The second edition of the ESSMA Industry Awards was held on 12 November, during the first day of the 11th ESSMA Summit at the iconic Riyadh Air Metropolitano, home of Atlético de Madrid. This year brought forward innovative initiatives that are driving real impact in Sustainability, Fan Experience, Accessibility and Stadium Development. Let’s celebrate these outstanding achievements together.
?️ Stadium Development initiative of the year
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1st place: Fulham FC – The redevelopment of Craven Cottage into a 24/7 community hub, modernizing the stadium while boosting the local economy and blending seamlessly with its riverside location.
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2nd place: Real Zaragoza – Exciting plans for the Nueva La Romerada.
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3rd place: Wembley Stadium – Significant investment in safety & security measures and infrastructure.
? Sustainability initiative of the year
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1st place: Royal Antwerp FC – Their RFID reusable cup system saves 7 tons of plastic annually, reduces cleanup efforts, increases beverage sales and enhances fan experience.
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2nd place: Johan Cruijff ArenA – Paving the way with 100% green events by harnessing energy from 4,200 rooftop solar panels, capable of charging batteries with a total capacity of 8.6 MWh, and supplementing this with green energy from local wind and solar farms.
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3rd place: RCD Espanyol – Significantly expanding their photovoltaic solar energy capacity by installing 1,860 additional solar panels, bringing the total to 2,200 panels. This system generates 1.9 GWh of energy annually and helps reduce 800 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
♿ Accessibility initiative of the year
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1st place: FC Porto – Their INZONE sensory room innovation creates three zones for individuals with sensory disabilities, allowing them to experience a football match for the first time. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
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2nd place: Allianz Arena – Pioneering a barrier-free stadium with features such as designated parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible seating, a completely barrier-free level, headsets, subtitle glasses, accessible toilets and much more.
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3rd place: Principality Stadium – Enhancing inclusivity and accessibility with features like access card technology for seamless ticketing, effortless stadium entry, accessible seating and parking, dedicated support services, and much more.
?️ Fan Experience initiative of the year
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1st place: Everton FC – A fully immersive digital sales experience, allowing prospective buyers to explore and visualise different areas of their new stadium, boosting engagement and streamlining decision-making.
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2nd place: STVV – A memorable season-long 100th anniversary celebration campaign that engaged fans beyond the typical game-day experience, featuring documentaries, special events, themed matches, exclusive STVV-branded products, and much more.
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3rd place: CD Leganés – Revolutionizing fan engagement with their NFT season ticketing campaign, where matchday ticket holders could win prizes based on the on-field action.
Congratulations to all the winners! Your dedication to improving the sports industry and creating memorable experiences for fans is truly inspiring.
A special note of appreciation to all members who actively participated in the voting process. The success of these awards depends on the industry’s engagement and support, and your enthusiastic involvement reflects a shared commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence.
