Sphere Entertainment Co. announces plans for new Maryland venue
Sphere Entertainment Co. the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, and Peterson Companies announced today their intent to develop a new Sphere venue – which would be the second in the U.S. and first to utilise a smaller-scale design model – at National Harbour, a premier destination in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The addition of Sphere would create a new Maryland landmark that drives significant economic, cultural and community benefits for the County, State, and region, and provides unparalleled immersive experiences powered by advanced technologies.
“Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres across forward-looking cities,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sphere Entertainment. “Sphere is a new experiential medium. With a commitment to bringing innovative opportunities to residents and visitors, Governor Moore, County Executive Braveboy, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County recognize the potential for a Sphere at National Harbor to elevate and advance immersive experiences across the area.”
“Maryland has a long history of providing world-class entertainment and we could not be more excited to work with Sphere Entertainment to bring this cutting-edge project to life,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This will be one of the largest economic development projects in Prince George’s County history – proving once again our state is the best place in the country to bring dreams to life. We’re excited for what this means for our people, and how it will showcase the best of what Maryland has to offer to everyone who visits.”
“This is a world-class win and an incredibly exciting moment for Prince George’s County. This achievement reflects the strong partnership we have built with Governor Wes Moore and the State of Maryland, as well as a disciplined, experienced team that knows how to compete and win major projects at a national scale,” said Prince George's County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. “As only the second Sphere venue in the United States, this project demonstrates the future of economic development in Prince George’s County, how we compete, how we win, and how we attract other world-class destinations that will become flagship projects for our County, our State, and the entire region. I love winning for Prince George’s County.”
“We are excited to partner with Sphere Entertainment, the State of Maryland, and Prince George’s County to bring a Sphere to National Harbor,” said Jon Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of the Peterson Companies. “This innovative project will further reinforce National Harbor as the national capital region’s premier destination for conventions, entertainment, retail and dining, and hospitality; deliver more economic activity and jobs; and elevate National Harbor, and Maryland, as one of the country’s preeminent tourism and entertainment hubs.”
This project would utilize a combination of public and private funding, including approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives. Sphere would support approximately 2,500 jobs during the construction phase, and 4,750 jobs once operational, in addition to generating millions in additional revenue for the County and State. Once open, the economic impact of Sphere National Harbor is expected to be greater than $1 billion annually.
Located just 15 minutes from Washington, D.C., National Harbor is a top entertainment and tourism destination in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region. Situated along the Potomac River, National Harbor offers world-class entertainment, dining, retail, gaming, convention, and leisure activities to more than 15 million visitors annually. A Sphere at National Harbor would become a major year-round draw, offering an array of immersive experiences, including original Sphere Experiences, concerts, and brand events, for residents and the millions of domestic and international visitors who travel to the area each year.
Sphere in Las Vegas was recently ranked #1 on both Billboard’s and Pollstar’s 2025 lists of top-grossing venues worldwide. As part of Sphere Entertainment’s vision for a global network of venues, which now includes Sphere in Las Vegas and the planned venue in Abu Dhabi, the Company has designed plans for various sized Spheres that deliver the fully immersive experiences that are the signature of Sphere in Las Vegas.
The proposed National Harbor venue would be the first smaller-scale Sphere, with capacity of 6,000 seats. Smaller-scale Spheres would feature an Exosphere – the exterior LED display of Sphere that showcases both artistic and branded content and reaches audiences globally. The venue would also feature a 16K x 16K interior display plane – the world’s highest-resolution LED screen. All of Sphere’s advanced technologies would be incorporated, including Sphere Immersive Sound, as well as haptic seating and 4D environmental effects.
Any construction, development, financing and operation of a Sphere venue at National Harbour is contingent upon, among other things, negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, as well as receipt of certain governmental incentives and approvals from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.
BDP Pattern reveals design for new El Campin Stadium in Bogota
BDP Pattern, the sports and entertainment division of global multidisciplinary design practice, BDP has unveiled the concept design for the redevelopment of Estadio Nemesio Camacho, known as El Campín Stadium in Bogota, Colombia, creating a new landmark and entertainment district in the capital city.
