NEXO install new sound system at Palais des Sports de Dijon
Named after the former French international handball player, the Jean-Michel Geoffroy Sports Hall in the French city of Dijon was inaugurated on January 21, 1977. Home to the JDA Dijon Basket basketball and the Dijon Métropole Handball teams and known as the Palais des Sports, fans at the stadium have a reputation for being particularly knowledgeable, and also vociferous in their support, resulting in an often-noisy atmosphere in the 4000-seat arena.
So, a primary focus of the brief for a new sound system centred around a requirement for significant improvements in the intelligibility of match commentary.
Nicolas Gaillard, Audiovisual Project Manager for Burgundy-Franche-Comté at information and communications technologies specialists BVS worked in collaboration with NEXO Engineering Support to propose a system which could meet exacting performance criteria in what is a highly reverberant space.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/64
Avicii Arena renovation incorporates Meyer Sound Constellation® acoustic system
Avicii Arena is one of Europe’s most iconic venues—an architectural marvel and the largest spherical building on the continent. Towering 85 meters high and spanning 110 meters in diameter, the steel, concrete, and glass globe encloses more than 600,000 cubic meters of space, with seating for up to 14,000 for sports. As part of a comprehensive renovation, the arena now features a landmark Meyer Sound Constellation® acoustic system—redefining what’s possible for sports events.
The project showcases a Constellation installation of unprecedented scale. By moving beyond traditional concert halls, it sets a new standard for how active acoustics, in concert with physical building acoustics, can transform the experience in massive, multipurpose venues. The system was designed by Meyer Sound’s John Pellowe, project director for Constellation, and Ana Lorente, senior acoustic engineer, in collaboration with Anders Jørgensen and the installation team at Danish AV integrator and consultancy firm Stouenborg, based on the original concept from acoustician Adam Foxwell and Sebastian Holm from Efterklang.
“This is not a typical Constellation system,” Jørgensen says. “We call it an audience enhancement system. It’s designed to create the feeling of being embraced by the crowd—so spectators can actually hear each other, even across such a vast space.” For sporting events, Constellation’s real-time processing ensures that crowd noise, chants, and music are evenly redistributed throughout the arena to elevate the emotional connection. “One of the key motivations for this install was ice hockey,” he continues. “In Sweden, fans sing to each other from opposite ends of the arena. Before the upgrade, fans couldn’t hear one another—now they can.”
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/23
Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai installs d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker system
From concerts to sports to corporate events - with artist-loving musicality, maximum efficiency, and finesse, the newly installed d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker system at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena is not your average upgrade. It’s a global testament to the uncompromising power of d&b’s total broadband directivity control and cardioid technologies - in a venue, and region, where experience matters most.
Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, one of the Middle East’s most high-profile multi-purpose entertainment venues, has just completed a major sound system upgrade using the latest loudspeaker system technologies from global leader, d&b audiotechnik. Including the extraordinary full-bandwidth directivity of the GSL, KSL, XSL and SL-SUB products from the SL-Series, plus the very latest Compact Cardioid Line Array (CCL), the finished system delivers clean and consistent sound across the entire 17,000-capacity venue.
“At Coca-Cola Arena, we aim for five-star quality in every detail of the audience and artist experience. Choosing d&b audiotechnik was about more than technology – it was about partnering with a brand that our team and our technical experts truly trust. This installation represents the pinnacle of audio performance, ensuring that every seat in the house receives the same exceptional standard,” said Mark Jan Kar, General Manager of the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and SVP of Entertainment, Content, and Programming for Legends Global (MENA).
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/56
Moment Factory create Realmadrid Games at the Bernabeu
Moment Factory, the global entertainment studio, collaborated with Real Madrid C.F. to create Realmadrid Games, a multi-level interactive journey through the corridors of the newly transformed Bernabéu stadium. This world-first permanent multimedia activation sets a new benchmark for stadiums and arenas worldwide. The experience extends the fan journey beyond match days, fostering deep engagement through immersive interactivity while transforming underutilized spaces into a dynamic, year-round attraction.
