Arsenal to introduce safe standing at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal FC has announced that licensed safe standing will be introduced at the Emirates Stadium starting from the 2026/27 season. Safe standing was implemented following years of campaigning from the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) fan group. A survey conducted by the Trust in 2017 found that 96% of fans were in favour of safe standing at football grounds.
The first phase will involve the installation of rail seating in the lower tier of the Clock End, creating approximately 6,850 safe standing places designed to enhance atmosphere while maintaining full compliance with safety regulations.
A second phase is planned for the 2027/28 season, when safe standing will be extended to the lower North Bank. Once completed, the stadium will provide around 13,500 licensed safe standing spaces in total, including dedicated areas for away supporters. The overall capacity of the Emirates Stadium will remain unchanged at approximately 60,000 seats.
The decision follows extensive consultation with supporters and builds on earlier rail seating trials at Arsenal Women’s matches. The club has emphasised that the rollout will operate within the Premier League’s licensed standing framework, with clearly defined areas, enhanced stewarding and strict safety standards.
Camp Nou reworks premium hospitality to unlock new revenue
FC Barcelona has restructured its Barça Hospitality programme at the redeveloped Spotify Camp Nou, with a refreshed offering designed to drive significant commercial growth as the stadium transformation continues. The updated model aims to maximise the commercial potential of the venue’s premium spaces and support the club’s long-term revenue strategy.
Camp Nou’s new-look hospitality framework covers 9,400 VIP seats and spaces, with Barcelona specifically targeting the 3,000 remaining premium seats still available on the market under the revised model. The club has already sold the other 5,400 VIP seats initially placed into circulation ahead of the programme update. Contracts under the new Barça Hospitality structure have been extended to run from 15 to 30 years, offering more flexibility and commercial appeal to buyers compared with the previous maximum 10-year term.
Club leadership projects that the reshaped hospitality strategy could generate up to €100 million in additional annual revenue for the club, on top of existing income streams. This expected uplift adds to the original forecast of around €120 million per year from VIP seating and sponsorship agreements linked to the upgraded stadium, highlighting the significant revenue potential as the venue’s commercial operations mature.
Barcelona has begun rolling out the updated premium model gradually, with around 800 seats already activated under the new framework. The seats subject to the revamped programme are located across the first and second tiers as well as in the newly introduced VIP Ring, which is scheduled to become fully operational for the 2026-27 season.
With parts of the redevelopment already in use, the reworked Barça Hospitality initiative is positioned as a strategic pillar of Camp Nou’s commercial architecture, reinforcing the club’s ability to leverage its rebuilt stadium to strengthen matchday and year-round revenue streams.
https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/02/20/camp-nous-barca-hospitality-program-reworked/
Lazio’s €480m Stadio Flaminio redevelopment set for Euro 2032 completion
SS Lazio has confirmed that the redevelopment of Stadio Flaminio is progressing with an estimated €480 million investment and remains on course for completion in time for UEFA Euro 2032. The plans will see the stadium’s capacity increase from 20,000 to 50,750. The project forms part of a broader plan to revitalise a long-underused historic venue and expand Rome’s portfolio of tournament-ready stadiums.
The redevelopment will see the stadium modernised with improved spectator facilities, upgraded services and commercial areas suitable for contemporary football and multi-purpose use. Also, a green belt will be created around the venue with new trees while the facility’s external walkway will be made with 57,000 square meters of sound-absorbing material to reduce noise levels. Structural works are already underway, with key infrastructure and accessibility enhancements included in the plans to ensure compliance with tournament standards and enhance the fan experience.
Officials have reiterated their focus on delivering the project within the required timeline, reinforcing Rome’s position as a host city for Euro 2032 fixtures and supporting broader urban regeneration objectives around the Flaminio district. The redevelopment demonstrates a commitment to preserving a historic sporting landmark while adapting it for modern use.
Stoke City moves into new elite training facility at Clayton Wood
Stoke City FC has officially relocated its first-team training operations to a newly developed elite facility at Clayton Wood. The upgraded site brings together the men’s and women’s first teams and academy squads under one roof, replacing the club’s previous dispersed training arrangements.
The comprehensive development includes multiple full-sized pitches, advanced performance and rehabilitation spaces, and modernised support facilities aimed at enhancing player preparation and wellbeing. The investment reflects Stoke City’s focus on improving training standards, promoting professional development and supporting long-term sporting performance.
By centralising its training infrastructure at Clayton Wood, the club also strengthens operational efficiency and creates a consistent daily environment for athletes, coaches and support staff as they work across the senior and academy programmes.
The second phase of the Clayton Wood development, a refurbishment of the existing building which will exclusively serve the Club’s Category One Academy and women’s team, will now commence.
https://www.mondostadia.com/stoke-city-move-into-new-elite-training-facility-at-clayton-wood/
Accredit Solutions launches Accredit Visit: bringing event-grade security to everyday venue operations
London-based Accredit Solutions has introduced Accredit Visit, a visitor and contractor management system designed to bring event-level security standards into everyday stadium and venue operations.
While matchdays typically operate under strict accreditation and perimeter control, many venues continue to rely on manual sign-in sheets or paper-based processes during non-event days. Accredit Visit aims to address this gap by applying the same governance, access control and audit principles used for major events to routine site access, including contractors, corporate guests, media and deliveries.
Peder Berg, Ceo of Accredit Solutions explains: “With Accredit Visit, we are extending the ‘pride of precision’ that our clients are famous for into their daily operations. It gives the security and operation teams confidence that every person on site, whether it’s a cup final, a concert, or a routine visit or maintenance day, is authorised, vetted, and accounted for.”
Built within the company’s existing Accredit OS ecosystem, the platform operates on the same secure data layer as core accreditation systems. Key features include pre-registration of visitors, digital compliance checks prior to arrival, QR and RFID badge issuance, and real-time dashboards showing who is on site and in which zones. The system also supports regulatory requirements such as the UK Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) by maintaining a comprehensive digital audit trail.
For venue operators, the solution is positioned as a way to reduce administrative workload through digital workflows and self-service check-ins, while providing security and operations teams with a unified overview of site access across both event and non-event days.
