StadiumDBNews: December 2013
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Recap: Best of 2013 (2)
There’s been so much going on that selecting 10 most interesting and positive things isn’t easy, if possible at all. Here’s our top 10, most of which took place in England, surprisingly…
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Recap: Worst of 2013 (1)
We decided to browse through all the events over the past 12 months and here’s the list of 10 things we definitely won’t miss in 2014. Let us know what you think about them!
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Tokyo: 1964 Olympic cauldron to be preserved
After numerous appeals Japanese authorities assured that the 1964 Olympic cauldron will be kept at the new stadium, planned ahead of the 2020 Games. Its story is a truly Olympic one.
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Belgium: Zulte-Waregem stadium construction to Begin in September?
Three new stands and renovation of the fourth one – that’s the plan for 2014 in Belgian town of Waregem. Financing hasn’t been completely secured so far, though.
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New stadiums: Four more from Poland
A lot of reading on the history of Poland and Germany: good times and bad times of three old stadiums. Fourth one was built in communist Poland and... seems to have stayed there in a way, unfortunately.
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Japan: Gamba paves the way, stadium construction launched
The charmingly named ‘Field of Smile’ project is underway after years of preparations. This uniquely financed stadium might turn Japanese football infrastructure round, but not all funding has been secured so far.
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Moscow: Spartak’s stadium more expensive, but on time
Not $340m, but $430m – this is the updated price tag on Otkritie Arena, the first modern stadium to open in Moscow since Lokomotiv changed venues in 2002. Work is on schedule and opening should take place in the summer of 2014.
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Emirates: Al Ain gem ready for opening
The contractor announced work is now complete on the new best stadium in United Arab Emirates. January will see a three-day family festival to celebrate the development.
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Sochi: 42 days to go, stadium not ready?
It hasn’t officially been delivered, nor has it been opened. Even performers had to rehearse in a different venue as the central stadium’s price hyper-inflates and delays grow.
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Brasilia: Spectators wet as Estadio Nacional’s roof leaks
Last week’s women’s game had only the lower tier of seating opened. That lower tier was left wet after rain poured on the stadium. Leaks in the cover are now to be removed by general contractors.
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Be merry this Christmas!
It’s a scientific fact, that Christmas isn’t only a time of joy for Christians. So even if you don’t share the faith, we hope you’ll have a lot to be merry about this Christmas!
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Berlin: Another record-breaking Christmas at Union
It seems the eve of Christmas Eve is becoming Berlin’s showcase tradition as another attendance record was set yesterday at Union’s stadium. 27,500 people gathered to sing in unison and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
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Serbia: Stadiums hide mass graves?
With domestic football taking a break, the sports world in Serbia took a blast too. New information indicates that stadiums across the country may be hiding mass graves from after WWII. Partizan’s stadium was the first to be pointed at.
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Trondheim: Rosenborg’s stadium to see commercial boost
Hotel with some rooms overlooking the football field and an extensive conference centre attached to the main grandstand – these changes will be available already next season at Lerkendal. To match the new, higher standard, the main stand will also be renovated.
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Curitiba: Final phases for Arena da Baixada
At the same time several key elements are being delivered and in January the stadium will look finished. Over 90% of the structure and its facilities are done. Now it's time for the football field and seats.
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Zagreb: The Maksimir "hot potato" to finally be resolved?
It's been over a decade since Zagreb authorities struggle with the dysfunctional Maksimir Stadion that was outdated the very moment it was finished in 1999. Now mayor Bandić announced it should be remodelled in 2015. But will it?
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Belfast: Funding approved for Windsor Park revamp
The plan to completely redevelop Northern Ireland's national stadium received the anticipated funding of £31 million. Two stands will be built from scratch and two will undergo thorough renovation works.
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Naples: New stadium for Napoli, details expected soon
All indications say that Bapoli will leave the place they called home for over half a century, Stadio San Paolo. The club needs a more sensible ground and the municipality suggests they've been working on the plan for some time already.
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New design: Coventry City Stadium
After leaving the municipal Ricoh Arena the owners of Coventry City FC have now shown how their future stadium would look like. More or less, perhaps even less. But that's still progress regarding the unstable situation in Coventry.
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New stadiums: Canberra and three from Sydney
After much too long break we return to Australia and bring you presentations of four more stadiums. And since football and fan culture are blooming there, we’re sure to check Australia more often now!
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Bilbao: Athletic’s stadium deal under investigation
The European Comission is investigating whether the new San Mames stadium wasn’t built with illegal public support. Should that be confirmed, the beneficiary may be forced to return the received funds. Report by The Independent.