Since 2020, Moment Factory has worked closely with Real Madrid C.F. to create innovative experiences that engage fans while staying true to the club’s core values, culminating in the launch of Realmadrid Games. Through a unique gamified approach, the experience transports visitors to the heart of the Club, bringing its eight fundamental principles to life with interactive play, while strengthening the connection between fans, the team, the stadium, and the city of Madrid.
Realmadrid Games – The Experience
Designed for all ages and skill levels, Realmadrid Games engages both loyal fans and newcomers through friendly competition. Two levels of the stadium’s corridors are transformed into a multisensory environment using the studio’s Augmented Games platform, as well as its expertise in interactive technologies, video projections, dynamic lighting, ambient music, and responsive sound effects. Behind the scenes, Moment Factory’s operating system X-Agora, orchestrates the interactive ecosystem.
Throughout this connected journey, participants advance from rookies to elite team members by tackling dynamic practice drills, collaborative challenges, and adrenaline-fueled gameplay. Using a connected device, a custom avatar, and a web app that tracks progress in real time, visitors are fully immersed in the action—joining their heroes on the field.
Read the full article from ISSUE 45 below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mdst45_digitallr/40
Leeds United secure planning permission for Elland Road redevelopment
Leeds United Football Club has confirmed that planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited expansion of Elland Road Stadium, a historic milestone for the club, its supporters and the city of Leeds.
Following a decision by Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel at The Civic Hall earlier today, approval has been secured to increase the stadium’s capacity to up to 53,000, through the expansion of the West and North Stands and targeted alterations to the South Stand.
The approved plans will transform Elland Road into a UEFA Category 4 stadium, placing it among the elite venues in European football. This positive planning decision also enables Leeds United, alongside civic partners, to bid to host major international tournaments and showcase events in the future, generating significant cultural and economic value for the Leeds City Region.
The expansion has been carefully designed to enhance the matchday experience while protecting what makes Elland Road special. Supporters can look forward to:
-
Improved seating comfort and sightlines throughout the expanded stands
-
Enhanced concourses, fan amenity spaces and hospitality facilities, both inside and around the stadium
-
A more inclusive and accessible environment for all visitors
-
The preservation of Elland Road’s renowned atmosphere and acoustics, ensuring the intensity and identity of the ground remain undiminished
For players, the enhanced stadium environment will provide a stage befitting elite-level football, strengthening the club’s ability to compete at the highest level and attract top talent.
Leeds United Chairman Paraag Marathe said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the expansion of Elland Road Stadium. This is a historic day for Leeds United Football Club. As custodians of this great club, we are committed to its long-term success, and today’s decision supports our ambition to establish Leeds in the Premier League and continue progressing over the years to come. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date, for helping us reach this point.”
Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg said: “From setting out our initial ambitions for Elland Road in late September 2024 to receiving planning approval today, the progress we have made is something we are immensely proud of. This has been a truly collective effort, with Leeds City Council, our local communities in Holbeck and Beeston, National Highways, our expert advisers and, most importantly, our supporters all pulling together to reach this milestone.
“The overwhelming level of support, with 98% of respondents backing the proposals, demonstrates how deeply this club and stadium matter to the city. Without our fans, this moment would not be possible. The expansion will allow us to welcome thousands more supporters through the gates, reduce the 26,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List, and create a better matchday experience for everyone.
“The stadium expansion project is also the first step towards the wider regeneration of the Elland Road neighbourhood. Alongside our partners, we are committed to ensuring this development delivers lasting social and economic benefits, from job creation to increased investment, while continuing to grow our community impact through the Leeds United Foundation and organisations such as Holbeck Together.”
Next steps:
Enabling works will commence immediately, with major construction activity scheduled to begin following the end of the current season. Elland Road will remain open throughout the expansion, ensuring the club continues to play its home matches at its historic home.
