WSL Unveils Female-Focused Stadium Design Guidelines
WSL Football has published groundbreaking guidelines to support the building and upgrading of stadiums that meet the needs of women’s teams, fans and staff.
The document, developed with architects and experts, calls for inclusive facilities such as equal-share toilets (45 per cent male, 45 per cent female, 10 per cent gender-neutral), family and baby-changing areas, and breastfeeding or childcare rooms. Changing rooms are tailored for squad size, with separate spaces for under-18s, managers, and provisions for menstruation.
The plan also includes multi-faith spaces, audio-descriptive commentary, sensory rooms, and dedicated zones without alcohol to enhance the match-day experience. Developed through stakeholder consultation, the guidelines aim to futureproof venues and foster safe, welcoming environments as the women’s game continues to grow. The Stadium Business
Bernabéu Transformed as NFL Touches Down in Madrid
Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium has been reconfigured for its first NFL game in Spain, featuring resized pitch dimensions and retractable seating.
The front rows behind each goal are moved via mobile floor panels to accommodate NFL regulations. The locker rooms, team areas and media suites have been upgraded, while the façade now displays flags of Spain, the United States and NFL branding. A new visual identity strips “Santiago” from its name in a minimalist rebrand.
The Bernabéu tour has been expanded to include an NFL mini-museum, and the club store now stocks a special “NFL Madrid Game” collection. The event marks a milestone in Madrid’s global ambitions, signalling the stadium’s evolution into a versatile international venue. stadiumdb.com
Aberdeen to Pilot Alcohol Sales at Premiership Match
Aberdeen FC has secured a licence to trial alcohol sales within Pittodrie Stadium at its Scottish Premiership game against Kilmarnock on 14 December. The initiative will permit home supporters to purchase drinks in the lower concourse of the Richard Donald Stand, but consumption will be restricted to areas away from view of the pitch.
Sales will cease before kick-off. This pilot seeks to examine how regulated alcohol sales might contribute to a positive, safe match-day experience. The scheme follows trials at other Scottish clubs and forms part of broader efforts to modernise fan engagement, while ensuring stewarding and licensing laws are fully complied with. The Stadium Business
MVRDV Unveils Spherical “Grand Ballroom” Arena in Tirana
Dutch firm MVRDV has revealed ambitious plans for a spherical arena in Tirana, dubbed the Grand Ballroom, to replace the Asllan Rusi Sports Palace.
The multi-use complex will house a 6,000-seat facility for basketball and volleyball, with two hidden training courts beneath the stands. Above the arena, a hotel and terrace hotel skybar will cantilever into an oculus providing a view into the bowl below, and residential apartments will wrap around a semi-outdoor courtyard garden. The structure’s layered design includes retail, cafés and public plazas at ground level, enhancing community connection.
The spherical form is intended to symbolise unity in sport, while avoiding neglected façades and creating green terrace spaces, making it a landmark of both architectural innovation and social integration. The Stadium Business
Cardiff to Stage Euro 2028 Opening Match
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium has been confirmed as the host venue for the opening match of UEFA Euro 2028, which is set to run from 9 June to 9 July. Semi-finals and the final will take place at Wembley.
Nine stadiums across the UK and Ireland will stage matches, and kick-off times will vary between 14:00, 17:00 and 20:00 local time. If host nations directly qualify, they will play their group games on home soil, with England playing in Manchester and at Wembley, and Wales at Principality Stadium.
The tournament is expected to deliver substantial socio-economic benefits, with ticket numbers exceeding three million and public investment of up to £740 million pledged toward infrastructure and safety. The Stadium Business
Cagliari Given Green Light for New Stadium Project
Serie A club Cagliari has received final bureaucratic approval to build a brand-new stadium, replacing its old Sant’Elia ground. Designed by Sportium and Manica Architecture, the venue will initially accommodate approximately 25,200 spectators, with the potential to expand to 30,000.
The project secured funding from the Sardinian regional government, with €50 million committed. The new stadium is planned to support a range of events, including concerts and shows, as well as possibly hosting matches in future international tournaments.
City and club officials say work will now progress swiftly: once Cagliari submits its updated financial plan, the tender process for construction and venue management will begin. The Stadium Business
