⚽ Rome’s 55,000-Seat Stadium Proposal

Good Morning {{first_name}} - welcome back to SPORT and VENUE on this Saturday, January 10, 2026. This is your front-row seat to the stories, business, and legacy shaping the world’s great stadiums.

The Weekly Rundown
🇮🇹 AS Roma Plans 55K Seat Stadium in Rome
🇬🇧 Nottingham Forest Eyes 50K City Ground
🇺🇸 NHL Winter Classic Set for Utah
🇺🇸 Titans’ Nissan Stadium Goes Checkout-Free
🇬🇧 Elland Road Expansion Approved to 53K

Also in this Issue
Rice-Eccles Stadium • Tottenham Hotspur Stadium • South Philadelphia Arena • State Farm Stadium • De Kuip • Estádio da Luz • Huntsman Center

Voices & Vision
Stories in Quotes • Stories in Motion

In the WEEKEND section today
We move from live, high-stakes matchups at AAMI Park, Soldier Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and TD Garden to a deeper city-level exploration of Liverpool, United Kingdom, where sport, culture, and urban regeneration intersect. From behind the gates at Hill Dickinson Stadium and the rise of Everton FC’s new waterfront home, to the growth story of Major League Volleyball across the United States, and a reflective look at landmark openings like Canadian Tire Centre, this section connects what’s happening now with the long-term forces shaping venues, leagues, and cities.

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FIVE NEWS STORIES AND WHY THEY MATTER

🇮🇹 AS ROMA FEASIBILITY STUDY COMPLETE

AS Roma finalized a feasibility study for a new 55,000-seat stadium (expandable to 62,000) in Rome’s Pietralata district. Led by Populous, the $679 million project emphasizes sustainability, urban integration, and community use. The stadium is a candidate for UEFA Euro 2032. Roma extended its lease at Stadio Olimpico through 2027-28, delaying the new stadium’s opening. Architectural design draws from Roman tradition and will include Europe’s largest single stand. (Read more here)

VENUE SIGNALS

WHY IT MATTERS
The project boosts Rome’s sports profile, supports local economy, and delivers a modern, sustainable stadium for fans and residents.

🇺🇸 NISSAN STADIUM GOES CHECKOUT-FREE

The Tennessee Titans will open their new Nissan Stadium ahead of the 2027 NFL season with over 50 frictionless concessions using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. This deployment, the largest single-venue rollout to date, follows a competitive five-month bid process. Installations will support hot food service and scalable future upgrades. The system aims to enhance fan experience by reducing lines and keeping fans in their seats, reflecting growing league-wide confidence in frictionless technology. (Read more here)

VENUE SIGNALS

WHY IT MATTERS
This move elevates fan convenience, increases potential revenue, and positions Nissan Stadium as a benchmark for stadium retail innovation across sports venues.

🇺🇸 RICE-ECCLES HOSTS WINTER CLASSIC

Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City will host the 2027 NHL Winter Classic, featuring the Utah Mammoth vs Colorado Avalanche. The 51,000-seat football venue will be converted for ice hockey, marking the Mammoth’s first outdoor game after relocating from Arizona. This 47th NHL outdoor game follows recent events at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. The league also confirmed AT&T Stadium in Dallas will host a 2027 Stadium Series matchup. (Read more here)

VENUE SIGNALS

WHY IT MATTERS
The Winter Classic strengthens local economic activity, boosts hockey’s regional footprint, and reinforces NHL traditions of outdoor spectacle.

🏴 ELLAND ROAD TO 53,000 SEATS

Leeds City Council approved plans to expand Elland Road Stadium to 53,000 seats. The project upgrades the West and North Stands, South Stand alterations, and enhances concourses, hospitality, and accessibility. Achieving UEFA Category 4 status enables Leeds United to host international tournaments. Construction begins post-season, with the stadium remaining operational. The expansion is expected to reduce a 26,000-season ticket waiting list and generate $37 million annually for the Leeds City Region. (Read more here)

VENUE SIGNALS

WHY IT MATTERS
The project strengthens club competitiveness, drives local economic growth, and delivers upgraded fan infrastructure while preserving stadium heritage.