Further updates will be shared with supporters and stakeholders as the project progresses.
PSV install with four new giant 8m Philips dvLED scoreboards at Philips Stadion
Football giant PSV Eindhoven has teamed up with PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, to upgrade fan experiences inside its iconic 35,000 capacity Philips Stadion, with the installation of four new cutting edge outdoor dvLED scoreboards.
One of Dutch football’s most successful teams, boasting proud local and domestic records, including 26x league titles and a number of UEFA and European Cups, PSV Eindhoven’s association with Philips – a company founded in Eindhoven in 1891 – is now entering its 113th year, with the club originally formed by Philips employees in 1913. This longstanding relationship is also recognised by the Guiness World Records as the longest sponsorship partnership in sports history, reflected in the Club’s stadium branding and on team shirts.
Seeking new ways to deliver an enhanced matchday and event experience, the Philips Stadion management team decided it was time to upgrade its existing four new Philips LED walls – which had been in place for 12 years – taking advantage of the latest advancements in screen technology.
Having previously upgraded the club’s corporate areas with an array of Philips signage and interactive displays, PSV Eindhoven once again approached PPDS, who together with local AV and technical specialist and PPDS Partner, Mansveld Techniek, managed the project.
Completed in just three weeks, and ahead of the start of the 2025/26 Eredivisie season – which, at the time of writing, PSV Eindhoven currently tops – the stadium’s four existing P16 Philips LED walls were replaced with four new 8m x 4.5m Philips Urban LED 6000 Series displays.
Tailored to meet the exact needs of PSV Eindhoven’s AV/IT, the Philips Urban LED 6000 Series boasts a 6.67 pixel pitch and 10,000 nits of brightness — an epic five times step up from the previous 16 pixel pitch, while also doubling the original 5,000 nits.
Each wall delivers high contrast and high refresh rates of 7680hz for smooth visual reproduction – including live broadcasting – with more colour subtlety, shading, and saturation.
Reliable and robust
With inclement weather in Europe, the Philips Urban LED 6000 Series walls inside the stadium can withstand anything Mother Nature throws their way, with the reassurance of an IP65 rating – resistant to water and potentially hazardous or corrosive airborne pollutants – and uncompromised performance in subzero conditions down to -20°C (-4°F), or extreme temperatures of up to 50°C (122°F).
Each wall is strategically placed for fans with up to 30 meter viewing distances, rather than the more traditional two videowalls positioned at each end of the stadium. This ensures optimum viewing experiences for fans located anywhere in the stadium.
Aligned with PPDS’ own sustainability strategy, the new Philips Urban LED 6000 Series offers low power consumption of just 18kw, bringing immediate cost of ownership savings when compared to each of the original walls’ 23kw power consumption.
Sjors van den Boogaart, Director of Philips Stadion commented: “After more than a decade of service, our displays have made way for the new LED walls in the Philips Stadion, delivering a huge leap in image quality and brightness, which perfectly aligns with our ambitions for innovation. Fans now experience sharper visuals, while installations continue to support dynamic and impactful content.”
Koen Vroomen, Sales Manager Benelux at PPDS added: “Continuing PPDS’ enviable association and affiliation in designing and providing tailored dvLED solutions to some of the world’s leading professional teams – with FC Barcelona, Oracle Red Bull Racing and Harlequins RFC among those made public – we were delighted to be part of this exciting project.”
“When Philips was established in 1891, it was with a vision to bring cost effective electrical innovations to the world. What better way to celebrate that vision than by bringing the latest outdoor Philips LED innovation back into the Philips Stadion and continuing to showcase high performance and innovation to the world.”
