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SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
The Olympic Stadium
London, United Kingdom
“The Olympic Stadium will set the bringing UK Athletics, Essex County Cricket been vaguely addressed, though the club has
bar for all future Olympics,” said Club and events manager Live Nation with revealed it is in discussions with Populous
John Barrow, a senior principal at them in a project backed by local authority over a potential UK£10m (US$16.2 million)
lead Olympic architects Populous, in a recent Newham Council and construction giant conversion to retractable seating. The pressure
interview with SportsPro. “The 2012 Olympics Westfield. An olive branch has also been on West Ham to deliver is substantial, but
will be the most sustainable Olympics ever.” offered to League One club Leyton Orient the potential benefits for all parties are just
A bold statement and a noble ambition, one – the closest soccer team to the Olympic as significant. For some time, UK Athletics
which now partly rests in the hands of soccer Stadium whose opposition has been strongly has been in dire need of a stadium capable
club West Ham United, its owners David expressed – in the form of a promise to make of hosting elite competitions and operating
Sullivan and David Gold and its vice-chairman the 60,000 capacity venue available for their as a genuine commercial centre. If their
Karren Brady. London 2012 will be blessed biggest fixtures. The fractious bidding process cohabitation with West Ham is a success, it
with a generous array of cleverly conceived took on an almost ideological dimension. will not only buttress the long-term future
venues whose use will not yield a long-term Backed by AEG, north London-based of what remains a popular sport in Britain,
burden. The future of the centrepiece, Spurs’ pitch was commercially impressive but also provide a workable model for similar
however, has been bitterly disputed since the but derided by some of their own fans as a groundshares elsewhere – just as the practice
original 25,000-seat downgrade was scrapped betrayal of their local community in Haringey, is becoming discredited. West Ham’s pledge to
as financially unviable following the global while their offer to fund a revamp of UK buck a nationwide trend and make thousands
economic crisis. In March, the Olympic Park Athletics’ undesirable Crystal Palace home was of tickets for every home game available at
Legacy Committee (OPLC) chose West dismissed as patronising. West Ham, on the highly affordable prices should also prove
Ham’s multi-purpose proposal over that of other hand, have struggled to convince some popular with young people and families, and
Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, observers that they can make the numbers give the stadium more of a community feel.
which would have resulted in the semi- on their offering add up, particularly in the The project remains something of a leap in
demolition and rebuilding of the stadium and light of their recent relegation to England’s the dark, but if it lands safely, the Olympic
expulsion of athletics. Barring the success second-tier Npower Championship. The Stadium will fulfil London’s promise of
of court proceedings issued by Tottenham, realities of accommodating soccer, athletics a meaningful and sustainable legacy with
the Hammers will take up residence in 2014, and cricket within the same facility have only something to spare.
74 | SportsProMedia.com
Roland Garros
Paris, France
The French Tennis Federation’s The upshot of this is that the FFT will be coming from public funds. A roof will
(FFT) February 2011 decision to keep hoping to weave the history and prestige of be added to the Court Philippe Chatrier
the French Open at Roland Garros the existing venue into a truly world-class – the principal arena on the site – with
was described by director general Gilbert proposition – one which meets the highest its various stands systematically updated
Ysern as “probably the most important since modern standards in terms of hospitality and and its capacity expanded. Furthermore a
its creation.” The two-week long Grand facilities for spectators and the media. Ysern is 5,000-seater court will be built amongst the
Slam tennis tournament brings in 90 per clear about his ambitions for the project. leafy gardens and greenhouses of the Serres
cent of the organisation’s overall revenue. “The goal is not to have more, but to d’Auteuil in order to replace the adjacent
Understandably, then, the comprehensive treat our people better than we do at the circular-shaped court number one, which
five to seven year redevelopment of the host moment, be it the players, or the public, or is to be demolished and transformed into
venue, worth roughly US$430 million, will be the sponsors, or our guests in the hospitality a wide-open space to meet the demands
Ysern’s primary preoccupation for some time areas,” says Ysern. “Really, the purpose is of the crowds expected to gather prior
to come. to try and be the nicest event and the top to newly planned night sessions. Lastly,
Roland Garros is not the only Grand Slam quality event in the world rather than being a covered 14,500 capacity stadium with a
venue set for an upgrade. Following years of biggest in terms of numbers of spectators, retractable roof will be constructed from
change at Wimbledon, where the All England number of acres or whatever.” scratch at nearby Porte d’Auteuil, roughly
Club have installed a roof on Centre Court Deep red clay and spectacular on-court 1km east of the tennis complex, alongside
and dramatically revamped No.1 Court and rallies make the French Open unique among a new state-of-the-art media centre and
No.2 Court, Australian Open hosts Melbourne Grand Slams, and the city of Paris’ 99-year luxurious panoramic restaurant.