🏴 CITY GROUND EXPANSION PLANNED

Nottingham Forest submitted plans to redevelop City Ground, expanding capacity to over 50,000. The redevelopment includes major renovations to three stands, with the Brian Clough Stand adding 7,000 seats in a later phase. Owner Evangelos Marinakis has committed significant investment to ensure a sustainable and iconic design. Public engagement was overwhelmingly supportive, and the club is working with local councils and regional authorities to begin construction by summer. (Read more here)

VENUE SIGNALS

WHY IT MATTERS
The redevelopment creates jobs, strengthens community engagement, and positions City Ground as a modern, economically impactful sports venue.

In Partnership With

Global Market Overview

Global equities advanced over the past five sessions, led by U.S. large-cap strength as the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 posted steady gains. Markets responded positively to cooling inflation signals, stable central bank expectations, and resilient consumer spending data. London and Toronto followed with measured upside amid energy price stabilization and reduced geopolitical escalation risk, supporting a constructive risk-on tone across developed markets.

Stadia Industry Takeaway

Stadia-exposed equities showed mixed but revealing performance. Live entertainment and experiential assets (Live Nation, MSGS, Disney, Aramark) outperformed, signaling confidence in attendance-driven revenue and premium fan spend. Conversely, casino-resort operators (Las Vegas Sands, MGM) and media-adjacent holdings (Liberty Media, Rogers) lagged, reflecting margin sensitivity and advertising uncertainty. The divergence suggests investors are favoring in-venue monetization and live-event demand over destination gaming and legacy media exposure.

🇺🇸 Buffalo Bills sell out all Personal Seat Licences for the new 60,000-seat Highmark Stadium, set to open in 2026, securing fan investment and priority ticket access. The old stadium hosted its final game in 2025 before planned demolition. (Read more here)

🇫🇷 The NFL’s debut in France is delayed, as unresolved negotiations prevent the Saints from hosting a 2026 game at Stade de France. The league continues expanding internationally, while the Saints work to grow their French market. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Philadelphia will get a $1.5B multi-purpose New South Philadelphia Arena by 2030, hosting the Flyers, 76ers, and a WNBA team. The venue anchors a broader entertainment district and showcases advanced fan-focused design. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 The Kraft Group plans a privately funded 25,000-seat stadium along the Mystic River for the New England Revolution, including waterfront access and community investments totaling nearly $140M to Everett and Boston. (Read more here)

🇦🇺 Brisbane’s new 63,000-seat Olympic Stadium at Victoria Park is underway, designed by Cox Architecture, Hassell, and Azusa Sekkei. It will host the 2032 Games and become home to local AFL and cricket teams, emphasizing sustainability and community integration. (Read more here)

🇬🇧 Bristol Rovers evaluates new stadium options as Memorial Stadium redevelopment faces traffic and transport challenges, complicating plans to expand from 12,500 to potentially 16,000–17,000 seats. Alternative sites remain under consideration. (Read more here)

🇮🇪 Dublin’s Cherrywood area could host a €190M multi-purpose arena, featuring 5,000–6,000 seats, Olympic ice rinks, and conference space. The venue aims to introduce Ireland’s first professional ice hockey team, boost jobs, and stimulate local economy. (Read more here)

🇫🇷 Live Nation plans to acquire Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue, increasing capacity for concerts and sports events. The arena hosted 2024 Olympic aquatic competitions and is set for expanded programming under new ownership. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Union Omaha announces a $114M professional soccer stadium and mixed-use district in North downtown Omaha, featuring retail, housing, and green space. The venue will host men’s and women’s professional soccer, strengthening the city’s urban core. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Missouri Sen. Nick Schroer introduces three bills affecting the Kansas City Chiefs, including fees and tax restrictions tied to relocation, aiming to recover taxpayer costs from public stadium investments. (Read more here)

🇮🇹 Milan Cortina Olympic hockey rink will be ready for 11 February competition, despite construction delays. The 11,800-seat main arena meets IIHF standards, though NHL concerns over rink size and ice quality remain. (Read more here)

🇳🇱 Feyenoord pursues land acquisition around De Kuip to enable the Feyenoord XL plan: 10,000 new homes, infrastructure upgrades, and unified stadium operations, revitalizing Rotterdam’s Stadiondriehoek area. (Read more here)

🇵🇹 SL Benfica members approve the €220M Benfica District project, expanding Estádio da Luz to 80,000 seats and adding a 10,000-capacity indoor arena, enhancing club infrastructure ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. (Read more here)