Developed in collaboration with Sencia Colombia and engineering partner WSP, the ambitious project will transform the site of the historic existing El Campín Stadium into a world-class, mixed-use destination for sport, music, culture, and leisure - a new civic heart for Bogotá and a cultural hub for Colombia.
At the core of the development is a new 50,000-capacity stadium, a bold and modern replacement for El Campín, the historic home of Millonarios F.C. and Club Independiente Santa Fe. Designed to meet the highest international standards, the new stadium will feature a retractable roof, enabling year-round programming of sports, concerts, and large-scale performances.
Sustainability is crucial to the design, with proposals to incorporate energy-efficient systems, local materials and green spaces that reflect Bogotá’s unique landscape. The venue sets a new benchmark for Colombian sport and entertainment, creating a modern, future-facing home for two of the country’s most celebrated football clubs.
The masterplan has been carefully designed to allow the stadium to operate independently and simultaneously with the wider district. Public spaces, pedestrian routes and operational planning have been integrated to ensure smooth event-day logistics while maintaining the vibrancy of the surrounding neighbourhood.
The project is currently at the concept design stage. BDP Pattern has been appointed as Lead Design Consultant. The new stadium will be built alongside the existing El Campín, allowing all football matches and concerts to continue without interruption throughout the development phase.
Populous-designed Munich Arena plans approved by City Council
The new Munich Arena, designed by Populous, has taken another step in its journey to becoming one of the finest live events venues in Europe. This comes after planning for the new 20,000 capacity arena was approved by The Committee for Planning, Building and the Environment at Munich City Council.
This is an important step in the development and planning procedure and it sends a clear signal: the planning is progressing in a structured, reliable manner and with noticeable momentum.
What the Munich Arena stands for:
• World-class concerts – clear priority on sight, acoustics and fan experience
• From the region, for the region - for fans, for artists & organisers
• Lighthouse project with impact – culturally, touristically and economically
Deloitte expects around € 350 million p.a. added value for the city and region in operation. Concert guests who go out to eat, shop, stay overnight, strengthen gastronomy, hotels, trade - plus regional services and crafts; especially in economically challenging times, this is a real ray of hope.
"The decision is another important milestone for our Munich Arena. The close, objective cooperation with the city, administration and city council is a real added value – it helps to advance the planning precisely and in high quality. Our goal is a first-class concert arena for Munich and Bavaria – with clear priority on sight, acoustics and fan experience. At the same time, we think of the place as part of the environment: with a plaza and open spaces that create a quality of stay," said Lorenz Schmid, Managing Partner of the Munich Arena.
"The Munich Arena is a project with international aspirations – consistently intended for live entertainment. The milestone reached shows the care with which and in what close exchange the planning proceeds. We are creating an arena that offers first-class experiences for artists and fans alike – and further strengthens Munich and Bavaria as a concert location," added Tom Lynch, Live Nation, President, Venues EMEA.
The planning team, who prepared documents and presented them at the meeting, included: HENN, Populous, LATZ+PARTNER, schlaich bergermann partner sbp, Drees & Sommer
Udinese Calcio's Bluenergy Stadium celebrates tenth anniversary
Bluenergy Stadium, the home of Udinese Calcio, celebrates its tenth anniversary tomorrow on the occasion of the match against Inter Milan. Since its inauguration on January 17, 2016, the new stadium in Udine has established itself as one of the most modern and welcoming venues in the country, with a strong focus on sustainability.
Since the match against Juventus in January 2016, Udinese have played 208 matches in Serie A and the Coppa Italia at Bluenergy Stadium, with an average attendance of over 20,000 fans (20,567) over the years. The all-time attendance record dates back to January 29, 2017, when 26,008 spectators attended Udinese’s 2–1 victory over Milan.