Populous Introduces Real Estate Strategy
Populous, a leading global design firm, today announced the launch of its new Real Estate Strategy service, a strategic initiative focused on planning and designing vibrant, mixed-use districts surrounding world-class sports, entertainment, and civic venues. Populous’ new offering brings real estate strategy to the forefront of project planning, enabling Populous’ clients to make complex development decisions that drive long-term economic and community value.
As venues increasingly serve as year-round community and economic engines, early real estate decisions play a critical role in shaping long-term success. Populous’ Real Estate Strategy service builds on the firm’s decades of leadership in venue-anchored district development, including landmark, award-wining projects such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Pittsburgh’s Riverfront district with the design of PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium, BMO Centre in Calgary and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
"Populous is about designing places that draw people together for great experiences. This new service is a natural evolution of that mission. By pairing our design expertise with real estate strategy, we can help create dynamic districts that elevate the fan experience and strengthen surrounding communities year-round," said Global Chair and CEO, Bruce Miller.
The Real Estate Strategy team will collaborate with owners, teams, cities, and developers to align market realities, financial performance, public objectives, and design ambition from the outset of a project, providing a clear framework from initial concept through realization. From site strategy and feasibility through governance, phasing and entitlement, the Real Estate Strategy team will help clients to assess development viability while contributing to the creation of dynamic mixed-use destinations.
Cary Hirschtein will lead the new service line across Populous’ Americas offices as its first Head of Real Estate Strategy. Hirschstein brings more than 20 years of experience shaping development districts and guiding the realization of complex urban initiatives. He has advised professional and collegiate sports organizations across MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL and
NHL, working with clients including the Chicago Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks, Miami United FC and the Kansas City Royals. He has also partnered with dozens of cities nationwide on transformative mixed-use development and pioneering economic development policy.
Prior to joining Populous, Hirschstein served as Managing Partner at HR&A Advisors, where he led the firm’s Sports and Entertainment District practice, advising on public-private partnerships and large-scale pre-development initiatives.
“Populous has an unmatched ability to shape places that deliver lasting value for both fans and communities,” Hirschstein said. “I’m excited to bring my experience helping clients navigate the full spectrum of successful mixed-use district development, from early strategy through execution. In joining Populous, we now have the capacity to integrate real estate strategy, experiential district planning, and venue design through a singular team.”
“Cary is a proven leader in real estate strategy, urban land use and development,” said Jonathan Mallie, Global Director and Managing Director of the Americas for Populous. “Cary’s ability to translate vision into economically viable, community-focused districts makes him the ideal leader for our new offering. We’re thrilled to welcome Cary to Populous.”
Chicago Stars partner with Populous for new performance centre
Chicago Stars FC have unveiled plans to develop a player-centric performance center as part of the club’s continued investment and growth. In partnership with Populous and Marquee Development, the Chicago Stars have identified a 10-acre site in Bannockburn, IL, to serve as the site for the team’s performance center and hub for all team operations.
“Today marks a historic moment in Chicago Stars FC’s history,” said Chicago Stars executive chairperson, Laura Ricketts. “This facility will set the standard in women's professional soccer by providing the infrastructure our players need to develop to their highest level of performance. Our aim is for the performance center to serve as a point of community pride and a landmark asset that reflects our club’s identity. This new facility isn’t just an investment in the Stars, it’s an investment in the future of women’s soccer.”
The Chicago Stars partnered with global design firm Populous on the design. Populous was selected for the project because of the firm’s extensive work with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and their inclusive design approach to women’s sports facilities, including with the Portland Thorns and Denver Summit FC. The sustainably built performance center will feature two full-sized football pitches and a goalkeeper-specific pitch. The 45,000-square-foot adaptive re-use building will include intentional recovery modalities, weight room with easy indoor/outdoor access, and spaces designed to enable mindfulness.
“We are excited to partner with the Chicago Stars in delivering a world-class performance center for their elite athletes,” said Populous Principal Brooke Craig. “With our focus on purpose-built facilities for women's teams around the world, we know that these facilities must address the unique needs and talents of female athletes. We intentionally kicked off the project with input sessions among Chicago Stars athletes to ensure their requirements were at the forefront of the design. With their input, we are confident this facility will be a game changer for the club and players.”