🇧🇷 Red Bull Bragantino begins construction on the 20,000-seat Red Bull Arena – Nabi Abi Chedid, featuring sustainable design, VIP amenities, and community spaces, modernizing the club’s home and boosting local commerce. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Missouri explores new ballpark options to retain the Kansas City Royals without a public vote, weighing downtown and Northland sites after the 2024 stadium funding referendum failed. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Renovations at Camden Yards focus on enhancing fan and corporate experience with a new home plate club, outfield patio, bars, upgraded scoreboard, and LED boards, rather than structural fixes. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Denver Summit selects Mortenson to build a $225M, 14,500-seat stadium at Santa Fe Yards, only the second U.S. venue designed exclusively for professional women’s soccer, featuring future expansion and a recreational park. (Read more here)

🇬🇧 Belfast’s Casement Park redevelopment receives an additional $53.7M USD from Northern Ireland Executive, supporting a stadium with 30,000+ capacity and reviving the long-delayed project amid rising construction costs. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 The Chicago Bears reconsider stadium location after Arlington Heights plan stalls; $3B project remains privately funded, seeking state infrastructure support, while Soldier Field will remain home through at least 2029. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Chicago Stars FC aims to play home matches at Northwestern University’s Ryan Field for up to five years starting in 2027, securing a temporary “lifeline” while pursuing a permanent stadium. Local support is strong, and a new training facility in Bannockburn signals long-term investment. (Read more here)

🇮🇹 Milan’s Olympic hockey arena remains incomplete weeks before the Winter Games, with critical finishing work pending. The Milano Hockey Finals serve as the venue’s only test event, leaving the NHL and federations without backup plans and creating high operational stakes. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 St. Petersburg city officials favor renovating Al Lang Stadium over demolition, supporting a $49.2M proposal from the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The plan preserves the grandstand, expands facilities, and enables year-round events, solidifying the Rowdies’ long-term waterfront home. (Read more here)

🇪🇸 Málaga City Council hired TYPSA and FIA to assess potential sites for a new 45,000–55,000 seat UEFA Level 4 stadium. The study evaluates redevelopment versus new construction, balancing investment, revenue potential, and urban impact over a 13-week analysis. (Read more here)

🏴 Falkirk Stadium land is set as the preferred site for a centralized leisure and wellbeing hub. Pending feasibility approval, the project aims to consolidate sports and fitness facilities, enhance community access, and support regional events within the Council’s 10-year strategy. (Read more here)

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🇺🇸 University competition is increasingly driven by sports infrastructure, with football stadiums and arenas central to enrollment and reputation. Clemson, Tennessee, USC, Texas, USF, Penn State, Oklahoma, and Iowa State are investing hundreds of millions in facilities, integrating them with campus and city infrastructure. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 UCLA Athletics reported a $80M deficit in 2024 despite generating $100M in revenue, partly offset by a $30M campus subsidy. Rising executive pay, including AD Martin Jarmond’s $1.5M salary, and planned moves to SoFi Stadium highlight fiscal tensions. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 The University of Utah is weighing renovation versus replacement of the 56-year-old Huntsman Center, influenced by Rice-Eccles Stadium updates and a private equity deal with Otro Capital. NIL initiatives and revenue strategies will play a key role in final decisions. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill defended recent State Farm Stadium upgrades, citing enhanced food, Wi-Fi, and entertainment, despite criticism over $1,000+ premium seating displacing season-ticket holders. Coach Jonathan Gannon was fired after a 3-14 season, while GM Monti Ossenfort remains. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 The Carolina Panthers are set to host their first playoff game in a decade as Bank of America Stadium undergoes an $800M renovation. Charlotte City Council approved $650M in tourism taxes, with Tepper Sports funding $150M, ensuring Panthers and Charlotte FC remain through 2045. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Chicago Stars FC will build a 10-acre, club-owned training facility near Bannockburn, Illinois, including two full-size pitches and a 45,000-sq-ft indoor complex. The project aims to enhance player development, fan engagement, and operational capabilities ahead of a permanent stadium solution. (Read more here)

🇺🇸 Atlanta development firm Carter is exploring an eight-acre mixed-use project near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, potentially combining housing and retail. The land, owned by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, could complement downtown redevelopment and add economic and community value. (Read more here)

🇬🇧 Sports clubs are turning stadiums into year-round destinations with mixed-use developments, blending Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Benfica’s Estádio da Luz, and Wrexham AFC expansions with retail, arenas, and community spaces to boost revenue and urban engagement (Read more here).