Park are to significantly increase their overall lease agreement with the FFT represents a “The facility in five, six, or seven years
capacity and fit a roof on the Margaret Court major commitment to the tournament and its time will be nothing like that which exists
Arena. Unlike those, however, Roland Garros famous old home. This is mirrored in the scale today. We’re going to make more room for
was subjected to a competitive bidding process of the FFT’s investment. the various people that make a success of the
in which it saw off the challenges of larger, Starting in 2012 the project will be funded event, starting with the players, the media,
more expensive new-build sites at Gonesse, almost entirely by France’s tennis authorities sponsors and, very importantly, the general
Versailles and Marne-la-Vallé. with just five per cent of the overall budget public,” concludes Ysern.
SportsPro Magazine | 75
SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
New Corinthians Stadium
São Paulo, Brazil
The last time Brazil hosted the Fifa undermined when Fifa rejected São Paulo in their careers. Even if international interest
World Cup, in 1950, a shock defeat in FC’s 70,000-seater Estádio do Morumbi in the Brasileirão grows gradually, Brazil
the final game to Uruguay cost them because of concerns over financial guarantees is potentially among the biggest domestic
the chance of a first world title and inflicted a regarding its renovation. After a period of no markets for the game in the world. With the
deep wound on the national psyche. A lifetime little uncertainty, Corinthians have stepped World Cup heralding the demise of some of
later and it is hard to imagine that failure into the breach. A tax incentive deal with the the country’s outdated concrete bowls, the
by the seleção to win what would be their city council has allowed the club to raise the Itaquera leads a generation of new stadiums
sixth world title in 2014 could prompt such capacity of its proposed Itaquera stadium which should transform the earning potential
mournful introspection, but embarrassment from 48,500 to 65,000, in line with Fifa’s of top Brazilian clubs. CDCA Arquitetos
off the field could easily check the stride of demands. Despite this breakthrough, doubts have designed a distinctive, modern venue
an increasingly prosperous and confident remain over whether it can be delivered on with a retractable roof and ample facilities for
nation. With three years to go until kick- time. Building work has yet to begin, and it has hospitality and conferencing. It is a prospect
off, familiar organisational problems are already been confirmed that the venue will not far removed from Corinthians’ current home,
hampering preparations for the event – which be ready in time for the dress rehearsal, the the historic but somewhat crude Estádio do
itself comes two years ahead of Brazil’s 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup. The stakes are Pacaembu. Already one of Brazil’s highest
first Olympic Games in Rio. Infrastructural high for São Paulo, which will be eliminated earning clubs, Corinthians believe the new
upgrades, particularly to the country’s from the list of host cities if the project venue will earn them somewhere in the region
airport network, are behind schedule, as are founders – an outcome which would also do of US$62 million a year, quickly justifying
several stadium projects. Nowhere is the substantial damage to Brazil’s reputation. Yet their outlay on its construction. The success
problem more acute than in São Paulo, the national pride is not the only issue in play of developments like this one would bring
country’s most populous city, home to 20 here. Brazilian club soccer is on the rise: young domestic soccer in Brazil to commercial
million of its people and a handful of its prospects like Neymar are waiting longer to maturity, at the very moment a well-run World
greatest soccer clubs. Its hopes of hosting make the trip out to Europe, while superstars Cup might be showcasing a country ready for
the opening game looked to have been fatally are making the return trip earlier and earlier a new international role.