Chicago Stars head coach, Martin Sjögren, said, “Providing our players with a private facility will be pivotal in their development and performance. The environment will eliminate distractions to maximize the energy and focus our athletes are able to dedicate to their craft. This includes a focus on the whole person – optimizing both mental and physical health to drive results and help us continue to draw top level talent to Chicago.”
The Chicago Stars selected Marquee Development – a sports and mixed-use real estate company – as its development partner for the project. After a thorough search, the team chose the Bannockburn site for the club’s performance center as it is conveniently located near the club’s new home stadium, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, in Evanston, IL, and gives the Chicago Stars access to both expansive business centers in Evanston, Chicago and surrounding communities. The land and foundational infrastructure will allow the Chicago Stars to deliver an incredible athlete experience before the end of 2027.
“We look forward to welcoming the Chicago Stars to Bannockburn,” said Village Manager Stephanie Hannon. “This partnership supports the continued growth of women’s professional sports while bringing a world-class athletic facility to our community. The Stars’ commitment to excellence and their positive impact as role models for young women across the Chicagoland area make them a strong fit for our Village.”
The Chicago Stars’ performance center will also provide commercial opportunities for the club to help promote growth and investment. The facility is designed to accommodate a range of strategic partnerships, including naming rights and select brand integrations aligned with the Stars’ commitment to player development, innovation, and community impact. The club has retained W Partners to help lead corporate partnership sales for the club and the new performance center. Construction is slated to begin in the Spring of 2026, with the goal of opening and fully hosting team training operations in 2027.
NEXO-powered Horacka Multifunkcni Arena sets benchmark for Czech arenas
In the Czech Republic city of Jihlava located at the historical border between Moravia and Bohemia, the Horacka Multifunkcni Arena (HMA) is much more than a home professional ice hockey team HC Dukla Jihlava.
Combining facilities for sports, music, education and business, this striking new arena designed by architects Chybík and Krištof studio is already recognised as a benchmark for multi-purpose municipal venues and seen in terms of what other cities in the country might achieve.
With a crowd capacity of 5581 for sports events and 7416 for concerts, the arena boasts a highly advanced AV technology implementation, undertaken by sound, light, video and staging specialists MusicData based in the town of Velké Meziříčí.
“Our work began in 2019, when we were approached by the architects of the Jihlava arena to design and engineer the sound systems, data networks, power distribution, stage technology, and lighting,” reports MusicData Director Tomas Ourednicek.
“From the very early stages of the project, we were guided by the ambition to realise the architects’ ideas. We sought to fully understand them, develop them, and translate them into the world of modern technology.”
“At the same time, we added a number of additional elements and functions. In doing so, we fundamentally influenced both the final appearance of the interiors and the overall technical functionality of the arena,” adds Stanislav Muryc, Chief Designer at MusicData.
The sound system at the Horacka Multifunkcni Arena covers the stands, the playing area, and all areas of the venue, with system design drawing on the extensive experience of MusicData’s installations in similar multifunctional arenas in the country and including repeated computer simulations and acoustic tests carried out directly in the arena.
“We selected a proven concept using elements from the prestigious French manufacturer NEXO, specifically long-throw GEO S12ST-EN54 loudspeakers. The cluster system ensures even acoustic coverage of the stands. Each cluster is also equipped with two NEXO LS18 subwoofers,” explains Ourednicek.
“The NEXO system offers a number of innovative solutions. For example, the patented Hyperbolic Reflective Wavesource (HRW™) and Configurable Directivity Device (CDD) provide a wide 120° coverage angle, meaning that only eight clusters are required to cover the entire arena.”
Power and processing are supplied by NEXO NXAMP4x4Mk2 Powered TD Controllers providing a total output of 126,000 watts of clean power.