Over these ten years, Bluenergy Stadium has also hosted numerous major events. In addition to high-profile friendlies between Udinese and West Ham, Athletic Club and Chelsea, the stadium has welcomed the Italian national football team on five occasions, the Italian rugby national team twice — set to return in 2026 — four matches of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, including the final between Spain and Germany, and the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, won by Paris Saint-Germain against Tottenham, the most important sporting event ever held in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
However, Udinese’s stadium is more than just a sporting venue. Since 2024, Bluenergy Stadium has once again hosted major concerts, welcoming artists such as Zucchero and Negramaro and preparing to host leading names from the Italian music scene, including Vasco Rossi, Eros Ramazzotti, and Zucchero.
The new stadium has enabled the club to more than double its matchday revenues, organise increasingly prestigious events and develop one of the most advanced hospitality services in Europe through the Udinese Club House, while also implementing its sustainability vision. The roof of Bluenergy Stadium features the first solar park ever installed in an Italian stadium, which led to the creation of Italian football’s first Renewable Energy Community. This initiative, together with the elimination of plastic in hospitality areas, the introduction of smoke-free zones, and the widespread presence of recycling points, helps make Udinese’s stadium the greenest in Italy.
Much has changed over the past ten years, but the ambition to continue improving and to serve as an important benchmark for the community has only grown, particularly with the aim of minimising environmental impact and acting as a driving force for tourism and the economy of the city of Udine and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
HKS reveal first renderings for Washington Commanders stadium
Today, the Washington Commanders and HKS unveiled the first conceptual renderings of the team’s new state-of-the-art venue in Washington, D.C. The roofed stadium will be a dynamic, year-round destination for sports, entertainment and community engagement, integrating sustainable design practices and reimagining the fan experience through immersive spaces.
The Washington Commanders named HKS as lead architect for the team’s new state-of-the-art stadium in Washington, D.C. in November 2025.
“We are proud to share the first visuals of our future stadium, a defining milestone in the next phase of the development process,” said Mark Clouse, President of the Washington Commanders. “This moment underscores the strength of our partnership with HKS, whose thoughtful, forward-looking approach has helped us shape a concept that is worthy of its extraordinary site along DC’s Monumental Axis and truly embodies the spirit and pride of the District.”
“HKS is honored to work on one of the world’s most extraordinary sports and entertainment sites, and this project calls for an equally extraordinary response. Every design decision is guided by the significance of place – shaped by its local, regional and national history and generations of memories rooted in RFK Stadium,” said Mark A. Williams, FAIA, HKS Global Venues Director. “Monumental in presence, grounded in the original L’Enfant Plan and scaled to the urban fabric of the District, the stadium design will be a bold civic landmark that carries the city’s architectural legacy forward in a way that is confident, dynamic and unmistakably Washington, D.C.”
Located on the former RFK Stadium site and aligned with the L’Enfant Plan, the project expands the existing waterfront and park experience while enhancing the surrounding recreational network through new outdoor plazas, public spaces and green areas.
Designed to link the city’s historic core with the Anacostia River and neighboring landscapes, the stadium will feature a sculpted, transparent domed roof that establishes a dynamic yet respectful profile rising to welcome visitors from the north and south while maintaining a lower presence along the east–west axis in deference to the U.S. Capitol and adjacent monuments. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of RFK Stadium, the design emphasizes openness, continuity and shared experience, with a continuous colonnade strengthening the relationship between the public realm and the interior and reinforcing the stadium’s role as a unifying civic landmark.
HKS Named Lead Architect
“HKS is thrilled to partner with the Commanders to design a new home that celebrates the pride and unmistakable energy of the nation’s capital,” said Williams. “We’re reimagining what home-field advantage means by channeling the rhythm and the roar that made RFK so special and carrying that spirit forward in a bold new way. The site, set within the monumental fabric of Washington, D.C., is one of the most extraordinary in professional sports, and we are honored to help write the next chapter in its history.”
HKS designs each sports venue as a one-of-a-kind reflection of its city, shaped by the culture, climate and character of the people and communities it represents. The new Commanders Stadium will be designed with football at its core, delivering the loudest, most dynamic home-field advantage in the NFL. The stadium is also envisioned as a civic landmark for Washington, D.C., with monumental architecture and vibrant public spaces that come alive on game days and throughout the year.
