RC Deportivo opens Populous-designed museum and stadium tour
RC Deportivo de La Coruña has unveiled a new museum and stadium tour at the Estadio Riazor, created in collaboration with architecture and design firm Populous. The project transforms part of the stadium into a permanent visitor attraction, celebrating the club’s history while creating a new year-round experience for supporters and tourists.
The museum combines traditional exhibits with immersive and interactive elements, guiding visitors through Deportivo’s sporting milestones and cultural identity. Displays include historic artefacts, audiovisual storytelling and curated spaces that highlight key moments in the club’s journey. The design aims to blend heritage with contemporary presentation, offering a modern, engaging environment within the existing stadium structure.
The experience is integrated with a stadium tour that takes visitors behind the scenes at Riazor, providing access to areas typically reserved for players and officials. By formalising the tour route and enhancing the narrative around the club’s legacy, Deportivo is expanding the stadium’s role beyond matchdays and strengthening its position as a destination within A Coruña.
The opening of the Populous-designed museum marks a significant step in activating the stadium as a cultural and commercial asset, reinforcing RC Deportivo’s connection with its community while broadening its appeal to a wider audience.
https://www.mondostadia.com/rc-deportivo-la-coruna-open-populous-designed-museum-tour/
Oxford United new stadium plans given final approval
Plans for a new stadium for Oxford United FC have received final planning approval, paving the way for the club’s next major infrastructure chapter. The proposed 16,000-capacity venue will be built at ‘The Triangle’ near Oxford Parkway station in Kidlington, following approval by Cherwell District Council and national government authorities.
Under a Section 106 legal agreement, the club will contribute at least £5.1 million towards local infrastructure, including improvements to Oxford Parkway station, new bus services and a ‘mobility hub’ to support visitor access on matchdays and non-matchday events.
The new stadium will also feature a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference centre and community plaza, reflecting its role not only as a home for men’s and women’s football but as a broader community and business asset.
The move from the current Kassam Stadium, which lacks stands on all four sides and has a lease expiring in 2028, to a purpose-built venue next to major transport links represents a significant milestone in the club’s long-term development strategy.
The next stage will involve submission of detailed construction plans to enable works to proceed.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2xln91vyxo
Brøndby IF launches permanent audio description service for match accessibility
Brøndby IF has become the first club in Denmark and the Nordic region to introduce a permanent audio description service for all home matches, offering dedicated real-time narration for visually disabled supporters. The service debuted on 24 February 2026 and is available both inside the Brøndby Stadium and remotely via an online platform, allowing users to follow match action, player movement and stadium atmosphere with enhanced detail.
Developed in partnership with the Danish Association of the Blind, the initiative provides a richly descriptive audio feed delivered by trained commentators, helping reduce reliance on traditional radio commentary or assistance from others. Members of the association attended the launch fixture to test the experience, and the format is designed to make football more inclusive by giving visually impaired fans fuller access to both on-pitch and ambient elements of the match.
Accessible via smartphone at the stadium or synchronised with home TV broadcasts, the service also appeals to broader audiences, offering an alternative way to engage with matches. The initiative is part of the club’s broader fan experience strategy and reflects a growing focus on accessibility in stadium environments.
Lionesses to play World Cup qualifier at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The England women’s national team, the Lionesses, will play their final FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 9 June 2026, marking the first occasion any senior England side has competed at Everton FC’s new 52,700-capacity waterfront stadium since its opening.
The fixture against Ukraine will conclude England’s qualification campaign in Group A3, following earlier away and home matches in Turkey, Nottingham and at Wembley Stadium. Head coach Sarina Wiegman described the occasion as “very exciting,” highlighting the importance of bringing national team football to different parts of the country and engaging supporters in the north-west.
Hill Dickinson Stadium is already earmarked as a venue for UEFA Euro 2028 matches and has been included among proposed host sites for the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid, underscoring its growing role on the international stage.
https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/02/25/lionesses-head-to-hill-dickinson-stadium/
IDOM wins the ArchDaily Building of the Year with the Claro Arena
IDOM has been awarded the ArchDaily Building of the Year 2026 in the Sports Architecture category for its modernization project of the Universidad Católica Stadium (Claro Arena), located in Santiago, Chile.
The project transforms the historic San Carlos de Apoquindo into a contemporary venue, expanding its capacity to 20,000 spectators and incorporating a set of innovative solutions in structure, sustainability, and user experience. The intervention preserves the original stands and integrates them into a new architectural system composed of a 360-degree perimeter boulevard and a lightweight upper extension that redefines the stadium’s identity.
The proposal stands out for its sustainable approach: it reuses the existing concrete structure, incorporates 1,600 m³ of Chilean laminated timber, which captures more than 1,500 tons of CO₂, and recycles demolition materials such as steel and plastics. The timber-slat façade and the mixed timber-and-steel roof optimize lighting, ventilation, and acoustic comfort.
https://www.idom.com/en/new/idom-wins-building-of-the-year-2026-with-claro-arena/