76 | SportsProMedia.com
Barclays Center
New York, USA
“I honestly believe,” says New market in over 60 years. million people within 45 minutes.”
Jersey Nets minority owner Bruce “The other thing is the Brooklyn factor,” Prokhorov’s takeover has arguably made
Ratner, “that in America we do Ratner declares. “Brooklyn is like no other the Nets the most international team in the
sometimes build an arena with some place on earth.” Much will be made of NBA, so it is perhaps fitting that they are the
semblance of architectural taste, and the return of a major league sports team first franchise in US sport to sell the naming
architecturally it’s great.” to Brooklyn for the first time since the rights to their arena to an organisation
Few would disagree with such an appraisal heartbreaking flight of the Dodgers to based outside the country. London-based
of the forthcoming Barclays Center, future LA in 1957. The move is neatly timed. Barclays will be that headline sponsor, and
home of the Brooklyn Nets. Its designers Brooklyn is New York’s largest borough; partnerships with the likes of IMG, Lagardère
at the award-winning SHoP architecture the majority of its increasingly affluent 2.6 Unlimited and Golden Boy Promotions will
firm have presented what might be the million inhabitants work elsewhere in the ensure the arena becomes more than just the
most ambitious and aesthetically pleasing city, and more and more of them are young home of a basketball team.
indoor arena ever constructed in the United professionals commuting to Manhattan. The “There are no inside venues of any size
States. Their assured touch, says Ratner, is Barclays Center and its surrounding Atlantic except for Madison Square Garden in a
apparent “in and out” of the venue. Chief Yards development will be situated right at city of 8.5 million people with an excellent
executive of real estate developers Forest the heart of the Tri-State area, with arteries transportation system,” Ratner says. “It’s a
City Ratner Group, Ratner was central to leading off in every direction. place where entertainment and things to do
the move to Brooklyn even before selling “The public transportation is so intense at are incredible, but there are no large venues
his majority stake in the team to Russian that spot,” says Ratner. “There are probably where you can have a major boxing match,
billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in 2010. The more transit lines that link underground other than Madison Square Garden. But
team’s relocation in the summer of 2012 there than any place in New York City. Madison Square Garden has three teams
will bring an end to a “nine-year project” to You can get to that arena from Long there; it has hockey, it has basketball and it has
get to New York City. With no NBA titles Island, which has two million people; from women’s basketball, so you don’t have as many
since their arrival in 1976, the Nets are used anywhere in the city, which has 8.5 million; nights available. So there’s a tremendous need,
to being one of the least heralded franchises and New Jersey and Westchester, which is which we’re finding now and we knew in the
in American sport. Now they are behind our northern suburb, quite rapidly via public beginning, for another venue for both sports
the most dramatic reshaping of its biggest transportation. You’ve probably got 12 and for entertainment.”
SportsPro Magazine | 77
SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Doha, Qatar
Many eyebrows and no few be the incorporation of photo-voltaic shipped elsewhere and used again.
objections were raised when Qatar panels. The solar-powered air conditioning Daniel Cordey is the market chief
was awarded the 2022 Fifa World system, which will be standard issue across executive of Swiss modular stadium
Cup in December. Leaving aside the Qatar’s World Cup venues, will supposedly specialists Nüssli, who were consultants
allegations of foul play that continue to allow players and supporters to enjoy the on both the Qatari and Russian World
haunt the bid, there remain serious concerns conditions of late European spring while Cup bids. Nüssli have been involved in
over the practicality of hosting such a large producing zero carbon emissions. The temporary seating projects for many years,
tournament in such a small – and hot – system has so far only been installed in but Cordey admits that the Qatar project
territory. Those responsible for the bid, the 500-seat ‘Showcase’ stadium at Khalifa will take the modular concept further than
however, believe they have a package of Sports City, but organisers are confident that ever before. “What started in London for
solutions – both elegant and aggressive – to the technology will be ready. Solar panels the first time,” he says, “with the basketball
meet a daunting set of challenges. Even will also shield parking and service areas, hall and the Olympic Stadium, where
allowing for the many modifications possible with the energy generated used to power relocatable solutions or demountable
in the years ahead, it is a project which the stadium when it is in use, as well as the solutions are being showcased, will continue
seems certain to be acutely influential. surrounding buildings. and is probably seen most effectively in
The Lusail Iconic Stadium is both Qatar may have the world’s fastest growing Qatar in 2022.”
emblematic of this strategy and its most population, but its size still bears comparison The success of the Qatar bid and the
dramatic expression. Wembley Stadium with that of Trinidad and Tobago – the trend towards more flexible solutions could
designers Foster + Partners are behind the smallest country ever to participate in a also alter the priorities of governing bodies
86,250-seater venue, which will be built World Cup finals tournament. There will be when it comes to organising major events.
to the north of the capital, Doha, and is no need, in short, for a collection of world “It’s certainly a good sign for small
slated to host the final. When completed in class soccer stadiums in Qatar once the countries that they have a fair chance to
2019, it will be set in a body of water, with Fifa bandwagon has rolled on. With that in participate and there are technical solutions
spectators crossing the ‘moat’ by any one of mind, the Lusail Iconic Stadium will be one around,” Cordey says. “Also it is becoming
six bridges. A ring of arching columns will of many venues to be reconfigured after the part of the programme, whether it is the
support a partially retractable roof. World Cup to a dramatically lower capacity – IOC programme or for Fifa tenders, that
Of more practical significance will 20,000 – with the greater part of the facility there is the possibility to find such solutions.”
78 | SportsProMedia.com
SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
Juventus Arena
Turin, Italy
If no club quite symbolises the Gino Zavanella and Hernando Suarez hope comprehensive corporate hospitality and
relative malaise in Italian soccer like will create a more intimate, ‘English-style’ premium seating offering that has ever existed
Juventus, then no building quite atmosphere. By contrast, ample space has in Italy before, but the club have not stopped
emphasised the dramatic ageing of Italy’s top been given over to stadium walkways and there in their efforts to wring revenue streams
stadiums like the team’s former home, the concourses, with detailing inside and outside from their new asset. Fans have been invited
69,000-capacity Stadio Delle Alpi. Built by the the ground set to reflect the fact that this to purchase the chance to have their names
city of Turin for the 1990 Fifa World Cup, it is very much Juventus’ home. Studio Rolla engraved on one of a galaxy of stars in a
was never embraced by the Juventus faithful: Architettura + Urbanistica have taken display which will be a permanent feature at
infamously, only 237 attended a Coppa Italia charge of a development scheme around the base of the upper tier of seats.
game against Sampdoria in 2002. the ground which is not only intended to There is little of this that has not already
Few mourned its passing when the transform the matchday experience for been attempted elsewhere, but it amounts
wrecking ball swung in February 2009. supporters, but also regenerate a moribund to a revolution in what was so recently
Though the same site was retained for Turin suburb. 34,000 square metres of Europe’s top soccer league. Most of the
its replacement – and many tonnes of shops, 30,000 square metres of greenery, top clubs in Serie A make relatively meagre
concrete, glass, steel and aluminium recycled and 4,000 parking spaces will surround the earnings from outmoded, municipally-
– in every other respect the two stadiums stadium, which can be reached by any one owned stadiums. According to Deloitte, just
are barely comparable. Set to open in of 16 suspension bridges. The stadium eight per cent of Juventus’ €205 million
September and modestly billed by Juventus itself is costing up to €170 million to build. turnover in 2009/10 came from matchday
as “the stadium that changes football,” the Sportfive are currently in the market revenue. With their €132.5 million income
purpose-built, privately owned new ground for naming rights to the ground, currently from television set to shrink dramatically
will be built to a reduced 41,000 capacity unofficially known as Juventus Arena, in a under the new collective deal with Mediaset
– perhaps surprising, given that Juve have partnership expected to earn Juventus at least now in force in Serie A, they will be looking
a reported 11 million fans across Italy. €75 million over 12 years. Theirs is the first to the Juventus Arena to help make up the
With the running track and fences gone, such campaign in Italian soccer, but is not shortfall. More than that, however, many
spectators in the front row will be just 7.5 the only example of how the commercial will hope the stadium can help bring Italian
metres from the pitch, and those in the back delivery is being ruthlessly modernised. The soccer into a modern era that its 1990s pre-
just 49 metres away, something architects Juventus Premium Club will provide a more eminence did so much to create.