The approximately 70,000+-seat, roofed stadium will host more than 200 events every year, including global sporting events, concerts, community festivals and major national celebrations. Sustainability, advanced technology, an enhanced fan experience and amplified sponsorship integration will be at the forefront of the stadium design.
Together, the stadium and new surrounding district will reconnect the city to the Anacostia River, catalyze local investment and create a destination for residents and visitors that thrives beyond game day. Plans also include the creation of 5,000 to 6,000 new homes, including 1,500 to 1,900 affordable units; preservation of the Fields at RFK; the addition of new youth sports facilities; and opportunities for hotel and retail development. At least 30 percent of the site will be dedicated to enhanced green spaces.
HKS will now map out the concept and schematic design with The Commanders. In collaboration with the District of Columbia, HKS participated in a series of community engagement sessions to inform the evolving design through input from local leaders and residents, with additional meetings planned through January. Vertical construction on the stadium is expected to commence in the spring of 2027; Full completion is scheduled for 2030.
Populous' Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium ready for AFCON final
The 68,700-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, has become an iconic centrepiece of the African Cup of Nations tournament. This Sunday it will play host to the final of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations between hosts Morocco and Senegal, champions in 2021.
Designed by Populous, the global leader in sports and entertainment design, the stadium opened in September 2025. Its exterior features a unique parametrically designed façade with an integrated lighting system, designed by Lamalif Group, that creates unique animated visual displays across the whole stadium exterior.
The design of the bowl places a premium on acoustics and atmosphere to amplify the passion of the fans, with stands placed as close to the pitch as possible, amplifying crowd energy into a sonic wall.
“The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is the new jewel of international football and one of the great stadiums, not just in Morocco, but across all Africa and beyond. It delivers a legacy impact of world-class amenities, accessibility improvements for local and international fans, enhanced fan experience and increased revenues.
“Leveraging our parametric design expertise across multiple Populous teams enabled us to create our most ambitious stadium façade to date for this incredible stadium and we have been proud to see it become an iconic symbol that has lit up AFCON and Morocco itself.”
- Populous Senior Principal François Clement.
Stadium Façade
The façade of the stadium uses parametric design that draws inspiration both from the interlaced palm leaves lining Rabat’s great boulevards, and from Morocco’s great artisanal tradition, the ‘Point de Fez’ embroidery and traditional ornamentation. Its golden, shimmering profile rises from the eucalyptus forest of the city’s green belt - the southern lungs of Rabat - representing Morocco’s spirit of innovation and technological strength as it opens toward the Atlantic.
Covering 100,000 m², the façade is composed of 19,200 champagne-coloured aluminium triangles, each with their own unique dimensions.
At sunset, the facade transforms into a giant animated screen, thanks to an integrated video lighting system featuring 70 km of LED pixel bars capable of displaying up to 60 frames per second. Fully programmable, the lighting scenarios can be synchronized in real time with music, screens or key moments of sporting events, creating spectacular and immersive light shows.
The overall lighting design, installation and synchronization of the video lighting system is by Lamalif Group, a specialist in urban and architectural lighting
Stadium Bowl
The bowl is the beating heart of the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, designed to connect Moroccan supporters’ immense passion with the action on the pitch.
A vast open concourse to the south leads into a steep, two-tiered 23,000 capacity ‘Kop’ stand, one of the largest fan sections in Africa and Europe. The two superposed tiers, where the upper tier cantilevers eight metres above the lower tier, create a breathtaking impression of floating over the field, directly overlooking the goal.
This dual-tiered south Kop serves as a ‘loudspeaker’ for supporter passion, facing the pitch, the players, and the other stands.
The West Stand hosts VVIP, VIP, skyboxes, and lounges, centred on the Royal Box, while the East Stand offers a versatile mix of lounges and skyboxes over three tiers.
Skyboxes on Level 2 form a U-shaped ring around the pitch, offering optimised views both of the pitch and of the vibrant South Kop stand.
