Client: Ryder Architecture.  
Date: 2023 - 2024
Services: Research and engagement.

Sports stadiums are a vital piece of a cities social and cultural infrastructure. With inspiring architectural designs that sit proudly on a city’s skyline, stadiums have become like modern-day cathedrals to the many millions who pour into them on a weekly basis across the globe.

Stadiums provide the foundation from which a city can build a sporting legacy, creating thousands of jobs and contributing millions to the local and national economy. However, as progressive cities focus on approaches geared towards the liveability, inclusivity and flexibility of the city, sports stadiums have increasingly become disconnected and out of touch.

This report presents the case that sports stadiums should no longer be designed and operated as a single-use asset sitting empty or underutilised for large parts of the week. Instead, stadiums should be versatile and integrated placemaking anchors which activate and enliven their local neighbourhood 365 days of the year. Stadiums should shift from inward looking to places which have an inclusive and engaging relationship to their surrounding urban context as they become hubs of community activity.