It has been some time since a “Stadium Teleport” thread appeared in this forum, but with the new designs for Philadelphia, St. Louis and Red Bull Park now public (kinda), I thought it might be a good time to revisit it, with a twist. I have sifted through photos and files to pick my five favorite small stadiums that I would love to see in MLS. Since I wanted to focus on stadiums that MLS could actually build, I looked only at (1) new or rebuilt stadiums less than ten years old; (2) stadiums with listed capacities of no more than 25,000, with an emphasis on stadiums closer to 20,000; and (3) stadiums with roofs. The last point is personal preference, but I like roofs and enclosed stadiums. Not only do they keep the weather out (sun and rain), they trap and channel noise. Besides, the newest designs feature some of the first in MLS to potentially be fully enclosed. With that, here are my five favorites: (1) Euroborg Stadion, home of FC Groningen in the Dutch Eredivise, If I had to pick a single prototype for MLS, Euroborg Stadion would be my choice. Opened in 2006, the stadium seats 19,814, but the strongly vertical stands with two fully covered decks makes it look far larger and more imposing. It’s hard to believe this one seats less than most of the new MLS stadiums. The stadium website indicates that the goal was to build a modern stadium where fans could be close to the pitch with a “typical English character”, meaning roofs and no fences. Architect Wiel Arets delivered a beautiful stadium that reportedly cost €45.5 million to build (that‘s $59.2 million under current exchange rates.) Like many proposed MLS stadiums these days, this stadium was accompanied by additional development. Apartment buildings and offices circle the stadium in an urban setting. The early construction and the roof is visible on google maps: http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/11476/Netherlands//Groningen/Euroborg__stadium_ Here is a picture at night: http://www.pbase.com/henkbinnendijk/image/79864583&gcmd=add_comment Simply a wonderful effort. BTW, FC Groningen is currently averaging 19,155 per game. Some very happy supporters indeed, I suspect.
(2) Viking Stadion, home of Viking Stavanger in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, Viking Stadion opened in 2004 and cost only €20 million to build, but while the cost was modest, the result is first class. Its listed capacity is only 16,600, with 16,100 seated, which is a bit undersize for MLS, although there are another 1,178 “VIP“ seats, presumably in the boxes. Fully enclosed with a single deck, Viking Stadion bears striking resemblance to the stadium plans released for St. Louis. The current year’s data isn’t fully updated, but Viking was averaging very MLS-like crowds of 15,846 this year. More photos from the official site: http://www.viking-fk.no/photogallery/VikingPhotoGallery.asp?node=5281
(3) AXA Arena (formerly Toyota Arena and formerly, formerly Letna Stadion), home of AC Sparta Prague, which plies its trade in the Czech Liga. This stadium dates to 1933, but was rebuilt in 2005. The stadium now seats 20,854 and is a thoroughly modern two deck facility. I have to thank Richard for noting this one in a blog on Big Soccer, and he describes the stadium in far better detail than I could, so I linked it below. I do share his conclusion that “the ground, it has to be said, was almost perfect as a blueprint of what a 20,000 capacity ground should aspire to be.” Read Richard’s account of his trip to Prague, complete with photos, here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=554134 https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609293
(4) Liberty Stadium, home of Swansea City in Wales. Many of the new stadiums in the United Kingdom are still a bit big for MLS, but this beauty is just right. Opened in 2005 at a cost of £25 million, this stadium seats 20,520. Swansea City shares the venue with the Ospreys Rugby Club. The official website notes how the project began: Link: http://www.liberty-stadium.com/liberty_stadium_introduction.php With no money for a stadium, the clubs and the City worked together creatively to develop one of the most attractive new grounds in the U.K. (IMHO).
(5) Okay, I couldn’t stop at just five. There are many other good ones, some just a shade too small or too large for MLS (that is, either under 18,000 or over 30,000), but worth a look: Stade de Suisse, Young Boys Bern (Switzerland), 32,000: http://www.stadiumguide.com/suisse.htm Dnipro Stadium, FC Dnipro (Ukraine), 31,000 currently under construction: http://www.fcdnipro.com.ua/content/en/?new_stadium StadiumMK, MK Dons (England), 30,000: http://www.mkdons.premiumtv.co.uk/page/stadiummk/0,,10420,00.html Sør Arena, IK Start (Norway), 15,000: http://www.ikstart.no/articlelistwide.aspx?m=316&amid=65741 ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), 15,000: http://www.adodenhaag.nl/adodenhaag/nl/html/algemeen/declub/nieuwstadion/stadion.pshe
Some youtube clips that gives you an idea of Groningen's atmosphere for a game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsNeu2YS4DI&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_EQVW5FkOg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_EQVW5FkOg&feature=related . . . again, these crowds are under 20,000.
Tosu Stadium, 25,000 seats, Tosu Japan. Pretty simple looking, and looks like it could be built in stages, if necessary
Looks like both Frank Clair and the Canad Inns Stadium. The design just makes me shudder when those two come to mind. They have to tear both of them down asap.
awesome thread. i am a huge fan of the verticality of the stands in the first stadium you posted. everyone feels closer to the pitch. also, more importantly to me, it's easier for capos to lead songs in a vertical stand because their voices carry better.
like, totally dude! can't wait till KC's designs become public. i hope it reflects some of the design elements in these awesome stadiums!
Here's my dream stadium... Stadio Luigi Ferraris, home of Genoa and Sampdoria Love this place for a game. It's a 30k+ seater but looks like the plan could be downsized and expanded quite easily. It's a tight fit in an urban setting, small footprint... would look terrific in South Boston, Somerville, next to the Potomac or San Francisco Bay. Talk about vertical tiers and sightlines... you're really on top of it here.
This stadium seems to be perfect and is a favorite of mine. Kingston Communications Stadium Hull FC - Hull England - 25,404 - £44 million
26.000 Seats. Do not know how to put pics up sorry. I like this one verry much this Hull Fc stadium is the best along with Bröndy If. http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/denmark/copenhagen_brondby1.jpg http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/denmark/copenhagen_brondby2.jpg
Tynecastle Park (Hearts of Midlothian)- 18,300 seater and a personal favorite: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd, Qatar)- 15,000 seats I've always loved Sor Arena, posted earlier, definitely would love to see smaller SSS look like that, as opposed to the cookie cutter stadiums we've gotten as of late. Their SSS nevertheless, though, so I'm not gonna complain really.
hearts will be tearing down the old stand too, and putting up a larger, more modern, two tiered stand. the capacity will be around 26,000 in a few years.