🇺🇸 The Tampa Bay Rays plan a 100-acre stadium village inspired by Battery Atlanta, combining retail, residential, office, hotel, and entertainment components. The large site aims to maximize year-round revenue, economic impact, and franchise sustainability (Read more here).

🇺🇸 The Rams and Chargers are solidifying their presence in Los Angeles through playoff success, star quarterbacks, and targeted community and youth initiatives. Both franchises are strengthening fan engagement, sponsorship appeal, and cultural relevance in a crowded sports market (Read more here).

🔊 WHAT THEY SAID AND WHY THEY SAID IT

“The franchise’s future hinges on securing at least 100 acres for a transformative stadium village.”
🇺🇸 Patrick Zalupski, Tampa Bay Rays ownership leader in reference to the land requirement for the new stadium development here.

“Teams want to be developers, not just tenants.”
🇺🇸 Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner, highlighting the shift toward mixed-use sports districts nationwide here.

“Rather than the fans only interacting with a club on a match day, we’re looking at different opportunities for them to come and engage with the club seven days a week.”
🇬🇧 Tom Jones, Senior Principal at Populous, discussing Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s multi-use design here.

“Having Turner and AECOM Hunt on our team is a game-changer as we work to build the most technologically advanced and fan-focused sports and entertainment venue in the world.”
🇺🇸 David Adelman, chairman of the 76ers and Flyers joint venture, on construction partners shaping the South Philadelphia arena here.

“Selling out the PSLs in the new stadium is another milestone for the project. Thank you to the NFL’s best fans for their tremendous support as we look ahead to opening this world-class facility in 2026.”
🇺🇸 Pete Guelli, Bills EVP and COO, highlighting fan enthusiasm for the new Highmark Stadium here.

“We are committed to delivering a sustainable and iconic design for the City Ground.”
🇬🇧 Evangelos Marinakis, Nottingham Forest owner, reflecting the club’s commitment to stadium redevelopment here.

“Prime Arena will be a transformative national asset, driving significant economic growth, creating thousands of jobs, and enabling Ireland to finally compete on the global stage for major events.”
🇮🇪 Dermot Rigley, CEO of Prime Arena Holdings, emphasizing the economic and international impact of the Dublin arena project here.

“This stadium and district aren’t just a venue they are a statement... we’re investing in our future, our identity and the strength of our community.”
🇺🇸 Gary Green, Co-Owner, Union Omaha, on the community and identity impact of the stadium project here.

🎬 A VIDEO LOOK AT THE VENUES TAKING SHAPE

🇪🇸 Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain
National Geographic’s Megastructures video follows Real Madrid rebuilding the Bernabéu midseason, showcasing retractable roof engineering, pitch technology, and logistics. The conversation centers on delivering a billion-dollar transformation while matches continue uninterrupted, highlighting risk, precision, and schedule discipline under intense scrutiny.

🇺🇸 New EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, USA
This video explores Jacksonville’s Stadium of the Future, explaining why the Jaguars chose a massive canopy over a full dome. It discusses climate, cost, construction phasing, and fan comfort, revealing how partial coverage balances budget realities with long-term experience goals.

🇺🇸 New Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, USA
The episode offers behind-the-scenes access to Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium, from locker rooms to networks and videoboards. With Josh Allen reacting, the video connects engineering progress to player perspective, showing how technology, craftsmanship, and design converge for game-day impact nationwide.

🇦🇺 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – AAMI Park will host an A-League Men regular-season match, Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers, on January 10, 2026, reinforcing its role as Australia’s premier rectangular stadium for elite football and rugby.

🇺🇸 Chicago, Illinois, USA – Soldier Field will host an NFL Wild Card Playoff matchup, Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers, on January 10, 2026, adding another chapter to one of American sports’ longest-running rivalries.

🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA – Lincoln Financial Field will host an NFL Wild Card Weekend game, Philadelphia Eagles vs San Francisco 49ers, on January 11, 2026, underscoring its reputation as a premier postseason venue in the NFL.

🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, USA – TD Garden will host an NHL regular‑season game on Saturday, January 10, 2026 featuring the Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers at 1:00 PM ET. This Original Six rivalry matchup adds to the storied history of Bruins hockey at TD Garden, where Boston has celebrated multiple Stanley Cup championships and legendary moments since opening in 1995.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR FIRM

≡ HISTORIC ROOTS AND ARCHITECTURAL EVOLUTION

Liverpool’s rise from a humble tidal pool on the River Mersey to a major global port encapsulates its enduring civic spirit and economic ingenuity. Its name derives from Old English likely meaning “muddy pool,” referencing the riverine landscape where settlement first took hold. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Liverpool had become one of Britain’s foremost mercantile powerhouses, with the revolutionary Albert Dock—the world’s first commercial wet dock—transforming global shipping logistics and underpinning Victorian-era prosperity. Over time, the city’s streets grew rich with listed Georgian and Victorian architecture, later earning UNESCO World Heritage designation before that status was rescinded amid ambitious redevelopment. Today, Liverpool’s skyline melds historical treasures like St George’s Hall with modern urban regeneration projects shaping new residential and commercial districts.

≡ ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL POWERHOUSE

As a metropolitan region Liverpool’s economic footprint extends well beyond its docklands. Long a crucible of global trade, its contemporary economy balances port activity, tourism, and creative industries. The city welcomed tens of millions of visitors annually prior to the pandemic, drawn by cultural milestones like its designation as European Capital of Culture in 2008 and its status as a UNESCO City of Music, rooted in global influence from the Beatles to contemporary festivals. Liverpool’s museums, galleries, and waterfront destinations now blend heritage with hospitality, fueling lodging, dining, and services sectors and generating billions in visitor spending. This vibrant cultural economy complements burgeoning knowledge, tech, and life-sciences clusters clustering around universities and innovation zones across the city.

≡ SPORTS LEGACY AND FAN CULTURE

Liverpool’s stadiums and teams are central pillars of its identity and economic ecosystem. Football here isn’t just sport—it’s civic heritage. Liverpool FC and Everton FC anchor global fandom, with Anfield and the newly unveiled Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock drawing international visitors and catalyzing local business activity. Historic Goodison Park’s long tenure, including hosting England matches and iconic derbies, reflects deep community bonds, even as redevelopment unfolds. Beyond football, venues like the Liverpool Arena host major concerts and events that energize the city year-round. Matchdays and major fixtures drive footfall across hospitality corridors, linking sports fervor with urban vibrancy and reinforcing Liverpool’s reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic cultural and economic engines.

≡ FOUNDATIONS AT BRAMLEY-MOORE DOCK

From its inception in 2017, Hill Dickinson Stadium emerged as a transformative redevelopment at Liverpool’s historic Bramley-Moore Dock — a former commercial port site long envisioned as part of the city’s waterfront renaissance. Everton Football Club, seeking to replace Goodison Park after more than 130 years at that venue, agreed a 200-year lease with Peel Holdings in late 2017 and revealed plans for the new stadium in 2018. Construction commenced in August 2021, with architects MEIS and BDP Pattern shaping a modern 52,769-capacity arena that blends contemporary design with respect for the dockland heritage. Built by Laing O’Rourke at an estimated cost of around £750 million, the stadium was structurally completed in 2024 and officially opened in February 2025. Its naming rights were secured in May 2025 through a high-profile partnership with Liverpool law firm Hill Dickinson, cementing the venue’s identity and projecting a long-term legacy for the club and city alike.

≡ URBAN REGENERATION AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

Beyond matchdays, Hill Dickinson Stadium was designed as a year-round destination. Strategically positioned minutes from Liverpool’s city centre, the venue hosts business conferences, exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events, with flexible facilities that cater to a wide range of engagements and community activities. Its development has catalysed broader regeneration initiatives in north Liverpool, enhancing transportation links, pedestrian routes, and surrounding urban infrastructure — part of a city-wide plan to invigorate once-neglected docklands. Development partners and local authorities highlight the stadium’s potential to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased tourism, while fostering pride among residents as a focal point of civic renewal on the River Mersey waterfront.

