What Espai Barça reveals about the changing role of technology in the era of the 365-day stadium.

By: Brad Hintze, EVP of Marketing and Customer Success, Crestron

The Shift Has Already Happened

It’s official – the 365-day stadium model has moved from an emerging trend to the standard business strategy.

Recent industry research describes the 365-day stadium as a “commercial necessity,” while more than 300 stadium construction and renovation projects began globally in 2025 alone . The message is clear: venue operators are being asked to create value far beyond match day. 

Even as I’ve read recent issues of MONDO | STADIA, contributors have examined the rise of the 365-day hospitality model, the evolution of venue districts, and the shift from physical infrastructure to digital platforms that shape every aspect of the guest journey.

One observation stood out to me: “The modern stadium is no longer just defined by the 90 minutes of play at its centre but by how it performs when there is no event at all.”  That idea perfectly captures what’s happening across the industry. The 22-match-day stadium is becoming a 365-day business. The question is whether the AV industry has fully adapted alongside it.

The Shift in Action at Spotify Camp Nou

At Crestron, we’re fortunate to be part of one of the most ambitious examples of this transformation anywhere in the world.

As the Official Smart Hospitality Technology Systems partner of Espai Barça, we’re helping create the technology foundation that will support the evolution of Spotify Camp Nou from a match-day venue for fans of FC Barcelona, into a year-round destination anyone can appreciate.

Read the full article from ISSUE 49 below: