Construction companies at forefront of trend to transform world-famous sports stadiums

From their roots in ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, stadiums have long been defining features of city skylines. While their basic structure has endured, economic shifts have significantly altered their purpose.

Traditionally, Europe’s football stadiums were matchday venues, but today, clubs are increasingly reliant on their commercial potential. To fully capitalise on their investments, clubs are utilising innovative design strategies and committing significant resources to transform these spaces into multi-functional complexes, hosting a range of activities beyond just football.

Construction firms are at the forefront of upgrading these multi-million-dollar assets to ensure clubs will have sustainable revenue sources for years to come.

Diversifying stadium use has become essential, especially as financial pressures mount. During the 2021/22 football season, only 55% of English Premier League soccer clubs achieved a positive operating cash flow. Consequential to such financial pressures, in recent years, many major UK stadiums have undergone significant transformations to become multi-functional venues. Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn (US$1.3 billion) stadium features a remarkable retractable pitch system and extensive hospitality options.

The commitment to renovation with longevity in mind has financially rewarded the club, with the average fan spending inside the stadium increasing from less than £2 (US$2.60) to around £16 (US$20.90) per match day.

Limak is collaborating with FC Barcelona on the renovation of Spotify Camp Nou (Image: FC Barcelona)

The outstanding success of these stadium renovation projects has enhanced the diversity of income and financial sustainability for many clubs. This makes stadiums a relatively new potential source of work for contractors. From the designers to the engineers and site workers, firms approaching these projects must adjust accordingly by bringing equal innovation, flexibility and sustainability to their work.

Integrating innovative design and construction techniques

As stadiums evolve to host more diverse events, so too must construction practices. In Barcelona, Limak’s renovation of the Spotify Camp Nou will expand its capacity from 99,000 to 106,000, while preserving historical elements and incorporating modern amenities. This balance of expansion and multifunctionality requires a flexible design process that evolves throughout the construction process.

A key element of this project is Robert Bird Group’s Construction Methodology Erection Sequence (CMES), which coordinates complex activities across four zones: demolition, excavation, basement construction, and the installation of what will be the world’s largest cable net roof. This approach to roof design incorporates multiple sustainable features, such as a geothermal system, district heating, cooling networks, and 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) of solar panels for photovoltaic energy.

Efficient management of these complex interfaces keeps the project on schedule. In-house resources, including six of the world’s largest tower cranes, accelerates the construction process, and stands testament to the importance of design innovation and technical coordination in delivering large-scale projects on time and within budget.

Using technology to fuel collaboration

Meeting the expectations of a 21st-century audience also requires integrating advanced digital technologies.

Construction companies are adopting tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital rehearsals, and performance monitoring systems to improve project control, site supervision, and real-time document management.

These tools help to boost efficiency, whilst simultaneously advancing sustainability by tracking equipment performance and monitoring carbon emissions. Digital platforms further revolutionise communication, ensuring real-time data-sharing and transparency among all stakeholders, from engineers to clients, throughout the project lifecycle.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Collaborative approaches to project management are increasingly vital in driving efficiency, transparency and, ultimately, improving project outcomes.

On international projects such as the Spotify Camp Nou renovation, early involvement schemes and adherence to modern contract standards ensures alignment with client goals from the outset.

By way of example, in Barcelona, Limak, as the technical officer responsible for project delivery, manages several partners in collaboration with FC Barcelona, including designers, architects, sustainability consultants and other contractors.

By ensuring that everyone understands their individual roles and the collective’s shared goal of realising the vision of FC Barcelona’s Espai Barça project, Limak has the capacity to enhance efficiency, increase transparency, and ultimately improved project outcomes.

Looking ahead, the demand for large-scale, multi-functional venues will only grow as cities become more densely populated and space becomes a premium. Versatile venues that serve multiple purposes reflect broader societal shifts, and construction companies can support this trend by offering sustainable, adaptable solutions.

Gokalp Kahraman is regional director of UK & Western Europe at Limak.