The overall design ensures an electric stadium atmosphere, enhancing the fan experience at every level.
Barcelona to host Sports World Congress, analysing the major global transformation of stadiums
According to estimates from various international reports in the sports infrastructure sector, the planned investment in renovation, expansion and construction of new stadiums worldwide exceeds 50 billion euros in the coming years.
In a context where hundreds of stadiums around the world are in the process of renovation, expansion or reconstruction, Barcelona will host on February 2 and 3, 2026 a new edition of the Sports World Congress (SWC).
The Sports World Congress is the leading international B2B congress for professionals involved in the design, development, management and transformation of stadiums, arenas and multi-purpose venues. The 2026 edition will feature the participation of more than 50 international stadiums and arenas, as well as clubs, operators, architects, engineering firms, public administrations, cities and technology companies.
Among the stadiums and venues that have already confirmed their participation are international benchmarks such as the RCDE Stadium (Barcelona), Estadio de la Cerámica (Villarreal CF), Reale Arena – Anoeta (Real Sociedad), The City Ground (Nottingham Forest) and The O2 Arena (London), among others. In the coming weeks, new additions of international stadiums and arenas will be announced.
The congress will analyse the largest wave of transformation the sector has seen in decades, driven by the need to modernise infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, advance in sustainability and place the consumer experience at the centre of the design of new sports venues. In this process, artificial intelligence and the advanced use of data play a key role, both in planning and in the operation and monetisation of stadiums.
A programme with global leaders in sport, architecture and institutions
Nikken Sekkei, the architecture firm responsible for the design of the Spotify Camp Nou, will participate in the SWC and will lead an exclusive visit to analyse in detail the architectural project of the new stadium.
The programme and speakers for the Sports World Congress 2026 are being confirmed progressively, with new additions practically every day. The congress will bring together representatives from major sports institutions worldwide, architects linked to the Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 programme, institutional managers and teams that are currently designing and developing some of the world’s leading stadiums.
The Stadium Forum will be the central axis of the programme, with presentations, keynotes and case studies presented in first person by stadium managers, international sports organisations and sector experts.
Barcelona, global meeting point coinciding with ISE 2026
The Sports World Congress will be held coinciding with ISE 2026 (Integrated Systems Europe), the world’s leading event for audiovisual technology and integrated systems,
which will also take place in Barcelona on those same days. This strategic coincidence will allow attendees to participate in both congresses during the same stay in the city, facilitating the connection between decision-makers in the world of stadiums, technology, audiovisual innovation and intelligent systems.
According to Josep M. Monti, CEO of the Sports World Congress:
“The coincidence with ISE turns Barcelona, during those days, into the great global meeting point between technology and sport. The Sports World Congress takes advantage of this unique context to connect stadium managers with the technological solutions that are already transforming the way major sports venues are designed, operated and monetised. This complementarity generates enormous value for attendees and accelerates decision-making.”
With this edition, Barcelona strengthens its position as a European hub for the sports industry and major events, hosting a congress that connects strategic vision, knowledge, technological innovation and business opportunities.
Sun Group’s Populous-Designed Rach Chiec National Sports Complex Breaks Ground In Vietnam
The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and leading Vietnamese developer Sun Group has held a spectacular groundbreaking ceremony for one of South East Asia’s most anticipated sports projects – the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex, which has been master planned by global architecture firm Populous.
Total investment in the 186.78 hectare project is valued at more than VND145,000 billion, with the centerpiece being an up to 70,000-seat stadium featuring a retractable roof and one of the world’s most advanced air-conditioning systems.
Populous Senior Principal and Global Director Brett Wightman said Rach Chiec would place Vietnam on the global sporting map with the ability to host top-level sports events and international concerts.
“Rach Chiec National Sports Complex will enhance Vietnam’s sports infrastructure and lay the foundation for Vietnam to host major international events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic & Paralympic Games,” Mr Wightman said.
“We are excited by Sun Group’s ambition to make Ho Chi Minh City a world leading sport and entertainment precinct.”
