Como 1907 and Municipality launch Stadio Sinigaglia redevelopment
Serie A club, Como 1907, in partnership with the Municipality of Como, has revealed initial plans and concept images for the redevelopment of their iconic stadium, designed by architecture firm Populous. While the current images serve as early concepts, the club expects to unveil final designs after completing the first phase of the approval process.
The feasibility and approval process are expected to be finalized by May 2026, paving the way for construction to begin. The first phase is scheduled to start in October 2027, followed by the second phase in August 2028. During this process, Como 1907 and the Municipality have pledged to keep fans and local residents informed and involved, ensuring transparency and community engagement throughout the development. The club aims to create a modern and enhanced stadium experience while preserving the spirit of its historic venue.
Como 1907 President, Mirwan Suwarso said: “Our aim is to ensure Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia remains a vital part of the community. The new project must honor the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium legacy while making it an active and accessible space for all citizens and visitors—not just for football, but for everyone to enjoy, 365 days a year.”
Silvia Prandelli, GM of Populous Italia, said: “We are privileged to be involved in the redesign of the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. We look forward to working with Como 1907 and the Municipality of Como to bring the vision to life for the redevelopment of the stadium and how it will integrate with the local community.”
Newcastle United considering new €1.45bn stadium next to St. James’ Park
Newcastle United’s board is reportedly exploring plans to build a new stadium adjacent to St James’ Park. While the current 52,000-seat venue remains one of the most iconic in English football, the club’s ambitious ownership is considering a major upgrade to match its growing aspirations.
Rather than expanding the existing stadium, the board is leaning towards constructing a brand-new, state-of-the-art home with a capacity of just under 70,000. If approved, this €1.45bn project would make it the second-largest club stadium in England, behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford. The final decision will be made by the club’s majority stakeholders, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, once all options have been assessed. The proposed stadium would be built on an “overlapping footprint,” ensuring it remains within the footprint of St James’ Park without encroaching on Leazes Park, a protected Victorian-era green space. This approach would simplify negotiations with local authorities while maintaining the club’s historic city-centre presence.
Early designs suggest a towering, bowl-shaped structure that would stand taller than the current stadium, adding a striking new element to Newcastle’s skyline. If the project moves forward, Newcastle will join clubs like Liverpool and Everton in modernizing their stadiums to meet the demands of modern football. One challenge remains: where Newcastle will play during construction. The club could continue using St James’ Park while work progresses, though this might require a temporary reduction in capacity. Alternatively, a temporary relocation to another venue could be necessary.
While no final decision has been made, momentum is reportedly building in favour of the ambitious new stadium.
Albania and Serbia to Host 2027 UEFA European Under-21 EURO Championship
UEFA has officially selected Albania and Serbia as joint hosts of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. The two nations submitted a sole joint bid and were awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious youth tournament. The 16-team competition will take place across four stadiums in Albania (Tirana, Shkodër, Elbasan and Rrogozhinë) and four in Serbia (Novi Sad, Loznica, Leskovac and Zaječar). Serbia will host the opening match, while the final will be held in Albania. As co-hosts, both Albania and Serbia automatically qualify for the tournament, while the remaining 14 spots will be determined through qualifiers in 2026 and 2027.
This marks the first time the Under-21 EURO finals will be held in either country. Albania is set to host its first UEFA national-team final tournament this year with the UEFA Under-17 Championship, while Tirana previously hosted the inaugural UEFA Conference League final in 2022. Serbia has past experience, having hosted the UEFA Under-17 Championship in 2011 and the UEFA Futsal EURO in 2016.
Croke Park to host NFL Game in 2025
The Croke Park and the NFL have announced that Croke Park in Dublin will host its first-ever regular season game in 2025, marking a major milestone for American football in Ireland. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been designated as the ‘home’ team for the historic fixture, though their opponent, game date, and kick-off time will be confirmed when the full 2025 NFL schedule is released this spring.
This landmark event is the result of a partnership between the NFL, the Government of Ireland and Dublin City Council. Croke Park, Ireland’s largest stadium and the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), will become the latest international venue to welcome the sport as the NFL continues its global expansion.
