15-hectare site up to a modern standard, while showcasing its heritage and historic features.
Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with the new design targeting a 97 per cent reduction in carbon emissions through sustainable construction choices, such as adding photovoltaic panels (PV) to the centre’s roof and using air source heat pumps to provide heating and cooling.
Sadiq delivered a £23m investment boost from his Green Finance Fund in 2024 to support the centre to go all-electric and reduce carbon emissions, eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels for the first time in its 60-year history. [3]
Key aspects of the proposed work include:
- A full refurbishment of the Grade II*-listed Crystal Palace National Sports Centre building. This will include improved accessibility, an enlarged gym and new dedicated spaces for sporting clubs.
- The creation of a six-court Padel centre, 3x3 basketball courts, five-a-side football pitches and a full-size artificial multi-sports pitch.
- The diving pool and 50m swimming pool will return in the aquatics hall – meaning that shallow water, 25m swimming, 50m swimming and diving will all be provided in one space and on one level for the first time.
- Improvements to the indoor sports zones to elevate elite performance by providing year-round use for clubs, athletes and the community
- A new community space where sports, leisure, and play combines with a café, 200m running track, a 3x3 basketball court, and an outdoor gym.
- Renovations to the existing stands in the stadium including completing the bowl with additional seating. This has been designed in collaboration with athletes to boost the atmosphere at live events.
As the next phase of work progresses, the Mayor will work with partners to secure investment for the stadium works, ensuring the whole site can reach its full potential and continue to inspire Londoners for years to come.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted that the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has reached another key milestone with the submission of the planning application for its transformation.
“This is an historic and much-loved national sporting and community facility, where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but it needs major investment and refurbishment and I am committed to supporting this.
“I am pleased with the positive progress that has been made so far and we look forward to working closely with partners and the local community to create an outstanding sporting venue as we work together to build a better, fairer London for all.”
Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in London, said: “The ideas that have been laid out in the planning application for Crystal Palace National Sports Centre’s transformative regeneration represent something quite ambitious and different.
“Everyone working on this scheme has pushed hard to make the design a showcase in what a modern, sustainable, inclusive and community-centred leisure centre should look like – all while paying homage to the venue’s inspiring legacy.
“This combination of driving factors means the site will not only reclaim its original vision of being a ‘glass pavilion in the park’ that supports the health and wellbeing of Londoners, but we will have laid the groundwork for a centre of excellence where a new generation of athletes can break and set their own records.”
Key members of the project working alongside the Mayor and Morgan Sindall include sports masterplan specialists WOO Architects (part of the creative team behind both the London and Paris Olympics), decarbonisation and sustainability experts Max Fordham, architects Faulkner Brown, and engineers and heritage conservation specialists Alan Baxter Associates.