The vision for the Central Stadium takes reference from the water palms that line the rivers of the region. The Stadium will have a retractable roof, advanced soundproofing and a cutting-edge air-conditioning system that can adjust temperature by seating zone. This will allow the Stadium to not only host international-level sports events, but also to be converted into a multifunctional stage for large-scale concerts, regional and global entertainment programs.
A multi-functional complex capable of hosting 90% of Olympic sports
In addition to the central stadium, the complex will include indoor arenas and sports centers equipped with modern air-conditioning systems that can flexibly adjust temperature by seating zone:
- The multi-purpose Competitive Arena and Performance Arena covering 10 hectares with a capacity of about 18,000 seats will serve indoor sports, art performances, entertainment programs and combined events.
- A multi-purpose Sports Center with 5,000 to 10,000 seats will accommodate competitions in multiple disciplines, training, and community sports events.
- An international-standard Aquatic Center will host swimming, diving, and water polo.
- A Tennis Center will support competitions, training and professional tournaments.
- There will also be a fitness and recreation center, along with auxiliary courts.
In addition, community sports areas and facilities for athletes, coaches and medical teams will expand Rach Chiec’s role from a professional competition center into a sport and entertainment precinct integrated with urban life, forming a closed-loop ecosystem of training, competition and rehabilitation.
Populous Senior Principal and Lead Designer for the project Andrew Tulen said Rach Chiec National Sports Complex had been master planned to allow the community access to health and recreational services, contributing to improved quality of life, reduced stress and better physical and mental health.
“Populous has designed the precinct to ensure that all the venues work together seamlessly and that it will be an important community asset and a catalyst for further development in the area,” Mr Tulen said.
“Populous has decades of experience designing iconic spaces for the world’s most renowned names in sport and entertainment, from stadiums such as the London Olympic Stadium to arenas and event spaces such as the Sphere in Las Vegas. It's this type of design excellence that our team in Asia hope to bring to Rach Chiec, Sun Group and Ho Chi Minh City.”
A New International-Standard Conference Center in Ho Chi Minh City
Alongside sports facilities, the project allocates a large area for public spaces and urban services. Public parks and plazas will extend throughout the site, linking all sports facilities, creating ecological buffers, and offering community spaces. Waterfront areas will host recreational activities, community sports, outdoor events and festivals, as well as dining, shopping, and cultural exchange spaces, contributing to better quality of life for residents.
Commercial, service and conference areas are planned to support sports and event activities, hosting world-class artistic performances and forming a center for an event-driven economy, nighttime economy and increased tourist spending in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Conference Center will be one of the largest in the region, including a main hall and multiple smaller multifunctional rooms suitable for international exhibitions, conferences, seminars and forums. Nearby hotels will provide high-end accommodation with convenient access and direct connection to the sports complex.
The city selected Vung Tau Sun Co., Ltd., a Sun Group subsidiary, as the investor for the project.
Brighton and Hove Albion to add more safe standing places at AMEX
Brighton and Hove Albion has confirmed safe standing will be extended to the lower rows of the North Stand in September 2026.
In December, a survey was sent to season ticket holders in the North Stand and the overwhelming majority voted for safe standing to be extended to the lower rows.
Due to the extensive improvement work currently taking place in the North Stand, safe standing will be installed during the international break in September 2026.
This will mean the 2026/27 season starts with safe standing in rows R upwards, the same as this season. From October 2026, safe standing will be in place from N1B rows I-Q seat 64-79 upward, and from N1C through to block N1G row H-Q seat 82-196.
Following a review of the voting, safe standing is moving to lower rows but only in more central blocks where this had the most support.
This may mean that sight lines are impacted for the seats situated immediately next to safe standing areas, but this will only be the case when play moves into the north end penalty box when it is expected fans will stand due to the play being so close to goal.
For supporters whose seats will be converted to safe standing, a priority window will be available to move elsewhere in the stadium.
This latest development at the AMEX stadium is the second instalment of safe standing places at the ground in the last year, after rail seating was also implemented in the North Stand prior to the start of the 2025/26 season.