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Poland: No new stadium for Chorzów, change of plans
Somewhat unexpected decision came from the Chorzów city council vote today, putting the planned new stadium for 14-time Polish champions back on the shelf. Ruch Chorzów will instead move to the 55,000-capacity Stadion Śląski, becoming its anchor tenant.
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New designs: Volgograd and Ekaterinburg
Their numbers in our database are 499 and 500, which means we reached a really nice jubilee, having more designs than any stadium-dedicated website! But these two deserve your attention for more than just that reason, these are most probably two final designs of 2018 World Cup venues.
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Miami: Beckham’s new stadium one step closer
Yesterday the Miami-Dade county commissioners unanimously approved the plans for David Beckham’s new football stadium in downtown Miami. Solving the stadium issue is key for a Miami-based football club to join MLS.
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England: Scunthorpe announce new stadium and hope for safe standing
During yesterday’s annual general meeting the chairman of Scunthorpe United revealed his club is planning a new stadium for 12,000-18,000 people. If possible, the structure would include a terrace area with safe standing facilities.
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Groningen: Euroborg becomes Holland’s first stadium with solar panels
Yesterday the installation of 531 solar batteries atop the Euroborg stadium began. Their launch is set for January and all of the batteries are owned by local citizens. A nuzakelijk.nl report.
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Rotterdam: Stadium future for Feyenoord for further analysis
Three specialists representing various interests are to analyse all available options and find the best long-term solution for Feyenoord. First findings should be known in January and in April the results are to be presented to the city.
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Brazil: Work halted in Manaus after tragic fall
After Saturday’s deadly fall from the stadium’s roof, labour court decided to ban all work in heights until general contractor guarantees that all workers follow safety instructions. It’s not clear whether this will impact delays in delivering the arena.
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Hungary: A stadium revolution in the making?
Along with the football federation of Hungary, Wiktor Obran’s government approved a resolution that envisaged 27 stadiums of two top leagues being thoroughly renovated by 2016! After Budapest and Debrecen already two new stadium projects are planned for launch.
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Sofia: Levski’s stadium construction put on hold
Very bad news from Bulgaria as the country’s first private stadium comes to a stop at an early stage. Levski Sofia announced they have no resources to support the construction and it has to stop.
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Moscow: All seats from Luzhniki to be given out to fans
Yellow, orange and red, over 70,000 in total – all these seats will be transferred to Russian supporters union VOB and then given out for free to any fan who wants a piece of the cult stadium in Moscow.
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Barcelona: New stadium’s required land not for sale?
Despite Monday’s announcement that FC Barcelona contemplates moving to a new stadium nearby, it seems that option hasn’t been on the table so far. University of Barcelona who own the land for potential development aren’t selling it and weren’t even approached by the club.
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Australia: Three bidders Apple for Perth Stadium contract
They’ve been preparing for the last half a year and now three bidders put their offers on the table. Final design, contractor and price should be known in mid-2014, but authorities say there are some key players applying.
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England: Gloucester to go ahead with new stadium?
The plans to rebuild its stadium is moving forward after the Environment Agency confirmed a flood risk assessment will go ahead, according to the BBC.
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New design: QPR to follow Arsenal’s lead
Queens Park Rangers presented the very first renderings of their future home. The club hope to build it with the same company and in the same way that Arsenal switched grounds a few years back.
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2026 World Cup: Wales announce will to bid despite having only one stadium
First minister and football association chief of Wales both suggested the country will apply for the 2026 World Cup. But despite their claims they have only one stadium to offer at this point and their most preferred joint bidders, England, don’t seem to need a partner.
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New designs: Four more from Turkey
Within just three days three construction tenders are to be launched in January. New stadium in Izmir on Jan 28, another one for Izmir on 29 and new stadium for Diyarbakir on January 30. The plan for every major city to have new stadiums is progressing impressively!
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New York: Manchester City closer to building their American stadium
The soon-to-be MLS franchise New York City FC, owned primarily by Manchester City, is said to be very close to seal a land deal for their new stadium. The $400-million project is expected to grow aside the large Yankee Stadium in Bronx.
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Belgium: Unusual plans by Club and Cercle Brugge
You may have heard about two clubs building/using one stadium as a compromise. But have you seen a plan in which two clubs want to build two separate stadiums next to each-other and still do it together?
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Rome: Mayor ‘struck’ by Roma’s design after meeting
Yesterday saw representatives of AS Roma meet with the mayor and councilors of Rome to discuss the new stadium. Detailed concept was unveiled, but again nothing leaked out and fans may still only imagine the future 52,000-seater.
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Barcelona: 105,000 capacity, but where?
Yesterday’s board of directors meeting was thought to deliver a final answer whether FC Barcelona should revamp their existing stadium or build a new one. Instead we only know the desired capacity, while location will be approved in early January.