“After the initial system start-up, it was immediately obvious that the sound would be exceptionally clear and very powerful,” says Ourednicek.
The entire system, including a Yamaha DM7 compact mixing console and Yamaha digital matrix is controlled via the state-of-the-art Dante™ data protocol operating over optical, metallic and wireless networks.
Two and a half tonnes of audio equipment are suspended from the truss structure around the stands, with additional loudspeakers installed behind the seating areas and throughout the arena. The sound system also includes delay elements and advanced software that allows it to adapt to current acoustic conditions in the hall.
During the design phase, particular emphasis was placed on achieving the shortest possible reverberation time so that the space could be used universally. Acoustic ceilings and specially designed seating also contributed to this result. The final configuration of the sound system was refined through a series of computer simulations and repeated adjustments.
“There is an extraordinary level of technical detail here. Every word spoken by the announcer is perfectly intelligible throughout the arena and in the backstage areas,” says popular Czech Television commentator Robert Z.ruba, praising the work of the MusicData technicians.
“We always strive to ensure that our solutions are not only visually attractive and fully functional, but also highly practical” says Ourednicek in conclusion.
“We draw on more than 30 years of experience in designing and installing audiovisual and stage systems, as well as touring with artists across a wide range of Czech and European venues.
“This experience gives us a deep understanding of what is truly required. We know what visiting productions need, how they rig and connect their equipment, and what technical conditions they expect. This knowledge proves invaluable every time.”
For further information on MusicData, visit: musicdata.cz
SHH to redevelop debenture hospitality areas at Wimbledon
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has engaged SHH to restructure the debenture hospitality facilities at The Championships, Wimbledon.
Since 2014, SHH Architecture & Interiors have been collaborating with The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) on the design of restaurant and bar spaces across the Grounds for The Championships, Wimbledon. Having previously designed for a range of users, from Members to the media to general admission ticket holders, currently in development are areas within No.1 Court dedicated for the use of Centre Court and No.1 Court debenture holders.
Originally constructed in 1997, the debenture facilities in No.1 Court have been little altered since then, unlike the remainder of the stadium which was refreshed in 2019 with the addition of a retractable roof.
SHH have been working closely with the All England Club and their in-house Food & Drink team in developing proposals to restructure the debenture hospitality facilities over two floors, in the processes addressing issues of circulation, food service and distribution, guest experience, and the adequate provision of WC facilities, in parallel with reinforcing the All England Club’s guiding theme of “tennis in an English garden”.
Feasibility studies for the development began in 2019. Paused during the pandemic, the project was re-activated in 2023. The project brief requires the creation of two indoor and two outdoor restaurants, each supported by their own independent kitchens, with a combined and increased seating capacity of 900 covers. There is an additional need to upgrade MEP systems to modern environmental performance requirements, including the de-gassing of kitchen equipment, and in order to meet 2030 ‘net zero’ targets.
The studies encompass extensive space planning investigations, and the requirements associated with a range of food service operation models, concluding that to meet the brief, additional floor space is essential, therefore necessitating altering the building’s line. KSS Design Group, with their experience as Lead Architect for the addition of the retractable roof over No.1 Court, have been brought in to lead the architecture element of the project, with SHH retaining responsibility for interior architecture and interior design.
Main contractor Knight Harwood, having recently completed the Media Pavilion at the All England Club, have been appointed to undertake construction of the project, with the first phase of work to be handed over for The Championships 2026, and the second phase for 2027.
Andrew Edser, Senior Project Manager at the All England Club, says: “It is a pleasure to be working with SHH again on another prestigious project for our Centre Court and No.1 Court debenture holders. This complex project involves a full transformation of the No.1 Court debenture spaces, including structural modifications to increase the usable floor plate and new facades over both levels. SHH have been pivotal in meeting a challenging client brief and have once again struck the perfect balance of timeless design and understated quality”.