≡ HOME OF THE TOFFEES’ NEW ERA

Since opening, Hill Dickinson Stadium has become the new home of Everton FC’s senior men’s team, beginning with pre-season fixtures in 2025 and marked by an official Premier League debut — a 2-0 victory over Brighton in August 2025 with Iliman Ndiaye scoring the club’s first goal at the ground. The stadium succeeded Goodison Park as a focal point of Everton’s football heritage, signalling a fresh chapter for one of England’s oldest professional clubs. While the women’s team continues at Goodison under a legacy plan, the men’s side’s early achievements at the new waterfront arena underscore its significance as a competitive and cultural home, with fans and players alike embracing its capacities and modern facilities as they write new sporting history.

≡ ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF MLV

Major League Volleyball formally launched in 2026 as the premier professional women’s indoor volleyball league in the United States, built on the foundation of existing pro volleyball momentum and strategic consolidation. The league emerged from the merger of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) with an entity using the “Major League Volleyball” name to create a unified structure aimed at elevating the sport commercially and competitively. Founding partners include high-profile figures such as Olympic legend Kerri Walsh Jennings and business leaders like Vivek Ranadivé and Danny White, bringing deep sports and entertainment experience to the venture. MLV debuted with eight teams in key U.S. markets — including Omaha, Atlanta, Columbus, and San Diego — and has outlined ambitious expansion to 10+ franchises by 2027. This strategic scaling reflects a deliberate effort to establish a sustainable top-tier league with robust regional representation.

≡ CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

MLV occupies an impactful cultural intersection between professional sport and the broader growth of women’s athletics. The 2026 schedule features national coverage across CBS Sports Network, Roku Sports Channel, and VICE TV, while the championship semifinals and final will be broadcast on ION, reaching every U.S. television household — substantially increasing exposure and legitimizing volleyball as a major spectator sport. Domestic fan engagement is bolstered by vibrant youth participation in volleyball and strong attendance figures in markets like Omaha, where professional matches have drawn world-leading crowds. Sponsorship and media strategies focus on aligning MLV with premium entertainment experiences and community engagement, positioning the league alongside established women’s competitions in the U.S. The demographic appeal extends beyond traditional volleyball audiences, attracting both avid fans and investors tracking the expansion of women’s professional leagues.

≡ CURRENT LEAGUE DYNAMICS AND ECOSYSTEM

The 2026–27 season structure delivers competitive balance with an animated schedule of regular-season matchups culminating in playoffs and a nationally broadcast championship. Teams like the defending champion Orlando Valkyries and emerging markets such as the Dallas Pulse highlight the competitive depth and regional rivalries developing across the league. MLV’s ecosystem includes a formal draft process, active free-agency movement, and expanding franchise footprint — with new teams in Northern California and Minnesota slated to begin competition in 2027. Innovation in venues, digital engagement, and athlete development underscores the league’s commitment to elevating professional volleyball’s commercial value and fan experience.

≡ CURRENT VENUE LANDSCAPE

MLV’s current venue portfolio leverages established arenas and multi-purpose facilities that support high attendance and broadcast production needs. Sites like the CHI Health Center in Omaha and the Comerica Center in Frisco provide infrastructure capable of major-league presentation, aligning with the league’s emphasis on professional fan experience and operational scalability.

≡ FUTURE VENUES AND DEVELOPMENT

As MLV expands, venue strategies are increasingly market-specific, with planned homes such as Grand Casino Arena (Minnesota) and a forthcoming Northern California location reflecting the league’s commitment to permanent, identity-driven facilities. Future investments will likely prioritize enhanced fan amenities, media integration, and partnerships that support broader season-long engagement and community integration.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR FIRM

OPENED THIS MONTH IN…

🇨🇦 1996 Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Canada
≡ Opened as a C$170M NHL arena for the Ottawa Senators, the venue anchors major naming-rights revenue and regional events while shaping long-term debates around transit access, suburban economic impact, and downtown arena redevelopment.

🇺🇸 1986 Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, USA
≡ Built for roughly $34M, the arena is a cornerstone of UNC basketball’s financial engine, generating consistent ticket, donor, and media revenue while serving as a cultural landmark in college sports and the local community.

🇫🇷 1972 Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France
≡ Expanded for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the municipally owned stadium elevated Montpellier’s global profile, boosted tourism, and reinforced public investment in football infrastructure as a driver of civic identity and economic activity.

Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter. We’ll be back next Saturday with more!

— Brought to you by the STADIAlive staff.

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