80 | SportsProMedia.com
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, USA
A year ago, SportsPro named a Blue, who will in turn manage the facility Eagles and Christina and Jeffrey Lurie as
little-known stadium in Taiwan over a period of 20 years for a set fee which they set the right example for all of sports.”
the most important sporting will rise by three per cent each year. Philadelphia mayor Michael Nuttler added
venue in the world. The decision was The result may not be as appealing to look that the Eagles, “don’t just wear green,
met with confusion and even derision in at as Toyo Ito’s spectacular effort in Taiwan, they sincerely believe in the concept of
some quarters, but Toyo Ito’s Kaohsiung but it will be effective. Solar Blue say that 8.6 responsible environmental stewardship.”
National Stadium, site of the 2009 World megawatts of electricity will be generated A Hollywood veteran and producer of
Games, was chosen for its innovative and at Lincoln Financial Field, 1.6 megawatts the Oscar-winning 2010 documentary
radical use of solar panels. There was more than is required on game day, with Inside Job, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is a
the latest indication that Kaohsiung can excess power sold on to the local grid. It is confirmed environmentalist who has spent
provide a model for the rest of sport to estimated that the stadium would be capable the better part of a decade burnishing the
follow when the Philadelphia Eagles of the of powering 26,000 homes, and that the team’s green credentials. This time, he and
NFL became the first professional sports resultant fall in greenhouse gas emissions wife Christina, who operates the team’s
team to fully convert their home ground to will be equivalent to taking 41,000 cars off ‘Go Green’ initiative, may have delivered
on-site renewable energy. Philadelphia’s roads. Of course, an NFL something which can fundamentally alter
Announced in November 2010, the franchise must concern itself with another the perception of the role of a major
development will see 80 wind turbines – kind of green issue: the Eagles believe the sporting venue in a major city, with dramatic
spiral shaped to reduce noise – and 2,500 conversion will save them US$60 million in benefits to all parties.
solar panels fitted to the exterior of the energy costs over the next two decades. “We believe,” said Christina Lurie, “the
70,000-seater stadium. These will produce Set for completion in September – just iconic stature and universal appeal of
around 15 per cent of the energy needed ahead of the will-they-won’t-they 2011 NFL professional sports can become a powerful,
to power the stadium, with the remainder season – the scheme has already drawn visible, motivating example of how renewable
coming from a dual-fuel generator. The rich applause. NFL commissioner Roger energy sources can replace fossil fuels and
US$30 million cost of the project is being Goodell described it as “groundbreaking”, create a cleaner, sustainable environment for
met by Florida-based energy company Solar and said: “The NFL is proud to support the people everywhere.”
SportsPro Magazine | 81
SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
Olympic Park
Sochi, Russia
The crowning moment of Russia’s A total of 74 different test events should separated and you have to choose whether
sporting decade may come when the ensure that Sochi is well prepared for to stay in the mountains or in the indoor
Fifa World Cup is lifted in Moscow the biggest fortnight in winter sport, but locations because it is really time consuming
in the summer of 2018, but arguably its most Chernyshenko has long been looking beyond to go in and out. But here, you can literally
ambitious project will be completed four that date. “The legacy was the key aspect of go skiing in the mountains and then go and
years earlier when the coastal city of Sochi our successful bidding campaign,” he says, swim in the water – it’s very, very close and
hosts the 2014 Olympic Games. Working “because it would be unforgivable and even very efficient, 30 minutes by rail.”