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Glasgow: Celtic gets rid of organised support following incidents
On Friday hooligans associating themselves with the Green Brigade destroyed over 100 seats at Fir Park. Since yesterday not only them, but all organised support is not welcome at Celtic Park or during Celtic’s away trips.
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New design: Stadion Olimpii Grudziądz
It's simple, but elegant and well thought-through. Though some architecture offices never came up with designs that good, this one was done by a student. Which makes it the more pleasurable to publish it at StadiumDB.com.
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Netherlands: VVV Venlo isn't getting their new stadium
Plans for financing were secured back in 2011, but they're gone now. The impressive stadium for 23,500 people will not be built, because authorities demanded playing all night games under closed roof to avoid light pollution.
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Johannesburg: Four stadiums to hold Mandela's memorial service
FNB Stadium may be Africa's largest, but it's not big enough. Nelson Mandela's memorial service will be broadcast live at three other venues to avoid safety concerns at the main ground.
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New stadiums: Moroccan five
Their stadiums are outdated and rarely have seats. But the passion of Moroccan supporters makes us obliged to improve the part of StadiumDB.com dedicated to Morocco. First the stadiums you see today, more to come!
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London: Olympic Stadium's sightlines and atmosphere criticised again
It's been the subject of ongoing disputes for a couple of years already, but now Daily Mail show another issue to complain about. Retractable seats at the 'football-mode' Olympic Stadium will hardly be as great as showed by West Ham United.
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Rotterdam: De Kuip to be expanded after all?
It seems that despite initial hostility campaigners opting to retain the existing stadium may be taken seriously. Stadion Feijenoord commissioner Carlo de Swart urges the club to treat the Red De Kuip campaign “damn seriously”.
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Welcome to Store.StadiumDB.com!
Christmas is the time for dreams to come true and we're making ours a reality right now. We're opening an independent shop with stadium models, something we've been thinking of for years. Care to take a look?
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Sao Paulo: Arena Corinthians no sooner than mid-April
It's a record-breaking delay, but circumstances are equally disturbing and FIFA assures there are no plans of relocating the opening game to another city. Arena Corinthians will be ready no sooner than April 14 or 15, just 59 days before the World Cup.
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San Jose: Good progress at Earthquakes new stadium
Club offices and player infrastructure should be opened earlier than the entire stadium. That said, work on the stadium itself is also going forward very well and we should see stands go up this month.
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London: Lionel Road Stadium approved
Despite concerns raised across the community, Brentford FC's new stadium is now approved by the local council planners. One of England's most original stadiums should be built as predicted, in mid-2016.
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2014 World Cup: Six stadiums to miss FIFA deadline
Brazilian sports minister admitted that not three, but all six stadiums still under construction will miss the December-2013 deadline set by FIFA. Though alarming, it doesn't mean trouble for the hosts just yet.
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USA: Ultimate Christmas gift? How about a private stadium?
It's not a joke, though we did double-check. Stadium design leaders Populous now offer a private stadium that can be installed in a backyard. Of course as long as your backyard is big enough and you have at least $30 million at hand...
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New construction: Vikings Stadium
Another NFL giant gets under way as groundbreaking ceremony took place in Minneapolis yesterday. In 31 months from now one of the most monumental stadiums, though arguably attractive, will be opened.
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New stadium: The giant snake from Shenzhen
With photos being barely available we are only now able to give you the opening and closing ceremony venue of 2011 Shenzhen Universiade. Amazing complex that cost equally amazing $2.3 billion is here!
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Seattle: Seahawks grab 'loudest stadium' record again
After it was beaten in October, yesterday the record for peak noise inside a stadium returned to Seattle. Seahawks fans managed to reach 137.6 decibels.
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London: Wimbledon seek support to return home
This club is a great example that football isn't just about business. Reborn thanks to supporters it went up five leagues and needs a larger stadium. As there's a chance to take over their historical home, AFC Wimbledon campaign for support.
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Paris: Arena 92 finally under construction
After five years of continuous efforts it's finally moving forward and official groundbreaking should take place in February. Now preparatory work is to be carried out at what will become the most expensive stadium in Paris, at least for now.
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Brussels: King Baudouin Stadium to be demolished in 2020?
In 2020 the very last Van Damme Memorial athletic tournament is to be held at the Heysel stadium in Brussels. Later athletes will have to move as a football-specific stadium will take over.
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Sao Paulo: Arena Corinthians under construction again
Though part of the site is still off-limits, most workers are returning to deliver Arena Corinthians as soon as possible. The construction site has been shut down for five days following Wednesday's tragedy.
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Manchester: City submit planning application
As announced earlier, the club waited until December to file the documents. Now The Citizens hope to begin remodelling of Etihad Stadium in February 2014. Check out new renderings and more info on future possibilities.