RheinEnergieStadion to install new Solar Power System
RheinEnergieStadion, the home of 2. Bundesliga club FC Köln, will soon be equipped with a new photovoltaic system to generate electricity throughout the year. The installation aims to make the stadium more sustainable by producing its own energy for football matches and other events.It is estimated that the system will help reduce CO2 emissions by over 370 tonnes annually. The project is being carried out in partnership with RheinEnergie, the stadium’s sponsor and a local energy provider.
Work on the installation is set to begin next month, focusing on the stadium’s east, south and west roofs, where approximately 2,700 solar panels will be installed. Due to technical limitations, the north roof will not be used. The photovoltaic system is expected to be operational by late 2025, with a peak output of 1,200 kWp, contributing significantly to the stadium’s sustainability efforts.
St. George’s Park, home to England Football, set for major transformation with SGP 2.0 project
St George’s Park, home to England’s men’s, women’s and para teams, is set for major investment under the SGP 2.0 project. This transformation aims to enhance the facility as a top-tier performance hub, supporting players, teams, and coaches. key upgrades will include improved playing surfaces for wet weather conditions, new pitchside hub buildings, enhanced training facilities, and modernized recovery areas. The on-site hotel will also be upgraded, with redesigned rooms and communal spaces, permanent downtime activities and a focus on inclusivity to accommodate elite athletes from all backgrounds. Learning and innovation spaces will be introduced to foster creativity and performance enhancement.
“With the honour of hosting a home EUROs on the horizon alongside other exciting pathway activities, SGP 2.0 will level up our capacity to deliver an elite experience for players and to give ourselves every possible chance for success,” said men’s team technical director, John McDermott.
Recent upgrades in 2024 included modernized team briefing rooms and Club England facilities. The next phase begins in early 2025, with completion by 2028. St George’s Park will serve as the Three Lions’ basecamp for UEFA EURO 2028 while continuing to host England teams, training camps and external events.
Poljud Stadium Set for €20 Million renovation while remaining operational
The Poljud Stadium in Split, Croatia is set for a major €20m renovation, marking the beginning of a 31-month project aimed at modernizing the venue while preserving its architectural heritage. The first phase of the redevelopment will focus on essential structural improvements, including corrosion protection for concrete and steel, a complete roof replacement, and enhanced drainage systems. The stadium’s lighting and audio systems will also be upgraded to meet international standards.
A key aspect of the renovation will be improved accessibility, with significant modifications planned to enhance the experience for visitors with reduced mobility. Despite ongoing construction, the 34,000-capacity stadium will remain operational, though certain areas may have restricted visibility due to scaffolding. The renovation will include repairs to reinforced concrete and steel structures with anti-corrosion treatment, replacement of the polycarbonate roof and its supporting framework, modernization of drainage and roof electrical systems, upgrades to the stadium’s lighting, and installation of a state-of-the-art sound system. Adaptations will also be made to ensure better accessibility for people with disabilities and limited mobility.
Work will be carried out in phases to minimize disruption, allowing sporting events to continue throughout the project. The complete tender documentation is available on Croatia’s Electronic Public Procurement Gazette, with a submission deadline of March 11, 2025.
Work set to begin on new €7.7m Community Stadium in Workington
A major milestone is approaching in the construction of a new sports stadium in Workington, with demolition work at Borough Park expected to begin in May. The new facility, named the Cumberland Sports Village, will serve as a shared home for Workington AFC and Workington Town RLFC, replacing the existing stadium.
Workington Reds’ chairman, Phil Norman, confirmed that the first phase of demolition will involve bulldozing the main club building on the west side of the stadium. This will clear the way for the construction of a modern, multi-purpose facility featuring offices, dressing rooms, function rooms, catering areas and bars, designed to meet the needs of contemporary sports clubs. The new building will also house the stadium’s main seating area in the form of a new stand.
While the club hopes to remain on-site during the redevelopment, using temporary facilities, a final decision has yet to be made. The new stadium is expected to be completed by August 2026, providing an upgraded venue for both football and rugby in the region.