from a “blank canvas”, Sochi 2014 organising stupid to make such an enormous effort and The long-term viability of the Sochi
committee president and chief executive spend such resources – and one resource is development was further enhanced when
Dmitry Chernyshenko and his team have unrecoverable, which is time – just for two it was confirmed as the future site of the
been, “able to use the best technology and weeks of even the biggest celebration and Russian Grand Prix, ending a near 30-year
the best ideas to complete the most compact sporting competition. Of course everything campaign by Bernie Ecclestone to bring
and efficient infrastructure,” to create a we do is about legacy.” Formula One to the country. With Russian
world-class sporting hub on the Black Sea. On a national level, Chernyshenko is keen sponsorship interest in the series growing
“Now we have a very exciting moment,” to stress the opportunities created by hosting by the year and a US$40 million annual race
Chernyshenko says, “as the drawings and the Games, not least as a lightning rod for fee on offer, Sochi promises to be just as
sketches of the Olympic Park are becoming social campaigns, stimulating a volunteer important to Formula One. The roads around
a reality – I remember the same in London a culture in Russia and “creating in Sochi a the Olympic complex will be adapted to
few years ago.” model city for those with disabilities” to create a circuit which will debut in 2014 – or
That process is developing at an prompt a wave of improvements in attitudes 2015, if preparations for the Games dictate –
extraordinary rate. Speaking at the end of and facilities across the country. Still, it will and remain on the calendar until at least 2020.
May, Chernyshenko describes Sochi as “the be Sochi itself which should see the greatest “When the Games is over,”
biggest building site in the world” with benefits. Chernyshenko sees the bipartite Chernyshenko says, “it will be the right time
over 50,000 construction workers pushing Games site, typical for winter hosts, as to launch Sochi as a destination. One of
on into the closing stages. “We’re well on ideal for showing off “a Mediterranean- the most interesting things and the benefits
track,” says Chernyshenko. “Up to 70 per style resort where the sea meets the high for me and the organising committee is that
cent of not only competition venues but mountains and the highest mountain in Formula One will utilise the infrastructure,
related infrastructure such as power stations, Europe is just 150km away.” like the pit buildings, built for the Games.
sewage systems and roads that will be done “Usually in the winter Games,” he explains, This is an interesting synergy between the
by the end of this year.” “there are two clusters which are very two projects.”
82 | SportsProMedia.com
Farmers Field
Los Angeles, USA
At the time of writing, it remains placing a franchise in America’s second- involvement of Farmers Insurance at
unclear whether the NFL will resolve biggest media market is patently obvious. such an early stage in the project. The
its ongoing labour dispute in time for LA boasts one of the best teams in college sale of naming rights is an increasingly
the scheduled start of the 2011 season. What football in the shape of the USC Trojans, ubiquitous feature of all modern stadium
is certain, however, is that Los Angeles will while their rivals UCLA also boast a development, even in markets such as
complete its 17th year without a professional healthy following and manage a generous Europe which have traditionally been
football team, a barren spell beset by quarrels contribution of players to the professional hostile to the practice, but prospective
between the proponents of ultimately game. Hollywood royalty routinely partners are usually more circumspect.
inadequate stadium projects. congregates at the Staples Center to pay Across the country in New York, for
Slated for completion in 2015, Farmers homage to the Lakers, who have picked up example, no suitable partner has yet been
Field is the latest attempt to create a home 11 NBA championships since moving to LA found for the high-profile and corporate-
fit to house replacements for the long- in 1960. Their counterparts in the NHL and friendly New Meadowlands stadium.
departed Rams and Raiders. Backed by Casey MLS have achieved nothing like that kind of There are other factors in play which make
Wasserman and AEG’s Tim Leiweke, the success, but the LA Kings and LA Galaxy the deal appear a shrewd one on all sides.
68,000 capacity venue – expandable to 78,000 still shifted merchandising units worldwide Developers Majestic Realty Company have
for major events such as the Super Bowl – after securing the signings of Wayne concocted a rival US$800 million proposal,
would be sited next to the Staples Center. Its Gretzky and David Beckham respectively. The Los Angeles Football Stadium in City of
construction would be dovetailed to a major The benefits to Los Angeles of an NFL Industry, and the commitment of Farmers
schedule of improvements to the ageing Los return are just as self-evident. Those behind Insurance may give Wasserman and AEG
Angeles Convention Center. With California’s Farmers Field estimate that it can deliver the kind of commercial clout their rivals
public finances stretched some way beyond between 20,000 and 30,000 temporary and currently lack. In return, Farmers Insurance
their limit, the US$1 billion project would permanent jobs, as well as US$1.9 billion have the opportunity to attach their name to
be entirely privately funded, with as much in output and US$378 million in direct a popular civic campaign in Los Angeles –
as US$600 million reportedly coming from expenditure in the city. They also claim that which will attract the interest of a national
the 30-year naming rights deal already agreed it could stimulate as much as US$3 billion audience – years before the proposed
with Farmers Insurance. in additional investment in downtown stadium opens. It will be interesting to see
The NFL has a chequered past in Los development projects. how their role develops – a test case, perhaps,
Angeles, but the continuing appeal of Most intriguing of all, however, is the even given a unique set of circumstances.
SportsPro Magazine | 83
SPECIAL REPORT | STADIUMS & VENUES
Tianjin Equine
Culture City
Tianjin, China
There are few single venue projects in the Arabian desert was an extraordinary suppressed by the Communist authorities,
in the world today quite as bold as example of man’s capacity, given adequate but as is evidenced by the increasing
Tianjin Equine Culture City (TECC). resources, to transform his environment, resemblance of China’s major cities to those
It is ambitious on a scale that converts handily TECC is a response to an entirely different in the west and in other eastern powerhouses,
into raw figures. The 3.3 million square metre set of challenges. The US$4 billion project is that too is changing.
development in northern China will cost intended to create a permanent revolution in The progress of TECC, then, should
US$4 billion, with the initial US$2 billion Chinese sport. Alongside courses fit to stage provide a fascinating insight into how
phase expected to be completed by 2015. An world-class races, it will provide everything international practices are reconciled with
estimated 200 million to 300 million people required to nourish a fully fledged equine the vagaries of Chinese culture under
are estimated to be capable of reaching the sports industry. There will be facilities in place what remains a hugely domineering
venue and its surrounding entertainment to train 8,000 riders, breed 1,000 top-class government. Certainly, the comments of
and leisure complex by high-speed train. It is studs, produce high-quality horse feed, hold Meydan chairman and chief executive Saeed
hoped the complex will go some way towards auctions and host education programmes Humaid Al Tayer at last November’s signing
exploiting the enormous potential of horse where the public can learn about the animals ceremony were revealing.
racing and equestrianism in what is now the and the sport. “Meydan’s success since its launch and
world’s second biggest economy. With the exception of the world-famous its continued growth potential makes
TECC will be the product of a new joint Happy Valley racecourse in the former it an excellent model to replicate in a
venture, Hua Zhi Jie Horse Industries, British colony of Hong Kong, horse racing burgeoning economy such as China,” he
which will be based in Tianjin. One half of is new to modern China. Banned by Mao said. “It is a significant partnership and
the partnership is the Tianjin State Farm Zedong in 1949, the sport only began to we are very bullish about the growth
Agribusiness Group, a giant conglomerate reappear as a spectacle in the late 1990s. It prospects presented there. We hope to lend
with interests ranging from food production was fully legalised in 2008, at the same time our expertise and extensive experience in
to turf farming to property development. The as measures were taken to liberalise the state- positioning horse racing, so that it not only
other is a name more familiar to those in horse controlled gambling markets. Only a handful promotes the sport, but supports its related
racing: the International Equine Group is the of major racecourses have so far appeared, industries and provides viable economic
investment arm of Meydan Group and TAK with the Orient Lucky City course at Wuhan returns to the people of China, at the same
Design, developers of Dubai’s mammoth chief among them. The kind of conspicuous time allowing horse racing to be seen as a
Meydan Racecourse. consumption represented by projects as prestigious sport, and a symbol for luxury,
Where the creation of Meydan Racecourse lavish as TECC would once also have been lifestyle and culture.”
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